It all started at a jio from my colleague climbers. I went and wasn't anticipating to get into climbing. Yay, I wanted to overcome my ever-lasting acrophobia but I already devoted most of my sport time in CrossFit (which I still deeply enjoy now). So I thought to myself to give it a shot - maybe a monthly thing or at most weekly. One of my friends at CrossFit happens to climb before. So I invited him to teach me. After a few sessions of bouldering, I cant deny any more and the the journey onwards cant be stopped. Stupid as I was did not know this could be so ADDICTIVE.

In around December 2021, Vk and me have met our sensei Denys (more for me as we share the same height for beta) at Oyeyo. Since then, a friendship has been fostered through burning fingers, nasty bruises, bleeding shins and ever-satisfying stomachs. There were once someone has described us as nomads as we aren't committing to one gym - we hopped around a lot or maybe too much or too often. Nonetheless things have been communal - we shared food, chalk, water, tapes and shoes - no, that would be too disgusting. Along the way, Kf, Iris and Jane have also joined the squad and sometimes climb with us. It was really amazing to grow together with other newbies and witness the progress of everyone.

On the hind side, when I reflect on why I fell in love with this sport, three words came to my mind - community, proletariat and freedom.

Community

I think climbing community could be one of the best sport communities out there. Entry passes are sharable with friends in almost all the climbing gyms in Singapore. I was quite used to the normal gym membership system which tends to hook you into committing to one gym. Nothing is wrong there. Just because climbers did not need to commit to one gym, the whole climbing community is somehow all connected together. You see familiar faces here and there, talked about one beta and waved bye, made eye contact and wondered I have seen that damn good guy before somewhere. Things like that bring people closer though not necessarily friendships but for me at least I have this sense of belonging of a bigger community. Living in Singapore, unfortunately I would say that is so rare especially if you are a foreigner.

On the other hand, people in general are very inspiring, regardless of your level of climbing, be sure that there are loads of "Allez" and "Common" behind your back. People are also very willing to share and discuss betas and take turns to work on the same route. Sometimes too willing which I personally can be overwhelmed by beta spoilers haha. Basically, people carry each other in this community.

Proletariat

I think it is a bit selfish to choose this word mostly related to Marxism as opposed to bourgeoisie; but this is what I really feel about this sport. All you need are a pair of climbing shoes and a chalk bag, walking into a gym and you can spend a whole day there for $12˜$20. Even if there are no gyms, onsite is always an option(maybe not in SG but many other places). I just want to say that this sport is so accessible and open to everyone regardless of the background and class. Also, most climbers don't care about outfits, how many times we walked into MRT with chalks all over our pants and T-shirts as if we are homeless.

I used to care about grades and probably that is the only visible measurement of my climbing progress. Once I was so frustrated for a session at Boulder+ just because I could not do anything and felt like I ain't improving at all. Then Jane said something to me

That really strikes me. Simple. As. That. I think the paradigm of the modern society has taught us to compete in almost all fields of our lives. "You have to excel", "I am thrilled to announce that...", "You can do better...". Words like that occur so often in our lives. It is a bit cliché to say that we are just going through the motions; however, at least this had planted the idea of measuring success through indicators. Does that really matter? Am I happier if I can climb 6C or 7A ? maybe yes but I don't care about it anymore. I am here to climb, with friends, strangers, neighbours, comrades, all sorts. I just want to enjoy climbing and I do miss the juggy days but burning fingers might not be so bad after all.

Freedom

What are we messing here? gravity - whose wave scientifically can traverse through all dimensions. haha. The feeling of hanging on the wall is really amazing - completely off the ground, looking up for the next hold, clear focused mind and nearly give-up fingers. All of these converge into one word - freedom. This might apply to all sports but also in climbing: the moment you get on the wall you are free from all the downside of things in life, maybe just tentatively but still.

I always have shoulder and hip problems since badminton and tennis days and am one of the least flexible person among all my friends. I think climbing somehow has helped me to know my body and learned how to control the muscles by twisting, swinging, lock-off, pulling, pressing, etc. I wouldn't say I am completely free from pain in my shoulders but definitely climbing has strengthened it and somehow released some pinching pain. Knowing and controlling your body is one way that leads to freedom - from pain and power.

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Climbing is such a great sport. I am totally hooked. In midst of all the crazy things happening all over the globe, I am happy I find something to be in peace and maybe even a reason to live on. Now I just want to say: