7m climbing wall on water is UK first

This weekend Exeter’s canal basin will become the home to the UK’s first artificial climbing wall on water!

A 7 metre high structure is being built on a canal barge and will be floated into the water to provide the wall for the UK’s first inland deep water solo competition.

Staged by local climbing wall, The Quay Climbing Centre, the event has attracted over 40 of the UK and Europe’s top climbers together with over 160 ‘amateurs’ from across the country to compete in the two day event which takes place on the 30th and 31st August.

The competition taps into one of the fastest growing areas of climbing: deep water soloing. Climbers attempt to ascend routes on sea cliffs without using ropes, using the sea below as their drop off point when they can no longer climb. It is one of the most visually exciting and challenging areas of the sport and the South West boasts some of the best deep water solo spots in the UK.

The Quay Climbing Centre is unique in being located right next to an inland waterway making it the ideal location for the UK’s first artificial deep water solo event. The large open Piazza Terracina provides the perfect viewing platform for supporters and spectators and the event organisers hope it will attract passers-by from the city and quayside area as well as bring in lots of new visitors to the area.

Standing just over 7 metres tall and 12 metres wide the competition wall, which has been built by leading climbing wall manufacturer, Entre-Prises UK, boasts a 3 metre overhang and has been designed to enable three competitors to climb simultaneously on routes that will challenge even the most experienced athletes.

The competition sold out within a month. The event kicks off on Friday 29th August with an evening talk by UK deep water solo legend, Neil Gresham and US climbing star Sierra Blair Coyle.

The unique and quirky nature of the event has attracted many of the UK’s top climbers, with over 40 sponsored and team GB athletes joining the open competitors at the semi-final stage on Sunday 31st. Teams have been entered from major industry players including La Sportiva, Scarpa, DMM International, 5.10, Evolve, Boreal, Tenaya and newer players such as Alpkit.

The Quay is even entering a team of local up and coming climbers from the region including junior GB team member Alex Waterhouse.

DWS Exeter promises to bring the best of the best in deep water solo together for the first time in the UK. Neil Gresham, who will be competing for Team La Sportiva, said: “this event is one of the most exciting things to happen on the UK climbing scene in years.

Deep Water Solo Climbing is one of the most visual and free forms of climbing you can experience. This will not only be fantastic for the sport of climbing in general but will do wonders to promote it locally in a region that has a lot to offer those looking for a Deep Water Solo adventure.

I can’t wait for my chance to go head to head with Britain’s best climbers!” It also promises a huge tourism boost for Exeter – raising the profile of the Haven Banks quayside area which has seen huge investment in recent years with the opening of the climbing centre and, more recently, the Haven Banks Outdoor Education Centre.

“Our aim is to create an annual event in the UK climbing calendar which will help promote Exeter and the stunning region that is the South West to outdoor enthusiasts across the country” said Alison Smith, one of the owners of the Quay Climbing Centre.

Hundreds of spectators are expected to attend the event which kicks off at 9.30am both days and is expected to run into the evening.

“Come along and see what all the fuss is about – it costs nothing to come along and watch and the local businesses around the Piazza will be joining in the event offering a host of menus for supporters and visitors throughout the day and evening” said Paul Russell, Event Director and Quay Climbing Centre Manager.

The event is being sponsored by Entre-Prises UK, DMM International, La Sportiva, Julbo, Tenaya and Snap with supporting sponsorship from 5.10, A Mind for Adventure, Alpkit, Dewerstone, Haven Banks Outdoor Education Centre, RAB and Taunton Leisure.