Regardless of the lack of natural cliffs, rock climbing has seen a flourishing fanbase appear in Florida.
And at USF St. Petersburg, the new student Rock Climbing Club is trying to make its passion infectious.
Brandon Burke, a junior at USFSP, started the club in January to find other passionate rock climbers. He saw the growing student body and the nearby rock climbing facility, Vertical Ventures, as the perfect combination.
Courtesy of Jeremy Stanton
The club’s meetings are held on Fridays at Vertical Ventures, a state-of-the-art indoor climbing gym.
“It’s a lot more fun when you go there with a group of people,” Burke said. “There’s a huge resource with thousands of students, and young people love to climb.”
When he first tried to start the club in the fall, Burke said he had trouble finding officers.
But his hopes were restored at the start of the spring semester when Brian Dinsmore, a transfer student from Colorado, contacted Burke after he saw the group’s Facebook page.
Burke said Dinsmore, who is an experienced climber, has been instrumental in the club’s growth.
The pair recruited about 20 people during the college’s Get On Board Day event, and have been adding members since.
Vertical Ventures offers several classes for beginners starting with the required “Intro to Belay” class that teaches inexperienced climbers how to safely manage equipment.
“One of the first (classes) we took as a group was the intro to movement class,” Burke said. “It’s basically technique and learning how to climb with form, not strength.”
A variety of climbs can be found at the facility including a top-roping section, bouldering area and a more specialized sector for advanced climbers known as “The Pit.”
Burke also spoke with the president of USF Tampa’s Rock Climbing Club, hoping to bring the organizations together to climb at one of the two Vertical Ventures locations in Tampa or St. Petersburg.
Though still in its infancy, the club has started planning trips to put their training to the test in authentic, outdoor environments.
“Alabama is in May, June is Colorado,” Burke said. “By the end of the year, we’re looking at a couple different spots, like Chimney Rock in North Carolina.”
The Rock Climbing Club has something to offer everyone, from seasoned veterans to aspiring climbers.
“I think it could eventually blow up. It’s a great time and a cool, dynamic way for students to get off campus.”
USFSP Rock Climbing Club meetings
When: Fridays at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Vertical Ventures St. Petersburg, 116 18th St S.
Visit the USFSP Rock Climbing Club on Facebook for updates and information on the club’s upcoming activities.
