Following much anticipation from the local climbing community and beyond, over the weekend, The Climbing Hangar Plymouth officially opened its doors to its biggest bouldering wall yet.
An eager 250 people signed up for membership in advance of the wall’s opening, a testament to The Climbing Hangar’s strong reputation and public appetite for climbing, as the sport gains increasing profile from its inclusion in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Providing the city’s official welcome was Plymouth Council Leader, Ian Bowyer who said: “It’s great to see an old Hovis factory have such a fantastic and fun future with this new development. We’re delighted to see a company invest half a million into a facility that gives people from in and around Plymouth an opportunity to learn a healthy and energetic new pastime. We look forward to seeing it scale the heights of success!”
The Climbing Hangar Plymouth will employ 9 new members of staff from the local community, with more anticipated to join the team within the year. The venue is also collaborating with a number of local businesses, including coffee roastery, the Roastworks.
Climbing Hangar Managing Director, Ged MacDomhnaill says:
“Plymouth was an obvious choice for us. The university city is young, exciting and a gateway to some of the best outdoor rock locations in the South West. As with our other walls in Liverpool and London, The Climbing Hangar Plymouth will become a thriving social hub where you can try something new, meet like-minded people and progress in climbing to achieve your personal goals. In addition to world-class bouldering facilities, there will be a regular programme of cross-training classes and a lively events calendar - look out for our legendary UV Night!”
Climbing Hangar ambassador and double World Bouldering Champion Shauna Coxsey says: “I have been climbing at the Hangar since the day it opened and I love it! It genuinely feels like home. There is always a friendly face and I know I can train hard whilst having fun in a relaxed atmosphere. The boulder problems that are reset regularly are brilliant and keep me both mentally and physically challenged.”
The new world-class facility for the South West includes a unique world cup style boulder circuit, with problems set across the range of grades so all abilities can experience this style of climbing. A purpose built studio offers yoga and strength and conditioning classes to support climbers’ rounded development in the sport. For those with more experience, climbing-specific training equipment includes a specialist LX holds training board, Beastmaker fingerboards, campus boards, 6a to 8a circuit boards and a Moon Board.
To find out more, click here