Country's first Psicobloc climbing event at Bantwal

MANGALURU: Psicobloc India -- first of its kind two-day climbing event will be held at the lush green Varanashi Organic Farm -- owned by the Varanashi family for nearly 200 years in Bantwal of Dakshina Kannada district, about 51 kilometers from Mangaluru on May 11 and 12.
Psicobloc, also known as deep water soloing,-is a form of solo climbing over a deep body of water. Climbers from Chennai based Fit Rock Arena and Bengaluru based Lets Play Climbing have joined hands to organize this event that will unite climbers from across India.

Speaking to TOI, Gautham Chelladurai from Fit Rock Arena said Psicobloc India will be having professional and amateur climbers from around the country converge on a 28-foot climbing wall with a mind-blowing overhang above a beautiful 16 feet deep pool. Competitors will battle it out, before scores of spectators, with no ropes or harness, to see who can climb the wall fastest, or who can get to the highest point before dropping to the pool below. We are expecting to have at least 150 participants, he said.

The climbing community is vibrant in Bengaluru, Delhi, Pune and Kolkata and is picking up in Chennai. Bouldering, sport climbing, trad climbing and Psicobloc climbing are few forms of climbing.

Day one will be dedicated for qualifiers and day two for finals and prize distribution. Competitive and non-competitive rounds for men and women, pro and amateur athletes will be held. Six athletes from each category will reach the finals. Cash prizes for pro athletes are Rs 50,000, 30,000 and 20,000 for first, second and third places respectively and amateurs will get material prizes.

Other workshops such as functional training workshop by Sanjana George swim and dive workshop by Coach Partha Varanashi, poy display, slacklining workshop, stand up paddle, yoga and acro yoga will also be held.

Coach Partha Varanashi from Varanashi farms said, psicobloc is a popular sport worldwide but is yet to pick up in India. Rock climbing belongs to action adventure sports category and more of these are now considered as Olympic sports as of Tokyo 2020. The sports climbing event in the coming edition of Olympics will have 40 of the world's best climbing for the gold. It is an attempt to popularise Psicobloc climbing sport . We are stoked to host this, he said.