Mardyke to host intervarsity rock climbing championshiop
Gavin Golden
February 23 2005
Between eighty and a hundred climbing enthusiasts from all over the island will be travelling to Cork next weekend to participate in the Iintervarsities, being organised by UCC Mountaineering Club. Defending champions Jordanstown College from the North are bringing the largest contingent, while UCC will be represented by a significant number also.
The event, being held at the Climbing Wall in the UCC Mardyke Arena, on the 26th and 27th of February, is the first of its kind to be held in Cork by the Mountaineering Club. The new facilities and the extended interest of the Mountaineering society have brought the championship, consisting of team and individual events.
On Saturday the bouldering competiton takes place, where competitors climb to a certain height on the wall without the aid of a rope. The team to complete each different route up the wall in the fewest attempts (a maximum of 3 per route, with 15 routes) are the victors. There are different styles of climbing which makes certain routes harder or easier, so its not all about getting to the top. On Sunday the lead climbing event will take place, which is scaling the entire wall, attaching rope as you go. The competitors will be given a choice of 10 routes to the top, of varying difficulty, from which to pick 5. The team completing the hardest 5 climbs will win, however tactics come into play again, with 5 completed "easy" routes earning more points than failed difficult routes. The prizes will be awarded at 4pm Sunday, and the social element will kick in on both nights.
Anyone that is interested in this emerging sport is encouraged to spectate between 10am and 4pm during the weekend. UCC Mountaineering Club treasurer, Sean O'Flynn estimates UCC's chances as good, while conceding that the challenge will be tough. "We've never won before, but the opening of the new wall at the Mardyke gives us the facilities to train both for fun and competiton."
The new wall has attracted a new group of members to UCC mountaineering club, in addition to the hill climbing previously enjoyed, they now provide a fun, original way to keep fit and participate in one of the college's most sociable clubs. Anyone interested in joining the club can contact Sean O'Flynn or visit their website, or simply attend at the climbing wall every Monday or Wednesday evening from 8:30pm to 10:30pm, for free.
"Our club is growing all the time," O'Flynn professes, "People usually are not exposed to hill walking or rock/wall climbing before they come to UCC, and when they've tried either the wall or one of our excursions, they usually enjoy themselves and become more and more involved. The chance now to compete in the Inter- Varsities right here in Cork is exciting and will further help the club grow. Its fun, and the social side of the club is excellent!"
