South East participants rocked out last Saturday afternoon
at the New Rochelle Rock Club climbing walls of varying heights and difficulty.
The New Rochelle Indoor Rock climbing facility hosts a
number of realistic rock walls simulating what it would be like on an outdoor
climb. By changing the placement of the holds periodically the paths morph,
thus offering a challenge to both new comers to the sports and avid climbers.
Our participants were assisted by volunteer belayers who, on
their own time, agreed to come out and work alongside our climbers. The
volunteering aspect of this program is key to its success. Without the
volunteers it would not be possible.
“I love to climb and I am interested in working with
children with special needs,” said Nick Quill, 14, a volunteer belayer. Nick
and his brother Charlie both came out this past Saturday to belay and just hang
out and make friends with some of our participants.
All of our returning climbers showed progress on their last
climb. Peter Rice essentially ran up his first three climbing walls, all of a
higher difficulty than he had previously accomplished. Zoe Smith made close
friends with her belayer and had some fun climbing and even swinging from the
ropes! Ryan Ballantyne ditched the top roping and focused more on the free
climbing bouldering also available at the Rock Club.
The New Rochelle Rock Club staff was helpful and
accommodating as they always are. “We love having you (SEC) guys come out to
climb,” said Meghan McDonald, program coordinator at the Rock Club. “Climbing
is a great sport to build strength, endurance and coordination. It is also a
great way to meet some great people,” she added.
The climbing group will be meeting two more times this
Winter and there is still space available in the program!
