Scaling New Heights at NUS BoulderActive 2025

NUS BoulderActive 2025 was a thrilling display of strength, strategy, and spirit as 16 members of the SUSS Outdoor Adventure Interest Group (ODAIG) proudly represented the university in one of Singapore’s most anticipated bouldering competitions. Held over two days, on 3 and 4 October 2025, at City Square Mall, the event brought together climbers from across tertiary institutions to tackle dynamic problems that demanded focus, coordination, and resilience.

ODAIG also achieved commendable results in the team category, with two of its teams placing 6th and 9th out of 19 participating teams. These strong performances reflected the group’s steady progress, teamwork, and growing presence in Singapore’s bouldering scene.

For the ODAIG climbers, this competition was a culmination of months of dedication, peer mentoring, and training. Year 2 Psychology student Lim Josh shared how this year’s experience marked a turning point in his growth as a climber. “In the past, I struggled with messy strategies and felt underprepared. This time, I was able to optimise my attempts in a systematic way, thanks to the generous support from SUSS through structured training and the encouragement of my peers,” he said. Josh also credited the team’s focus on visualisation, mentally planning each move before execution, as a key technique that helped him step out of his comfort zone. “It taught me to try harder on unfamiliar problems and even finish one that initially seemed impossible.”

For first-time competitors like Loo Song Yuan Branden, a Year 3 Communications student, BoulderActive was as much a mental challenge as it was physical. “I thought my experience in climbing would make this competition less daunting, but the pressure still caught me off guard,” he admitted. “It was a humbling reminder that experience doesn’t always shield you from nerves... Competing taught me about mental resilience and composure under pressure, lessons I’ll carry beyond the walls of the gym.”

Katherine Goh Kai Ting, a Year 4 Communications student, shared that she approached the competition with little expectation so as not to feel disappointed, but was pleasantly surprised by how much fun she had. Katherine also credited her teammates Branden, Indra, and Shaun for their encouragement and positivity, which helped her focus on enjoying the process. “Life’s too short to hold back on chances like this,” she added.

Beyond the climbs, the event embodied the spirit of community that defines ODAIG. Fellow members and friends turned up in full force to cheer the team on, creating an uplifting atmosphere that reminded everyone why the group continues to climb higher together. Special mention goes to Jeremiah Ho Yi En, whose guidance as a peer coach helped fellow members refine their techniques and strengthen their mental game. His calm and insightful coaching approach inspired confidence among climbers and encouraged them to climb smarter under pressure.

Congratulations to all ODAIG climbers for their grit, camaraderie, and passion at NUS BoulderActive 2025!

Loo Song Yuan Branden holds the final grip with determination, his focus unwavering as he completes the climb with a steady finish.

Lim Josh secures the final hold and completes his climb with quiet determination.

Katherine Goh Kai Ting stretches across the wall with full extension, showcasing control and precision as she reaches for her next hold.

A team photo of four ODAIG climbers posed against the bouldering wall, with two seated on the wall volumes, capturing the team’s post-competition spirit and camaraderie as they proudly secured 6th place in the competition.

A team photo of four ODAIG climbers proudly pointing to the SUSS logo on their competition shirts, celebrating their teamwork and achievement in securing 9th place in the competition.

Four ODAIG climbers celebrating their achievement with broccoli bouquets in hand with a group photo.

ODAIG climbers proudly pose with a handmade sign that reads “allez SUSS,” a nod to the popular climbing cheer “allez,” meaning “go” or “come on,” which embodies the encouragement and team spirit that fuelled them throughout the competition.