Pumpfest is an annual, nationwide bouldering competition organized by NTU Outdoor Adventure Club (ODAC).
Since its inception in 1998, Pumpfest has been attracting a large number of participants every year. Pumpfest 2009, which was held at Velocity, attracted over 400 participants and 13 School Teams.
Our slogan, theadrenal1n3isnowhere highlights the high-octane experience that participants will go through, pushing their mental and physical limits during the event.
More details will be posted as the events draw nearer, do check back at this site!
If you have any enquiries, feedback or complaints, we would like to hear them! Feel free to email us at pumpfest.ntu@gmail.com
Heavy breathing is all you hear. Oblivious to the deafening cheers in the background, you close your eyes and draw one last breath before making the leap for that final piece. Then you feel it. Delirious joy fills your body as you savor the sweet taste of triumphing over another seemingly impossible task. Welcome to the world of bouldering.
Bouldering is a style of climbing emphasizing power, strength, and dynamics. Without the restriction of harnesses, helmets and safety ropes, climbers are able to freely experiment as they attempt various routes (known as problems) on the boulder wall.
Fear of falling? Fret not as boulder walls are rarely higher than 3-5 meters and there will be a bouldering mat (also known as crash mat) in case the climber falls. To ensure safety, a spotter (a fellow climber) works to direct the climber's body toward the crash pad during a fall and protects the climber's head from hazards.
Bouldering has come a long way since it was founded in Europe during the last quarter of the 19th century. Back then bouldering was not about climbing the artificial walls we see today. More often, climbers were on their fours scaling a real rock. Bouldering served as a training tool in the climber’s ambition to conquer higher and tougher walls. Climbers would model their routes after difficult segments that they encounter higher up a rock face. Requiring almost nothing but a wall and a determined climber to start, no wonder it is gaining popularity in modern society both as a competitive sport and as a recreational activity.
One will have to try it to feel it.
Aroused your interest in climbing? Here are some avenues that you, as a student in NTU can get involved in the climbing way of life.
Happening in late May, Pumpfest 2010 will be an exciting and adrenaline-pumping event, with various competition categories, and a Funclimb specially tailored for beginner climbers in NTU. Do check back at this site for more updates!
The University Mountaineering Club is NTU’s very own club for climbing enthusiasts, and they host both a climbing team as well as training for recreational climbers.
NTU also has its very own boulder gym, located above the indoor basketball court at the Sports & Recreation Centre. (SRC, AR4)
Training is at 7pm to 9.45pm at SRC AR4 on weekday evenings. Do visit them at http://ntuclimbs.wordpress.com/