Rock climbing coach Sofia Fox says, “it’s been a game-changer” on the introduction of the sport to the Olympics.
It was controversially introduced to the Olympics in Tokyo 2020, with people not describing it as a proper sport, but Fox disputes that.
She explained: “It’s in a great position, it’s becoming very popular at the minute and for it to be included in the last couple of Olympics has been a game-changer and with more facilities popping up around the UK. I think it could be the fastest growing sport.
“There could be more facilities around because they’re quite sparse and dotted around. For example, there are a few cities where there will be a couple and then others where there’d be absolutely nothing.
“I can understand why because it is a very expensive sport when it comes to the equipment and the gear and just the prices to actually learn as well, for some it just won’t be accessible.”
“I think the limit is down to accessibility, it’s expensive when it comes to the gear, the lessons and even just having access to those facilities and being able to exercise and train there so if they can find a way to make it more accessible it can be one of the top sports,” says Fox.
According to the Climbing Journal the average customers in the UK have increased from 39,569 in 2019 to 62,510 in 2023 which shows the growth since the Olympics.
270 Climbing Park in Gloucester opened to the public on August 4th 2025 which has given people in the Gloucester region a chance to climb and enjoy rock climbing, Sofia Fox a rock climbing coach was impressed with the facilities in Gloucester.
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She added: “It’s so important for the region, to have a facility as good and as modern as that in the area for people to experience a new sport, it really helps the growth.”
With the increase of numbers, Fox has spoke about the danger to the sport especially for the kids.
“It was tough trying to grasp how to actually teach children, especially at such a young age, it’s very easy for them to get distracted or not realise it is a dangerous situation to climb sometimes, you do put yourself in danger.
“But, after a few months, I figured out how to be more engaging and try and help support these children so that they could reach their full potential.
“The increase of children that I am teaching is exciting for the future, there seem to be more and more every month which is can’t be anything but great for the sport.”
