Last weekend, Ponta Furada, located in the parish of Feteira, became the stage for the first Azores Psychoblock Climbing Meetup. The event was organized by the Faial Mountaineering and Climbing Club (CMEF), which gave an extremely positive assessment at the end. “We are very, very pleased with the result. This first meeting was a success. We had all forty places for climbing completely filled. In terms of audience, it also exceeded our expectations a little. From early on, we always had a lot of spectators. We had a lot of people who went into the water and watched from boards and kayaks,” said Catarina Fazenda, president of the club, in statements to Tribuna das Ilhas Newspaper.

Regarding the program, on August 16, the morning was dedicated to children aged 14 and under. “All of them tried the sport for the first time. That’s why we wanted to create a period dedicated exclusively to them so they could have time and feel more comfortable, without too much confusion in the water. It went very well. They also exceeded our expectations a little. We also had families there, all supporting them. Some of the parents even joined in to climb with their children,” said the young woman. From midday onwards, the eastern sector, facing Pico, opened to all those registered. The routes were marked in advance with different colored flags indicating the degree of difficulty, and colorful shells were hidden in the rock, each associated with a prize. “So, in addition to the challenge of completing the routes or trying to do the routes, we had the challenge of people trying to find these shells hidden in the wall,” said Catarina Fazenda.

At three o’clock, the event moved to the western sector, at Ponta Furada. At this location, assistance was only possible from the sea, and a veritable floating audience formed, consisting of kayaks, surfboards, private boats, and even a sailboat. The end of the afternoon was marked by a demonstration by more experienced climbers, including Rui Cruz, one of the leading names in psicobloco in Portugal. In the evening, DJs, food, and drinks brought athletes and spectators together on land. “It was also fun. Everyone really enjoyed it, and I think it has the potential to host other events as well,” said the president. On Sunday, the 17th, the event combined sports and culture with the screening, for the third time in Faial, of the Reel Rock International Climbing Film Festival, in a session held at the Horta Marina that brought together about 60 spectators. The organization, admitted Catarina Fazenda, was demanding. “The logistics were greater than we expected, because it wasn’t just on land or just at sea. We had to deal with permits, ensure lifeguards, have a permanent support boat, prepare the rock, and mark fall zones. But in the end, it went well. People felt confident in the safety, and that was essential,” confessed Catarina.

For several days, the club team worked on the cliffs. It was necessary to clear loose rocks, mark routes, and hide barnacles. On land, the assistance area was carefully marked out to avoid risks to those watching closely. The entire event was designed so that each climber could enjoy the experience safely. Rui Cruz’s presence was not limited to the DR/Fred Buyle show on Saturday afternoon. His visit to Faial had a parallel mission. For almost a month, he worked at Praia do Norte, where he opened a new sector that already has a 25-meter route and, due to its size, offers great potential for expansion. “Rui is one of the most experienced climbers in bouldering at the national level, but also in opening new routes. He was the ideal person to help us take this leap. With this sector, we now have a space for sport and classic climbing with unique characteristics on the island,” said Catarina Fazenda. In her final assessment, the president thanked all the partners for their collaboration, emphasizing that this first meeting exceeded all expectations and demonstrated Faial’s capacity to host initiatives of this size. “It was a success and we want to repeat it. Next year will be even better,” said the club president, already thinking about the future.

Carolina Maciel is a journalist for Tribuna das Ilhas, directed by Susana Garcia.

PSYCHOBLOC CLIMBING

Psychoblock climbing is a type of climbing that takes place on slopes by the sea, without any safety equipment. The idea is that, in case of a fall, the climber is supported by the water. This sport requires not only technique and strength, but also confidence and comfort in aquatic environments, as it involves falling from considerable heights directly into the sea. The name “psycho-block” reflects the additional psychological challenge. In addition to the climbing itself, the climber faces the tension and risk associated with the absence of ropes and the possibility of falling into the water, making the experience more intense and demanding mentally.

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL) as part of Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno, PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADE.