1995 School Magazine

6irlg' Grilnm,tr $rll00[ ldrtgbane 1995

ROCK-CLIMBING

\\rrith rhc opening of the new Mccrae Grassie sports W C,-l-pl.x this year, came the introcluction of a new and exciting sport to BGGS: rock-climbing. The thirteen metre indoor, textured rock-climbing u'-ali, designecl by D.R. Climbing \ilalls, could lead to only one thlng: by the encl of first term, the Grade Tweh'es had become rock-climbing "groupies". Led by the fearless Barry Greatorex, approximately thirty Year Twelves soon developecl a passion lor the clirnb, which eventr.rally led to the naming of the diflerent routes. These are, in order of increasing difflicr-rlty; Seniors '94 (Gracle Eleven), Pun'-is Three (Gracle Thirteen). Goose (Grade 17), Sheer Relief (Grade 23), Dead-Set Legends (Grade Nineteen) and the ultimate c1lmb, which is yet to be nan-red by the first BGGS climber to reach the 'summit'. (Our excuse: it's a Gracle Twenty- three!) The amazing enthusiasm s1-iown by the girls, 1ed to the formation of the BGGS Rock-Cllmbing Ch-rb. The Club trains twice a week, and from third term, some interested Grade Eleven students were also inr.ited to join in the fr-rn. Girls have also had a chance to rock-climb dr-rring t1'reil P.E. class, and this new spofi is becoming more populal by the tninute. Twelve of the Grade Tn elve climbers, also lind the time to climb regularly dr-rring the holidays, at the Kangaroo Point Cliffs.

However, they have not yet facecl their biggest challenge. Four of these girls - Emma Riggs, Kirsty McGrath, Lisa Mason and Antonia Conomos - are to compete in the South-East Queens- land Rock-Climbing Championships, held at BGGS on the 2nd and 3rd September. This is the first

time that the wall has been used for such a prestigious event, and it is hopedthatthe girls do Grammar proud in their first- ever State Compe- tition. Although the experts make this sport look so easy. the members of the BGGS Climb- ing Club have this year discovered what is really in- vcllved: pain,

sweat and tears, and also a heap of fun! There are many techniques involved in rock-climbing, which the girls have mastered. These include top-roping, lead-climbing, belaying, back-up belaying, boulclering, traversing, abseiling, overhangs and toe and finger jams. (Yes, they're as painful as they sound!) As a result of these skills, the girls have also developed, determination, confidence, strength, flexibility, trust in each other and their own abilities, camaraderie, agiliry and of course, perfectly toned bodies!! The Rock-Climbing Club has been a great opportuniry for the girls to experience this sport of the '90s, thanks tcr the time, effort and ex- pertise of Mr Barry Greatorex. Although it is the end of an era for the Grade Twelves, the B.c.G.S. Rock-Climb- ing Club has been firmly established in the sport- ing curriculum of the school. As enthusiastic climbers, we would like to encourage the younger girls to take r-rp the challenge next year and wish all climbers the best of luck in the fr-rture. KIRSTY MCGRATH AND EMMA RIGCS to7 ,l:i.:lr ririil