I cannot pinpoint exactly when rock climbing transitioned from a niche extreme sport to a mainstream urban phenomenon, but the craze has undeniably taken over.
Years ago, my understanding of the sport was entirely confined to short, adrenaline-pumping videos online. I would watch lean Nordic athletes battling against massive, jagged boulders in the unforgiving wilderness, and I simply could not comprehend the appeal.
"Why?" I would wonder, baffled by their relentless pursuit of such a punishing endeavor.
My perspective shifted dramatically during a recent summer vacation.
As a dual-income household staring down the long, daunting stretch of school holidays, we desperately needed a full-day summer camp just to keep the kids safely occupied while we worked. Out of sheer logistical necessity, rather than any grand athletic ambition, my ten-year-old and six-year-old boys participated in an introductory indoor climbing session.
