Last week we visited Grip Nijmegen, one of the largest bouldering gyms in the Netherlands. Earlier this year, I took part in Alien Head, a local competition hosted by Grip. This time, we came specifically to thoroughly test the different wall sections and boulder problems. Upon arrival, there is free parking directly in front of the building, which is always a plus.
The design of Grip Nijmegen bouldering hall
GRIP started in 1997 as a rope climbing gym, but quickly added a small bouldering area. In 2016, it moved to its current location and fully transformed into a dedicated bouldering gym of about 5,000 m², making it the biggest dedicated bouldering gym in the Netherlands.
We were there on a Sunday morning, expecting it to be quiet. We could not be more wrong! It was pleasantly busy, with lots of families and groups of friends. Grip Nijmegen has expanded several times in recent years. Because new sections are constantly being added, the layout is difficult to describe. It feels almost like a maze, and it's easy to get lost. Below you can see the layout as it appears in Toplogger.
Warming-up
In the changing rooms at the back of the gym, it was quite cold, but in the bouldering area itself the temperature was pleasant. I started my session on the top-out wall, which is a great place to warm up calmly. Once at the top, you can easily walk back down via the stairs. After the warm-up, it was time to try some harder boulder problems.
I chose to focus on the boulders on the two blackboards. These are two enormous, adjustable wall sections. Because the walls can vary from slab to steep overhang, they offer a great deal of variety and stylistic diversity, especially when they are fully equipped with modules.
The Wave and the slab wall
After that, we moved on to The Wave, the first wall section you see when you enter. This impressive, wave-shaped overhang is especially suited to long and physical boulder problems. Here, I flashed a dynamic 7A. On the back side of The Wave, there is a beautifully rounded slab wall. I climbed several problems there and spoiled my own flash attempt on a 7A+. I went too dynamically for the finishing hold, which turned out to be rounder than expected, so I needed one extra attempt. It was a shame!
Holds selection
Through a passage with a table tennis table, we entered the original hall. Here, there is a mushroom-shaped wall section that resembles an alien. In this bouldering gym, you will find many large holds, partly because AAP Climbing, a well-known hold distributor, is located at the same address. I had hoped to come across many new holds, but unfortunately that was somewhat disappointing. Many holds felt smooth, not so much due to dirt, but because they lacked texture. Personally, I am not a fan of this.
The boulders are set by colour, and given the size of the gym and the number of different wall sections, the route setters are unlikely to run out of inspiration any time soon. Even so, I personally see more advantages in an off-colour system.
The Arena and training opportunities in Grip
From this part of the gym, we walked through to the Arena. On one side, you will find the so-called blue tape boulders. These are visually striking problems that are often set in a more competition-style manner. On the other side, there is an impressive training wall featuring two Kilter Boards at 30 and 50 degrees, a 40-degree Tension Board, and two spray walls.
In addition, there is a slab wall where you can practice technique without worrying about scraping yourself up. The wall is lacquered and has no texture of its own, so you can't injure your skin. This time, there was a boulder featuring a paddle jump that transitioned into a subtle slab. I had recently practiced that paddle jump in Den Bosch, and after a few attempts I managed to execute the move here as well. I needed a few extra tries to finish the problem, but I was glad to complete this boulder.
Final thoughts
Grip Nijmegen has an enormous amount to offer, from the blackboards and The Wave to the various slab walls and extensive training facilities. There is more than enough variety for every climber and in almost every style. Whether you want a relaxed bouldering session or feel like competing, Grip Nijmegen offers it all.
