Post – test 2
Post – test 2
New boulder wall Hangar in Brno experienced its first endurance test on 11 January 2019 when the wall was inaugurated with the participation of Adam Ondra, who is the partner of the wall, journalists and representatives of the city of Brno. This opening ceremony included also a competition for invited climbers. Between the qualification and the final, also the visitors could get hands-on experience of the new boulder wall. The highlight of the day was the final with such stars as Adam Ondra, Martin Stráník, Iva Vejmolová (AIX Team), and the climbing centre was overcrowded. The atmosphere was comparable to that at the World Cup competitions, and deservedly, because this wall offers an ideal space for great contests and it is also a respectable training place for Adam Ondra who will be preparing here for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
We would like to know what such a building of a wall means, and which workman got at it… Perhaps you will be surprised that no local climbers but “four musketeers” from Ostrava had the courage to go in. To get more information we asked Tomáš Labounek, the wall keeper and one of the four owners.
It seems certain that you were not afraid of building such a spacious wall. The largeness of the project was clear from the beginning?
The largeness was definite from the beginning. There are enough small boulder walls in cellars or attics everywhere. I had a vision after the fashion of Barcelona – a big, bright hall full of dominant free-standing boulders, shining with colours of big holds. And both great facilities and friendly team as well.
What was the process to the final shape of the wall?
From the beginnings, the process to the final project of Hangar was difficult, full of fails and obstacles. It is said “third time lucky” but we succeeded the sixth time 🙂 People around us did not believe in the project and did not take it very seriously. But I poked and poked into it until it turned out well.
If I understand it well, Adam Ondra was you adviser?
Yes, Adam joined us at a certain moment and became our partner and the guarantee of quality. When I saw the excitement in his face after he had visited the hall for the first time and had seen what we had been building, I was reassured that my path is right.
Except for the great space and boulders, what can climbers be looking forward to?
Step by step, I will try to create a climbing centre in Hangar, where, in my opinion, new and various boulders should be all the time. It should host and organize series of competitions, both local and, as I hope, also international. Furthermore, it should be a centre where new young talents can be bred, so a little climbing club for sure. We are also planning series of courses and individual lectures for both beginners and advanced climbers. The centre could also include lessons of compensational exercises with physiotherapists. We want, of course, also work on other services related to the centre, e.g. good food and drinking.
What about your feelings after the inauguration that was on Friday, 11 January 2019?
After the 11/1 euphoria, a great disillusion came and we realized how difficult and long the way will be to create a good climbing centre, about which I write. And how difficult it will be only to survive first months…So cross your fingers for us, we will give it all!
We in AIX cross our fingers and root for you! Thanks.
It seems certain that you were not afraid of building such a spacious wall. The largeness of the project was clear from the beginning?
The largeness was definite from the beginning. There are enough small boulder walls in cellars or attics everywhere. I had a vision after the fashion of Barcelona – a big, bright hall full of dominant free-standing boulders, shining with colours of big holds. And both great facilities and friendly team as well.
What was the process to the final shape of the wall?
From the beginnings, the process to the final project of Hangar was difficult, full of fails and obstacles. It is said “third time lucky” but we succeeded the sixth time 🙂 People around us did not believe in the project and did not take it very seriously. But I poked and poked into it until it turned out well.
If I understand it well, Adam Ondra was you adviser?
Yes, Adam joined us at a certain moment and became our partner and the guarantee of quality. When I saw the excitement in his face after he had visited the hall for the first time and had seen what we had been building, I was reassured that my path is right.
Except for the great space and boulders, what can climbers be looking forward to?
Step by step, I will try to create a climbing centre in Hangar, where, in my opinion, new and various boulders should be all the time. It should host and organize series of competitions, both local and, as I hope, also international. Furthermore, it should be a centre where new young talents can be bred, so a little climbing club for sure. We are also planning series of courses and individual lectures for both beginners and advanced climbers. The centre could also include lessons of compensational exercises with physiotherapists. We want, of course, also work on other services related to the centre, e.g. good food and drinking.
What about your feelings after the inauguration that was on Friday, 11 January 2019?
After the 11/1 euphoria, a great disillusion came and we realized how difficult and long the way will be to create a good climbing centre, about which I write. And how difficult it will be only to survive first months…So cross your fingers for us, we will give it all!
We in AIX cross our fingers and root for you! Thanks.
