SWG and DAV continue to work together

Stadtwerke Giessen and the Giessen section of the German Alpine Association are continuing their successful partnership.

Making the mountains accessible to many and protecting nature in the process - the German Alpine Association (DAV) has been pursuing these central goals for more than 150 years - with around 1.3 million members and 365 regional subgroups. One of these is the Giessen section. And it has dedicated itself to a particularly attractive facet of mountain sports: sport climbing. The non-profit association has been running the DAV Climbing and Bouldering Centre Giessen in Rödgener Straße since 2016. What's special about it is that it's not just experts who meet here to conquer vertical or even overhanging walls using comparatively tiny holds and footholds. "We regularly organise courses for beginners and especially for children and young people," explains Klaus Ehgart, Chairman of the DAV Giessen section. The hall also serves as a competition venue. Just recently, 32 teams from schools in Central Hessen competed to win the regional competition. Stadtwerke Gießen (SWG) has supported the local section of the DAV since the climbing and bouldering centre was established. "The DAV makes climbing accessible to many people - regardless of gender or age. We are particularly happy to support such projects," says SWG company spokesperson Ulli Boos, explaining the extension of the co-operation for a further three years.

More than just climbing

The DAV Gießen section currently has around 3,600 members. This makes it the largest sports and nature conservation organisation in Giessen with a lively club life. Hiking groups meet regularly, and once a month there is an outing on a mountain or gravel bike. But of course, sport climbing has also played an important role since the hall was built. In fact, there are eight children's and youth groups. They not only practise on the artificial wall, but also go out again and again to gain experience on real rock under supervision. There is also the competition group, in which children and young people between the ages of 8 and 15 train.

To finance all this, the membership fees and the income from the climbing and bouldering centre are nowhere near enough. "Without sponsors like SWG, we wouldn't be able to maintain our leisure and educational programme," says Klaus Ehgart. "We are therefore very grateful that SWG continues to stand by our side and support us in our activities."

The importance of climbing, especially among younger people, can be seen in the visitor numbers. Around 2,300 people come to the Giessen Climbing and Bouldering Centre every month. Many of them are under 18 years old. Numerous students have also discovered this attractive sport for themselves. But sprightly senior citizens also climb the walls equipped with colourful holds and keep fit in this way. The DAV's climbing centre is also aimed at schools. From the very beginning, the DAV's trainers have been actively involved in school sports and climbing clubs. "This is becoming increasingly popular," says Klaus Ehgart happily.

Communicating values

Like most other sports, climbing has many positive effects on the personal development of young people. The sport not only challenges the body - especially strength and agility - but also the mind. Only those who are fully focussed can push their limits further and further. And that is precisely what strengthens self-confidence. Sport climbing also teaches you to take responsibility and trust others. The simple rule applies: if you belay, you guarantee that the person climbing will be caught by the rope in the event of a fall. No ifs, ands or buts. And anyone who climbs relies on this.

Last but not least, there is another extremely important aspect: nature conservation comes into play at the latest when it comes to the real rock. It goes without saying that the trainers first teach the children and young people the various techniques needed to move safely on and around the wall. However, they also explain to their protégés that climbing in its original form on quartz, sandstone, limestone or granite only has a future if everyone treats nature with care. And even the youngest children understand this very quickly. "In this respect too, the DAV and SWG complement each other perfectly. Because environmental protection has always played a major role for us," summarises Ulli Boos.