In 2016, while attending the Climbing Wall Association (CWA) conference in Boulder, Colorado, we participated in a workshop delivered by Paradox Sports, a nonprofit dedicated to transforming lives and communities through adaptive climbing opportunities that defy convention. The session was inspiring, opening our eyes to the possibilities of developing adaptive climbing programs in Thailand and aligned closely with our vision as an organization: to inspire people to fuel progression so they can discover their highest potential.
We are dedicated to seeking growth and development and over the years have invested deeply in developing our people to become some of the best-trained and most experienced climbing professionals in Southeast Asia. This has enabled us to facilitate transformational experiences for many climbers and adventurers. However, we had yet to extend these opportunities to communities who face significant barriers accessing climbing—an opportunity we knew was missing in Thailand. What we didn’t fully realize at the time was how much we would be inspired by the people we serve through these experiences.
That opportunity came last year, when we connected with The Dulabhatorn Foundation, a local organization supporting children with intellectual, developmental, or physical disabilities who don’t thrive in traditional Thai educational systems. Parents and children from the foundation saw our mobile climbing wall at the Chiang Mai Citylife Garden Fair, sparking a conversation about the potential to create an adaptive climbing program for the children in their community. It was a powerful reminder of the inspiration and intention we had drawn from Paradox Sports so many years earlier.
As we began to consider an adaptive climbing experience, we discovered a serendipitous connection: The Dulabhatorn Foundation was already collaborating with Blue Dot Partnerships, an organization we regularly work with, to create meaningful community impact. Blue Dot’s focus on bringing diverse organizations together made them an ideal partner to help us develop this program. Together with Blue Dot, we began preparing to deliver an adaptive climbing experience for youth with disabilities.
Leading the charge, our head instructor, Ooan Kongsingh, led our team of instructors, dedicating countless hours to researching adaptive climbing techniques. Together, our team practiced and refined these systems, ensuring we were ready to meet the unique needs of the participants. This preparation, which spanned three months and included collaboration with multiple organizations, culminated in our first Boundless Climbing event. Seeing the determination, joy, and pride of the participants was humbling and inspiring and reminded us of the power of climbing as a tool for transformation. It also revealed new possibilities for how we could share our knowledge and experience with others.
Much like summiting a mountain takes time, effort, and perseverance, so did this project. Our progression began from that first spark in 2016, and took years of developing skills, building networks, and waiting for the right moment when the market, resources, and people would be ready. Along the way, we overcame significant hurdles—including constructing a climbing facility that could accommodate adaptive programs and navigating the disruptions caused by COVID-19. Now, with participants ready to climb, parents and foundation partners engaged, a facility equipped for this purpose, and a motivated team, we’ve reached a summit where new possibilities are within reach.
With each success, a new summit is revealed. As we look ahead, we are setting our sights on establishing a permanent adaptive climbing program—the next summit in our progression as we continue to discover our own potential. We could not be more excited about the possibilities that lie ahead and look forward to creating more opportunities for all of us to fuel progression through the challenges, benefits, and joys of climbing. We hope you will join us on our journey.
