Rock climbing is rapidly becoming the latest thrill among college students in Ventura County.
Along with the exhilaration of the sport, rock climbing is not very expensive, which means students may no longer have to go to pricey gyms in order to exercise and tone their bodies.
“(The sport) is not boring,” said Christian Luneverg, owner of the Boulderdash Rock Climbing studio in Thousand Oaks. “Here you come (and) play; whereas at a gym, you’d go work out. If anything, I would imagine it’s a little less expensive.”
For monthly and annual memberships, Luneverg says that the price range is pretty much the same as a gym.
However, a person does not have to be a member to climb daily for only $15, $13 with a student ID, and every other Friday, students climb for $5. Renting the equipment costs about $6 more.
Rock climbing is a common sport, although recently it has become an alternative to popular workout routines, such as yoga.
Climbing is difficult, as well as exciting, and the sport is a combined workout for the body and the mind, according to Luneverg, who has been rock climbing for more than 17 years.
“Climbing is a full body workout, but more importantly, it’s more fun, than a workout routine with weights or a treadmill,” said Paul Farkas, supervisor at the Boulderdash Indoor Rock Climbing studio.
Students who have years of experience with the sport agree that it is incredible and keeps them coming back for more.
“Climbing is an addictive sport,” said Adam Tischler, a 19 year old freshman at Moorpark College.
“I grew up doing it. I’ve been climbing ever since I was nine.”
“I just love the aesthetic feel of the movement and the variations of how it’s progressed over the last 10 years.”
Luneverg stressed that, because of the environment in which the sport takes place, it can help students become more agile and confident.
Climbing brings people closer together by providing a situation in which climbers must help each other succeed.
“People communicate with each other and hang out with each other in a way that’s so nurturing,” said Luneverg. “Everybody wants everybody to do well. Everybody wants (the person climbing) to make it.”
Whether a person is climbing an indoor rock wall, the face of a steep cliff or mountain, or large boulders, the sport is extremely dangerous.
If a person does not have the proper training or tools, it can be life-threatening.
“Safety is huge,” said Luneverg. “Rock climbing is dangerous any way you slice it, and the only way you can manage it is to learn a skill set.
There are classes available for those who have never gone rock climbing and there are guides to help people get out and do the real thing.
Classes are offered Monday through Friday at the Boulderdash Indoor Rock Climbing studio in T.O. But if students would rather climb outdoors, Earthworks in Ventura is the place to go.
Earthworks specializes in guided rock climbing tours in the Santa Barbara area.
It covers the basics in climbing techniques, safety, and equipment, according to the website.
However, the cost of each trip is a minimum of $95 per person.
“Another great thing about climbing is that it’s not about brawn,” remarked Luneverg. “To do it well, it’s all about stomach, legs, breath and balance. It’s about grace and its about how to move your body well.”
“It’s also about how to be technically correct as opposed to physically correct. It’s probably 60 percent mental.”
For more information on rock climbing, or classes on climbing techniques in the Thousand Oaks area, contact the Boulderdash Indoor Rock Climbing studio at (805) 557-1300, or visit their website at boulderdashclimbing.com.
For information on guides in the Ventura area, contact Mathew Fienup, founder of Earthworks Guided Rock Climbing, at (805) 320-2739.
