PLASTIC PARADISE: BRIDGES ROCK GYM - EL CERRITO, CALIFORNIA

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THE INSIDERS

And you are . . . ?
Damian Cooksey, owner/founder/manager of Bridges Rock Gym.

How long has Bridges Rock Gym been around?
7 months.

Nearest Crag?
Ten minutes to Indian Rock in Berkeley — a historic bouldering spot. People started climbing there in the 1930s. Classic bouldering, with highballs up to 25 feet.

What’s in your gym?
Tons of top-out bouldering. Bridges is about 80 percent bouldering, with hundreds of problems ranging from 12- to 18-plus feet high. Our roped climbing wall is perfect for kids’ parties and beginners. We house the world’s largest dedicated slackline arena, a yoga studio, café, lounge with free WiFi, fi tness equipment, childcare, and saunas.

Standout Feature?
Umm, that’d be the crazy-steep cave, with problems up to 30 feet long.

Any comps? We had a grand-opening comp back in March, but that’s all so far. We designed the gym with serious comps in mind, so it’s just a matter of time. . . .

Do you have a youth team?
Yes. It’s growing, and they’re strong.

Anything else we should know?
Bridges is the definitely one of the “greenest” climbing gyms in the country. During construction we used sustainable building practices, such as Forest Stewardship Council-certified lumber, fly ash concrete, low-volatile- organic-compound paints, and the list goes on. . . . Annie’s Café (upstairs) serves organic food, uses compostable plates and cups, and composts food waste.

Another interesting thing about Bridges is that the scenic artist who worked on The Lord of the Rings movies painted our walls. It was amazing watching him mix his colors on a sheet of plywood, then magically turn our walls into a beautiful sandstone canyon.

Contact:
bridgesrockgym.com
info@bridgesrockgym.com
510-525-5635

THE LOCAL

Name: Jim Thornburg

Age: 45

Occupation: Photographer

Years climbing: 28

How long have you been climbing at Bridges?
7 months

What’s your favorite feature of the gym?
The long planes of slightly overhanging terrain, and wall-towall padding.

When are the best sessions?
Tuesday and Thursday nights.

Who’s your favorite routesetter there?
Chris Bloch — he’s an old-school dude who’s been setting for almost 20 years!

What’s the vibe?
Super-chill and spacious.

Key gym Beta for a n00b: Sign up before it gets crowded!