SLO Op Climbing Hosts Its First Competition and Open House

San Luis Obispo, California October 18, 2009 – After its soft opening in September, SLO Op climbing is ready for its public unveiling at 289 Prado Road in San Luis Obispo, CA. The fun starts at 10 am and ends at 4 pm.

The event, known as Rocktoberfest, will be held in conjunction with San Luis Obispo-based clothing company Sickle’s tenth anniversary sale. In addition to screaming deals on climbing and lifestyle apparel, we’ll be hosting a bouldering competition for climbers of all levels (recommended donation of $25 for entry fee), hosting games, and offering free refreshments.

Vendors from all over will come to demonstrate their wares and we expect climbers from all over California to visit. This will be SLO Op’s seventh annual competition, but the first in its new location. Local and national news coverage has piqued the interest of climbers and non-climbers far and wide, and we hope to engage more people who are interested in the sport through our open house.

SLO Op is the country’s first non-profit bouldering gym; it was constructed by a nearly all-volunteer corps, funded by donations and loans from members in the community. It features over 3500 square feet of unroped climbing, a slack line, and facilities for additional training and clinics are in the works.

Executive Co-Director Yishai Horowitz, 29, is proprietor of All Out Events, a SLO-based outdoor events production company, putting on events that include the Central Coast Adventure Challenge, SLO Mountain Run, and Pine Mountain Pulldown. He is a Cal Poly and Cuesta alum.

Executive Co-Director Kristin McNamara, 29, is a part-time English Professor and semi-professional writer. She is a Cal Poly alum.