Meet Boulder Co

I spoke with Adam and Nathan from Boulder Co to talk about the new gym that offers state-of-the-art bouldering facilities for all types of climbers. Catered to everyone's needs from beginner level to professional, and has everything you need in one place from rock climbing walls, through to gym space and even a bar and cafe!

Boulder Co has a friendly atmosphere and encourages everyone to try something different, get out of their comfort zone and meet other like-minded individuals.

Due to Auckland Covid-19 Lockdown, they haven't been able to open to the public, but they will be opening to everyone this Friday 3rd December! For those who have been wanting to start a new sport or side hobby, this is for you!

You can find them at 33-47 Northside Drive, Westgate, Auckland 0814

Head on over to @boulderco.auckland to see the facilities and get the latest updates and in the meantime...

Meet Boulder Co...

HOW DID BOULDER CO START, WHAT IS YOUR STORY?

The idea of opening a bouldering gym has been a dream of mine for many, many years. I fell in love with climbing after I left the farming industry in 2013, and moved to Christchurch, where a lovely Italian fellow introduced me to bouldering. One year later I had left my project management role and was working in the original Uprising Bouldering Gym, and loving every second.

After 3 years in North America, I was determined to make the dream of opening my gym a reality, so I spent a year renovating my old, rather decrepit house in Lincoln to sell, while also looking for the perfect region of New Zealand to start it up. The Westgate, Auckland location suited me perfectly, however, was bigger than I could have ever imagined. Fortunately, one of the co-owners of the Christchurch-based Uprising Boulder Gym (who also happens to be a climbing wall builder) came on board, and suddenly it was all happening!

I managed to steal the extremely talented and motivated Nathan Dick from the Uprising gym staff to come up with me as my operations manager, and we haven't looked back.

One year and 100 days of lockdown later, we have an amazing, state-of-the-art climbing gym, cafe, bar, and fitness facility!

DID YOU HAVE ANY INSPIRATION FOR OPENING THIS FACILITY?

We wanted to ensure we created a facility that was safe and enjoyable for all ages and abilities. Our focus was on ensuring our space was a social hub, rather than just a place to climb, and I'm confident we have achieved our goal.

The ability to have a coffee, a meal, or even a post-climbing beer, means you can enjoy our space beyond just the act of climbing or exercising in our fitness gym.

We also created an area of the facility which is denser with climbs suitable for children or beginners, allowing young people or those less confident to enjoy climbing in a more comfortable environment.

DO YOU THINK THERE IS A LACK OF THESE TYPES OF FACILITIES AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE?

Climbing is a sport that is only starting to take off in New Zealand. I've spent time climbing in Asia, Europe, and North America, and we seem to be lacking in climbing facilities in comparison. New Zealand still has a lot of room to grow in this space.

There are several other fantastic climbing facilities within Auckland and New Zealand in general, but after climbing's exposure in the Olympics, I foresee a lot more to come!

WHAT ARE THE ESSENTIAL ITEMS YOU NEED FOR BOULDERING?

Bouldering is climbing at its most basic. To be more accessible, all you need to climb at Boulder Co. is clean closed-toe shoes.

No rope. No harness. No hassle.

We also rent climbing shoes if people wish to give them a go, something I would highly recommend!

Our difficulty system is based on the colour of the holds a climb is created using. We have a huge variety of climbs, ranging from very easy, to very hard, meaning you don't need to be an athlete to give climbing a go.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE PART OF YOUR GYM/ FACILITY?

The joy of our facility is the variety! We have everything from a huge cave, to a large variety of flat and slab walls. Climbing and creating climbs can become stale if you are lacking in wall variety, and I think we have hit the mark.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND PASSIONS AROUND BOULDERING?

Who doesn't want to have fun and keep fit while not realising they are working out?? Bouldering is a combination of problem-solving and physical movement and is immensely satisfying. There is nothing quite like the feeling of finally completing a climb that has stumped you for weeks.

Climbing also happens to be extremely social and is a fantastic way to make friends.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR PROFESSION?

I work in a giant playground, what's not to love!

If I had to choose, the thing I love most is the climbers themselves and the social elements of working in a climbing gym.

Climbing gyms are a place where people come to have fun and see their friends. As a staff, we tend to see people at their happiest, even if they have had a horrible day at the office.

DO YOU HAVE A DREAM YOU WOULD LOVE TO ACHIEVE WITHIN THIS INDUSTRY?

New Zealand has a lot of growth to do when it comes to climbing.Some amazing people are working very hard to introduce climbing into schools, create amazing national and regional competitions, and plant climbing into the general public's awareness.

Our role is to create a world-class facility that the community can be proud of, and support these groups as much as we can!

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE WANTING TO START BOULDERING?

Just go for it! The joy of bouldering is that you can do it alone, or as part of a group. We run all new climbers through a thorough safety induction and give you the basic skills needed to keep safe and have fun in our facility. I have made incredible, lifelong friends by climbing alone in bouldering gyms.

HOW DO YOU USE/ PRACTICE CREATIVITY WITHIN YOUR SPORT?

Bouldering is creativity manifest. Our route setters (those who design and change the climbs) use creativity and body movement to sculpt new and exciting climbs every single week!

There are often multiple ways to climb a route, which is part of climbing's beauty. Tall, short, young, old, everyone will face their own, individual challenge, and with some luck, summit it!