Nearly 200 climbers across all age groups from Shenzhen and Hong Kong gathered at the newly opened Climbing Ontherock gym in Yantian District on Jan. 25 to compete in the first Shenzhen-Hong Kong Climbing Exchange Competition.

The event brought together participants from U8 (under 8 years old) to adults, highlighting the sporting and cultural integration within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Located in the Dameisha community, the 460-square-meter gym features high-standard facilities, including warm-up walls, speed lanes, bouldering walls, and difficulty walls.

Built with Olympic-standard equipment and routes designed by a national-level route-setting team, it is currently the tallest indoor climbing gym in the Greater Bay Area, offering participants a professional-grade competitive experience.

Featuring two main categories — speed climbing and bouldering — the competition welcomed participants of different ages and skill levels, balancing professionalism with inclusivity.

In speed climbing, participants aged under 8 to 15 competed fiercely across four groups, showcasing explosive power and rhythm control. As the starting signal sounded, the young climbers ascended nimbly, finding holds with their fingers and pushing off powerfully with their toes. Clinging tightly to the rock wall, they moved upward rapidly, executing each kick and grip with precision. Reaching the top in just seconds, they drew cheers from the audience.

The U10 (9–10 years old) boys’ speed qualifying round saw intense competition, with thrilling duels decided by mere milliseconds. After knockout matches in the finals, the top three finishers in each category received their well-deserved medals.

In contrast to the fast-paced speed climbing, bouldering emphasized participants’ comprehensive skills. Climbers aged 12 and above challenged themselves on 4.5-meter-high walls, relying on explosive power, balance, and route-planning abilities.

During the qualifying rounds, participants each tackled eight routes of varying difficulty within 1.5 hours, adjusting strategies and refining moves to overcome challenges. In the finals, contestants faced the ultimate test of conquering four highly difficult routes within just 4 minutes, showcasing the beauty of this “ballet on the rock wall.”

A local participant said, “This is my first time competing alongside so many climbers from Hong Kong. Their techniques and strategies are truly worth learning. I hope more exchange competitions can be held, allowing us to grow together through competition.”

A participant from Hong Kong praised the gym’s facilities and the organizers’ professional arrangements, adding that he looked forward to returning for more exchanges in the future.

The event was organized by the Shenzhen Mountaineering and Outdoor Sports Association (SMOA) under the guidance of Yantian’s sports, culture, and tourism authorities.