Rider’s rock climbing club reaches new heights
By Kaitlyn Seawood
Whether looking to push their physical limits or just wanting to make a few new friends, the rock climbing club is ready to welcome new members with encouragement, open arms and a harness.
Led by senior marketing major Robert Weidlich, the club has flourished under his leadership. Before joining, Weidlich experienced injuries in other sports, but climbing gave him a new kind of challenge and motivation. Despite those early setbacks and climbing still taking a toll on his body, he has remained committed, not only continuing to climb but also leading the club as its current president.
“Rock climbing definitely started to injure me more, but I just kept going with it,” Weidlich said.
The sentiment was echoed by Brandon Renner, a junior cybersecurity major and the club’s incoming president, who found his way into the group through Rider’s Broncapalooza. Like many others, Renner did not come for the competition — he came for the people.
“Get into clubs because it’s good to meet people. That was my idea going into it,” Renner said.
While some members join regional competitions, the club is not only about medals or rankings; it is also about community, challenges and well-being.
Weidlich said, “It was really good for my mental health when I first started climbing. I don’t like working out at all, but since there’s a puzzle kind of aspect of figuring out how to get up the stupid wall, it kept me engaged.”
A key part of the club’s strength is coach Jake Morton, a 2021 graduate of Rider’s clinical mental health counseling program. Morton, who was a climber since age 14, met the club’s original founders by chance while living on campus and quickly stepped into a mentor role after graduating.
“With counseling as my background, helping and supporting people is a role that I really enjoy playing,” Morton said. “I naturally fell into it.”
Now, a primary therapist in Princeton, New Jersey, he still makes time to coach when he can. He helps students find balance between coursework and club activities and sees the club’s potential beyond just physical fitness.
“Climbing is one of those things where you compete with yourself,” Morton said. “It’s intimidating at first, but there’s a quick learning curve, and the environment here is so supportive.”
Although Weidlich is set to graduate soon, the club is expecting a smooth transition in leadership. Weidlich will begin serving as co-coach next semester, gradually taking over responsibilities to ensure the club’s continuity.
The rock climbing club meets regularly at Rockville Climbing Center, just about 15 minutes from campus in Hamilton. Both Weidlich and Morton praised Rockville’s tight-knit community and the generosity of its owner, Mike, who has worked with the club since 2019. While other gyms may offer newer equipment, Weidlich said they often lack the welcoming vibe that makes Rockville special.
The club meets for regular practices on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and as the weather warms up, members also explore outdoor bouldering spots. They rotate between climbing styles including top rope, lead climbing and bouldering — providing a diverse and engaging experience for climbers at any level.
Participation and funding have both grown recently, thanks to support from Rider’s Club Sports Council. To lower the barrier for beginners, the club received a donation of climbing shoes, making it easier for curious newcomers to get started.
Renner noted that this kind of support could help reshape how students perceive the club.
“It definitely is hard because it’s sort of seen as a sport, so some people might not be interested because of that,” he said, adding that the donated gear could make the “barrier to entry less than what it is now.”
Looking ahead, Renner hopes to increase awareness about the club by hosting information sessions and making it even easier for students to join.
Though not widely known on campus, Rider’s rock climbing club is stepping into the limelight stronger, tighter and climbing higher than ever.
