CLIMBING
Clmbxr founder Rotimi Odukoya on the inexorable rise of climbing, and how he’s helping to break down barriers to the sport
Climbing walls across the country have become the playgrounds for those hungry to get fit, have fun and explore new experiences. The proof is in the pudding: more than 30 walls have sprung up in London alone in the last five years. This isn’t a trend. It’s a movement that shows no signs of slowing down.
In 2019, the catalyst for my journey was a casual comment from a work colleague about her newfound climbing hobby. Little did I know that this seemingly offhand remark would lead me into a world that has transcended its roots in underground dens – a place pro climbers would visit during off-season to level up their abilities on the mountain tops.
Today, climbing is more than scaling walls; it’s a lifestyle. It’s about staring down fears, forging connections within a community, discovering pain and joy in failure. The climbing gym isn’t merely a place to work out; it’s a home for those seeking challenges, friendship, and an escape from the sameness of daily life.
Millennials and Gen Zers are swapping out avocados and lattes for a different kind of membership: an all-access pass to a world of falls, laughter and triumphs. Indoor climbing is not just a sport; it’s a safe space.
Taking hold
But there’s more to the climbing narrative, and it’s crucial to recognise that certain groups remain underrepresented. That is the driving force behind Clmbxr. In collaboration with The North Face, we’ve help shaped their ‘Allyship in the Outdoors’ programme, a digital course aimed at changing perspectives on allyship and racial inclusion. It’s not just about understanding the issues faced by Black individuals and those from other ethnic backgrounds in the outdoors, but breaking down the barriers that create them. Allyship can be a powerful force for positive change, especially when it transcends beyond lip service and into meaningful action.
It would be a failure on my part not to acknowledge YouTube’s pivotal role in ushering the new wave of climbing fans, cultivating a passionate audience, and providing a stage for some of the most talented climbers. Channels like the ‘Bouldering Bobats’, ‘Magnus MidtbØ’ and ‘Hannah Morris Bouldering’ have made the world of climbing both more accessible and undeniably cool.
The inclusion of climbing in the Olympics has been a gamechanger, too, shedding the niche label and bringing it to
