Building a Climbing Culture From the Ground Up:
Victor Lam Ignites HKMU with passion
“There is more joy in shared happiness than in joy kept to oneself.”
When pleasure is shared, it expands. For Victor Lam Chi-ching, an avid climber, fulfillment comes not only from conquering difficult routes but from inviting others into the experience. As the President of Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) Rock Climbing Society, Victor has channelled that enthusiasm into U-Life. In a remarkably short time, he has brought together a growing community of like-minded students, helping a climbing culture take root and steadily flourish at HKMU.
Victor first encountered climbing at 18 and was immediately drawn in. Whether on indoor walls or natural rock faces, he found the same satisfaction—particularly in navigating technical challenges and testing his personal limits. “To succeed,” he said, “technique, physical strength and mindset are all essential. And climbing isn't as solitary as it appears. Encouragement from partners often provides the push needed to complete the final, most difficult move.”
Like many athletes, Victor has also known injury. A serious ankle sprain once required months of physical therapy—an experience that proved unexpectedly formative. Through rehabilitation, he came to understand that physiotherapy does more than ease pain: it corrects movement patterns, reduces the risk of further injury and can even improve athletic performance. Eager to explore the discipline more deeply, Victor enrolled in HKMU's Bachelor of Science with Honours in Physiotherapy programme, where he is now in his third year.
A Date With the Wall, Every Wednesday
After enrolling at HKMU, Victor realised that many students had never been exposed to climbing. The observation prompted him to establish the university's first Rock Climbing Society, with the aim of introducing the sport to U-Life. Recruitment demanded creativity. Victor set up booths at the university's busy main entrance, using grip-strength tests and pull-up challenges to draw in students with an interest in physical fitness.
More than a year of steady effort has yielded results. The society now counts more than 150 members from across academic disciplines, who gather every Wednesday for training sessions. With no climbing facilities on campus, they rent commercial climbing gyms across Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories—often a different venue each week. Victor gave the ritual a playful, slightly romantic name: the “Bouldering Tour.”
An Unforgettable Night Under the Stars on Tung Lung Island
The society has also organised outdoor climbing excursions, none more memorable to Victor than the “HKMU Rock Climbing Festival.” The group set out on a two-day, one-night expedition to Tung Lung Island, a well-known destination for outdoor climbing. “The scenery is spectacular, and the sheer rock faces present genuine technical challenges,” Victor recalled. After nightfall, safety became a collective responsibility: members worked together to carry crash pads up the slopes. Later, they climbed to the cliff top to take in a sweeping canopy of stars. “It was exhausting,” he said, “but absolutely worth it.”
Victor's passion for climbing had first taken shape on Tung Lung Island years earlier. Returning to the site with a group of like-minded students, and watching them fully immerse themselves in the experience, proved deeply moving.
Institutional Support as a Critical Backbone
Reflecting on his experience leading the Rock Climbing Society, Victor credits HKMU with providing both autonomy and tangible support—particularly from the Student Affairs Office (SAO). “We were invited to take part in SAO's 'Soul-Wellness' Campaign, where we introduced climbing to fellow students,” he said. After the university circulated the event by email, registrations surged. “The event filled up in under an hour—far beyond our expectations.”
The response prompted Victor to rethink his promotional approach, experimenting with multiple channels to reach a broader audience. He described the relationship between SAO and student societies as a genuine partnership, marked by close communication and mutual support—one that helps new initiatives gain traction and grow.
Scaling Heights, Taking Responsibility
Drawn to challenges both on and off the wall, Victor has brought the same resolve to student leadership. Earlier this year, he put himself forward for the Student Union (SU) and was appointed Acting President of the Provisional Executive Committee of HKMUSU (18th Session). He hopes to draw on the experience and networks built through the Rock Climbing Society to strengthen collaboration among student organisations and to broaden the range of campus activities.
“HKMU may not have the largest campus,” Victor said, “but the university offers a wealth of opportunities. If students take the initiative and seize them, U-Life can be just as vibrant and fulfilling.”
Victor Lam
