Texas A&M University Rec Sports has launched Adaptive Climbing Clinics, a program designed to make rock climbing accessible to participants of all abilities at the Student Recreation Center’s Indoor Climbing Facility.
These two-hour clinics offer a personalized adaptive climbing experience through one-on-one sessions with staff, tailored to each participant’s ability.
Todd Grier, the program director of Outdoor Adventures, said while adaptive climbing has been offered to specific groups in the past, it mainly served local and campus organizations that worked with various populations and often felt like “one-offs.”
“We approached this new chapter of adaptive climbing with the goal of inviting attendees to become part of our climbing community, rather than making it an occasional event,” said Grier.
This opportunity presented itself to Grier when Sierra Hill, a motivated student, reached out about starting adaptive climbing. Hill had connections with the Disability Resources Office and was a member of the Texas A&M Climbing Team. Her enthusiasm to invest time in the training and marketing efforts, combined with the support of the Outdoor Adventures program and Disability Resources, was the catalyst for this initiative.
“We began last spring with small clinics as a pilot, inviting students Hill knew would be interested,” said Grier. “These initial groups of a few climbers gave us the chance to build confidence in our systems.”
Adaptive Climbing Program Details
To effectively run the program, Grier said they use different harnesses to support climbers with limited trunk control, grip aids for those with diminished grip strength due to a stroke and pulley systems to reduce the force needed for vertical movement. These tools provide non-traditional aides that open endless possibilities to help best match the challenge to the climber’s abilities.
“Many sports are surprisingly adaptive. Weight training, for example, allows you to adjust the weight to your ability,” said Grier. “Climbing is no different. Able-bodied climbers adapt by using additional equipment like sticky rubber shoes and ropes for safety. They can also adjust the challenge dial and choose harder or easier routes on the climbing wall.”
The goal of adding adaptive climbing for Texas A&M Rec Sports is to invite folks to become part of the climbing community, so Grier said they needed to rethink what it means to genuinely invite people of all abilities to see climbing as a viable pursuit.
“In the past, single events didn’t encourage repeat participation, nor did they foster a sense of ownership over the experience,” said Grier. “So, these clinics are one-on-one to explore different equipment and rigging setups. A new climber can hopefully end the experience feeling more comfortable. When they return, they can tell staff which setup they used and which area they climbed on the wall. This helps them take ownership of their experience and leads the climber to come back during open hours.”
For example, students with multiple sclerosis have attended the clinics, and climbing on the wall is completely accessible to them if a friend provides an assistive belay with a bit of extra upward pull. This relieves just enough weight to let the climber continue while being supported but still challenged.
Adaptive Sports Benefits and Guidance
Grier said since Rec Sports receives fees from the whole student body, the department should make every effort to ensure everyone on campus can find a place there.
“Sports build a sense of individual empowerment and community, and those benefits shouldn’t be limited to a specific group,” said Grier. “The rewarding moments in climbing aren’t always about reaching the top. For one climber I worked with, the most meaningful moment came when he got to eye level with me just as he started a climb. That simple perspective shift meant something to him.”
Moving forward, Texas A&M Rec Sports has a long-term vision to ensure climbing is accessible for everyone whenever they’re open, not just when they offer a clinic.
“Right now, we have a long way to go before we can be universally accessible,” said Grier. “We’ve taken steps to offer these clinics for the foreseeable future to create affinity spaces and show our campus community we are committed to this long-term effort. This isn’t about a feel-good story or a temporary initiative.”
For other industry leaders looking to add adaptive offerings, Grier advised to invest time to build relationships and to make sure you’re serving the community in the way they want to be served.
“We aren’t heroes for this work, nor are they heroes for wanting to climb,” said Grier. “We don’t think of an able-bodied climber as a hero for learning to climb in our gym, and we need to be careful we don’t view these programs as anything other than core services.”
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