Chalk Rebels & Sticky Tips - Podcast
I recently recorded a podcast with Matthias Faes for *Sticky Tips*, where we talked about Chalk Rebels and how chalk is used in climbing. We're both from Belgium—though Matthias now lives in France—and we dove into the history of chalk, the environmental issues it causes, and how we’re trying to change the way climbers use it. Fun fact: we did this during a summer heatwave, so it was definitely memorable!
Chalk Rebels started because I was frustrated with how much chalk climbers were using. I told Matthias how, when I first climbed in Fontainebleau, using magnesium was a big no-no, and locals preferred using resin (*pof*). Over time, chalk became accepted, but I noticed the rocks turning white. I knew climbers could still perform well with less chalk, which led me to experiment with making my own liquid chalk during the COVID lockdowns. That’s how Chalk Rebels was born.
On the podcast, we talked about the mission of Chalk Rebels: educating climbers on using chalk responsibly, using less but better-quality chalk, and helping preserve climbing areas. What makes us different is that we source our magnesium from seawater instead of mining, which is better for the environment and for climbers' skin. We believe you don’t have to choose between performance and sustainability.
We also talked about some of our innovative products, like Crystal Chalk, which reduces sweat and improves grip with less chalk. This fits perfectly with our goal to get climbers to use less chalk while still performing their best. By making chalk that's eco-friendly and effective, we hope to encourage better habits in the climbing community.
We also looked back at the history of chalk in climbing, which goes back to the 1960s when gymnast John Gill introduced magnesium carbonate for bouldering. Gymnasts used it to keep their hands dry during the Olympics, and Gill saw how it could help in climbing. As chalk use became more accepted, places like Fontainebleau started seeing the negative effects, with rocks turning visibly white. This raised questions about the impact climbers have and why we need to be more thoughtful with chalk.
To hear more about how Chalk Rebels started and how we’re trying to make a positive impact, give the podcast a listen!