Adv 223 Yumpu

NORTHERN ROCKS
FINALIST, WESTPAC BUSINESS AWARDS
BEST EMERGING BUSINESS CATEGORY
Rebecca Hounsell, Boulder Bash finals 2019
Photo by Lee Howell
By Sarah Hay: Partner, Northern Rocks
"When you first walk into Northern Rocks,
you notice how sunlit and colourful the
space is, which I’ve come to realise is
really a great metaphor for the community
there, too. I’ve been involved in sports
in some capacity my whole life, and I’ve
never been part of a community quite
like Northern Rocks. There’s friendliness
towards newcomers I’ve never
encountered and a willingness to help, to
encourage people to try something again
and again.
As one of Northern Rocks’ resident yoga
and mobility instructors, I’m privy to the
experiences of so many climbers who
share with me their similar love of the
climbing and the community. Women
especially have recounted to me how
comfortable they feel in a space they
assumed would be male-dominated and
unwelcoming, like most sports.
Some of this can be attributed to
bouldering, sure - not having to belay
anyone really allows you to use your
downtime to chat to new people, in my
case usually trying to acquire beta - and
failing over and over while projecting is
humbling for even the most experienced
climbers, so pretension doesn’t seem
to last long. But I think most of it has to
do with the space Sarah and John have
created, and their encouragement of
friendliness, excellence and the pursuit of
‘sends’." Kate Montgomery
Wow. What a year. What a.. almost two
years! This year, Northern Rocks were
fortunate enough to be nominated for
the Westpac & Chamber of Commerce
Business Awards and chosen as a finalist
in the category Best Emerging Business.
With 744 entries over seven categories,
this achievement is incredibly special to
me, to my business partner John, to our
staff and community. We are so proud to
have this recognition for the hard work
and passion we continue to put into
Northern Rocks. Thank you to all those
who have supported us, climbed with
us, and helped build our ever growing,
colourful, loyal, welcoming, vibrant
community!
Bouldering has become a fitness
alternative, a staple for many people in
their weekly routine. We are coaching
total beginners right through to training
elite athletes, including those who may
in the future wish to qualify for world
championships, even the Olympics.
A highlight has been developing our youth
programs, seeing our young people thrive
in the boulder gym and hearing about
how the skills learnt in bouldering transfer
to greater self-confidence and confidence
at school, and how they have found their
passion in this sport. We are super proud
of our youth members, Rebecca Hounsell,
Grace Hansen, Finlay Cate and Monique
Gray who recently made the Climbing
New Zealand Youth Development Squad,
and to all the youth who participated at
the national championships.
"Climbing is everything to me! When I’m
on the wall I forget everything around
me, and I feel free. Since Northern
Rocks opened, I’ve gone almost every
single week. I don’t mind where I climb
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