For many people, summer means holidays and barbecues. In the world of bouldering, this season is also a time for coming together. More and more bouldering gyms in the Netherlands are combining bouldering sessions with fun barbecues. A perfect recipe for an evening that is both active and delicious.
The concept is simple: the gym provides barbecues, plates, sauces, bread, and often marshmallows. Climbers bring their own meat, fish, or vegetarian options. Some gyms make it even more enjoyable by adding a casual competition. Scores are tracked through Toplogger, but the focus is mainly on fun, climbing, and being together.
Recently, I attended two of these summer events. Both were well organised, friendly, and full of climbing spirit. For me, it is the perfect combination: an intense bouldering session followed by a relaxed evening with good food.
Summer fun comp and BBQ at Bruut
At Bruut, the fun competition took place in the afternoon, but because of the heat, with temperatures over 30 degrees, only a handful of climbers showed up. Still, the atmosphere was excellent. There were 27 boulders in a variety of styles, including a surprising crack boulder.
At first, I tried it with bare hands, but it turned out to be painful. Tape did not help much either. Fortunately, someone had crack gloves with them and let me borrow a pair. They protect your skin and provide extra friction. With those gloves, I eventually managed to top the boulder. It is not my favourite style, but it was definitely satisfying.
After topping 26 out of the 27 boulders, I tried a few other routes in the gym. Although I ended up finishing in first place, I must admit that Tedyano was the true winner, as he had not logged his boulders. The day ended with beef satay from the barbecue and a fresh salad. A perfect way to close a warm and active day.
Blockparty at Block013
Block013 also hosted a summer competition, this time starting at 17.00. When I arrived, I briefly wondered if I had come on the right day. It was unusually quiet, and the routes were still being set. There were 28 boulders in total, spread across two sections of the wall. Since it was quiet, I was able to move through everything at a steady pace. As the evening went on, the atmosphere became lively and pleasantly busy.
In just over an hour, I had topped them all, with 27 of them flashed. Afterwards, I enjoyed a few other boulders in the gym. On the menu this time: pork satay and pasta salad. As a prize, I received a lamp with the text “do fun shit”. And to be honest, that is exactly what these events are: bouldering, eating, and sharing joy with others.
Why you do not want to miss these events?
Summer bouldering events with barbecue are the perfect way to combine climbing with a social atmosphere. The threshold is low and the vibe is relaxed. Keep an eye on the calendars of your favourite bouldering gyms. Who knows, you might soon find yourself climbing and grilling too.
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