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ROck Climbing Klub holds rock-climbing competitionMASSES FLOCKED OUTSIDE THE McCormick Student Village on Thursday, September 14" and Friday, September 15" to test their strength and wit as they faced the challenge of scaling a portable climbing wall as part of the IIT Rock Climbing Challenge sponsored by the Rock Climbing Klub (ROCK).ROCK arranged to have students to experience the thrill of rock climbing as well as compete on Friday in two types of competitions testing their speed and difficulty level. The organization, headed by President Caleb Khoo and Vice President Joel Anderson, sponsored the event as a means of attracting students to the sport and hopefully membership to the club. "We just want to have students come and challenge themselves," says Khoo, "This event is meant for people to come and experience the fun of rock climbing, and for those who have enough interest, they should feel free to join the organization." Great Lakes Climbing, based in Minocqua, Wisconsin provided the climbing wall. The owner, Rick Threewit, says that rock climbing is a sport that has gained widespread popularity. "I've read an article in the June issue of Sports Illustrated that claimed that rock climbing is the single fastest growing sport right now in the United States," says Threewit. "It's a sport that people of all age are trying out; I've had kids as young as three years old scale this wall in twenty-eight seconds, and the oldest person I've had was seventy-two years old. It is definitely a sport that has great appeal, and just about everyone enjoys it." The Rock Climbing Club formed last semester in February as a result of the interest of several students. Khoo, who initiated the establishment of the organization, says that the main purpose in forming the club was simply so that students would easily find the resources to climb at their own leisure. "I've been climbing for three years, and I knew that there were a lot of people who wanted to climb as well," says Khoo. "Also, I thought that if there were to be an official school organization, it would probably be less of a burden for students to be able to climb since it is expensive to go climbing, and usually one cannot find enough people to go climbing as a group." While the group had a slow start last semester, both Khoo and Anderson have been busy planning several events to spark the interest of many climbers. "Last semester, we were only able to make a trip to one climbing gym, and the response has been decent," says Anderson. "This year, in addition to going some gyms, we're going to make an expedition to Mississippi Palisades State Park, which is 2 hours outside of Chicago. ." |
[Extra photo added by PJ.] Faculty Advisor, Peter Johnson will lead a canoe trip down the Mississippi River for those not able to climb. We'll even have a trip to the Bloomington Climbing Gym, the largest climbing in the US
To further the promotion of the sport, the organization has been fortunate enough to receive substantial funds from the school to make rock climbing affordable to all students."We're only asking for fifteen dollars dues for the entire year," says Khoo. "Usually, just one visit will cost about fifteen to twenty dollars, and the first visit will generally be the most expensive visit since you'll need instruction." So far, Khoo and Anderson's efforts in promoting the sport as well as their organization have paid off. "So far, the response has been incredible; while only a few have actually paid their dues, our mailing list has up to fifty to seventy people signed up," says Anderson. For now, Khoo and Anderson would simply like to see a climbing wall on the campus. "Right now our goal is to establish a climbing wall on campus," says Khoo. "Joel and I have been working on trying to get this accomplished, and hopefully with the great number of students who expressed interest in the club, we might be closer to accomplishing this goal." With so many plans in effect, the Rock Climbing Club is in full swing for the academic year. For many students, the club offers opportunity for leisure and fun away from the strains and burdens of college life. Freshman Parimal Panchal agrees that the club is an excellent way for students to get out and be active. "I've never really climbed until today at the competition," says Panchal. "I'm already in love with climbing, and I can't wait to go again. Plus, for fifteen dollars, even if you only go climbing once, you get your money's worth. I can't imagine a better way for students to find a respite from all the stresses of college life." |
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