Partner Article
Newcastle climbers hit new peak
A group of climbers are looking to scale the heights of business success in Newcastle.
Chris Graham, Andy Earl and Darren Stevenson - all experienced climbers - are setting up their own indoor bouldering centre on Tyneside. Climb Newcastle is being created at the former Byker swimming pool in Newcastle and will cater for everyone from children learning the sport to experienced climbers when it opens in late 2008.
The 10,000 sq ft facility will feature a range of different bouldering walls designed to test all abilities and can accommodate more than 100 climbers at any one time.
Chris Graham said: “Climbing and bouldering is getting more and more popular in the North East, but there are very few indoor training facilities and places where you can start learning the sport. Andy, Darren and I had the idea of creating an indoor centre at the start of last year dedicated to bouldering and it has gone on from there.”
Bouldering is a form of climbing where participants tackle shorter walls - typically less than 15 feet high - protected by large crash mats underneath. This makes it easier for beginners to get into the sport and to progress after only a short introduction.
The three climbers are not lacking in experience - Andy is a World Cup winner, former British Champion and British Bouldering Team Coach; Newcastle University PhD student Chris is a former British Climbing Team member who represented Newcastle University, while Darren has climbed at the highest levels worldwide.
Neil Smith from law firm Ward Hadaway, who helped the trio get off the ground, said: “It was great to help Chris and the Climb Newcastle team to realise their ambitions. They have some brilliant ideas for the new centre which I’m sure will be a big hit.”
The partners are hoping the Climb Newcastle centre will be equally impressive with different sections dedicated to different abilities, as well as a shop and café.
This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .
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