Looking for a place to beat winter boredom and doldrums? Greenville’s newest and biggest rock-climbing gym, BlocHaven, comes to the rescue.
Do you have a child who is a part mountain goat and will literally climb anything and everything? Are you looking for a full-body workout that is friendly for all ages and body types? Looking to do something indoors that’s unplugged, gadget-free and interesting for the whole family? BlocHaven is the answer to all families out there searching for something new and fun to do indoors.
The Founders of BlocHaven
This is what owners Doug and Teri Johnson had in mind when they came up with this family business idea. It had to be something their rock-climbing brood would enjoy and could be a part of. Determined to establish Greenville as a bouldering and community hub, the Johnsons worked with the best in the field and chose historic Judson Mill as the perfect location for their vision. It’s a family-owned and family-run business; while their kids coach the youth team, you might find Teri in barista mode, working the cafe. Did we mention that their coffee partner is none-other than local caffeine purveyor Methodical Coffee? On top of their delicious coffee selection, the cafe has a great list of healthy power shakes, home-baked goodies and frozen pops by Common Pops, another local brand.
BlocHaven is for the whole family
If you can walk, then you can climb. I think this is one of the unique qualities of BlocHaven. I’ve seen parents with kids as young as 3 years old enjoying the gym. As part of their safety procedure, everyone has to have an orientation before they start. The orientation consists of a tour of the gym, including which routes you can climb and understanding how the belay harness works.
I discovered BlocHaven through my middle-school-aged daughter Lily. We were in search of a sport that could match her love for climbing. It was fortuitous, of course, but we wanted her to try out indoor climbing, learn proper techniques and have fun with peers. Their recreational team was a perfect place to start. Recently, after attending their annual competition aptly called BlocBender, her interest has turned into a passion. She was inspired by the youth competition participants, a witness to the camaraderie between elite and novice climbers and also got to attend a youth workshop conducted by a professional elite climber.
Premiere Bouldering Gym in Town
Our first time at Blochaven, we were in awe of the cool-looking artificial boulders with colorful hand-holds. The first thing that came to mind was an art installation. It’s massive, about 25,000 square feet! Beautifully designed by the founders together with Vertical Solutions, Doug’s choice to use natural wood makes the space feel more natural and organic.
The vibe is relaxed and the atmosphere pretty chill. If you want your kids to think you’re cool, take them here. No need to bring anything, since climbing shoes and harnesses are available to rent. If you’re coming for the first time, we suggest selecting the day pass which includes gear rental. And since it’s a day pass, you can take a break, go out for lunch and come back and climb again.
More than a Rock-climbing Gym
As for myself, I have tried Rock-climbing, but with the membership, one also has access to their fitness area and yoga classes held in their multi-purpose rooms. On days that I don’t feel like climbing and my daughter is up on the walls, I’m on the treadmill or lifting weights.
Apart from the cafe, there’s also a cozy quiet lounge area built on top of the walls. You can watch your child from there or just bring your laptop and enjoy the peace. The gym is designed as one giant open space, so I occasionally have a view of where Lily is climbing. Beats the day-care corner of any gym I’ve ever been to.
Homeschool Club
BlocHaven offers a homeschool club, which is $100/month for the entire family and includes unlimited climbing on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday from Noon-4 pm. So if you’ve got several kids, or even just a couple, this is an awesome deal!
Rental equipment is included in the first month and even afterwards, it’s a 10% discount on that, as well as anything in the cafe. Rental shoes, chalk, and harnesses are $5.
For more information on birthday parties, group and corporate events, email BlocHaven
BlocHaven
701 Easley Bridge Road – Suite 6020, Greenville | 864.405.3003
Operating hours:
Monday to Friday 9 am to 9 pm
Saturday 10 am to 9 pm
Sunday 12 pm to 6 pm
