The rock climbing craze quietly resurges in Nanchang

    In the world of competitive climbing, there’s a saying that goes: “The world looks to China, and China looks to Jiangxi.” The recently concluded 21st Asian Rock Climbing Championships in 2013 once again proved this statement—Team Jiangxi lived up to expectations, delivering a flawless performance on the “walls of ballet,” and swept three gold medals in women’s lead climbing, women’s bouldering, and men’s speed climbing, becoming the biggest winner of the competition. It is understood that since rock climbing was introduced to China in 1987, this extreme sport that combines technique, thrill, and visual appeal has won the hearts of many young people with its unique charm. Especially in regions such as the southeast coast, southwest, and northwest. In 2011, during the International Olympic Committee Executive Board meeting held in Durban, South Africa, climbing was officially confirmed as one of the eight candidate sports for the 2020 Olympics. So, what is the development status of this extreme sport—potentially a new addition to the 2020 Olympics—in Nanchang?

 

 

 Nanchang once had a brief rock climbing craze
 “Nanchang’s rock climbing scene also experienced a brief boom,” says Wu Ming from the Nanchang Xinlüye Outdoor Club. He started getting into extreme climbing over 10 years ago and could be considered a “hardcore” rock climber in Nanchang.

 On September 2, when interviewed by a reporter, Wu Ming recalled that back in 2004, when climbing was sweeping the nation, Nanchang also saw a surge in climbing enthusiasm. That year, the local climbing community expanded rapidly, with many young people joining in. Some public spaces with the right conditions even built outdoor climbing walls, and in many climbing gyms, newcomers could be seen practicing diligently.

 Wu Ming told reporters that at its peak, there were no fewer than 100 regular climbers. But the brief craze did not usher climbing into a golden age. After 2005, Nanchang’s climbing community shrank significantly. Many climbers switched to other sports, and very few stuck with it—the number dwindled to just 20 or 30 at one point.

 “There were many reasons for this,” Wu Ming analyzed. The main issue was the lack of proper facilities. Back then, Nanchang didn’t have any good climbing gyms, so many who wanted to practice had to go to other places like Guangdong, Fujian, or Guilin. This was not only time-consuming and inconvenient, but also financially burdensome for many. Another reason was that many people lacked the perseverance to endure the challenges, leading to high dropout rates.

 Although Nanchang’s climbing scene “went quiet” for a few years, it has gradually picked up steam again since 2011. “Climbing is an extreme sport derived from mountaineering. Nowadays, climbing venues in Nanchang have improved significantly, and a new wave of climbers has reignited the climbing craze,” Wu Ming said cheerfully.

 At around 8 p.m. on September 3, the reporter visited the Zhangshulin Jiage Climbing Gym in Nanchang. Though it wasn’t the weekend, the climbing wall was far from quiet. On a 10-plus-meter-high artificial wall, several climbers were gracefully scaling the steep surface.

 One of the climbers who earned applause was Xiao He, who had only been climbing for a little over two months. He told the reporter that he initially came along with a friend but gradually fell in love with the sport. “You’re climbing so well—I never would’ve guessed you’re a beginner,” the reporter said, to which Xiao He laughed and replied that climbing, like walking, is a natural movement, just in a different environment.

 However, Mr. Yang, who came with his girlfriend for the first time, had a tougher time. Halfway up, he had to give up due to a fear of heights. But after some coaching and encouragement from the instructor, he made another attempt and eventually reached the top of the wall. According to Mr. Xiao, the gym manager, an average of 20 to 30 people come to climb each evening, ranging in age from 5 to over 60, and including both men and women.

 Mr. Xiao is actually an accomplished climber himself. He started climbing in 2004 and studied under Ding Chengliang, a renowned “coach” in China’s climbing circle. Starting in 2011, he turned his personal passion into a career. “Although the climbing community is still relatively niche, it’s steadily growing,” Mr. Xiao said. Nanchang has a climbing group called the Jiage Climbing Group, which currently has over 60 experienced climbers. As the group leader, Mr. Xiao also serves as a climbing coach. He explained that many people mistakenly think climbing is all about pulling with your arms, but that’s not the case. Climbing is a sport that trains coordination and balance. The key is to stay stable and use the coordinated strength of your thighs, core, arms, and fingers most effectively. At the same time, on steep walls, you need to stay fully focused and calm, paying attention to every detail of body movement, planning and executing the most efficient sequence of moves. This trains the mind to think quickly and focus on priorities.

 A lifelong sport

 As the climbing community grows, so do the climbing venues in Nanchang. In addition to the Jiage Climbing Gym in Zhangshulin, there are also specialized training facilities at Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics’ Fenglin Campus, Xiangshan Forest Park, Hongdu Park, and the Meiling Lion Peak Scenic Area—all offering excellent climbing walls that provide great convenience for enthusiasts.

 In addition to these artificial climbing spots, there are also natural ones that attract climbers. For example, the Guai Shi Ling area in Xixia Town, Xinjian County. Moreover, not far from Nanchang, in Jiujiang, many new natural rock faces have been opened up for climbers to enjoy.

 “It may still take some time for climbing to truly take off, but its development prospects are definitely promising,” said Mr. Xiao. In his view, climbing is highly participatory, has almost no age restrictions, and is a lifelong sport suitable for all ages—it’s a way of life.