Everything About Sport Climbing: How it Works?
Sport Climbing is pretty new for the sports enthusiast, and there’s a lot of commotion about it.
Sport climbing is a system for climbing using your body weight and skills and special equipment.
It’s an intense and challenging sport and requires a lot of quick thinking and agility. Sport climbing is different from the typical indoor climbing found at gyms and usually done on outdoor cliffs at specific crags or areas.
Since the inclusion of climbing in the Olympics, the sport has started to attract many new audiences. So, if you’re new to this adventurous sport, then we’re here with an article on everything about sport climbing.
What is Sport Climbing?
It’s an adventurous sport that requires strength, flexibility, and agility. You have to climb a rock with the help of anchors. The carabiners are attached to these anchors, and then it’s connected to a sling known as dogbone.
The entire circuit of carabiners and anchors is for the safety of climbers. People often link sport climbing with traditional climbing; however, both are entirely different. The traditional climbers remove the anchors while rappelling down.
Climbing up and rappelling down gives you a sudden adrenaline rush.
Sport climbing also differs from free climbing as the latter one prohibits the usage of any safety gear.
How does Sport Climbing work?
Sport climbing can be done solo or in pairs, but the motive is similar; you have to reach the peak as quickly as possible. In teams, one will lead the way, and they’ll guide the person following them.
The lead climber needs to reach the piton and clip in for safety. The climber following them will unclip the piton and keep going up.
Depending on the type of climbing, either you have to wait for your partner or clip in all the anchors within a given time frame.
Is it Dangerous?
Even though you have all the safety gear, climbing is undoubtedly one of the most deadly sports. While paving your way up and eventually rappelling down is dangerous.
The sport can result in accidents even if you have an abundance of skills and agility. The slightest mistake can end up in a fatal injury. Thus, if you’re a beginner, then safety measures and precautions are crucial.
Don’t push yourself if you think the cliff is too steep for you, as a precaution is always better than regrets.
Equipment Necessary for Sport Climbing
There is a set of gears that you should possess before finding a cliff to climb. Below are some of the equipment and gears:
- Shoes
A shoe with a solid grip and a firm sole is a must for climbing. The difficulty of the cliff also matters while choosing the appropriate pair of shoes. It’s better to buy shoes that fit you precisely and don’t go off while climbing.
- Helmet for Safety
The helmets are essential for climbing as they can save you from concussions.
- Rope
A climbing rope of length around 9.5 mm is best for climbing.
- Carabiners
Yet another safety tool that helps in the belaying process.
- Quickdraws
The connection of carabiners with anchors is only possible via quickdraws.
Olympics and Sport Climbing
Since the debut of sport climbing in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the sport is slowly gaining popularity. The inclusion was made in 2016 by the IOC, and we witnessed climbers in the live-action.
There are three disciplines in sport climbing: speed climbing, lead climbing, and bouldering. The athlete with the lowest aggregate score takes the gold medal home.
In speed climbing, athletes have to climb a 15m wall and press the buzzer on the top of the wall. As the name suggests, speed is everything in this category.
Bouldering is all about following a predetermined route on a wall of 4.5m. The time limit is 4 minutes, and climbers have to surpass all the obstacles on their way to the peak.
The lead climbing gives you six minutes to reach as high as possible on a 15m wall, and once you make it to the top, you need to connect quickdraws with the rope.
Tips to Start Sport Climbing
Don’t Climb a Crag Straightaway
It’s not that easy for a beginner to directly climb a cliff. The indoor climbing arena is best for any newbie as they can master the skill to avoid any mishap.
Know the Cliff Before Sports Climbing
You should know the route of the cliff before ascending on it. Read books, guides and talk with the climbing experts.
Get Support
Initially, it might be too difficult for you to balance your body weight. In such a case, a top rope can work well for you. It’s crucial to learn the basics of the sport.
Don’t Push Yourself
You might get an adrenaline rush while you’re about to climb a cliff; knowing your limits can save you from unnecessary injuries. Even the pro climbers started with a small peak, so give yourself proper time before conquering heights.
Don’t Go Against Nature
Nature is much more powerful than humans, so avoid climbing and head back to your home in case of heavy rain or storm.
Conclusion
The sport of climbing is getting popular and as you learn plenty of things about it, start your climbing journey and experience thrill like never before.
