Your Next Date: Aiguille Rock Climbing Center
By Diego OrlandiniThursday, Oct. 1, 2009
From a guy's perspective, when asking a girl out on a date, you have to make sure it's memorable--and if you can pull it off, maybe a little offbeat and different. If you're feeling adventurous and looking for that unconventional (and affordable) date, I have just the place for you: Aiguille Rock Climbing Center, Orlando's best indoor climbing gym.
Here, you and your date can bond over the challenging and fun task at hand: scaling an enormous wall. You will take turns playing climber and belayer, teaming up to reach the top of the climbing walls. As one climbs, the other handles the safety rope. Working together, sharing a moment, having some laughs--it's an almost guaranteed good time.
"It's an excellent good team building and trust-building activity," says Audrey, one of the Aiguille team members working the counter. "Plus, it's cheap."
The gym, located in Longwood amongst nondescript warehouses, has a somewhat mysterious look. You can't really tell what you're getting yourself into from the looks of it. It's definitely a different experience than going to your typical neighborhood gym. Inside the building, multiple climbing walls are aligned one next to the other, with different sizes and levels of difficulty. It's also a very chill environment; there are picnic tables, snacks and people just hanging out and socializing when taking a break from climbing.
Our adventurous writer Diego Orlandini gives rock climbing a shot!
First-timers are introduced to the rock climbing techniques in a quick belay class. Here you and your date will learn to handle the equipment and will ensure you get the most out of the experience. When I ask Joey, our instructor today, if he sees couples coming to the gym often he says, "All the time man--we are big on that."
Later, as I scope out the different walls with their artificial rocks and their colorful marks that signal routes climbers can take, I see a couple on one of the inclined high walls--the one that looks the most difficult to me. They are well-equipped; they have all the right accessories and special shoes. She looks back at him and smiles. He points up suggesting her to keep climbing. They definitely know what they're doing! They seem to be having a blast.
A little later, while I take a break of all this climbing--I can feel the work-out part of it. That's right; you will be working out on this date!--I meet Lana and Chris, a young married couple. "We come every Sunday," she says. They both have busy work lives and have made rock climbing their "thing." "This is our weekly date," she adds. This is their way of sharing things, sharing a special moment together, and getting out from the house, and their routines, to do something different.
Overall, it's a great activity and the prices are reasonable. Single day rates (which means that you can be there all day if you are up for it), range from $15 for adults and $10.75 for students. The rental equipment is $6.50. Who knows? Maybe you can make this your "thing," and score a follow-up second date!
