YOUR FORUM FOR PLAY, SPORTS UND LEISURE AREAS
The Hardtbergbad is the highest altitude baths in Bonn and has a view which, on a clear day, stretches to the cathedral towers of Cologne. It is the only combined indoor and outdoor public baths in Cologne and includes an inviting swimming pool with multiple-use pools, a teaching pool with a waterfall and underwater massage jets. Adjoining the indoor pool is an outdoor complex with original North Sea sand and East Frisian beach chairs. The extensive grounds have a high leisure value and offer ideal possibilities for relaxation and sporting activities. A 33-meter-long slide as well as water mushrooms and water canons create added fun. The outdoor facilities include a sport pool and two non-swimmer pools. The paddling pool with stream offers families with children varied possibilities for recreational activities. The sandpit also has a “muddy” area and a children’s building site.
Since March 27, 2010, the Hardtbergbad has a further attraction: The first climbing forest in German which is located in a swimming pool. Pay once - enjoy twice! – The new motto of the Bonn climbing forest.
The Bronx Rock Climbing Forest was installed at the Hardtbergbad in Bonn with a construction time of only three weeks and an investment volume of EURO 160,000. Up to nine people were working in the forest at one time in order to install platforms on the supporting trees and connecting elements between the individual trees. With an overall length of more than 400 metres and a direct connection between the climbing forest and the indoor and outdoor pools, the concept, which is unique throughout Germany, has an extremely high recreational value and offers a range of different attractions. The term leisure and adventure pool gains a completely new dimension.
The climbing forest at Bonn is divided into four courses as well as an introductory course. Spectacular elements at different heights and with different degrees of difficulty provide fun and a super experience for young and old alike.
“A 50 Meter long downhill run above the swimmers’ heads while the roller wheels on the harness hum along the steel wire rope. This is probably the most spectacular task which can be completed in the climbing forest in future. The run ends on the beach above the non-swimmers pool. Crawling through pipes, balancing over the Nepal Bridge and driving in a bobby car from treetop to treetop, far above the ground are other possibilities. There are children and family courses at heights between three or seven meters and a sport course at 10 metres height,” explains Bronx-Rock managing director Markus Zöll.
The children’s course has eleven elements and is around 58 metres long. It is suitable for children from 6 years old and is up to 2 metres high. The experience course has nine elements, is more than 72 metres long and between 3 and 5 metres high, while the adventure course has 10 elements and varies in height between three and eight meters for a length of more than 155 metres. The sport course, nine elements and 114 metres in length, has a height of between three and maximum twelve metres and requires a certain level of fitness and a good head for heights.
The platforms installed in the trees are interlinked by spectacular elements. Rail-road bridge, chess-board bridge, zigzag poles, beer tent garniture, raft slide, paddle bridge, sound beams, beer crate and Glockenspiel are the names of some of these elements in the climbing forest. Maritime features such as a surfboard, boat’s bridge, tilting planks etc. must be overcome on the different courses where steel wire ropes, suspension bridges, tunnels, moving planks or rope slides are all included. The different degree of difficulty of each course make them suitable for both careful and adventurous climbers. Much more important than sporting fitness are self-confidence, dexterity and a little bit of courage. It is recommended to just start and work one’s way up slowly from course to course.
And safety? The TÜV standards testing authority has approved the climbing forest in Hardtbergbad for use! Markus Zöll (Bronx Rock) explains in detail which safety precautions are taken: Each visitor is provided with a harness and gloves and is given a compulsory safety lecture". After that they can explore the forest by themselves. The palisade labyrinth is Zöll’s favourite, “because it has such a low roof”. Followed by the zigzag bridge where every step has to be right. In case of a slip the climber is saved by the clip-on carabiners. Everyone in the forest must be permanently secured, this is made clear by the instructors at the beginning of the tour.
“The youth authorities are also involved”, says Hans Jürgen Hartmann, Head of the swimming pool authorities. Climbing is one of the most healthy sports and the climbing facilities are well suited for anti-aggression training, for example.
And for relaxing afterwards, the original North Sea beach and one of the most attractive swimming pools in the region are just right. Climbing forest and swimming pool create a synergy with benefits for both sides. What could be nicer than cooling off in the swimming pool or sunning on the beach after an adventurous crossing of the climbing forest? Perhaps holding a cool cocktail from the beach bar.
The concept
The city benefits from the climbing forest in many ways. Each visitor automatically pays an entry fee for the Hardtbergbad pool and, naturally, can also go swimming. In this way, the city sport and swimming pool authorities hope to generate around 24,000 EURO additional income, as an information sheet to politicians states. At the same time, the swimming pool has been transformed into a real adventure baths by the climbing facilities. The operators cover all investment and maintenance costs themselves
Photo: Bronx Rock Kletterhalle
