Often seen rappelling the rock wall at the entrance of Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium are two very unique climbers.
Allen resident DJ Compton and friend Linda Braswell began rock wall climbing together as a fun way to be active in January at Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium and now say this has been the best fitness challenge of their lives.
“Women of a certain age need to build upper body strength,” said DJ, who climbed for the first time last year with her daughter.
When DJ first tried climbing, she barely made it up the rock wall once. Now, with a set goal to increase time on the wall and overall muscle strength, DJ and climbing partner Linda spend three days a week at Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium’s rock wall, ascending multiple times.
“We joined the rock wall climbing class at the Nat, got a membership, and we committed – it was too much fun not to!” Linda shared. “There are an infinite number of games and goals you can set for yourself when climbing the wall.”
The rock wall at Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium is 24-feet high and 18-feet wide, featuring three separate climbing ropes with five difficulty levels. Linda has proudly shown her mastery of the wall by ringing the purple bell located at the top of the most difficult climb featured on the wall.
Available to climbers of all skill levels, the rock wall is free to use for Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium members and costs $5 for non-members. This fall there are two rock wall climbing classes just like the one that kicked off DJ and Linda’s climbing passion.
Learn more about the rock wall climbing classes and other fitness programs in Allen Parks and Recreation’s LIFE activities guide or by contacting Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium at 214.509.4770.
