Although not strictly Marbella news, Estepona is the next municipality from Marbella heading south, with San Pedro de Alcantara and Guadalmina being on the border of Marbella and Estepona. The area has many great facilities and is just a short drive from Marbella.
Estepona is on the verge of unveiling Spain’s largest open-air climbing wall, just weeks away from being completed. “This will be a truly distinctive venue, as there’s currently nothing like it that encompasses all three aspects of speed, difficulty, and bouldering. It’s poised to draw competitions and serve as a hub for all climbing enthusiasts,” said Francisco Jiménez, a member of the Estepona Mountain Group.
Situated in the permanent fairground, sports, and leisure park, the new facility is designed not only for recreational climbers but also to host national and international elite competitions, meeting all regulatory standards along the way.
“Our vision includes establishing a municipal climbing school and providing a training ground for athletes,” Jiménez elaborated. “Given its status as an Olympic sport, we anticipate a high level of interest from federation members due to the comprehensive facilities.”
Built to conform with the UNE EN 12572 standard, the climbing wall will cater to difficulty, speed, and bouldering modes, boasting a generous total area of 662 square metres. This space will be subdivided into zones for each discipline: speed (115 square metres), difficulty (363 square metres), and bouldering (184 square metres).
The structure, featuring dual heights and meticulous 3D modelling, comprises a self-stabilising steel frame weighing 130,000 kilos, coated with luminous finishing. Equipped with overhead coverage and lighting, the venue will offer accessibility for nighttime climbing.
Following its debut as an Olympic sport in Tokyo 2020, climbing has gained significant traction. With an investment of 1.6 million euros, the Estepona climbing wall is poised to accommodate athletes seeking top-tier training facilities. The construction, nearly finalised, has been undertaken by Andalucian firm Sepisur XXI S.L.
The climbing equipment is sourced from EP Climbing, a multinational company renowned for its involvement in constructing walls for prestigious events like the Pan American Games in Santiago de Chile. Similar to their previous endeavours, this project highlights their commitment to innovation and adaptability.