9-year-old Huang Jiaxuan conquers the “overhang”
Don’t think rock climbing is only for the strong — you’ll also find many children and even seniors at climbing training grounds. Huang Jiaxuan (pictured above), a fourth grader from Fanyu Zhixin Middle School Affiliated Primary School, has been practicing rock climbing for three years and has already won the national championship in the D division. His father is very supportive of his son’s hobby, “Rock climbing is actually a very safe sport. There are comprehensive safety measures, and coaches provide one-on-one guidance, so we’re not worried about safety.” As a result, Huang’s father not only takes his son to the Olympic Sports Center climbing gym twice a week for artificial wall training, but sometimes also brings him to outdoor natural rock faces to boost Huang Jiaxuan’s courage.
In Huang’s father’s view, practicing rock climbing is not about achieving results but about building his son’s character. “Rock climbing requires not only good physical and mental fitness and skilled techniques, but also adaptability and perseverance — it’s excellent training for children.” Indeed, during practice, the 9-year-old Huang Jiaxuan shows remarkable composure and bravery beyond his years. When challenging the very difficult “overhang,” the crowd below watches his performance nervously. Due to his young age, lack of strength, and insufficient arm span, Huang tried several times but couldn’t grab a hold above him, leaving him unable to move forward at height. But he doesn’t give up easily. He tries the tough spot several times until he finally runs out of strength and has to give up reluctantly. His persistence and determination earn applause from many onlookers.
Not only kids can enjoy it — many seniors also take part in climbing. Feng Qi, 64, often comes to practice. “Rock climbing absolutely helps build willpower. Each climb is different — the required balance and explosive power vary depending on the route. The joy of constantly challenging difficulties is hard to grasp without experiencing it yourself.” Uncle Feng also encourages reporters from the Times to give it a try. He says everyone has a natural instinct to climb, and once you try it, you’ll know whether it’s hard or not. The first time might feel a bit nerve-wracking, but that hesitation is quickly overcome by the desire to climb higher. With enough courage, anyone can become a “spider-man.”
According to Ren Li, vice president of the Guangzhou Extreme Sports and Mountaineering Association, there are currently around 2,000 amateur rock climbing enthusiasts regularly active in Guangdong Province, making it one of the provinces with a relatively solid climbing base. Moreover, the competitive level of youth climbers in Guangdong (mainly from Guangzhou) is among the best in the country. Coach Zhou Lichao is one of the few in Guangdong with a national intermediate coaching certificate. He has been involved in rock climbing for over ten years. In his view, rock climbing is an excellent activity for all-around fitness — children as young as 3 and healthy seniors over 70 can all participate. Coach Zhou also strongly encourages children to join, as rock climbing can change shy and introverted personalities, making them braver.
Though not particularly tall compared to his peers, 9-year-old Huang Jiaxuan reveals an inner strength when he nimbly scales the “climbing wall.” Many people have heard of rock climbing, but few have tried it. In fact, with enough courage and physical fitness, you’ll find that rock climbing is not out of reach. There are several climbing venues in downtown Guangzhou — why not go experience the charm of this sport for yourself?
Get started with rock climbing gear for under a thousand yuan
Beginners who bring their own gear can get set up for around a thousand yuan, and it will last for years. A pair of climbing shoes costs 300 yuan, a harness 200–500 yuan, a chalk bag 50 yuan, and a locking carabiner belay device 100 yuan. For a slightly more professional setup, adding ropes, quickdraws, slings, and replacing shoes will cost no more than 3,000 yuan. Adding the annual club membership and occasional outdoor climbing expenses, the average monthly cost is just a few hundred yuan — not much more than badminton enthusiasts spend.
Belay device
Also called a descender, it uses friction between the device and the rope to slow and eventually stop the rope’s movement, ensuring the safety of a falling climber.
Chalk bag
An auxiliary piece of equipment; chalk absorbs sweat from the hands and moisture from the rock surface, increasing friction.
Climbing shoes
The soles use special rubber for greatly increased friction. It's best to choose a slightly smaller size so the shoes fit tightly around your feet, making your feet act as one unit. This enhances foot sensitivity and helps with precise foot placements and power application. Entry-level climbing shoes generally cost between 300–400 yuan.
Harness
The harness is worn by the climber and supports the weight and impact if they fall or descend. The waist belt is the main load-bearing part, while leg loops are designed for comfort and convenience. Harnesses with wide, thick padding on the waist and leg straps are comfortable but bulky — suitable for indoor climbing or route setting. Competitive climbing calls for lightweight harnesses. For traditional or aid climbing, consider the number and placement of gear loops. Entry-level harnesses for beginners typically cost around 200 yuan.
Quickdraw
A quickdraw consists of a sling with a carabiner attached to each end. One end clips into a protection point while the other connects to the climber’s harness or rope, offering convenient handling.
Climbing rope
Made from high-strength nylon woven in a special way, it has high elasticity that absorbs most of the impact during a fall, reducing injury to the climber.