Special Events

Island Rock is partnering with Up Ending Parkinson’s, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing guided rock climbing experiences at gyms for individuals living with Parkinson's Disease.

90 Minute Program on the First Tuesday of Every Month starting at 10 AM

Island Rock Staff Members will lead participants around the facility and curate a list of climbs that are the appropriate challenge for each individual regardless of their skill level or abilities.

Staff will take care of all safety equipment, harnessing, ropework, and belaying!

As participants continue to attend the program they will be able to advance their skills/abilities and unlock new terrain in the facility. The program curriculum will grow and evolve to suit the participants abilities and needs.

Get Involved:
Sign up HERE and join us as a participant or reach out to us about volunteering!

Benefits of Climbing:
-Climbing has been proven to be effective therapy for those living with Parkinson’s Disease.
-Physical Advantages: Strength, endurance, mobility, and balance
-Mental Benefits: Route planning, focus, resilience, and support from peers

Resources and Research:
-Climbing Out of Parkinson's - a video about the benefits of rock climbing for people living with Parkinsons, by Xiao Sylvia Bao
'Over the past four years, a unique tribe has formed within the larger climbing community at Sportrock Climbing Center. They laugh together, they joke together and they support each other. They were connected by Parkinson's Disease at first. But at the end of the day, it is the love of climbing that unites them, Parkinson's or not.'

-A randomised controlled trial on effectiveness and feasibility of sport climbing in Parkinson’s disease
Langer, A., Hasenauer, S., Flotz, A. et al. A randomised controlled trial on effectiveness and feasibility of sport climbing in Parkinson’s disease. npj Parkinsons Dis. 7, 49 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41531-021-00193-8

-Climb up! Head up! Climbing improves posture in Parkinson’s disease. A secondary analysis from a randomized controlled trial
*Langer, Agnes et al. “Climb up! Head up! Climbing improves posture in Parkinson's disease. A secondary analysis from a randomized controlled trial.” Clinical rehabilitation vol. 37,11 (2023): 1492-1500. doi:10.1177/02692155231174990 *

-Therapeutic climbing in Parkinson’s disease: Differences in self-reported health and well-being, feasibility and clinical changes
*Gassner, L. et al. (2022) ‘Therapeutic climbing in Parkinson’s disease: Differences in self-reported health and well-being, feasibility and clinical changes’, Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 39(6), pp. 1163–1177. doi: 10.1080/09593985.2022.2036279. *

Island Rock's November Game Night - SUPER SMASH BROS.

Friday, Nov. 7th

6:30-9:30 PM

The community has voted and the results are in… get ready for a Super Smash Bros Ultimate tournament coming to your favorite local climbing gym!

Please be sure to REGISTER HERE!

Will YOU be the inaugural Island Rock Super Smash Tournament Champion?!