Bahrain’s adrenaline junkies and sports fanatics got a rise out of the latest athletic craze to make its mark on the island as they took on a giant rock climbing wall in Al A’ali Shopping Complex’s food promenade, writes Mai Al Khatib-Camille.
More than 300 climbers strapped themselves into harnesses to scale a 15-metre wall constructed near Nino’s restaurant as part of the final phase for the Ministry of Culture’s 2013 Season of Sport, which is aimed at offering new and exciting challenges for the Bahraini and expat resident communities.
The three-day speed climbing event kicked off at 6pm on Thursday evening with people gathered in restaurants and cafes down the boulevard, chatting away and wondering about the large structure as the Havaneros band played Latino tunes in the background.
They were soon watching in awe as world champion Edyta Ropek, from Poland, and Orrin Coley, the British Junior Speed Climbing Champion, challenged gravity, demonstrating their strength and agility on the wall.
Event organiser Sportique88’s managing director, Martin Whitaker, firmly believes it has a place in the future of Bahrain’s sporting landscape.
Mr Whitaker said: “It’s the first time we have ever seen international climbers in action and the first time, to my knowledge, that we ever had a full-sized speed climbing structure erected in Bahrain. There is one in Magic Island, but it’s more of a kid’s version.
“This has proved to be a really popular event. There appears to be room for a competitive sport such as this here in Bahrain because it’s easy to stage and it has gone down really well with the community.
“It would give us an added opportunity to bring an international competition to Bahrain. Wouldn’t it be great to have a round of the World Cup here in a year’s time?”
The World Climbing Championships and World and Continental Cups are organised by a non-governmental international association called the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC). Speed Climbing, which is done on rocks, walls and poles, is governed by the IFSC.
Edyta, 34, is a three-time winner of the World Cup and a two-time European champion. She is also a leading instructor and can ascend a standard 15-metre wall in an astonishing eight seconds. She believes it’s a great sport for the entire family.
Edyta said: “Climbing is not only my job; it is my passion and my life. I first started in my hometown where many people enjoy rock climbing. It gives me a feeling of freedom and happiness.
“I think climbing is a big adventure, it helps you manage your fear and you have so much fun doing it. I knew the people of Bahrain would truly enjoy it.”
Edyta has undergone extensive training to reach the heights she has with her coach Eric Kaminski, 34. He said: “I’m responsible for helping her to implement the right tactics in competition. Someone else helps her to develop her fitness, and there is also a psychologist who prepares her mentally.
“She has trained around four-hours-a-day doing a lot of weightlifting, pull-ups and athletics.”
Edyta put her training to the test and showed others how to tackle the wall with ease. Mr Kaminski added: “This is a great activity for everyone. It is our first event in Bahrain and we hope not our last.
“It’s an unforgettable experience and a safe sport to try with experts and instructors on-hand. All you need for climbing is good shoes and sportswear.”
Orrin, 17, also demonstrated his quick hands and feet as he raced to the top in seconds. The rising star had won the British Junior Speed Climbing Championship title last year with a 12.9 second speed and that isn’t even his fastest. He can climb a standard 15-metre wall in 4.75 seconds, which he accomplished in Bahrain.
Orrin said: “I have been asked how I got into speed climbing a few times recently and I’m not quite sure what happened. I did a few local competitions and really enjoyed it. After winning the championship I have been trying as hard as I can to enter European competitions.
“The highest I’ve ever climbed is 200-metres at a multi-pitch sport climbing facility in Spain a few years ago. It was the first time I had ever done a multi-pitch, which is the ascent of climbing routes with one or more stops at a belay station. I have climbed quite a lot on real rock faces and am trying to get outside a lot more now.”
Orrin’s next competition is in Austria at the end of July where he will take on other youngsters in the European Youth Championship.
The young athlete trains alongside his father Alex, 40, a natural climber who taught him everything he knows. What started off as a father and son fun-filled activity soon escalated into a career.
To prepare for the challenges ahead he is undergoing a strict strength-building gym regime. His mother Elaine Spott, 40, is proud of how far he has come and travelled to Bahrain to see him perform.
Mrs Spott said: “I’m just so proud of him. For anyone who is concerned about safety measures, you have to trust in the experts and the coaches. Also the climbers support each other despite the fact that they are in competition.”
David Axtell, 42, a British health insurance consultant from Saar, was one of the first to climb the wall with his children Charlotte, nine, and George, 11.
He said: “Every time I go back to England I try to do a bit of climbing, not specifically speed climbing, but I try to find a wall somewhere.
“I just love the all over body workout in the arms, forearms and hands. I think once you have done it a few times it’s not as scary and the hardest part is the fear of falling. But once you realise you are in the safe hands of the experts then it’s not so bad.
“This was a fantastic event in a fabulous setting. It was staged in a sort of piazza area with an array of cafes and people just sitting around having coffee with friends and soaking up the atmosphere. I’m sure onlookers were egging each other on to give it a try!”
Reem Ahmed, 27, an entrepreneur from Hamad Town, wasted no time scaling the structure like a seasoned professional.
It was no match for the fearsome female who had climbed similar walls in the past and, her biggest feat, climbing the 5,895-metre Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
Reem said: “Rock Climbing and scaling a mountain are two different experiences so you can’t really compare the two. It’s a different rush too. This event was so much fun and a great workout. I think it’s high time we had a proper rock or wall climbing facility in the country. I would be there all the time!”
Not to be outdone, Al A’ali’s maintenance employees also took part with Ravi Mattalarava surprising the crowd with his cool technique, making the climb look easy.
The 30-year-old from Salmabad, said: “I was watching people climb and I wanted to try it out too. This was my first time using such a structure but I can climb anywhere; it’s no problem for me.”
The event took place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings with a photo exhibition staged around the mall’s restaurant complex showcasing all the events featured in the Season of Sport.
DJ Outlaw, DJ Sarah, performer Omar Summar and rappers The Mystro and Flipperachi also entertained visitors as they performed a party mix of hip hop and R&B, supported by break-dancers.
