Rock On: This sport is growing in popularity across the Okanagan

In the heart of the Okanagan Valley, a sport has emerged and experienced remarkable growth in recent years – bouldering.

It involves climbing short, challenging routes without the use of ropes or harnesses.

Climbers use special shoes for grip and rely on crash pads for safety in case of falls. The sport emphasizes strength, technique, and problem-solving as climbers navigate various holds and features on indoor or outdoor climbing walls.

Kayla Pickles, a member of the Okanagan Bouldering Society, highlighted the myriad benefits of the sport in an interview with Kelowna10 at The Boulderfields south of the city. She emphasized the sport's popularity, attributing it to its unique blend of physical and mental challenges.

“It's something you can do against yourself and it's figuring out problems. So, the process is finding the climb and figuring out how it works best for you,” she explained. “There’s problem solving, which is good for the brain and the body keeps you in shape. The hiking is undoubtedly one of the hardest parts of the whole day, just getting in and out with your crash pads on.”

Despite the daunting appearance of climbs exceeding 30 feet in height, the sport isn't as dangerous as some may think.

“The misconception is that it's dangerous, but it's not when it's done correctly,” Pickles said. “When you actually watch how it's done and the pad placement and the people that are spotting you, it's actually quite a safe sport.”

Experienced climbers like Quentin Trollip, who actively contributes to The Boulderfields' upkeep, have noticed a substantial increase in the number of participants compared to when he began climbing over a decade ago.

“You would come up on a Saturday and you wouldn’t t see anybody else. Now you come here and can’t even find a parking spot in the parking lot,” he said. “Ten, 15 years ago, you could count on your two hands, the people that would come in your regularly to come bouldering. Now the community is massive.”

He highlighted the nature of the boulder fields, where not only are there over a thousand established climbs in the area, but the scarcity of similar opportunities near Kelowna means it's become a prime destination for climbers seeking diverse challenges.

Trollip also emphasized that climbing isn't restricted to just young and fit individuals; it's a sport accessible to all age groups.

“There's a large group of teenagers that get into climbing now that bouldering is in the Olympics, and it's a lot more popular,” he explained. “Indoor bouldering is very popular. We've got three gyms at the moment just in town, and we have a lot of those people starting at the gym and they progress into outdoor climbing.

Trollip’s advice for those who want to try outdoor bouldering is to go with an experienced climber who knows the terrain, learn the ethics and safety techniques, and prioritize safety and environmental conservation.

Ultimately, the goal should be focusing on personal improvement and the preservation of the area for many years to come.