The Sestao City Council has recently undertaken various improvements to the municipal bouldering wall located at the La Benedicta Sports Centre, aiming to ensure the facility is in excellent condition for climbing enthusiasts. It has been over six years since the last major renovation of this space, and the work has focused on maintaining the boulder as an attractive venue for sports lovers.
Sestao Kirolak, the municipal sports service, has invested €6,700 in the project. The improvements included dismantling and cleaning the 1,000 holds on the wall to restore friction and grip, remove accumulated magnesium and sweat, and ensure hygiene and safety. Additionally, 90 new holds have been installed to refresh the climbing routes, providing new challenges and maintaining user interest.
The renovation was completed with a thorough inspection of both the metal and wooden structures to ensure there were no damages that could compromise the safety and integrity of climbers. Both the mayor, Gorka Alvarez, and the sports councillor, Borja Ramón, expressed their satisfaction with the work carried out in this space, stating, “The feedback we have received from users has been very positive. They are pleased with the improvements made. The boulder is back in perfect condition for climbing.”
Moreover, the initiative originated from a community proposal made during the Alkate Eguna event. “We received several climbers at the City Council who highlighted the need to improve the boulder. We took their suggestion, studied it, and ultimately implemented it,” they added.
The bouldering wall is situated within an old squash court and features four panels, providing a total climbable area of 86 square metres. Panel A has a 5-degree incline, is approximately 7 metres long, and has a height of 4 metres. Panel B has a 10-degree incline, is about 6 metres long, and also reaches a height of 4 metres. Panel C has a 30-degree incline, is around 4 metres long, and has a height of approximately 4 to 4.5 metres. Finally, Panel D has a 40-degree incline, is approximately 4 metres long, and reaches a height of about 4.5 metres.
The bouldering facility also includes a campus board, which is extensively used by intermediate to advanced climbers and is an essential part of any training for sport climbing. Additionally, it features a suspension board that allows climbers to perform suspended grip strengthening exercises, along with a pull-up bar for various types of workouts.
