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 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, a council member of Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole. The project, costing €408,000, was funded by the University of Montpellier.

A facility 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 the Sciences and Techniques of Physical and Sports Activities) at the University of Montpellier, now offers an additional asset to its community. Thanks to €408,000 in funding allocated by the University of Montpellier, a valuable new training facility has been installed: a high-level 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 specialties offered by the UFR STAPS, is divided into three major 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 wide range of climbing styles. In addition, the structure features approximately 50 routes and is equipped with more than 3,500 holds, providing a challenging training environment for both beginners and experienced climbers. This new facility will allow students in the UFR STAPS program to explore and hone 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 instructor 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 instructional support. 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 Activity and Sports 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, and sports federations or leagues—to expand access to this facility. It is therefore intended to become a true hub for sharing, where members of the academic, school, associative, and federation communities can come together through the practice of rock climbing.