Pushing Limits Together: Outdoor Adventure Interest Group (ODAIG) at the Inter-School Boulder League (ISBL)

The 19 SUSS Outdoor Adventure Interest Group (ODAIG) representatives gathering for a group photo during the Inter-School Boulder League (ISBL) to mark the club’s largest turnout at a climbing competition. 

The SUSS Outdoor Adventure Interest Group (ODAIG) proudly sent 19 representatives - our largest turnout to date - to compete in the Inter-School Boulder League (ISBL), a prominent climbing competition that brought together athletes from across Singapore’s Institutes of Higher Learning. While ISBL is an individual-format competition, the experience reflected the strong team spirit and shared resilience of our ODAIG climbing community. 

Lou Yan Xiang, Enzo eyeing the next hold on the wall. 

For many participants, ISBL was not just a competition, but a personal challenge. Lou Yan Xiang, Enzo, a year 1 Business Analytics student, shared that he joined ISBL to push his boundaries and test his skills under time pressure. Reflecting on the experience, he noted, “I learned that planning my moves under time pressure is just as important as the climb itself.” This insight came from the valuable lessons gained throughout his journey - supported by the ODAIG community through organised training sessions, guidance from experienced climbers, and thoughtful post-training debriefs that fostered continuous improvement and reflection. 

Yu Penghui starting out a challenging route. 

Similarly, Yu Penghui, a Year 2 Building and Project Management student, was drawn to ISBL by the opportunity to climb alongside peers who shared the same passion and goals. He highlighted the camaraderie and spirit of the team as a standout aspect of his experience, sharing, “There were many times when teammates performed a really good attempt on a bouldering route, and it got all of us who were at the venue hyped up.” That contagious energy created a supportive environment that elevated the experience beyond just individual performance. In the lead-up to the competition, he also expressed appreciation for the opportunity to train with more experienced climbers, which gave him valuable insights into what to expect and how to better prepare for the unique challenges of the flash-style format. 

ODAIG competitors and supporters coming together in a show of team spirit and encouragement, capturing the vibrant energy of the community. 

Throughout the preparation and competition, ODAIG’s strength as a community shone through. Members trained together, projected difficult routes, encouraged one another through setbacks, and celebrated each climber’s individual progress - whether it was competing in a first-ever competition or aiming for a personal best. The presence of fellow climbers at the venue brought an uplifting energy, with teammates cheering on every strong attempt. 

ISBL 2025 was a powerful reminder that climbing, while often an individual pursuit, thrives on community. ODAIG continues to provide a space where members grow not just as athletes, but as supportive peers and confident individuals. As our club reaches new heights, we look forward to more opportunities to learn, compete, and climb - together. 

Follow our ODAIG students’ journey through @suss.oda on Instagram.