Are you looking for a fitness-focused activity to keep your teenagers occupied a couple of evenings each week? The Stalactites Climbing Club might just be the activity your family is looking for!
The club is aimed at teens aged 13 to 17 and operates at the Taupō Events Centre’s Indoor Rockwall on a weekly basis throughout the school term. You don’t need any climbing experience to join. The two-hour sessions focus on climbing technique and fitness and importantly, keeping things social.
Taupō District Council fitness and activities team lead Doireann Meade says it’s a great fitness activity for teens outside of your traditional gym environment and as an alternative to competitive team sports.
“It’s really social, while providing a safe environment for self-progression. Not only is it great for functional fitness, but it also encourages teens to take responsibility for others through belaying and supporting less-experienced climbers in the group.
“The teens are a really welcoming bunch of young people, who like to push themselves and are really encouraging of their peers.”
There is no official rock-climbing club in Taupō, but Taupō District Council provides the Indoor Rockwall as a recreational climbing facility. It caters to casual visitors and local members and is home to the Chalkies climbing group for children aged 5 to 12, Stalactites climbing group for teens 13 to 17, as well as a social climbing group for adults. The qualified Rockwall instructors can teach you from scratch and work on building your climbing skillset from the ground up.
“There is no pressure, you can work at your own pace, we want young people to come and give climbing a shot.
“If you are afraid to tackle the entire Rockwall, you can build your technique via bouldering on the bottom two metres of the wall without a belay. There is something for everyone. We also spend a lot of time off the wall working on our movement and fitness, with circuit training and abdominal workouts,” says Doireann.
The $100 term fee includes tuition and equipment hire (shoes and harness) during classes, as well as access to the Rockwall outside of class times, though equipment will need to be hired during any additional visits.
For more information on the Indoor Rockwall and other recreational activities visit www.taupodc.govt.nz/recreation.
Pictured below: Teens climb the 12 metre Indoor Rockwall at the Taupō Events Centre.
