As part of our Waterfront Symposium on September 29th, attendees had the opportunity to join one of the four tours that showcase innovation, recreation, and revitalization along Toronto’s waterfront. Alejandro Acquino is the Owner of Ethos Climbing Gym.
After a full day of insightful discussions at the Waterfront Symposium focused on community, urban waterfront development and the role of local businesses, a small group of attendees had a chance to extend their experience with an interactive tour of Ethos Climbing Gym.
Just a short walk away from the venue at The Quay — located on the corner of Queens Quay East and Lower Jarvis, Ethos is a fresh addition to the local bouldering scene. At bouldering gyms no ropes or harnesses are needed. Climbers use only climbing shoes, chalk, and thick padded floors, focusing on movement, problem solving, and technique.
For most of the participants, it was their first venture into a climbing gym, and they were understandingly filled with a mix of excitement and apprehension. We started off with an orientation, introducing the group to the fundamentals: how to fall safely, how to read the colour-coded routes, and how to approach each climb as both a physical and mental puzzle.
The group started with the most beginner-friendly walls and cheered each other on as they tested their first moves. Every climb, whether successful or not, reinforced the collaborative and supportive atmosphere. Each route that ended with a slip was not seen as a fail, but celebrated with resounding cheers as a successful fall.
Much like the morning’s conversations about the waterfront as a shared, dynamic space, Ethos demonstrated how local businesses can foster inclusive, community-driven experiences. More than a place to work out, Ethos functions as a gathering place where people gather not just to climb, but to connect, grow, support one another, and unwind.
And much like any thriving community hub, it meets people where they are, whether stepping on the mats for the first time or tackling advanced routes. The group experienced firsthand why a space like this is an attraction to both the local community and tourists, offering challenge, camaraderie, and connection.
Participants left already planning to return with friends, family and colleagues. For those looking for a fun, humbling, and unexpectedly inspiring way to spend time together, bouldering offers exactly that. No ropes, no pressure. Just one hold at a time.
