PERSONALITIES
Meet Your Climbing Legends Get up close and personal with the characters that make our climbing scene so lekker! From local crushers to international stars passing through, we’re bringing you the stories behind the sends. Expect real talk, proper laughs, and maybe even some secret beta from your favorite climbers
Introducing – Tryst the Tjom
This Tjom isn’t exactly a new face. In fact, we think he might have been sleeping on the mats for some time. Here’s the origin story for our newest addition – Trystan.
A New Boulder and Yoga Matt
2024 brings a lot of change, and with it is our new manager for Friends and Allies. Some of you may have seen Matt around the gym. Come get to know him a bit better.
The New Kat Behind The Desk
Howzit FA Family, my name is Kat and I’m the latest addition to the team – some of you may have seen me lurking around the gym over the last two years. I am frothy to be able to join the team and contribute what I can to the incredible community FA has been building.
EVENTS
What’s Cooking at FA Sho, this is your one-stop-shop for all the epic happenings at FA! Whether it’s our infamous comp series, workshops with visiting pros, or just a casual Friday night braai and boulder, you’ll find all the deets right here. We’re always cooking up something special for the community, so keep your eyes peeled!
Meltdown Madness – FAM 2024 Recap
FAM 2024 was an absolute riot at our new venue! Read about Michael’s experience during the craziness of the MELTDOWN.
FA Meltdown 2024 – A Fresh Start
FA Meltdown 2024: The Grand Finale and New Beginnings at Friends and Allies Johannesburg’s climbing community, brace yourselves: FA Meltdown 2024 is coming in hot!
Tjoms in Arms – Carmien’s Send
Our last TIA at 10 Naaf was wild. Especially for a first-time competitor Carmien. Check out her journey to the podium.
GEAR & REVIEW
The Down-Low on What’s Hot Fresh gear drops? New beta on what shoes are working for which problems? Our honest takes on everything from chalk bags to crash pads. No marketing waffle here, tjoms – just straight-up reviews from climbers who actually use this stuff daily.
Shy! Brewing Co.
Through links to the major Joburg-based climbing gyms, the founders of Shy! found a kinship with the beer connoisseurs that climb: Spending hours tirelessly mastering their craft, perfecting their form, and experimenting with new techniques.
What A Year!
Wow, just wow. What a year! Cannot deny it has kinda been all over the place. Got me feeling a bit like smashed avo on
Hammocks for Friends and Allies
We are busy working on something big for all of our Friends and Allies. Scallywags is working on the development of our own Hammock. So to get everyone psyched we sat down with the most prolific hammocker in Gauteng – Hannes.
FAF
Six FAF’s a year all leading up to the craziness of Tjoms in Arms. Have a quick read through the FAF’s while you resting between hangs, it makes the time go faster China.
TIA Vol IV. Clarens – FAF Chapter 7
The final volume of the 2024 FAF series. Set in Clarens, a gorgeous part of our country home to some seriously tasty bouldering. Check out the blog for everything you need to know.
Fernkloof – FAF Chapter 6
In the heart of the Magaliesberg lies Fernkloof. The proving ground for Gautengs aspirant sport climbers.
Umgeni Valley – FAF Chapter 5
Some of the best sport climbing in the country is located in the magical Umgeni River Valley.
TRAINING
Level Up Your Game Want to turn those dabbing dynos into solid sends? Our training section is packed with workouts, tips, and proper plans to help you crush harder. Whether you’re just starting out or pushing elite grades, we’ve got the beta to help you break through those plateaus.
A tale of Hands
As a Hand Therapist I get to see all sorts of hands. This may seem a little obvious but I look at different hands day
The Campus Board & Training Harder
The Origin Of Campus We’ve all heard people shouting this as our feet pop off a hold or when there are no feet to even
Retro Flash Bouldering in Johannesburg
The Retro Flash App helps you manage all these possibilities and makes the spray wall a bit more tangible and enjoyable by making it all about the Johannesburg climbing community
DESTINATIONS
Beyond the Plastic Jislaaik, Joburg might be our home, but there’s a whole world of rock out there! Get the inside scoop on local crags, road trip beta, and international climbing destinations. From Waterval to Rocklands, we’re sharing all the intel you need for your next climbing mission
Kloof Fest 2023
Kloof Fest 2023 was a small and intimate affair, with loads of firsts! Nothing beats a lekker weekend in the kloofs with your tjommies.
Good, Better Bester Rocklands Basecamp
Exploring the Wonders of Rocklands Basecamp Rocklands Basecamp is a hidden gem nestled amidst the rugged beauty of South Africa. This awesome destination, located in
Friends and Allies Climbing Gym: A Bigger and Better Climbing Space
We are officially announcing the plans to expand our home. After knocking down two walls and a window we will be building a free-standing moonboard, new bar top and a fully fitted gymnasium.
CHOSSPILE
No crag is complete without a little chossy section that only the most stoked dare to try and send. Check out our Chosspile for the random crag secrets.
Want us to spray more beta about any of these sections? Our blog is always evolving, just like our setting! Keep checking back for fresh content that’ll keep you psyched and informed.
Leashing the Mayhem – MMF 2025
Here we are tjoms, it’s time for Mayhem Mountain Festival V5, and this year promises to be the most epic gathering of highliners, climbers, and
Tips To Survive While We’re Closed
As we all know this year has come to an end, a year filled with epic FA events and climbing, having to survive without power,
Sanding Thoughts
Ever wondered what it takes to make those beautiful Scallywags campus rungs? Aidan gives a look into the Sanding Thoughts he has along the way.
