Some people choose a career path, and spend their life pursuing it.
But for others, the career chooses you.
Take the case of 46-year-old Blaine Eastcott, owner of Rockreation Climbing Gym, off Logan Avenue in Costa Mesa.
“Rockreation was the summer job that never ended,” laughed Eastcott.
“It was 1997, and I had just graduated from college. I camped, and had done a little climbing… I wanted to get better at it. So, I signed up for some climbing lessons, which turned into a job. I kept getting promoted, and before long, I was running things.
“Eventually, the old owner wanted to retire, so I took out a loan and bought it.”
What he bought into wasn’t just a functional place to go and sweat it out. Rockreation is a tight-knit and well-established climbing community that’s been quietly doing its thing, here in Costa Mesa, since the 90s.
Hang Time + Climb: Owner, Blaine Eastcott, and team, foster community at Rockreation Costa Mesa.
Photos: Brandy Young
General Manager, Alan Aguirre, has a similar story. He came for the climbing, stayed for the community.
“I also started climbing after college, after graduating from UCI,” said Aguirre. “My buddy came home from school and asked if I wanted to go climb with him – we came here. I climbed on and off the first couple of years. Eventually, I quit my other job and started working at Rockreation. I’ve been here ever since.”
Aguirre believes climbing is an activity that’s not just good for physical health, but mental well-being, too.
“Climbing challenges you, mentally,” said Aguirre. “It shows you where your weaknesses are, so you can improve them. It gives you the opportunity to rise to the occasional and gain strength along the way.”
“There are a lot of cool parallels between climbing and life” he continued. “You’re challenging yourself in all these different ways, but having an awesome time doing it.”
The crux of Rockreation consists of hands-on climbing instruction.
“We teach beginners how to get started, then we teach climbers how to get better,” said Eastcott. “We do that through private coaching, group sessions, camps, workshops and kids classes.”
Art + Amenities (Like a Yoga Room and Gym) Round Out The Rockreation Costa Mesa Experience.
Photos: Brandy Young
It was our impression that Rockreation began and ended at the climbing wall.
Not true, emphasized Eastcott and Aguirre.
“We are a one-stop shop for people who want to be fit and keep themselves healthy,” said Eastcott. “We offer mobility classes, strength training, kettlebells… even yoga.”
It turns out, yoga is a good compliment for climbing.
“We’ve actually offered yoga for a long time,” said Eastcott. “We used to pull mats out onto the climbing floor, people scaling the walls all around us. But a few years ago, we converted a storage space into a yoga studio. Now we have a dedicated space for it.”
Healing from, and avoiding, injury is an important part of #climberlife. Fortunately, Rockreation’s in-house, licensed, physical therapist is all over it.
“He teaches classes on topics like range-of-motion, and tips to stave off injuries before they occur,” said Aguirre. “He’s also a member.”
If the amenities aren’t enough to get you through the door, the artwork alone is worth the trip. Rockreation has two big, beautiful murals – one inside, one out.
“Melissa Washington is a professional muralist and professional climber,” said Eastcott. “If she isn’t painting, she’s climbing. She was a member first, then an employee. She painted the indoor mural.”
Washington’s mural is a vast and beautiful desertscape – à la Joshua Tree – that transitions from daytime to nighttime as you move from left to right. Something you should see for yourself, next time you’re in that part of town.
Climbing Community for the young, and young-at-heart, at Rockreation Costa Mesa.
Photos: Brandy Young
During our time at Rockreation Costa Mesa, listening to story after story, a pattern began to emerge: Members turn into employees, employees turn into friends, friends use their unique skill set to leave their mark on Rockreation.
“Community is what really sets us apart,” said Aguirre. “We sometimes have members leave and go join other climbing gyms. They’ll eventually come back and say, ‘It’s just not the same. They don’t have the same feel.’ At Rockreation, we are building friendships and relationships to last a lifetime.”
“We still have one employee, Margy, who has actually worked here longer than I have,” said Eastcott. “We have members that joined when we first opened, and they are still here. I’ve watched them meet their spouses, get married, start families – and they’re still climbing here. Our level of community goes way beyond your average gym experience.”
“Thursday nights is unofficial ‘social night’ at Rockreation,” added Aguirre. “It’s like a weekly tailgate. The old-timers will pull a couple couches out into the parking lot, hang out, share a drink.”
“People enjoy being here, I know that’s why I never left,” said Eastcott. “Being part of a fit, tight-knit community keeps me young. I think it’s true for a lot of us.”
With such an established community already in place, is there room at Rockreation for newbies?
“Absolutely!” said Aguirre. “I know it can seem intimidating, at first, but we are here to support you. We’ve had lots of people with a fear of heights come through that door. I’ve watched many of them conquer that fear. End of the day, they are climbing to the top of the wall and feeling great about it.
“Our community is here to support you in overcoming any obstacles that stand in your way. If you want to try climbing, we’re the people to start you on your journey.”
Climbing, community, amenities and art… those are the best parts of Rockreation. But, the best parts of being located in Costa Mesa?
“The laid-back vibe,” said Eastcott. ” I really love it here.”
“It’s a cool community,” added Aguirre. “It’s growing, and there’s a lot to do. It’s close to the beach. I’ve made some great friends here in Costa Mesa. It’s a cool city and I’m glad to be a part of it.”
When Eastcott and Aguirre aren’t running Rockreation, you’ll find them at local eateries around town.
“Greenleaf Chop Shop at SOCO is our lunch place,” said Eastcott.
“And for breakfast, it’s Rooster Cafe,” added Aguirre, referencing the small, bustling cafe over near The Camp.
Speaking of food, Eastcott wants to see more of it around town.
“I’d love to see a Farmer’s Market on our street, once a week,” he said. “Prepared food, fresh food, small businesses showcasing their stuff. That would be cool. Rockreation is on a little, backside street – here on Logan – so a once-weekly street market would help people discover us.”
Aguirre’s parting advice is the sort of practical wisdom we all need to hear.
“Stay active,” he said. “Be mobile. Get out there and just live your life. Find the things that excite you, and be adventurous about pursuing them.”
“And don’t be intimidated by rock-climbing,” said Eastcott. “My mom is 86, and up until a few years ago, she was still coming over to the gym. There really is a wall for everyone. Come and try it.”
So, what do you think, Costa Mesa… are you ready to Rockreation? ♥
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Connect with Rockreation Costa Mesa on Instagram @rockreation or Facebook @RockreationOC, or visit them at 1300 Logan Avenue. Visit rockreation-cm.com for more information.
