Adapting rock climbing for physical disabilities: opportunity in BG this Saturday

Vertical eXcape

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Adaptive sports have climbed to new heights in recent years, this Saturday, you can, too!

Bowling Green’s Vertical eXcape reached out to Catalyst Sports, a rock climbing group for people with physical disabilities. 

Thanks to a handful of local business sponsors, around twenty adaptive climbers will bring special gear and scale these walls this Saturday for free. 

Vertical eXcape wants you to spread the word so more people with physical disabilities can come take advantage of the adaptive equipment that will be here Saturday. 

Bowling Green’s Vertical eXcape director of operations Evan Karcher said, “It’s so awesome to see the fire that they have when they come in and the motivation, and they just crush it. They can out climb a lot of people who have no disability, and it’s just impressive to see.”

Adaptive rock climbing is a growing sport. Now there are even national competitions for adaptive climbing. 

Bowling Green’s Parks and Recreation has helped promote the event, and they’ll set up a table when the climber visit this weekend.

Parks And Rec works with people with physical and intellectual disabilities every day, and this is one opportunity they’re using to promote the need for inclusive sports. 

Bowling Green’s Parks Special Populations Instructor Cameron Levis said, “We’re excited to see something like rock climbing become accessible, because that’s the mission for us…. We just want to get around the table with organizations like them and see if we cant make those things happen for people in our community.”

If you have a physical disability, sign up on Catalyst Sports’ website to come rock climb on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. 

All the adaptive equipment will be there and ready for you! 

Vertical eXcape says they’re hopeful to one day purchase the pricey adaptive equipment and fill their calendars with more days like this in the future.