Canyoneering Notions of Community

A closer look at the meaning of community in this sport

Recently I came across an online discussion that exemplified the problem with the notion of community in canyoneering.

Community is one of those words that has a wide range of interpretations, is emotionally charged, and its meaning evolves as you get to know the sport more. If you have been canyoneering long enough, you probably have already come across the contradictory notions that the canyoneering community is:

• Unwelcoming, negative, divisive, elitist, toxic...

But at the same time comments and notions that the community is:

• Awesome, helpful, friendly, eager to give guidance and advice, a bonafide vindication of the human race…

So which one is it? I would say...both. It just depends on your journey and destination.

The mentioned online discussion was about possibly one the smallest interest niches that anybody can dream up for canyoneering: Turning canyons into a racing track to measure speed and record times. While reading the post and comments, I figured that this was such a small number of canyoneers interested in doing or getting behind this, that all the ones that did, will be stoked and cheering in harmony. But that was not the case. Questions and disagreements on the details on how it was done and how it deviated from other attempts became the meat of the discussion.

I already knew that communities are divided on issues like bolting, gatekeeping, training, safety. But all of these seem....important, relevant, consequential. Hence justified in causing division. But disagreeing on how to race through canyons ?  This confirms my suspicion that divisions occur not because of matters of importance or consequence, they just....do, no matter how small or inconsequential the reason.

What “community” seems to mean as your canyoneering journey moves along:

Newcomers:

• Take me canyoneering

• Teach me canyoneering

Intermediate:

• Let's heal, rally and form a community around notions of what canyoneering should be.

Advanced

• Find a group that shares your values, in and outside the canyons. For the community at large, cherish the aspectect that you agree on, like love of the sport, and open your mind to the idea of diversity of opinions: Examine them, celebrate them, or learn to tolerate them.

In a way, when you start canyoneering, and want to find a community, it is like entering a high school cafeteria as a freshman for the first time. Which table is avoiding eye contact? Which one is waiving you in? Are you a transfer student from the "rock climbing academy" and want your credits validated? And by your senior year, will you still have the same friends? And think about canyoneering things the same way?