Interview 007 – Wessel Pijnenburg
Wessel Pijnenburg - Founder, ClimbingSpot.nl - Netherlands
Can you introduce yourself? Who are you, where are you based, and what do you do in your role?
My name is Wessel Pijnenburg, I’m 39 years old and I live in the Netherlands. I’ve been climbing and bouldering for over 25 years. I work as a data analyst, and in my free time, I’m often at a climbing or bouldering gym. Together with my girlfriend Lina, we use our website and social media to promote sport climbing in the Netherlands.
How would you describe the current state of the climbing gym scene in your country, and how do you see it changing in the next few years?
The fast growth in new bouldering gyms we’ve seen over the past few years is starting to level off. In many cities, there are now plenty of options. I live in the south of the Netherlands and I can choose from at least ten climbing and bouldering gyms within a 30-minute drive — which is an amazing privilege. Still, there are parts of the country where you won’t find a single gym nearby.
While bouldering gyms have been popping up everywhere, this hasn’t been the case for climbing gyms. Most of them are over 20 years old, and some big cities still don’t have one. So the recent news that Mountain Network is building a national training centre in Nieuwegein was a great surprise.
Right now, the sport of climbing is becoming more professional. There’s more focus on safety, better route setting, and a more thoughtful experience overall. At the same time, the level of young athletes is rising quickly, thanks to more structured and professional training opportunities. I think this development will continue in the coming years.
The Netherlands has seen impressive growth. What do new climbing gyms need to do to stand out?
Climbing and bouldering gyms have become more than just places to work out. In the Netherlands, they’re also social spaces — places where you can meet up with friends and feel part of a community. Many newer gyms have cozy seating areas, bars, food options, board games, and sometimes even a fireplace. Some are located in unique settings, like gyms with a terrace by the water or even inside old churches.
Events are another key focus. Pub quizzes and game afternoons are becoming more common, and new ideas are popping up — like duo climbing or glow-in-the-dark bouldering. Some gyms are also expanding their offerings with yoga classes or multi-gym memberships.
These kinds of extras can really help a gym stand out. For new gyms, I’d suggest looking abroad for fresh ideas and inspiration. There are plenty of concepts that haven’t made it to the Netherlands yet — like the floating wall at Sharma Climbing Gava, the massive overhang at Substation Brixton, or the highball wall at The Boardroom in Queensferry.
With more gyms hosting competitions and events, what can they offer that’s different or special to attract more people?
With more gyms opening, the number of competitions has grown as well. These days, you can find one or more events nearly every weekend — from national competitions to relaxed, local fun comps. The high turnout shows just how much people enjoy sport climbing.
To stand out, a gym needs to create its own atmosphere. That might mean themed events, creative side activities, or unique challenges — like team competitions, slab or campus battles, or even something quirky like a “pimp my shoes” session.
With a bit of creativity, anything is possible. And not every event needs to be big. Big comps with over 200 participants, prize money, and finals are exciting, but smaller gatherings with 50 local climbers can be just as valuable - especially for building a strong community and promoting the gym.
Are the needs of gym staff being listened to? Is it possible to build a long-term career in a Dutch climbing gym?
That’s a tricky one, since I don’t have insight into salaries. But I do see that more people are working in the industry now. Route setters get paid, managers are running bigger teams, and there’s a growing market for climbing-related products. So yes, for some people, it’s definitely possible to make a good living from the sport.
If people want to learn more about ClimbingSpot, where can they find you?
If you're interested in climbing and bouldering in the Netherlands, you can find us on Instagram (@climbingspot.nl), TikTok (@climbingspotnl), or visit our website: climbingspot.nl.
There you'll find a full list of all upcoming competitions, an overview of every climbing and bouldering gym in the country, and our blog — where we review Dutch gyms and share useful tips and info about climbing in the Netherlands.
