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Chockstone Forum - General Discussion

General Climbing Discussion

Topic Date User
New Climbing Gym In Coburg 7-Mar-2016 At 3:10:43 PM Martym
Message
On 6/03/2016 Tarala wrote:
>I might bring in a few suggestions too.
>
>Running the danger of seeming elitist, I would argue that Australia is over saturated with the "Come and try"/group outings approach. While I
>believe that being inclusive is important, we need places that cater for experienced climbers who do it regularly. I started out in a European gym
>where no ropes where provided. There were bolts for your quickdraws and you started by leading the route and could then top rope if you wanted,
>using your own ATC. When you change, you take your rope down and lead the next one. This meant that a) far fewer staff members were required as instructions
>were run by booking and perhaps twice per year. Because it was not full of newbies much less supervision was required, if any. B) climbers were
>regulars who came back because they loved to climb and they didn't have to wait around for newbie groups. C) maintenance (of the gym) was heaps
>cheaper as everyone brought pretty much everything save for the wall. I know australia is expensive, but my year pass there used to cost me $100
>for unlimited access. Most of us have Ye hear anyway. If people don't there's already lots of gyms who cater for that.
>
>I look forward to seeing the new gym!

This has been discussed previously I'm sure, but - having lived in Europe for a few years too - the population density is simply the main factor; and then weather (it's too cold to climb for at least a 1/3 of the year) then there's history and of course the big one: insurance premiums.
Climbing gyms are businesses and they need to turn over a profit. As has been mentioned before - rock climbers (even middle/high income types) are dirtbags at heart.

A hypothetical $100 membership fee would be the equivalent of 4 friends trying a climb for the first time - $16 entry + $8 gear hire + another $2 for the chalk.

We visited a gym in Prague and were surprised that there was no safety induction or belay inspection. My wife asked what they do if there's an accident? They said "call an ambulance"... so hard to comprehend common-sense when you live in a Nanny-State!

The Deutsche Alpen Verein boasts about 2 million members in Europe alone; which pretty much covers advocacy and insurance related issues. That's 8% of the Australian population!

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