The Achilles Ripper

It’s scary, that’s the point.?The obstacle typically left for last during an obstacle course is the warped wall.?It’s a calculation.?Any athlete attempting this steeply curved wall with a short run-up has to carefully study, analyze or plan to charge the wall with sheer focus and accuracy.?Strategically used at the end of a competition means that it’s a beast of a feature on any course for any competitor.?

The scale and measure of each wall is specific.?Really, it’s about the math.

In connecting the dots, my founding company has and is meticulous in building the best stair eco-systems and by extension of that, the flooring system as these are evidently integrated.?The numbers have been crunched, measured and designed for an award-winning staircase portfolio with over 45,000hours of work to prove it.?Making something is work.?For me, building things of value makes sense.?Staircases can be the grand feature within any space.

My success is greatly attributed to customers continuing to choose us (Spindle, Stairs & Railings) for this type of work, as they trust me and my team.?Trust is the guardianship of safety and security - that’s why, we now choose to apply our knowledge and skills to produce warped walls for obstacle training or races!?Any size, we can make it. ?

Let me explain how this is possible: the success of each step in a staircase starts in the design room: drawings, correct measurements, aesthetics to construction and then installation.?It’s foundation is mathematical.?If any stair has an incorrect rise to run measurement or is too long, short or wide it is a hazard .?Even if those measurements are an 1/8th of an inch out, this could result in people tripping to result in a possible injury.?This accuracy in complete construction of stairs is the fail-safe experience to me and my team. ?Consistently delivering each product to each unique project, emphasizes our success to date and continual precision.?

Spiral staircase dimension and designs can adopt different structural configurations.?It’s important to be clear about where a staircase starts and where it will end on the upper level, according to the flows that have been resolved in the plan.?To measure the number of steps, it’s essential to know the exact diameter and length of the staircase.?A key formula used allows us to figure out the radius! ?

The radius is one of the most meaningful components of a circle.?The distance between the centre point to any point of the circle boundary. This can interchangeably be named as the arch, arc or radius.?This exact knowledge is what we transfer and apply to the reliable construction of our warped wall line up. ??

What’s interested is that the history of these walls comes from a Japanese television show broadcasted in the late 1990’s for sports entertainment: Sasuke.?Over 100 competitors attempted a four-stage obstacle course and an edited version screened in at least 15 countries world-wide, named #NinjaWarrior!?Which I’m sure by now, most of heard or seen a show, maybe a season. ?

From 2016, I have actively researched and lead my team in the design and implementation of manuals, blueprints and “how to” assembly kits of #warpedwalls!?The bottom line for any apparatus is safety to each end-user.?We build them properly.?By extension of our craftsmanship, we sell all of these.?You can trust our geometry and math for any size warped wall specification.?We cut out the radius frames, ship them to you with the correct joint and joist system along with the necessary documents for putting it all together - the right way.?As your guide, the assembly will require you to go to your local hardware or building store to buy some 2x4s and or 4x8s to complete the apparatus.?In observation, many think that this obstacle is “easy” to construct.?Regrettably many miscalculate.?It’s not good enough to assume that something is built safely.?In comparison, we’ve checked the angles, arcs and have even tested them for absolute certainty.?That’s what we do and that’s why we’re the customers’ choice.?

My strong recommendation when confecting a warped wall is that the material should be plywood.?The truest form is to then have the wood bare like this.?No grip tape or paint should be used, as this is actually hazardous to the athlete especially if they fail and fall - these products can catch the athlete resulting in a turf burn or worse injury.?If anything, a non-slip paint in the colours available to you can be applied to the plywoods surface, only.??

Additionally, the floor system where you construct the warped wall is of utmost importance.?It is what creates harmony to the obstacle when used.?If the flooring has a spring to it, it could throw the athlete’s stride out of sink.?Also, the flooring should not be higher than the lip of the wall.?

Changing gears: in steps the athlete wanting to achieve this toughest challenge of roaring to the top whether it be a 10ft, 12ft, 14ft wall and climbing up onto the landing.?Let’s go through some of our differences to be aware of when looking at this apparatus:?

• Age: someone under the age of 29 is typically more zealous with an attitude that they have “something to prove” and could over extend themselves on this apparatus.?Those between 30-39 typically know their bodies well enough to push their limits comfortably whilst those over the age of 40 need to take more care and caution. ?
• Your general physical fitness and health meaning are you a beginner, intermediate or professional trained athlete. ?
• Choice of footwear: runners can have extra grip which would slightly aid an athlete for running up the wall.?I like to use my Salomon’s for this challenge. ?

Of course, properly warming up, having proper form and technique going into an attempted run is very important as well. ?

Just as we don’t hand our car keys to a teenager, saying, “Here! Drive the car!” - a facility shouldn’t just allow someone to just attempt the warped wall alone.?There needs to be instruction and correct direction beforehand.?Exactly as we do when learning to drive a car.?

In my opinion, facilities should all have protocols in place for each apparatus to educate each user how to safely exercise on it.?Questionnaires can be completed regarding a person’s history for any injuries that the instructor needs to be made aware of.?If these aren’t in place, then the owner and or company could be liable for any possible injuries incurred when using the apparatus and course. ?

When considering a membership to a facility I would advise you ask and enquire if they have these protocols in place.??

An excruciating injury that has occurred for some when attempting and failing the warped wall is the achilles tendon tear or rip. ?It’s a traumatic injury that causes sudden pain behind the ankle; often the person will hear a ‘pop’ or ‘snap’.?Swelling and bruising may occur around the tendon.?Explosive movements as in sports that involve running and jumping, particularly sudden, are large forces exerted on the Achilles.?It is the largest tendon in the body and can still be injured.?

As a method to help prevent injury, trainers will teach athletes in progressive stages to slowly advance up the warped wall and to learn to know the feeling in their body when to bail or best turn out of it and come down in the most unharmed way.

This work matters to me.?Over the past 5years, my mind shifted from being a spectator to a competitor in obstacle course racing.?It’s a lot of fun so here, I am the tester of my own product. ?

Since the airing of Ninja Warrior, many extraordinary athletes have demonstrated their athleticism in achieving the varying heights of the warped wall over the years.?They show us that with dedication, grit and shear tenacity the warped wall is conquerable. ?

Whether you prefer obstacle, ninja, #ocr, or spartan training, whichever your next (or first) competition is, be sure to give it your all and face that fear.?The feeling of putting in the work to then be trained in attaining the warped wall top stand, is priceless.?In coming full circle, and finishing off with numbers, as Albert Einstein is famously quoted:

“Pure mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas.” ?

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Kevin Halliday’s career isn’t singular or linear.?The landing to his serial entrepreneurial portfolio is from his Calgary, Alberta brick-and-mortar Spindle, Stairs & Railings company.?From commercial projects to custom home builds the business manufactures and installs spindles, stairs, railings and custom fabrications.?

Kevin is an author and his new published book is titled The Art of Spindle, Stairs & Railings; a Podcast Host to ShedTalk where he levels up with guests about the things you know you don’t know; an investor to Ceili’s Group and the Rooftop YYC restaurant. ?In 2010, he was named one of the “Top 40 Under 40” and is an Entrepreneur of the Year finalist.?