Photo Credit: Victor Hall
Southeast Queensland has some seriously motivated climbers and adventurers!
We also have a rich history of climbing, exploring and appreciating the mountains here in this part of Australia. Although Coolum Cave is not my usual weekend trip, I have been looking forward to this event! There are a number of things that really stand out to me about our annual adventure gathering, Sendfest.
Firstly, the sheer levels of stoke and motivation that you get when a collection of dedicated climbers gather.
Another reason is the generational interactions that take place in the climbing and adventure communities. I love how these sports transcend age, gender, race, profession and class. I think that there is a certain type of person who is willing to dedicate large amounts of time in pursuit of something so simple - that internal journey that a climber or highliner goes through is so relatable and inspiring. It is also somewhat independent of strength or physical ability. It is the pursuit of personal progression and that constant dance with fear, and with the notion of risk, and with self.
We also have a rich history of climbing, exploring and appreciating the mountains here in this part of Australia. Although Coolum Cave is not my usual weekend trip, I have been looking forward to this event! There are a number of things that really stand out to me about our annual adventure gathering, Sendfest.
Firstly, the sheer levels of stoke and motivation that you get when a collection of dedicated climbers gather.
Another reason is the generational interactions that take place in the climbing and adventure communities. I love how these sports transcend age, gender, race, profession and class. I think that there is a certain type of person who is willing to dedicate large amounts of time in pursuit of something so simple - that internal journey that a climber or highliner goes through is so relatable and inspiring. It is also somewhat independent of strength or physical ability. It is the pursuit of personal progression and that constant dance with fear, and with the notion of risk, and with self.
Bradley Watt- "Ocean Views and Rigging Blues" Photo Credit: Victor Hall
Sendfest 8 brought this community together and it made me feel hopeful about the future. I have always believed that nature, adventure, and our interactions with these things play an important role in our society and in our communities. I think that nurturing the spirit of adventure is as important as anything else. So yeah - I think that SENDFEST really contributes a lot. It is a display of the amazing contributions that climbing and adventure add to our communities and it has left me feeling great.
Common Climber asked me to do a piece on the event and so I figured I would make a little video, for posterity. This video can also been seen at www.hikeclimbfly.com
Why is Southeast Queensland so special?
With the wealth of climbing locations that we have, we boast a pretty well-rounded range of climbers. From some of the world-renowned pioneering adventure climbers that we know and love, to the modern espresso-sipping sporty crowds (ok fine - we all sip on our espressos!!). Regardless of your tastes in the vertical world, or in coffee, there is no doubt that the concentration of stoke at Sendfest is a contributing factor to the collective motivation and strength of our community.
My true passion lies in the incredible gems of adventure climbing routes that we have developed here, and the multi-sport ways that our community appreciates the wild places that we have. We have some particularly beautiful natural playgrounds.
In addition to our climbing community we also have a very active and cross-pollinated collection of paraglider pilots (aka paraflymers), highliners, bushwalkers, all our water sports, BASE jumpers, and all-around adventurers. Seeing our communities come together and share our appreciation for nature and adventure is by far my favourite part of living here. After all, we are all seeking the same thing, right? Adventure and our interaction with self, with the notion of risk and with Nature is such an important part of learning and growing and being human, then getting to share these experiences with each other - it is so good! I think that we bring an integral balance to our current society. Even if someone is not out physically doing these activities, I think that they still benefit from the inspirations and contributions that adventure and Wilderness have to offer. To quote the good Edward Abbey,
"Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit, and as vital to our lives as water and good bread."
What stands out the most to me about our Southeast Queensland Crew is the way that we are small enough to be an intimate/connected few, while still being big enough to be diverse... Gosh, I love you guys and gals and I have so much admiration for our little SEQ group of senders crushers and adventurers!
J.J O’Brien on Primeval (29/5.13c) Photo Credit: Phil Box
What is Sendfest?
Sendfest is a multi-day rock climbing event that has been held intermittently since 2008. Based on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland Australia, participants and spectators young and old gather to share their appreciation for climbing and adventure in a giant cave on Mt. Coolum. Overlooking the white beaches and the Sunshine Coast hinterland, the climbing here is NOTORIOUSLY difficult and is commonly known to humble even the strongest of climbers worldwide. The event is all-inclusive of skill-level or age, and it boasts a range of fun competitions and community prizes supporting a different cause each time that it is held.
If you would like to get a closer look check out the video above, which includes a series of fun interviews with some of the climbers and highliners during this recent event. It's great to be able to share this with you!
Sendfest is a multi-day rock climbing event that has been held intermittently since 2008. Based on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland Australia, participants and spectators young and old gather to share their appreciation for climbing and adventure in a giant cave on Mt. Coolum. Overlooking the white beaches and the Sunshine Coast hinterland, the climbing here is NOTORIOUSLY difficult and is commonly known to humble even the strongest of climbers worldwide. The event is all-inclusive of skill-level or age, and it boasts a range of fun competitions and community prizes supporting a different cause each time that it is held.
If you would like to get a closer look check out the video above, which includes a series of fun interviews with some of the climbers and highliners during this recent event. It's great to be able to share this with you!
Sendfest8. Photo Credit: Victor Hall
Khosro Hashemzadeh on Screaming Insanity (26/5.12c/d) Photo credit: Victor Hall
Lucy Stirling kneebaring on Too Far (28/5.13a) Photo Credit: Victor Hall