When Crashpad opened its doors on 22nd November, it did more than introduce a new gym to Malta’s fitness landscape. It marked a shift in how climbing - particularly indoor bouldering - can exist on the island, both as a sport and as a community.

“We had a range of investment which we wanted to raise, which was between €300,000 and €500,000, and we raised over €300,000,” says David Attard, CMO of Crashpad. “So from a crowdfunding point of view, the campaign was successful. Though in terms of investment, we are still looking for some additional investment.”

The range was intentional. “The minimum that we needed was €300,000, and the best-case scenario was €500,000,” he explains. “From that perspective, we’re operational - but we’re still building towards the full vision.”

Crashpad is already open to the public, though not yet in its final form. “What we have running so far is the climbing gym, a regular small gym, and the kids’ area,” Mr Attard says. “The café, the physio clinics, the yoga studios and the baths are still in the process of being finished.”

Once complete, the space will include yoga studios - including Pilates reformers - three physiotherapy clinics, and a café. “We don’t have a specific timeline, but they should be done by the end of the first quarter,” he adds. “So very soon.”

Despite opening in phases, the early response has been encouraging. “It’s been mostly in line with expectations - probably just a little bit better,” Mr Attard says. “Most of the regular climbers in Malta have already come to the gym. We’ve had subscriptions, yearly subscriptions, and a lot of new faces.”

Kids’ programmes have been particularly strong. “Our kids’ classes have been very well received, and some are already fully booked, even though we’re not yet at full coaching capacity.”

One of the most common reactions, he notes, is surprise. “People find it bigger than they expect, especially compared to the size of fitness facilities in Malta.” The climbing area alone spans around 2,500 square metres, with the full facility matching that scale once completed.

The gym has also attracted international visitors. “We’ve had quite a lot of tourists, especially over Christmas,” Mr Attard says. “They comment on the size of the gym, the quality of the routes, and the community vibe.”

So far, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. “We’ve had 13 five-star reviews on Google already,” he adds. “So overall, we’re very happy.”

From a niche sport to a growing culture

Climbing, Mr Attard explains, has long existed in Malta - but quietly. “It’s not new, but it’s very niche. Indoor climbing has been around internationally since the 70s and 80s, but locally it remained very limited.”

Outdoor climbing, by contrast, has drawn international climbers for years. “There are people who come to Malta specifically to climb, especially in winter,” he says. “The weather is ideal - cooler temperatures, less rain, good conditions.”

Indoor bouldering, however, has only begun to grow locally in the last few years. “There were a few very small gyms,” Mr Attard says. “They worked for dedicated climbers, but they didn’t make the sport attractive.”

Crashpad’s aim is to change that. “We want to give such a high-quality facility that indoor climbing becomes attractive in itself,” he says. “In many cities abroad, indoor bouldering and outdoor climbing are almost two separate sports.”

He identifies three broad groups of climbers: “There’s the indoor boulderer who does it mainly for fitness, the outdoor climber who climbs for the experience, and the cross-over who does both.”

All five founders are climbers themselves. “We’re sport climbers, we love outdoor climbing, but we also wanted facilities that support growth in every direction,” Mr Attard says.

That includes long-term development. “There was already a kids’ national team, but they didn’t have the facilities to support them properly,” he explains. “When they competed abroad, they would find themselves in the middle of the pack.”

Crashpad is designed to change that trajectory. “We now have a European-level facility with European-level coaching,” he says. “We start kids from five years old - with fun clubs first, and then more structured classes for those who want to develop competitively.”

Climbing’s appeal, Mr Attard says, lies in both body and mind. “I call it an intellectual sport. People think it’s upper-body strength, but it’s really a full-body sport - legs, core, balance.”

Indoor bouldering routes are called “problems” for a reason. “You’re solving a puzzle,” he says. “The holds are bad by design, so you have to figure out how to move your body to make it work.”

That problem-solving naturally creates community. “You stand around a route and say, ‘Let’s solve this together.’ You share techniques, you help each other. It becomes social.”

Crashpad recently hosted the national bouldering championships in collaboration with ClimbMT. “You have a set number of problems and limited time,” Mr Attard explains. “You’re managing fatigue, pressure, and performance - and you’re doing it in front of a crowd.”

“It’s physical, but there’s also a big psychological aspect,” he adds.

Crashpad was founded by a multidisciplinary team with both sporting and operational experience. The directors are David Attard (CMO), Sean Cassar (CEO) and Balazs Borok (CFO), alongside co-founders Adrian De Barro and Sohail Kakpori. All five were closely involved in shaping not just the business model, but the long-term sporting vision behind the project - from community access to elite development.

That vision was put into practice in December, when Crashpad hosted the Malta National Bouldering Championships, organised by ClimbMT, the national climbing association. The event marked the first time the Nationals were held in a facility of this scale on the island.

The championships followed the international competition format, combining technical problem-solving with time pressure and psychological intensity. Luca Giglio claimed first place in the Men’s category, while Alice Gerardin won the Women’s category, both competing in front of a live audience at the gym.

Despite climbing’s niche reputation, Attard is optimistic. “When there’s a good product, the market grows,” he says. “We’ve seen it happen with other sports that started small.”

“For us, it’s about getting the word out,” he concludes. “Some people will love it, some won’t - but there will be organic growth.”

And if early signs are any indication, that growth has already begun - one problem at a time.