After a year of construction and five years of planning, CityROCK Johannesburg has finally opened its doors.

FREE climbing this weekend

9-6 on both days.

only pay gear rental.

20% off in the Gear Shop.

come today from 2-6 to do your early bird belay test – avoid the mad rush tomorrow…..

Summary:

The gym, a world-class facility, is located conveniently on Republic Road in Fontainebleau, Randburg. CityROCK caters to a wide range of customers. From complete beginners, to seasoned outdoor climbers, to kids and families. The gym features roped climbing, bouldering and a phenomenal gear shop.

And in a first for South Africa, the gym will incorporate Yoga, cardio, weights and fitness, as well as a coffee shop, providing a 1-stop fitness and fun offering to Gautengers.

About Indoor Climbing:

Rock climbing is an activity in which participants climb up, down or across artificial rock walls. The goal is to reach the summit of a formation or the endpoint of a usually pre-defined route without falling. Indoor climbing combines exercise, problem solving, and fun and is a rapidly growing sport worldwide.

About Indoor Climbing gyms:

While CityROCK has been going in Cape Town for 13 years, Johannesburg has not been so fortunate. That’s about to change – Johannesburg now joins the ranks of other large cities in having it’s own world-class, full service indoor rock climbing facility. There are now 436 climbing gyms in the United States and Canada alone, according to the US Publication “Climbing Business Journal”. Most US metropolitan areas have multiple gyms — ten in San Francisco, seven in and around Boston, four in Chicago, five more underway in Los Angeles. The climbing gym industry started off as a training venue for outdoor rock climbers, but over the last two decades, the sport and business of indoor climbing has taken on its own life, catering to young and young-at-heart urbanites.

About CityROCK Johannesburg:

This world class indoor climbing facility boasts 1,500m² of high climbing, up to 16m high; 600m² of bouldering, 4m high; a dedicated beginners’ climbing area for courses and a kids birthday party area. The 150m² gear shop is South Africa’s largest specialist mountain gear shop. The beautiful 140m² yoga studio and the cardio and strength training area make CityROCK a full service gym. Last but not least, the Mountain Club of South Africa office and library and great coffee will make this a popular hang-out place for climbers and socialites.

Indoor Climbing to go Olympic?

George Stainton, President of the SA National Climbing Federation, says: “Indoor climbing has been short-listed as one of the five new sports for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. This really shows how popular the sport has become worldwide. We are really excited about having CityROCK around to train at, and have fun at. CityROCK Joburg is a truly world-class facility which will take competitive SA sport climbing to a whole new level.”

The CityROCK Gear Shop:

CityROCK Johannesburg is the home to the CityROCK Gear Shop. Trish Breyer, retail shop manager and co-owner, says: “Historically, climbing gear used to be rather difficult to find in Johannesburg. Our shop will obviously sell the kit for gym and outdoor climbers. But the Gear Shop will take gear shopping in Johannesburg to a whole different level.”

The CityROCK Johannesburg Gear Shop comprises 150 m2 of retail space, this will make it the largest specialist-climbing retailer in South Africa.

Trish continues: “The outdoor chains like Cape Union Mart, Trappers, Due South, etc. are in my humble opinion just glorified clothing stores. My goal for this shop is to be the largest and best-stocked climbing, mountaineering and hiking specialist store in South Africa. We will cater to the serious outdoor enthusiast. From the casual Magaliesberg hiker to the mixed rock and Ice climber in Patagonia – we will be THE go-to-place.”

The CityROCK Gear Shop will be home to only world-class imported brands like The North Face, Black Diamond, La Sportiva, Camelbak, Buff, Boreal, Evolv, Five Ten, Mountain Equipment, Petzl, Osprey, MSR, and Sea to Summit.

In addition, we are proud to be importing brands that have never before been readily available in Johannesburg such as prAna clothing from the USA. and Mammut climbing gear from Switzerland.

The Mountain Club of South Africa:

CityROCK is going to become the new home to the Mountain Club of South Africa (MCSA) Johannesburg Section. The MCSA is the largest and oldest outdoor organization in South Africa, 125 years old today. The MCSA will relocate its office to CityROCK. In addition, the Club’s Wednesday night films, slide shows and speakers will all now have a great venue.

Roland Magg, Club Admin Manager, explains that partnering with CityROCK is a win-win. “CityROCK is obviously about indoor climbing. Our focus as the Mountain Club is the great South African outdoors. We will make the transition from gym to the crag or the mountains easy.”

One-stop Fitness:

CityROCK Johannesburg will offer 1-stop fitness. The Yoga, cardio, fitness, weights and training area will be completed in December this year. Newcomer Tarryn May says: “I live down the road from CityROCK. I have always wanted to try indoor climbing. When I heard that the new gym will also offer Yoga and Fitness, it was a no-brainer. I am cancelling my Virgin Active membership this weekend. R490 for a monthly membership is good deal”.

Pricing:

– Adult pricing: R130 for a day pass, R490 for adult debit order. 3 month minimum commitment.

– Includes climbing, bouldering, cardio and fitness.

– Reduced pricing for kids, students and families.

Kids, Kids, Kids:

From December onwards, CityROCK will offer Birthday parties for the younger generation. The price will be R230 per child for a 2-hour party. CityROCK will also be offering more serious dedicated coaching.

CityROCK Johannesburg by the numbers:

1,500m2 of high climbing terrain, up to 16m high.

100 top ropes, grade 12-26.

80 lead routes, from grade 15 to 30.

Four Tru-Blue automatic belay machines.

15m, 5 degree wall – allowing us to run IFSC speed comps.

Four cracks, from a grade 19 hand jam to grade 23 fingers.

230m2 of kids and beginner climbing & bouldering terrain: 15 top ropes and 5 automatic belays.

600m2 of serious bouldering terrain, up to 4.4m high. Top out central boulder.

100 problems from French grade 5 to 7b+.

15 staff members, and counting.

Currently 90 secure parking bays.

Lot size 6,000m2. Building size 2,700m2.

13 months to build.

Three containers worth of specialty goods imported from the USA. Foam, grips.

18,000 polyurethane grips.

50,000 t-nuts.

3 km of dynamic rope used.

80 tons of steel.

3,000 m2 of plywood.

Owners Bio:

Robert Breyer grew up in Johannesburg and became involved in the climbing gym business while living in San Francisco. Planet Granite is one of the leading operators of climbing gyms in the USA.

Charles Edelstein, a.k.a. Snort, has been a fixture of the South African climbing scene for over 30 years. Originally from Johannesburg, he used to call the Magaliesberg Kloof his hunting ground.

Charles is an orthopedic surgeon on rest days.

Trish Breyer grew up in Cape Town and came to CityROCK via the merger of the CityROCK and Mountain Mail Order in 2012. Trish runs the retail side of the business.

All three owners are active outdoor climbers and live in Cape Town.

About CityROCK:

CityROCK started in Cape Town 14 years ago, and has been going from strength to strength. The business incorporates a Yoga Studio, as well as South Africa’s leading Gear Shop. CityROCK also owns Mountain Mail Order, the leading online mountain shop in Southern Africa.

For more information contact: Robert Breyer

Visit us online: www.cityrock.co.za

Email us: johannesburg@cityrock.co.za

Call us: 010-007-2732

Address: 173 Republic Road, Fontainebleau, Randburg (entrance in the back).

Share this:

Tweet

Email

Print

