“Buying Urban Friction is my mid-life crisis,” says owner David Bishop jokingly.
This venture transcends mere wall-scaling; it’s about conquering life’s challenges and fostering a tight-knit community. Urban Friction is a place where you feel at home, much like the bar in Cheers, where ‘everybody knows your name.’
David agrees: “Building a community is crucial. It’s not enough that we know and recognize our climbers. We hope they get to know each other and make new friends. I want people to come here not just to climb but to connect with their climbing buddies and work on projects together.”
What you first notice about the venue is the love birds flying around, pretending to be on a tropical island. Windhoek got a whole lot cooler thanks to Urban Friction. “Our location has dozens of nesting love birds, so you get to climb to the rhythm of their songs. I’m particularly fond of love birds—I even have a tattoo of one on my right bicep!” David shares.
David, who has a BComm from Rhodes University, is also known under the name “The Deacon” as a radio DJ and his work at Radiowave. There, amongst other things he launched a critically acclaimed chart show, set up and ran the Marketing and Promotions Department, and took over the news department. His role expanded significantly after the creation of Future Media. Over 20 years later, he sought a new challenge and saw the opportunity to buy Urban Friction at the beginning of 2024.
His passion for climbing was inspired by his wife. “I wasn’t much of a climber—that was more my wife’s thing when we first started dating—but I got into it when we started visiting Urban Friction as a family outing. Sunday mornings became family climbing days. The three of us (me, my wife, and my son) would get up early, take the dogs for a walk, and try to get to the wall when it opened at 9 a.m.—something that has become our tradition and that we still do today.”
Climbing has also been a lifeline for David in managing his mental health. “Climbing demands complete focus, and that mental clarity is a welcome escape from negative thoughts,” he shares. “I find peace, respite, and focus while climbing.” David has been open about his struggles with depression and anxiety, explaining that while climbing, the intrusive thoughts are silenced. “Plus, the reward of feeling stronger and being able to ‘send’ (climbing lingo for reaching the top without falling) a route you previously struggled with is incredibly empowering,” he says.
David’s enthusiasm is infectious when he talks about events at Urban Friction. “One unforgettable night was ‘Women Climb for Free’ on International Women’s Day. The atmosphere was electric, with everyone cheering each other on. It was the sense of community I’ve always dreamed of.”
David’s plans for Urban Friction are ambitious. “We want to upgrade our facilities, expand our bouldering walls, and maybe even move to a larger space. Hosting a climbing competition is also on the horizon, and we hope to send our best to the South African Nationals.”
But for now, David is focused on maintaining the balance between challenging and accessible routes, ensuring climbers of all levels find joy and achievement in their climbs, and making sure each customer gets personal attention.
“People often think climbing is dangerous,” David adds, “but climbing at a gym like ours is one of the safest activities you can do, regardless of age or fitness level, climbing can get you fit quickly—it’s a full-body workout that doesn’t feel like one!”
For those hesitant to try climbing, David has simple advice: “Give it a go! Everyone who climbs for the first time leaves with a smile and a sense of accomplishment.”
For your first climb at Urban Friction, you don’t need to bring anything; they supply all the gear. Once you decide to climb more regularly, you might want to get your own shoes, harness, and maybe a chalk bag.
At Urban Friction, the walls are high, the vibes even higher, and the only way to go is UP. As David sagely puts it, “We’re always looking up,” both literally and mentally. ©LIN
Contact: 081 816 4240
Email: climbnamibia@gmail.com
Maerua Mall, Level 1 – Checkers parking (across from Crete Gymnastics), Windhoek, Namibia.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urbanfriction
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UrbanFriction
Website: https://www.climbnamibia.com/
