By Ian Johnson

To say I was a part of the class that surrounds me would be inaccurate – I’m too old for that. Yet I am completely engrossed as the instructor calls directions to a group of young climbers. They’re gripped too. They hang on the class leader’s every word and rush to action on each of his signals. They fall from the wall following overly ambitious moves but jump back from the matting time and time again. One group plays a game of ‘Shark’ on the lower, un-roped boulder wall. Another learns the safety procedures attached to top rope climbing, and the final group scales the highest walls without a second thought.

Climbing looks natural to them all and sparks unbelievable excitement. It’s the Cicak Club at Camp 5, and though it was established to introduce kids to the benefits of physical activity, its initiatives are contagious to all.

The programme’s focus, however, is squarely on the young ones. ‘Kids love climbing,’ Jeremy Peet, director of Camp 5, simply states. ‘Thus, one of the greatest benefits is the inherent motivational factor.’ As opposed to the more traditional sports adopted by kids – football or badminton, for example – ‘that require special techniques and talents, the physical nature of climbing is intuitive and therefore immediately engaging at all levels and for all ages.’ Ultimately, climbing isn’t such a strange choice. Despite its apparent lack of media attention in Malaysia, it’s quickly gaining mainstream accreditation and Jeremy disputes any ‘extreme sport’ labels as far and removed from reality. In essence, climbing offers the same thing as football or hockey: ‘an activity and an opportunity to keep fit and better yourself via the pursuit of challenge.’

In climbing, though, gender forms no boundaries and the Cicak Club shows a healthy balance between girls and boys in the eight to 14-year-old age range. In fact, of the total membership base at Camp 5 (roughly 13,000), 49 per cent are female. ‘The girls can make use of their inherent physical traits, such as a greater flexibility, counter any lack of physical strength, levelling the playing field between sexes.’ Indeed, all the children here show an affinity for climbing. Some are stronger, more athletic, of course, but climbing relies so heavily on technique. So as one child – a 12-year-old boy – muscles his way up a challenging route, it’s no surprise to the instructors that a younger girl climbs gracefully ahead on the next wall over. I’m surprised at the boy’s composure as his struggles on past the girl now casually descending, but Jeremy explains. ‘Climbing is non-competitive, the climber defines the challenge, the wall or route is an objective and neutral adversary.’ And while such an explanation may pass these children by, the fact that in climbing, ‘there’s no score, and success is measured by your own progress and personal achievement,’ seems to strike a chord with them all.

It’s a different story for the adults new to Camp 5. They seem to claw their way up on the borders of their comfort zone. Adults prefer to have a thorough understanding of what they’re getting into, Jeremy says. But ‘kids just want to dive right in,’ so classes must reflect this will to get on the wall. And strangely ‘while adults need to be ‘re-educated’ about how to use their strengths and weaknesses, children seem often to tap into this ‘knowledge’ intuitively.’ The Cicak Club, therefore, simply hones the fundamental climbing techniques in a fun, sociable environment through games and activities.

However, beyond the excitement that fills the boulder cave, the kids are benefitting enormously. Learning to appreciate and enjoy physical activity at this age is crucial to adopting a healthy lifestyle. And further even than that, Jeremy is confident that the children see progress in all aspects of life. Starting such pursuits from a young age ‘is imperative,’ he says. ‘Our early experiences establish the foundation of our self esteem and self confidence. We see every day in Camp 5 the positive impact physical activity has on a child, and as a general rule, the younger the child, the more pronounced the results.’

The Cicak Club Camp 5, EZ501, 5th Floor, 1 Utama Shopping Centre, Bandar Utama, PJ (03 7726 0420/www.camp5.com). Mon & Fri, 5-6.30pm. Ages 8-14.