Rocklands did what Rocklands does best. This year’s rally delivered a weekend of sandstone joy from start to finish for divas and dirtbags alike.
Friday had us worried with it’s 32°C heat at the Zenith, but Saturday triumphed with overcast skies and a perfect 21°C max. Conditions were about as good as Rocklands gets. The Rally kicked off with 97 amped climbers, all rearing to go.
Sends were flying across the plateau and out into the further areas, with everyone chasing the psych in the good conditions. Pads where shuffled and reshuffled, with climbers doing what climbers do best, lending beta or a spot wherever it was needed. The 27 Crag App made navigating the land of rocks simple and a lot more accessible (especially for our first time Joburg crew).
Scroll to the end for the event gallery, Hano Smalberger’s pics are still to come!
Beginner’s Corner
Our beginners crew was out in full force, with 25 first-timers getting their first taste of outdoor bouldering. They were guided through a few boulders together by the endlessly patient Duncan, Alex, and Rosemary, before spreading out to try things on their own. Fingers got patched, psych stayed high, and a whole new crop of climbers caught the bug.
Results
Some seriously well-earned prizes went out on the day. Our youngest competitor, 8-year-old William Campbell, snagged third in Soft Hands Male (despite his dad’s car breaking down and a last-minute scramble for a lift to even get there).
Big respect to UK visitor Juliet, who delayed her flight home by a day just to be at the rally and made it count, sending more problems in a single day than she ever has before to take first in Seasoned Senders Female. Her son Toby Scott wasn’t far behind, coming third in Rising Stars Male. A proper family affair.
Best Dressed & Raffle Chaos
The onesie game was strong this year — Sixty60, Pink Bunny, a double dose of Pikachu, and the crowd-voted best-dressed winner: The Banana.
The boulder pad raffle brought its own drama. The first name drawn wasn’t around to claim it, and the crowd erupted into a full “reroll!” chant. An extra reroll later, Franco du Plessis walked away with the pad – to yells of “check his ID” from the crowd.
The After Party
The cool evening couldn’t keep campers in there tents with the afterparty bringing the fire… literally. Thanks to the bonfire, poi dancers, and Danny Phantom on the decks, the energy was there, and continued late into the night. Climbers gathered at the lapa to watch a great game of rugby for SA, with some much-anticipated fresh Roosterkoek made by locals of Clanwilliams; a rock rally staple that brought the event to a close.
Another unforgettable Rocklands Rally in the books. See you next year.
Thank you to all our sponsors!
Thank you to our photographers: Cally Bishop, Jemma Gill, Alex Hutton, Hein De Lange