PERSO-NALITIES
Meet Your Climbing Legends Get up close and personal with the characters that make our climbing scene so lekker! From local crushers to international stars passing through, we’re bringing you the stories behind the sends. Expect real talk, proper laughs, and maybe even some secret beta from your favorite climbers
Introducing – Tryst the Tjom
This Tjom isn’t exactly a new face. In fact, we think he might have been sleeping on the mats for some time. Here’s the origin story for our newest addition – Trystan.
A New Boulder and Yoga Matt
2024 brings a lot of change, and with it is our new manager for Friends and Allies. Some of you may have seen Matt around the gym. Come get to know him a bit better.
The New Kat Behind The Desk
Howzit FA Family, my name is Kat and I’m the latest addition to the team – some of you may have seen me lurking around the gym over the last two years. I am frothy to be able to join the team and contribute what I can to the incredible community FA has been building.
EVENTS
What’s Cooking at FA Sho, this is your one-stop-shop for all the epic happenings at FA! Whether it’s our infamous comp series, workshops with visiting pros, or just a casual Friday night braai and boulder, you’ll find all the deets right here. We’re always cooking up something special for the community, so keep your eyes peeled!
Meltdown Madness – FAM 2024 Recap
FAM 2024 was an absolute riot at our new venue! Read about Michael’s experience during the craziness of the MELTDOWN.
FA Meltdown 2024 – A Fresh Start
FA Meltdown 2024: The Grand Finale and New Beginnings at Friends and Allies Johannesburg’s climbing community, brace yourselves: FA Meltdown 2024 is coming in hot!
Tjoms in Arms – Carmien’s Send
Our last TIA at 10 Naaf was wild. Especially for a first-time competitor Carmien. Check out her journey to the podium.
GEAR & REVIEW
The Down-Low on What’s Hot Fresh gear drops? New beta on what shoes are working for which problems? Our honest takes on everything from chalk bags to crash pads. No marketing waffle here, tjoms – just straight-up reviews from climbers who actually use this stuff daily.
Shy! Brewing Co.
Through links to the major Joburg-based climbing gyms, the founders of Shy! found a kinship with the beer connoisseurs that climb: Spending hours tirelessly mastering their craft, perfecting their form, and experimenting with new techniques.
What A Year!
Wow, just wow. What a year! Cannot deny it has kinda been all over the place. Got me feeling a bit like smashed avo on
Hammocks for Friends and Allies
We are busy working on something big for all of our Friends and Allies. Scallywags is working on the development of our own Hammock. So to get everyone psyched we sat down with the most prolific hammocker in Gauteng – Hannes.
FAF
Six FAF’s a year all leading up to the craziness of Tjoms in Arms. Have a quick read through the FAF’s while you resting between hangs, it makes the time go faster China.
TIA Vol IV. Clarens – FAF Chapter 7
The final volume of the 2024 FAF series. Set in Clarens, a gorgeous part of our country home to some seriously tasty bouldering. Check out the blog for everything you need to know.
Fernkloof – FAF Chapter 6
In the heart of the Magaliesberg lies Fernkloof. The proving ground for Gautengs aspirant sport climbers.
Umgeni Valley – FAF Chapter 5
Some of the best sport climbing in the country is located in the magical Umgeni River Valley.
TRAINING
Level Up Your Game Want to turn those dabbing dynos into solid sends? Our training section is packed with workouts, tips, and proper plans to help you crush harder. Whether you’re just starting out or pushing elite grades, we’ve got the beta to help you break through those plateaus.
Climbing The 2022 Spray Wall At FA
A Spray Wall is a training tool much like weights, hangboards or suspension rings except, with the right approach, can be far more beneficial and fun!
The FA Training Zone For Crushing 2022
A tour of the FA training zone I’m sure you’ve seen that bench, the one under the hang boards that has the weights and stuff
Finger Strength With Follow The Hanger
Fingers and Finger Strength When we look at climbing we start to see that our fingers and finger strength plays an important role in becoming
DESTI-NATIONS
Beyond the Plastic Jislaaik, Joburg might be our home, but there’s a whole world of rock out there! Get the inside scoop on local crags, road trip beta, and international climbing destinations. From Waterval to Rocklands, we’re sharing all the intel you need for your next climbing mission
Kloof Fest 2023
Kloof Fest 2023 was a small and intimate affair, with loads of firsts! Nothing beats a lekker weekend in the kloofs with your tjommies.
Good, Better Bester Rocklands Basecamp
Exploring the Wonders of Rocklands Basecamp Rocklands Basecamp is a hidden gem nestled amidst the rugged beauty of South Africa. This awesome destination, located in
Friends and Allies Climbing Gym: A Bigger and Better Climbing Space
We are officially announcing the plans to expand our home. After knocking down two walls and a window we will be building a free-standing moonboard, new bar top and a fully fitted gymnasium.
CHOSSPILE
No crag is complete without a little chossy section that only the most stoked dare to try and send. Check out our Chosspile for the random crag secrets.
Want us to spray more beta about any of these sections? Our blog is always evolving, just like our setting! Keep checking back for fresh content that’ll keep you psyched and informed.
Leashing the Mayhem – MMF 2025
Here we are tjoms, it’s time for Mayhem Mountain Festival V5, and this year promises to be the most epic gathering of highliners, climbers, and
Tips To Survive While We’re Closed
As we all know this year has come to an end, a year filled with epic FA events and climbing, having to survive without power,
Sanding Thoughts
Ever wondered what it takes to make those beautiful Scallywags campus rungs? Aidan gives a look into the Sanding Thoughts he has along the way.