Public Climbing Wall: Can You Take the Plunge?

The Utah Olympic Park just finished hosting it’s 2nd Psicobloc Master Series.  Some of the best climbers from around the world showed up last week to compete in this deep-water soloing competition.  After seeing the fearless athletes climb the 50 foot wall, as a spectator, you can’t help but wonder what it would feel like to drop in from the Psicobloc wall.  Lucky for those who want to experience the thrill, the Utah Olympic Park has opened the climbing wall for the public to use!

Bring your swimsuit, or clothes that can get wet, because you will most certainly be making a plunge into the Aerials Pool.  You will also want to make sure to bring your own climbing shoes.  Once you have your shoes on and are ready to go, it’s time to get on the wall.  First thing you will want to do is traverse to the start of your climb.  As soon as you are set on your route, there is nowhere to go but up!  It is such a thrilling (and honestly a quite frightening) experience being on the wall without being harnessed into anything.  My advice, DON”T LOOK DOWN!  Just keep looking up for your next move.  Once you reach the top of the climb, it is time to drop.  You will be surprised by how long your body will grip onto the wall if you are scared to make the jump.  Really though, it will give you butterflies! It feels much higher when you are hanging from the top waiting to drop in.  As soon as you get the courage to make the plunge, you will feel a rush of energy as you drop down into the pool.  It is such a crazy feeling free falling off of a climbing wall!  It’s not something you will experience at your every day climbing gym.  And let me tell you something, after doing it once, you will be addicted.  Dry off those shoes and hop back on the wall.  The Olympic Park sells day passes, so you can stay as long as you like from 11am-6pm.  

Go try it out!  Climbing the Psicobloc wall is such a unique and exciting thrill.  The wall will be up until August 24th and is open daily.  

Psicobloc Comp

The Psicocomp Master Series is back at the Utah Olympic Park this week to put on a show for adrenaline junkies, thrill seekers, or anyone who just wants to see something awesome. Psicocomp is a deep water soloing competition.  This climbing competition brings together elite climbers from across the country to compete head to head to see who can climb the furthest without dropping into the pool.  Athletes such as Chris Sharma, Sasha DiGiulian, Jimmy Webb, Delaney Miller, and many more will be attending. Watching athletes train on the 50 foot wall this afternoon, it was clear that these climbers are fearless and as talented as they come.

Qualifiers start this afternoon at Momentum Climbing Gym in Millcreek.  Climbers who make it past qualifying round will compete at the Utah Olympic Park tomorrow night at 7pm in the seeding round.  Most exciting of all are the finals, which will start at 7pm at the Utah Olympic Park.  This is one of the most unique and exciting climbing competitions you can attend.  It’s not one that you want to miss out on!  Make sure to get your tickets now because they are going fast.

After the competition is over, the fun continues up at the Utah Olympic Park.  The 50 foot climbing wall will remain up until August 24th.  Anyone is welcome to climb the wall from 11am to 6pm.  Adults climb for $20 and youth climb for $15.

Cross-training with Ted Ligety and our very own Derek Parra!

Last week we posted photos of Ted Ligety, the gold medalist alpine skier, cross-training with Derek Parra here at the Utah Olympic Oval and today we’ve decided to create a blog post with a little more information on what the two were really up to!

It all started when Ted contacted Derek about his interest in trying out some speed skating exercises in attempt to do some off-season cross-training. Derek obliged but under one condition – Ted had to give Derek an hour of off-ice time before the speed skates hit the ice!

This off-ice hour consisted of “dry-land imitations” which are helpful in imitating and getting accustomed to the speed skating motion. While Ted does play hockey the range of motion that is required for speed skating is significantly different and takes time getting used to. Below are images of Ted and Derek using the slide boards. The slide boards are used with nylon stockings on the feet to imitate push sequences and get used to the feeling of a full speed skating stroke.

Ted and Derek getting acquainted with the slide board.

Ted and friends on the slide boards.

There were also resistance bands involved!

After the off-ice time it was time to strap on the speed skates and hit the ice! The dry-land imitations were no longer just imitations but real, strategic movements on-ice. It didn’t take long for Ted to warm up to the movements and then he was off on his own!

Ted on-ice

As a final side note, we all know that Ted is without a doubt a world-class athlete but according to Derek Ted’s hips were “lit up” after the work out!