Leisure Kicks - The essencial sport and leisure guide

People have been climbing things since time began - to get a better view, watch out for the enemy, or hunt for dinner. But climbing as we know it today grew out of mountaineering in the 19th century with explorers developing new techniques to scale difficult terrain or to reach a previously inaccessible peak. Around the middle of the 20th century, people started climbing vertical rock faces, not as a practice run for getting up Everest, but as a fun thing to do. Different styles of climbing emerged with their own respective challenges. These included: freestyle, bouldering, ice climbing and now, indoor climbing. 

Britain was actually the home of the world’s first climbing wall, which was constructed in 1964 by physical education instructor Don Robinson. The early walls were made from brick, but later were made with plywood and metal frames. The very first indoor climbing gym was started in Seattle in 1987 and spread like wildfire everywhere. What was once a niche activity is now an exceptionally accessible sport. The centres bring climbing to areas of the world with climates less forgiving to rock-scaling outdoorsmen. There are now climbing competitions, climbing schools and large communities to support the indoor style.

Choose your sport

Climbing walls have come a long way since the original brick structures
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