As we welcome in the New Year and all the new things we set our sights on, let’s have a look back at 2025 and some of its highlights.
Kragcentrale
The closest thing local to team USA’s National Training Centre. Kragcentrale opened at the start of 2025 and has brought nothing but high quality holds, training boards, and psyche to the local community. With international setters, comps, and a priority on the international bouldering style, this gym is sure to take SA climb to whole new heights.
Snapdragon Showdown Wall
With the Emgwenya Mountain Club achieving NPO status, the proceeds from the Snapdragon Showdown fundraiser from January 2022 culminated in the construction of the official Snapdragon Showdown Wall in 2025. The wall was even visited by local climbing inspiration and Olympian, Mel Janse Van Rensburg. If you missed this story, click here.
The return of The Rory
After returning for the 20th reunion in 2024, the historic Rory Lowther Memorial Event was back with a bang in 2025. Taking place in Harrismith, the event brought together old and new faces alike to celebrate the spirit of climbing and its community. We hope to see this event return for many more years to come.
Bloc 11 in the 010
October 2025 marked the opening of Bloc 11’s third location and its first one outside of the mother city. The rumours were no longer rumours! In early October Bloc 11 Johannesburg officially opened its doors in the heart of Fourways. Tucked away at the top of Fourways Mall, this Boulder specific gym is new, shiny, and sure to be a great competition venue for 2026.
A whole New World
As if there was not enough excitement already, the Magliesberg saw the opening of another gem of a crag. The New World Crag located in Piesangkloof also opened in October and has at present 68 climbs -12 of which are multipitches! The crag is tranquil, easily accessible, with long, beautiful routes. A big thank you to SA Outdoor Academy for their hard work in developing and opening this crag.
Birthday Bash
While new gyms have been opening across the country, CityROCK Johannesburg reached and unlocked a milestone of its own – 10 years since its opening day back in October 2015. Celebrated in style with the much anticipated ROCKtober event. We are excited to see what another decade will look like.
Who runs the world?
In Friends and Allies route setting competition in 2025, Anj Jones showed that girls do in fact run the world – and perhaps they should be running all the setting too? Bolts and Holds remains the only route setter competition within SA and has become a beloved annual event. We cannot wait for the 2026 edition and to hopefully see even more ladies leading the way!
Top Sends
In a mega successful season, Christopher Cosser became the first South African to climb an 8C+ Boulder when he ticked off the iconic Creature from the Black Lagoon. As if this was not enough, Chris shortly thereafter sent Ace of Spades 9a+ – showing he is just as good on a rope. These sends combined certainly solidifies Chris at the top of the standings as we close out 2025.
RIP IFSC Climbing
Confused? So were we. In an attempt to bring climbing in alignment with its growing global popularity (since its solidification as an Olympic sport) the International Federation of Sport Climbing or IFSC made the decision in December to rebrand (almost overnight) to World Climbing. What this means, we are not entirely sure. The rebrand promises to be part of something far bigger – a commitment to the principles of inclusivity, adaptability, responsibility, and adventure. We are hopeful that this shift will indeed ‘get the world climbing.’
And that’s a wrap! These are just a few of the events and highlights from a very packed 2025. We wish you and your loved ones a very Happy New Year and cannot wait to share more stories, sends, and adventures with you in 2026! Onwards and upwards.
