Every Cavalier has the potential to conquer mountains in the learning environment as well as in their communities. Recently, senior Eduardo Solorzano has embraced the call to shatter barriers in a literal sense, finding time within his schedule to visit rock climbing gyms in Miami-Dade County.
A few years ago, senior Solorzano was on vacation in North Carolina when he planned to rest with his family and try different activities. One of those days, he inadvertently discovered an indoor rock climbing facility and took on the challenge of climbing for the first time. Gripping onto holds and shifting his body towards the next obstacles, senior Solorzano recalls that day he encountered a new passion.
“I tried [rock climbing] out for one day during vacation, and I loved it. But I couldn’t do it [in Miami] because there was nothing of the kind… As kids, we sometimes try the rock climbs at carnivals but we never realize that there is a sport dedicated to rock climbing. I found a new hobby that day,” senior Solorzano said.
Senior Solorzano specializes in a type of indoor rock climbing known as bouldering. Climbers do not have ropes attached to them when they boulder; instead, climbers fall into crash pads when they make mistakes.
Since a few gyms opened their doors in the summer, senior Solorzano has consistently been refining his bouldering skills. Working with a fingerboard, Solorzano has been able to fortify his grip, which helps him maintain balance on the various boulder problems. In addition, Solarzano has frequently attended the gym to maintain his the physical strength needed to move up the bouldering problems.
“In climbing, you have to develop finger strength, which is a process that can not undergo anywhere else. At first, I let my skin break, and I was bleeding often because my fingers were not used to gripping holds tightly. This is one of the skills I learned from climbing, and it has allowed me to improve,” senior Solorzano said.
In bouldering, there are predetermined grades that show the level of difficulty of certain climbs. The V-Scale is used in the United States to pinpoint which boulder “problems” are more difficult than others. Typically, beginners start climbing more manageable routes such as a V-1 or a V-2 climb.
“To warm up, I do a couple of V3 or V4 climbs to warmup my fingers and not overextend them. In addition, I stretch before each session and do some work on the fingerboard to improve my flexibility and my grip,” senior Solorzano said.
After school, Solorzano finishes his homework before heading to indoor rock climbing facilities either in Wynwood or Brownsville. Once he stretches, Solorzano gets into his zone. He begins by experimenting different holds such as pinches, jug holds and slopers at the level he is completing.
“At first, I went into these climbing gyms thinking I could muscle my way through… I soon realized that it wouldn’t work. I met super kind people who would teach me all the language of climbing as well as the appropriate techniques. In there, everyone is friendly and always learning from each other,” senior Solorzano said.
Although bouldering involves different sets of muscles, Solorzano also enjoys the mental aspect of the game. For each climb, he must solve the problem on the wall, executing the correct movements to avoid falls.
“Bouldering is like a puzzle. You have to find away to get up strategically. Every time I climb, I always have tension within the holds to be able to stay balanced and advance up the wall,” senior Solorzano said.
Bouldering has amassed popularity in other regions, but not so much in the Sunshine State. Forming part of the bouldering community in Miami-Dade, Solorzano intends to direct attention towards his sport by competing at the collegiate level. Solorzano has not signed up for any local events in 2024, wanting to topple more difficult climbs prior to demonstrating his skills.
“Bouldering is an Olympic sport. Colleges don’t recognize it as a NCAA sport, but there are people that start competing in college and end up in the Olympics… Although I do not plan on competing in the Olympics, by the time I graduate, I think I will be skilled enough to compete in the United States,” senior Solorzano said.
Leading up to graduation, Solorzano will be bouldering his way through schoolwork or obstacles in the gym. This Cavalier’s unique passion for bouldering is sure to sustain him through whatever challenges lie ahead.
