Opening of the climbing wall at the Veyrassi University Sports Center

[Press Release] - Published on October 21, 2024 in Press Room, Faculties, Schools, and Institutes

Philippe Augé, President of the University of Montpellier, and Angèle Chopard, Director of the Department of Physical and Sports Sciences and Techniques, inaugurated the new climbing wall at the Veyrassi University Sports Center on Monday, October 21, 2024, in the presence of Patrice Canayer, regional councilor for the Occitanie/ Pyrénées-Méditerranée, and Christophe Bourdin, councilor for Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole. The project, costing €408,000, was funded by the University of Montpellier.

A facility that complements the sports facilities at the Veyrassi campus

The Veyrassi campus, which welcomes more than 2,200 students each year from the UFR STAPS (Department of Physical and Sports Sciences and Techniques) at the University of Montpellier, now has an additional asset for its community. Thanks to €408,000 in funding allocated by the University of Montpellier, a valuable new training facility has been installed: a high-performance climbing wall. This addition enhances the campus’s facilities and opens up new opportunities for training, practice, and competition in this sport.

Climbing, one of the 18 sports specializations offered by the UFR STAPS, is divided into three main disciplines: bouldering, lead climbing, and speed climbing. The Veyrassi campus now features a climbing wall that meets regional standards, allowing students to train in a supportive and safe environment. This wall, standing 13 meters high with a 3.5-meter overhang, makes it ideal for a variety of climbing styles. Additionally, the structure features around fifty routes and is equipped with over 3,500 holds, providing a challenging training environment for both beginners and experienced climbers. This new facility will allow students in the UFR STAPS to explore and improve their skills in each of the three disciplines. Bouldering, for example, which focuses on short, intense climbs without ropes, can now be practiced right on campus.

Damien Jacquet, a state-certified climbing instructor and newly hired faculty member at the UFR STAPS, oversees this facility. His primary role is to supervise students as they climb, ensuring their safety and providing them with high-quality instruction. Thanks to his expertise, everyone will benefit from optimal guidance, whether they are just discovering the sport or looking to improve their skills.

In addition to the classes and training sessions offered as part of the STAPS program, this facility will also be open to other students at the University of Montpellier, particularly through the University Physical and Sports Activities Service (SUAPS). The climbing wall will thus be available for recreational activities and evening classes, allowing the entire university community to enjoy this new facility. Furthermore, agreements will be signed with other entities, such as local schools, associations, federations, and sports leagues, to expand access to this facility. It is therefore intended to become a true hub for sharing, where the academic, school, associative, and federative communities can come together around the practice of climbing.