From the vantage of a cushy crash pad, strapped into comfy climbing shoes, I am standing slightly mesmerized by a maze of colourful handholds, imagining the satisfaction of hauling myself up to the top of a very tall wall. And then I’m actually doing it – hanging, swinging, climbing and inevitably falling rather elegantly, as I’ve just been taught to.
The Hangar Climbing Lounge is a bouldering climbing facility now open in Sechelt – and it’s a blast.
Indoor bouldering is a simple form of rock climbing that does not require ropes or harnesses as it is done low to the ground. Climbers use moves such as toe and hand hooking, swinging or even jumping from hold to hold to solve problems mapped out on the walls. It’s a popular activity in Europe, now gaining traction throughout North America.
“I grew up in Switzerland in the ‘90s when sports climbing became pretty big indoors and outdoors,” said Lukas Stuebi, who founded The Hangar with his business partner and wife, Candice Spenst. “When I moved to Canada in 2008, I started going to indoor bouldering facilities.”
Spenst began climbing as a youngster, learning indoor rappelling at Girl Guides. When she met Stuebi, they started climbing together. But when they moved to the Sunshine Coast, there was no climbing facility here, so they decided to build one.
“It’s a very social and passionate activity,” Spenst noted, referring to the climbing community. “People move around and even vacation, based on where there is a climbing facility.”
The couple also wanted to contribute something positive by creating a place where families and kids, including their daughter Hannah Moxham, would feel welcome, challenged and supported.
“I love it,” said 13-year-old Hannah. “When I pick a problem to solve and get up on the wall, all my other problems go away.”
The movements of climbing are powerful and fun, and The Hangar is designed as an all-ages playground for body and mind. Every climber moves differently and it’s not uncommon for other climbers to gather around to cheer each other on.
“It’s an extremely good workout, adding strength and increasing flexibility,” Stuebi added. “It’s a challenge for your body and also for your mind, in problem solving.”
The beauty of indoor bouldering is its accessibility. There are no ropes to fuss with and kids to adults are equally challenged, moving onto harder problems as they get stronger and more confident.
The Hangar (hangarclimbing.com) is open seven days a week and currently offers 55 bouldering problems to enjoy. New and experience climbers can drop in, or buy a pass, some of which provide 24/7 access for climbing off hours. Climbing shoes (not mandatory; but clean gym shoes are) and chalk are available to rent and there is also a snack and drinks bar for refuelling and socializing.
