Page 14 - Masala Lite Issue 162 June 2024

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From the VIEW VIDEO

GROUND UP

Finding joy and community in

the world of bouldering.

BY AYUSH MADAN

JUNAID KHAN

Can you share a story about how the
bouldering community has supported you in
your experience as a climber?
I’ve had countless random people suggest to me
t the end of a long work week, how you choose to unwind and let loose can vary how to complete a boulder. What I find interesting
greatly from person to person. For some, relaxation manifests as a cosy evening is that the advice comes from a huge range of
at home: pouring a glass of wine, lighting a scented candle, and curling up on boulderers (beginners and veterans) – and they
the couch to watch some Netflix. For me and an increasing number of people in the all have their unique perspectives on how each
community, it’s strapping on my well-worn La Sportivas, filling up my chalk bag, and boulder can be completed.
heading to the bouldering gym where fresh challenges await.
Why is bouldering your favourite form of
My routine began on 8 December 2022, when my friend Junaid introduced me to Stonegoat. exercise?
Tucked away in the back of Sukhumvit Soi 69, Stonegoat is the most visited indoor Rock climbing is a sport that you can truly enjoy either alone or socially. If you don’t
climbing gym in Bangkok, and for good reason. Renovated from a former trampoline have the energy to talk to someone on a particular day, you can simply show up and
park in 2020, the gym boasts top-notch facilities with six distinct walls, each updated climb in your own mental bubble. On the flip side, you can climb with multiple people
on a weekly rotation: Sikhio, Tonsai, Railay, Island, Khon Kaen, and Competition. Each and catch up while climbing. It also really helps with mental health – it’s very hard
of these walls serve as canvases for Stonegoat’s team of local and international route for your brain to focus on depression when you’re hanging from two fingers, two
setters to unleash their creativity. From jugs and slopers, to crimps and pinches, each metres in the air! [Laughs]
wall simulates different terrain you would encounter in the real world, offering a wide
range of constantly-evolving challenges. For example, many static routes require surgical Do you prefer indoor or outdoor climbing?
precision, where you tip-toe across razor-thin slabs, carefully shift your weight and centre I prefer indoor climbing because it feels much safer, but the upside of outdoor climbing
of gravity, and finally maximise your reach to finish. Meanwhile, ‘dynos’ or dynamic are the views, and the feel of real rock.
movements require a wind-up, speed, momentum, and of course, the strength to catch
yourself after you make the leap. Can you share any advice or tips for someone new to bouldering based on your
own experiences?
Rock climbing’s popularity in Bangkok, and indeed worldwide, has grown over the last Don’t overdo it. My biggest frustrations with climbing are that it’s very physically
few years. More than just honing your stamina and balance, it can also provide mental demanding and can lead to injuries regularly. So now I shorten my sessions to avoid
benefits – something sorely needed after the isolation and challenges of the COVID-19 that. Also, practice falling from a lower height to build your confidence. Learn how
pandemic. The sense of accomplishment when you send a difficult route boosts confidence to ‘smear’ and shift weight, and you’re good to go!
and self-efficacy. Additionally, the demanding nature of the sport requires high levels
of concentration, and significantly improves your problem-solving skills. That rush of
endorphins as you place both hands on the final hold of a climb is a feeling I constantly
return to the gym for. I wish I could bottle the feeling of flashing a new challenging route
on my first run, or better yet, finally completing a route on my 15th attempt. As a general METHAWI ‘TAWAN’ TREBUTCH
rule: the harder the climb, the sweeter the victory will taste once you conquer it.

After two years of weekly climbing, my only regret is that I can’t do it every day. But Why do you climb so regularly?
of course, you shouldn’t just take my word for it. Here are some testimonials from my After I graduated university, it was the height of
friends at Stonegoat and fellow members of the community about why they love to climb.
the COVID-19 pandemic, and there wasn’t much to
do. My sister brought me to Stonegoat and I quickly
fell in love with climbing. What really healed me
RASNAM THAKRAL was meeting the people in the community, and
learning the techniques of climbing through their
own individual experiences.
Why do you choose to boulder regularly?
It’s a challenging and fun activity that doubles Do you prefer indoor or outdoor climbing?
up as a great way to exercise. You get to work With indoor climbing, you meet more people, and
all your muscles, improve flexibility and balance. the air-conditioning keeps you cool. However, outside climbing is nice in the sense
Bouldering can be an individual or group activity, that you have a real view to look at. While you are climbing up, you only see the face
and you get to choose the level of difficulty of the wall. But once you’re up there, there’s a whole landscape for you to take in. I
yourself. Essentially, no matter what kind of day went outdoor climbing the first time in Koh Tao, and it was an incredible experience.
you’re having – you can always go bouldering!
Can you share any tips for someone new to bouldering based on your own
Can you share any advice or tips for someone experiences?
new to bouldering based on your own
A lot of my friends tell me the same things, that they don’t want to try it because
experiences? it looks scary or difficult. They are scared of getting hurt. I always tell them to just

The great thing about the bouldering community is that no one judges. The first come watch other people in the gym first, meet some people, and get a feel for the
time I went, experienced climbers were offering tips and tricks to help me succeed. environment. So far, every friend who I’ve invited here has slowly but surely become
The best advice I can give: learn how to fall (yes, there is a right way to fall!) indoctrinated into the cult of climbing. [Laughs]
MASAL A LITE ISSUE 162 - JUNE 2024