As an outdoor sport that originated and thrived in Europe and America, rock climbing has seen a surge in the number of enthusiasts in China in recent years. Known as the "ballet on the cliffs," this sport is becoming a favorite extreme activity among China's younger generation for building fitness, tempering character, and connecting with nature.
Ding Xianghua, head of the Rock Climbing and Ice Climbing Department at the Climbing Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China, said that according to rough estimates, there are currently about 10,000 people in China who own climbing gear and participate in climbing activities monthly, compared to only around 2,000 five years ago. "At this rate, it’s not difficult to see the number of rock climbing enthusiasts in China reaching around 100,000 in the next 10 years."
A pair of professional climbing shoes costs a few hundred yuan, and a simple, practical set of climbing gear can be acquired for around 2,000 yuan. The basic techniques are easy to learn and don’t require professional training. Since the barriers to entry for climbing are not as high as imagined, many young people quickly become hooked once they try the sport and turn into avid enthusiasts.
At this first-ever International Rock Climbing Exchange Conference held in Asia, Chinese climbers strived to scale the cliffs, while several foreign participants below cheered them on in broken Chinese, offering tips on climbing techniques. These scenes left a deep impression on the audience and journalists present.
According to insiders in the climbing industry, because rock climbing is more widespread in many parts of the world, foreign climbers generally have superior climbing skills. As a result, foreign climbers studying or living in China have become an important force in promoting the development of the sport in the country.
Despite its promising future in China, the popularization of rock climbing still faces several challenges. In addition to the limited number of climbing facilities, misconceptions about the sport and the difficulty of finding climbing groups are major obstacles.
Gao Xiang, a hardcore climbing enthusiast from Chengdu, said that there are still many misconceptions about the sport in China: one is that it is highly dangerous, and the other is that it is expensive. He explained that the ropes and quickdraws used in climbing can withstand weights of up to two tons, so no matter how hard a person pulls on the rock face, they won’t fall off. As long as they master the basic techniques, safety is not an issue. "When climbing outdoors, the focus is on enjoying close contact with nature. Travel by train, sleep in tents, and eat food you bring along, so it doesn’t cost much."
Meanwhile, the promotion model for rock climbing in China is mainly "friend brings friend." Many people may be very interested in climbing through movies or other means, but without access to climbing groups or experienced mentors, it is difficult to get into the climbing circle. "This has also become a major challenge in the popularization of rock climbing in China."
It is understood that the national sports authorities are currently focusing on organizing various promotional activities during school holidays, especially in universities and primary and secondary schools, to raise awareness of the sport. In addition, climbing gear manufacturers are getting involved in organizing events to promote the sport, which will also be one of the main directions for the future development of climbing.