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General Climbing Discussion

Topic Date User

Why are the gyms focussing on toprope? 30-Jan-2008 At 7:08:54 PM Cliffhanger

Message

On 29/01/2008 dreamingof8a wrote:
>Why? In Europe you are sort of lucky to find an installed toprope at all
>in some gyms. There might be one sector, the rest is usually lead.
>
>And why not? I mean, wherelse than in a gym can you learn how to lead
>safely? At least the principles, real rock is always different then.
>And since especially here in VIC it's hard to start leading outdoors (unless
>you have the money to buy a whole lot of gear and want to risc your sanity
>even on a 15 m climb) it's sort of "unfair" for weaker climbers (say below
>sport lead 18) to go climbing without someone to put a toprope up. But
>that develops into the wrong direction now.
>
>Back to topic, why?
>Is it an insurance issue (if yes, why not in other countries)? Don't Australians
>want to lead climb in the gym and outdoors?
>
>
>Cheers

Why you ask!? Because the bulk of the customers in gyms paying full price and hiring gear, who aren't paying tight-arse climbers rates are nuffies and beginners who only top rope.

By the way, they subsidise your discounted VCC, Uni Student, etc rates!