Offering an alternative to the hum-drum routine of physical education, for the first time at EC, students may use all four limbs to navigate across rock-walls and reach new heights of physical fitness while obtaining credit.

“It’s a great work-out,” Laura McNealy, 17, administration of justice major, said. “It’s more fun than going to the gym and doing the random stuff (there.)”

It has taken EC physical education instructor Danielle Roman five years to implement a rock climbing class into our campus curriculum.

Offered (Once) or (twice) a week, this class gives students a chance to catch up with other colleges, such as Santa Monica College and Long beach City College, who have already been enjoying options in their physical education experience.

“I think (it took so long) because of budget cuts and because they (EC administration) put a freeze on new classes. And, finally, they were open to a new rock climbing class,” Roman said. “I think it’s a big sport, an up-and-coming sport.”

Replete with chalk-bags, shoes and harnesses, Beach City Rocks in Hawthorne gives students their money’s worth while providing ample space and flexible hours Monday through Saturday from I p.m. to 10 p.m., while Saturdays and Sundays its is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“Danielle is a great teacher. She does instruction and actually shows you herself( how to climb,)” Kimberly Garcia, 18, business major, said. “All of the other P.E classes I have taken in the past have been really boring. It is tiring, but it is so much fun and it’s great exercise.”

There are three types of rock climbing students may choose from. There is lead, or sport climbing, where, as one climbs up, one clips in one’s harness and belay, then there is top-rope climbing, where the rope starts at the top leaving one to use color-coated guides to make one’s way up the wall. There is also bouldering, in which there are no ropes or harnesses but many “short power moves,” Roman said.

“It is a totally different work-out, especially for people who don’t like to exercise. You get your mind off of whatever you’re doing and you don’t even think about the fitness part of it,” Roman said. “You’re getting this fantastic work-out, you’re working every muscle in your body. So people that are bored with their fitness programs can come and do something different.”

Rock climbing will be available next spring for those interested in obtaining a different, more modern approach at obtaining physical fitness; or the credits necessary to meet transfer requirements.

“I have worked out all my life and I have never developed the musculature like I have until I started rock-climbing,” Roman said. “It’s just a different work-out, core, push-pull muscles, it’s just everything.”

Classes are scheduled to meet Tuesday from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Beach City Rocks, which is about a ten minute drive from EC.

“The group environment is good, we’re all buddies, we help eachother; it’s so much fun,” McNealy said. “It’s so complex. You’re not just climbing up a wall.”

Similar to the bowling class, there is a $50 fee which includes access to the gym, at anytime, at a discounted rate of $5 (compared to $15 to $20 for non-students) access to shoes, harnesses, chalk-bags and access to the adventures that await.

“I was going to do competitive swimming for EC; I’m glad I didn’t pass this up, it’s a good class,” McNeal said. “It’s a lot of energy, it’s a lot of random bursts of energy.”

Students seeking an escape from the banality of standard physical education courses may find rock-climbing to be a step-above the rest.

“The class is very receptive, there’s been a great response with the climbing and they are very focused and motivated,” Roman said. “I was pretty surprised and impressed with the group.”