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achilles
Feb 21, 2002, 8:36 AM
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Does anyone know why rockclimbing has not been sponsored yet on a major level in South Africa? Why don't we get major sponsors involved to hold joint meets at the Magalies- or Drakensbergs. They can provide meets with anything from accommodation, gear and fun prizes. Let's investigate.
Rock-a-bye
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rastalizard
Feb 21, 2002, 11:53 AM
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Good Question?
My guess would be that it is largely due to there not being a lot of local gear manufacturers.All the local gear manufacturers that I know make outdoor gear as opposed to climbing hardware/shoes etc.
These guys such as First Ascent and Cape Storm seem to have chosen to promote their gear at Outdoor meets as opposed to just at the climbing market.
i.e the gear give-aways at the showing of the Banff film festival movies.
I guess there are a couple of climbers in S.A who are sponsored.I see Beal list Guy and Robyn Holwill as being on their S.A list.
But you are right.We should try to get some companies involved.
Any ideas...
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achilles
Feb 22, 2002, 11:05 AM
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Hey there Rastalizard!
I have one or two ideas. The difficulty is probably in selling it to the sponsors. The idea is to link a sponsor's name to an event. Say you're going to Mt. Everest and Outdoor Warehouse has agreed to sponsor it making it the Outdoor Warehouse - Mt. Everest meet. Such a meet can then be held on an annual basis and attract climbers from all over the country. Eventually several meets can be held and climbing can be marketed as an endurance sport to large corporate companies like Old Mutual.
Such meets would be a great opportunty to introduce new climbing and other products and would also allow climbers to socialise with a broader range of climbers. Its all about organisation I suppose, but once such meets start, climbing can become just that much more exciting. The Americans are well organised with regular meets in Utah, El Cap & Yosemite. Lets develop the concept further.
Rock-a-bye!
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rastalizard
Feb 22, 2002, 11:58 AM
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Sounds like you have been thinking about it for a while.
Lets use this site to organise a meet,draw up a list of companies and see what we can do.
I would like to avoid non-climbing related companies though, as I believe when the corporate world gets involved the impact on the environment is almost always negative.
You keen?
Maybe we can get some free gear!!!
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achilles
Feb 22, 2002, 12:51 PM
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Sounds good Rastalizard! Especially the free gear! I'll speak to you about it again soon. Rock-a-bye!
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achilles
Mar 11, 2002, 11:00 AM
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Hey there rastalizard!
Perhaps rocmonkey also has a few good ideas to share.
The ideal would be to have a circuit of meets throughout SA with the MCSA. Trick is getting the events advertised and sponsors to get involved.
Rock-a-bye!
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rastalizard
Mar 19, 2002, 12:50 PM
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Sorry missed your post Achilles.
We should get Rocmonkey involved of course.
How about the three of us try to arrange a meeting in Harrismith in a couple of weeks to discuss ideas, and maybe even climb?
If you are keen guys, reply, and I will contact some companies and see what we would need to do to get them to donate gear and stuff for prizes if we were to hold a meet.
I think that would be a good start, if it is a sucess we could then plan a circuit as you suggested.
I am out and about SA all the time anyway.
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achilles
Mar 26, 2002, 6:51 AM
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Sounds good rastalizard!
How about the weekend of the 16th of June. It is a long-weekend, which helps us working types.
I will contact a few guys locally as well.
Lets see if the weekend suits everyone, then we can proceed to organise.
Rock-a-bye!
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rastalizard
Mar 26, 2002, 7:20 AM
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That sounds good.
What about you Rocmonkey?
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gambit
Apr 1, 2002, 7:06 PM
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Hi Guys i been reading your posts and if this event goes thru what kind of a crowd will you be looking to attract for the weekend eg pro/novice/beginner pls let me know because we have many novice climbers at my school and we are looking for sport route events or comps
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achilles
Apr 3, 2002, 10:41 AM
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The crowd can be as varied as possible. Always great to see new climbers. There are a lot of great sport routes and a few trad routes in Harrismith. We will still confirm the time and venue.
rastalizard, perhaps rocmonkey is not reading this post, I will forward the message to him!
Rock-a-bye!
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pwsk
Apr 3, 2002, 12:38 PM
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I've been reading as well and I like your ideas guys...
An anual meet sounds great, I wonder though if would not be easier to convince some companies or organizations for sporsorship if it is arranged as a type of challenge/competition.
I know that adventure racing is really booming lately. In Harrismith it can be arranged as a series of climbs along with a running section making it into an endurance and ability testing event, it would be useful to contact Mt Everest game reserve and hear what they think...
In the Magaliesberg it could be done with a swimming leg in a nearby dam(eg. Buffelspoort dam), running into the gorges, doing a few climbs and cycling out on a nearby gravel road. This would have to done in conjunction with or with authorization from the MCSA.
Mind if I come along to Everest?
L.O.D
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achilles
Apr 4, 2002, 7:23 AM
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Hi pwsk! Of course you are welcome to come! We can share travel and accommodation expenses. I like your ideas as well.
The planning for such a race will have to be done a few months in advance. Perhaps rocmonkey can supply a few ideas on how to best arrange the logistics behind such a race. I'm not sure whether RC.com can supply a dedicated line for race registrations and the payment of race fees?
Anyhow I think a joint meet in June should be great. What we could also do is contact Mt Everest resort and indicate that there will be a large number of climbers descending on them that weekend and thereby organise a reduction in fees.
Lets get the number of people listed on here though. There should be 3 people going to Mt Everest that I know of at present in June, including pwsk.
Rastalizard and gambit: how large will your companies be?
Please advise so that we may start organising camping.
Rock-a-bye!
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alcapone
Apr 9, 2002, 11:26 AM
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You guys are definately onto something... if possible... count me in! Contact me with pleasure, even if just to climb in JHB.
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rastalizard
Apr 12, 2002, 5:46 PM
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Sorry in a rush guys, but will get back to you. June sounds good though.
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