Why you should rock climb on the island this summer

Climbing isn't just a sport on Vancouver Island—it's a cultural movement rooted in community, resilience, and connection to nature. As the island celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Fleming Beach Climbing Wall, host Catherine Marlowe explores how bouldering has evolved from a niche pastime into a thriving, inclusive subculture. Alex Wathi, CBC Victoria’s resident boulderer, reveals that the wall survived a near-ban in the 1990s thanks to climbers’ legal savvy, insurance negotiations, and a fortuitous walkway renovation. What emerged was not just a climbing site, but a model of grassroots advocacy. The episode dives deeper into the social fabric of climbing, spotlighting Victoria Climbing BIPOC—a group creating safe, welcoming spaces for Black, Indigenous, and people of colour to enter the sport without the barriers of exclusion or intimidation. Rupali Rogers describes climbing as a 'karate kata' where every move is life-or-death, demanding mental focus, physical endurance, and emotional vulnerability. The experience, she says, builds empathy and community through shared struggle. From the gritty basalt of Mount Wells to the overhanging limestone of Horn Lake, Vancouver Island’s diverse geology offers something for every climber—while the real magic lies in the people who climb together. The episode reframes climbing not as a daredevil stunt, but as a deeply human practice: a way to confront fear, solve problems under pressure, and belong.