Rock-climbing community growing in N.L.

Two rock-climbing companies plan to expand, offering enthusiasts more variety.

A quiet morning at wallnuts climbing centre.
A quiet morning at Wallnuts Climbing Centre. Mahalia J. Ardis/Kicker

Mahalia Ardis
Kicker News

Wallnuts Climbing Centre trailblazed the way as one of the first 10 climbing gyms in Canada when it opened in St. John’s in 1995.

The company’s president and CEO Leo van Ulden’s mother, Inge, hatched the idea of opening a climbing gym. Despite not being a climber herself, she had a feeling the climbing industry was going to grow.

And grow it did. There are now more than 800 facilities in North America, according to Climbing Business Journal. More than 50 new gyms opened in 2024 on the continent.

In July 2023, another climbing gym opened in St. John’s – the Cove Bouldering and Cafe. Each gym offers different kinds of climbing: Wallnuts remains the only local rope climbing facility; the Cove offers only bouldering, a free-form kind of climbing that is closer to the ground and does not involve ropes.

regular climber alex hangs upside down from a climbing wall at Wallnuts.
Alex Schroeder, a staff member and regular climber at Wallnuts Climbing Centre, attempts a complicated rope climbing route. Mahalia J. Ardis/Kicker

Julia Bruce-Robertson is a route setter for both the Cove and Wallnuts. A route setter’s job is to frequently reset the climbing routes to keep the experience exciting for regular climbers. Bruce-Robertson says it’s one of the best jobs she’s ever had.

“It’s hard work because we test all of them and everything, so it’s lots of climbing time but it’s super cool.”

Friendly competition

Since the Cove opened van Ulden says he has noticed a difference in business at Wallnuts, but it was to be expected.

“I really see them (the Cove) as an extension of what my mom started.”

Van Ulden has seen a drop in Wallnuts membership since the Cove opened but a big increase in climbing shoe sales.

“We knew membership was going to drop. . . It’s like, Let’s put a White Hills (ski resort) right next to White Hills. . . People are going to go to the new one.”

Although Wallnuts and the Cove are technically competitors, van Ulden says he is friends with the Cove owners.

Staff member at Wallnuts and regular climber, Michael attempts same route as Alex (previous picture).
Staff member at Wallnuts and regular climber Michael Soares attempts the same route as Alex Schroeder tried. Mahalia J. Ardis/Kicker

Bruce-Robertson and van Ulden both say they appreciate the social aspect of the climbing community.

“I think bouldering is really social,” said Bruce-Robertson. “You end up chatting with people about climbs you’re both working on.”

Van Ulden says the best thing about the job at Wallnuts is hanging out with cool people who like to do the same thing you like to do.

“Climbers are chill,” van Ulden said.

Bruce-Robertson says she also appreciates the mental aspect of rock climbing.

“It’s a great sport to recharge, I love that it’s mental and physical. There’s always new challenges.”

Both Wallnuts and the Cove have future expansion plans to advance the rock climbing community in St. John’s.

Wallnuts hopes to expand into a bigger professional facility, similar to – but not quite as big – a gym called Earth Treks in Golden, Colorado.

In fact, van Ulden did have plans just starting in motion before the COVID-19 pandemic put a stop to them.

The Cove, as well, is in the process of working on an expansion, which should be completed sometime soon.

To anyone who is reluctant to try climbing, van Ulden has a reminder: “We came from monkeys.”

 

1 Comment

  1. Awesome article! Thanks for showing off the rock-climbing community! Hopefully, it inspires people to try it out and see if the sport and lifestyle suit them. I can’t express how friendly, strong, and amazing the climbing community in Newfoundland is, and I’m excited to be a part of it!

    PS. Is there any chance I could get the photos that weren’t published? 🙂

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