Due to the corona crisis, a movement crisis has arisen in the Netherlands. According to research of the NOC*NSF, especially young people have started exercising less. In 2019, 78 percent of 13 to 18-year-olds still did this daily, compared to only 65 percent last year. Many sports associations also see a decrease in the number of members. However, it is not quiet everywhere. For example, the Koninklijke Wandel Bond Nederland gained 70,000 members and bouldering is also very popular.
According to Marc van den Tweel, general director of NOC*NSF, the Netherlands has ‘literally come to a standstill’, but they have not noticed that at Be Boulder in Amsterdam yet. “We have more subscriptions, but it is also busier in terms of individual visits,” says Jorn Klein Twennaar.
He also sees many requests for lessons, not only from adults. “The children are also flooding in for this. We have even added an extra day of classes.”
mind sport
He does have an explanation for its popularity. According to him, the sport is a godsend for people who have seen it in the gym and for people who want a physical and mental challenge. “Bouldering is also a mind sport. It’s like a puzzle that you have to solve. In every boulder, in every route, there is a small crux that you have to solve.”
Bouldering is now an Olympic sport. According to Klein Twennaar, the Netherlands is not very good at it yet: “We will get there. We have a Dutch team, and the youth is also starting to develop. In addition, the bouldering courses are sprouting like mushrooms, so the level is getting better and better. But we still have a lot of steps to take.”