Inauguration 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 Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Science, 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/Pyrenees-Mediterranean Region, and Christophe Bourdin, Councilor for Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole. The €408,000 project was funded by the University of Montpellier. Pyrénées-Méditerranée region, and Christophe Bourdin, councilor for Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole. The €408,000 project was financed by the University of Montpellier.

A structure that complements the sports facilities on the Veyrassi campus

The Veyrassi campus, which welcomes more than 2,200 students each year from the UFR STAPS (Training and Research Unit in 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 from the University of Montpellier, a valuable new piece of equipment has been installed: a high-level climbing wall. This infrastructure enriches the campus facilities and opens up new opportunities for training, practice, and competition in this sport.

Climbing, one of the 18 sports offered by the UFR STAPS, is divided into three main disciplines: bouldering, difficulty, and speed. The Veyrassi campus now has a climbing wall that meets regional standards, allowing students to train in a safe and supportive environment. This wall, with a height of 13 meters and a 3.5-meter overhang, is ideal for a variety of practices. In addition, the structure includes around 50 routes and is equipped with more than 3,500 holds, providing a stimulating training ground for beginners and more experienced climbers alike. This new facility will allow students at 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 directly on campus.

This facility is supervised by Damien Jacquet, a state-certified climbing instructor and newly recruited teacher at the UFR STAPS. His main role is to supervise students as they practice, ensuring their safety and providing them with high-quality educational support. Thanks to his expertise, everyone will benefit from optimal supervision, whether they are discovering the activity for the first time or looking to improve their skills.

In addition to the courses and training provided as part of the STAPS program, this facility will also be accessible to other students at the University of Montpellier, notably through the University Physical Activity and Sports Service (SUAPS). The climbing wall can thus be used 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, in order to broaden access to this facility. It is therefore intended to become a true place of sharing, where the university, school, association, and federal worlds can come together around the practice of climbing.