Terraka Garner
Freelance Writer
With a harness tightly fastened, a safety helmet strapped on and a carabiner attached securely at the belt loop, members of Idaho State University’s Climbing Sports Club continue to embark on each of their journeys with strategic planning and focused concentration on each of their goals.
The club members will share their experiences with ISU students for the benefit of the students, the club and the sponsors of the club by hosting their first climbing competition, the “Nine Lives Climbing Competition.”
The competition will be held Saturday, Feb. 28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the climbing wall, located in Reed Gym.
A yoga class will be available for all attendees at 9 a.m. that same day.
“We decided to do yoga because it calms your mind and helps a lot with your balance in climbing,” said club member Forrest Netuschil.
“It’s always nice to do yoga,” added the club vice president Jessica Bohart.
The overall cost will be $35. This includes climbing shoes and a harness.
The purpose of the event is to fundraise for the club, to allow people to meet new people and to gain new friends, to provide an opportunity for climbing experience and to allow avid climbers to earn points toward the Idaho Climbing Series.
According to Netuschil, the Idaho Climbing Series organizes “a bunch of competitions throughout the year.”
This series of events takes place roughly once every other month.
“A lot of [people] from different places can come get points to become part of a bigger event,” said Netuschil.
People who take part in the series collect points that go toward the finals which may eventually lead to offers of bigger prizes, such as money.
Those interested in participating may register online by clicking on the link at the club’s Facebook event page “Nine Lives Climbing Competition,” or at http://ninelives.athlete360.com.
Everyone that registers by Feb. 8 will be guaranteed a competition T-shirt.
“It’s for all ages and abilities. Even if you haven’t climbed before, you can come,” said Bohart.
Minors are required to provide a waiver, signed by a parent or guardian upon arrival at the event.
Netuschil, who has been climbing since he learned to walk, said that he believes that a lot of people are scared to climb, due to a common fear of heights.
Bohart assured that there will be skilled and experienced club members at the event to belay, or hold the rope for people and to help with conquering this fear with positive encouragement.
The Climbing Sports Club, formed at the beginning of last semester, has been an active club. There are currently about 35 club members.
The club’s mission statement is, “helping you develop better skills, strength and confidence within the climbing club.”
Netuschil takes after his father when it comes to his interest in climbing. His father was a part of the committee to get a climbing wall installed in Reed gym when it was being built.
According to Netuschil and Bohart, rock climbing is gratifying “mostly [due to] the art fact of it, and being able to do some things that a lot of people can’t do and [because of] the exercise.”
