NTU Rock Climbing (UMC)

On 17 April 1991, the University Mountaineering Club was formed, with its first President, Mr Lee Tian Ching. Rock Climbing was then still a very new and expensive sport in Singapore, and the club faced an uphill struggle to both fund the club and equipment. In 2005, the 15th Committee canvassed and built our very own wall in the Sports & Recreation Centre, or S&RC in NTU with a budget of about $4000. Subsequently in 2006, the 16th Committee built its own wall from scratch for climbing event Bouldermania. The tradition carried on for another year. The design is a single tower with 4 faces, also known as the "cube". In 2007, Bouldermania was not continued due to various reasons. In 2008/2009, the 18th committee started the IVP team for the club, which steers the club towards a more competitive direction. But the IVP status did not received much recognition and support. They also restarted Bouldermania and continued the "build from scratch" tradition. Club size was very small and the freshies that stayed on more than 6 months was less than 5. In 2009/2010, the 19th committee began including the competition cataegory into Bouldermania when Carnival has always been the only event in Bouldermania. They continued the IVP direction from previous efforts and started systematic training. Freshies that stayed on more than 6 months were significantly larger. The club had their first training camp. In 2010/2011, the 20th committee started the first venture to engage external professional builders to build walls for Bouldermania. It is also the first time Bouldermania has 2 "cubes". The committee also pushed for the expansion of existing bouldering wall and added a short highwall. A mobile wall was also built for training purposes. IVP team also was officially recognized and supported. This is also the year when our very supportive and helpful sports advisor Mr Chia took over the management of the club. Club size continued growing. In 2011/2012, the 21st committee had all the crash pads that the club has been using, where were self made using unwanted bed mattresses discarded from halls, changed to proper ones. Many tiles were also purchased from donations from the club members. This is also the first year Bouldermania made its virgin appearance in Canopy K, outside Macdonalds, a prime area. Club size grew at a faster rate.