It’s Friendship February! Traditionally, this is a month filled with pink and red hearts and cheap chocolate treats, but more importantly, it’s the perfect month to expand your friendship circle…and we’re not just saying that because Friendship February is fun to say and makes a great alliteration.
Whether you’re searching for your next belay buddy, Jiu-Jitsu pal, our group fitness friend, we’re here to help you share the love! Read on for our five tips for finding friendship here at The Front.
Get involved! From lessons to community groups, there’s a ton of ways to meet people at The Front.
1. Don’t be Shy: Ask Front Desk Staff!
Our Front Desk staff is an underrated resource when seeking out fellow climbers looking for new belay partners. If you’ve ever been to the Front on a busy evening, you know just how many climbers are passively looking for their next climbing partner. You can always search for someone on your own, but our Front Desk staff often has a finger on the pulse. They may know of climbers searching for a one-time top-rope pal or a lifelong belay partner. So, if you’re unsure of where to begin your search, the answer may be found before you even walk to the walls. All you’ve got to do is ask!
2. Take the Leap. Take a Lesson!
Lessons are the perfect way to connect with others that share your interests. Whether your goal is to climb with others, reconnect on a yoga mat, or learn impressive takedowns in Jiu-Jitsu, lessons are essentially meetups with specialized training! Our Intro Series Classes are a great place to start—they’re totally free and for Front members only. Each one is designed to let you try out your new hobby, without the commitment of month-long courses, and they’re a great place to meet others doing the same.
We’ve heard countless stories of members that began a class as complete strangers and left with fresh contacts after a post-class mingle. So, come ready to learn, engage, and keep an open mind. Who knows? You might finish an Intro Series with a new bestie. All Front locations offer intro classes on the following:
- Climbing
- Jiu Jitsu
- Yoga
- Group Fitness
Check out our website for complete schedules and class descriptions on our Intro Series.
3. Engage at Community Meet-Ups
We pride ourselves in creating a space for authentic community engagement. That’s why community meetups are a big part of what we do. Any meetups we provide are intended to foster new relationships that can last a lifetime. Here’s a list of the current groups we have across all our locations:
In essence, each group exists to embrace what makes us different, what keeps us humbly the same, and to uphold the importance of our individual journeys as much as our collective ones. Seen a community that interests you? Find out more about each of them here! Already a part of one and looking to branch out socially? That’s where our Buddies on Belay comes in handy.
New members (and seasoned Front veterans) should know that our Community Climbing Group leaders are an excellent resource when searching out a belaytionship. We encourage everyone—those already taking part in a group and those completely new to them—to join a meet-up. It’s the perfect place to step out of our comfort zone and release just how diverse our climbing culture can be. Get set up with climbers just as rad as you, inside and outside of your community. It’s like online dating, but way more fun.
Heads up! Our next Buddies on Belay Community Meet-Up is on February 8th. Sign up to join here.
4. Make the First Move (respectfully, of course)
Okay, okay, not everyone’s an extrovert. This little tidbit may not be for everyone. But we’d encourage everyone to give this one a try! Our bouldering areas are often filled with solo climbers who may be interested in top roping here and there. If you’re resting between your climbs and see someone nearby, it might be time to make a new friend. Many solo climbers are also hoping to find their next belay buddy or patiently waiting to answer the call for a top-rope partner request. We’ve seen people make new friends (and long-term climbing partners) by simply starting a chat. Respectfully, of course!
This continues beyond the bouldering areas of our locations, too. Look around our auto-belay sites or seek out odd-numbered groups searching for their extra belayer. Sure, making the first move can be intimidating, but more often than not, our climbing community is friendly! It may only require an introduction and courage on your part.
5. Be a Friend with Benefits…Member Benefits!
Already a Front member? Who are you using your monthly Buddy Pass on this time around? Remember that your buddy can get a free gear rental package and a free top-rope belay lesson when they come in with you. Better yet, our lead climb and belay test fee are waived for members and their buddy pass user! Whoever gets your buddy pass is about to feel mighty special.
If you’re in a committed belaytionship, It might be time to take the next step. There’s nothing quite like showing someone you love them by starting a couple’s membership. Whether you’re a romantic couple, siblings, or a parent and child, a couple’s auto-pay membership gets you all the same perks as an individual monthly pass, with a slight discount! Find out more about our memberships here!
Share the Love
We hope these tips will help you on your quest for friendship during this month of love. And remember to share the love! Gift a day-pass to a friend or co-worker, utilize the partner finder in the Pebble Climbing app, and follow the Front Ogden, SLC, and South Main on social to keep up with everything we’re doing to build the coolest climbing community around.
By Robin Noble
Marketing Content Creator
obin is our friendly neighborhood content creator. She’s loves engaging with others through good copy, a shared love of the outdoors, and crying over animals in commercials.
