Climbing has been included as a sport in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and as it’s popularity rises, climbing gyms are popping up around Australia.
The Blue Mountains is no exception – a new climbing gym has opened in Katoomba, and is a good place for beginners wishing to gain some climbing techniques and strength before venturing into the great outdoors and the many climbs on offer.
Camp Street Climbing is an initiative of four keen climbers from the Upper Mountains. One of the business partners, Lee Cossey, said they wanted to make climbing accessible for those new to the sport, as well as creating a fun, modern training facility for those who already climb and are aiming to improve.
“We hope that our gym will encourage people to give it a go and experience what a great sport climbing is. Climbing is a fun way to work out and it exercises almost every single muscle in the body,” Mr Cossey said.
“We also hope that our gym will make the transition from indoor to outdoor climbing much easier.”
The Blue Mountains are home to some of the most challenging outdoor climbs in the country.
“One of the main priorities of opening the gym was to provide a high quality facility for the many local climbers to train at,” Mr Cossey said.
“We have by far the highest concentration of both the most challenging climbs and high level climbers in the country.
“Many of these people have moved from interstate or overseas for what is in our backyard and are very much enjoying having somewhere to train.”
The gym caters for children as well as adults, and is a bouldering gym, so does not use ropes, and the climbs are attempted above large, soft matting. There are also after-school climbing classes for kids.
"Indoor gyms are also often where climbers new and old can meet and plan their outdoor adventures. We also work closely with the guiding companies in the area to help direct people to appropriate courses that will help people to transition from indoor to outdoor climbing,” Mr Cossey said.
The gym is located in Camp St, Katoomba and is staffed five days a week.