The Crux of
Who We Are
At Rakker, we’re passionate about building South Africa’s first club that brings coaching and community together to support athletes and elevate the entire climbing scene.
Our Mission
To grow competitive climbing in South Africa by developing coaches and introducing international coaching practices. We aim to build a strong community of climbing enthusiasts to help support athletes and take the sport to the next level.
Why We’re Different
Rakker is the only club (as far as we know!) blending structured coaching with a vibrant climbing community. No matter what level you’re at, we want to help you achieve your climbing goals, whether it’s for fun, growth, or gold medals.
Our Values
Inclusive and
welcoming to all
Driven by high-performance, grounded in joy
Community-first
approach
Purposeful coaching,
without pressure
Meet our team
Knot Your Average Bios! We’re climbers first, coaches second. Our team brings real-world experience
with a coaching philosophy that’s personalised, collaborative, and always encouraging.
Damien Blokker
Head of Coaching Development
A born and bred climber with nearly two decades of climbing experience, Damien has as been deeply embedded in the local and international climbing scene, taking on multiple roles—from athlete to coach to setter and is one of the few local setters with global route-setting credentials. As a coach equipped with resources from the International Olympic Committee, he brings a high-performance yet human-centered approach, focusing on movement and body awareness and refining the economy of movement to unlock each climber’s full potential.
Kelsey Dowds
Climbing Coach - Johannesburg
With over 12 years of climbing experience, Kelsey has competed internationally, earned her Protea colours, and climbed rock across South Africa. She coaches climbers of all levels with a people-first approach inspired by her Psychology studies.
Since 2022, she’s contributed to CityROCK Johannesburg’s marketing and setting teams, helped develop the Pretoria gym, and set for the 2024 Gauteng provincial event—all while actively growing and supporting the local climbing community.
Rachael Khun
Climbing Coach - Pretoria
A passionate climbing coach for RAKKER with a love for all things adrenaline. With over five years of climbing experience and a background in local and international competition, she brings a dynamic, energetic approach to coaching.
Having competed at a high level in over five different sports, Rachael draws from a diverse athletic background to help climbers grow holistically—physically, mentally, and strategically. She’s committed to sharing the insights, techniques, and mindset that unlock potential and fuel long-term progress in sport.
Pay As You Go Packages
Pay once, use anytime within 6 months – no stress, no pressure.
4 Class Package
Perfect if you’re just getting started or want to mix in a few extra sessions at your own pace.
8 Class Package
A solid choice to stay consistent without locking yourself into a strict routine.
12 Class Package
Best value for regular climbers who want flexibility and savings.
Group Classes
Train together, save together.
Perfect for friends, families, or teams who want to climb, learn, and push each other.
5 Group Members
Comprehensive tools for growing businesses. Optimize your processes and productivity across your team.
- 2 hour class
- Only R260 per member
6 Group Members
Advanced solution for enterprises. Cutting-edge features and top-tier support for maximum performance.
- 2 hour class
- Only R260 per member