What does good chalk etiquette actually look like?
Last week, we kicked off our Good Chalk Etiquette series by looking at particulate matter, how climbing chalk contributes to it, and why reducing unnecessary chalk dust matters.
This week, we’re getting practical with a few small habits we can all adopt when we chalk up.
Before we get into it, this isn’t about being perfect. We’ve definitely been guilty of some of these habits ourselves over the years! We’re learning too, and as we understand more about chalk dust, we’re looking at what we can all do differently.
Chalk is part of climbing, so we’re not asking anyone to stop using it. It’s simply about using it a little more mindfully, and small changes across a whole climbing community can add up.
Switch from loose chalk to a chalk ball
If you currently use loose chalk, one of the easiest changes you can make is switching to a chalk ball.
Chalk balls keep the powder contained while still giving your hands the chalk they need, rather than dipping straight into loose chalk.
And if you already use one, please don’t cut it open! Once opened, you’re essentially back to loose chalk, which is much easier to spill and spread around.
Keep the chalk in the ball, and the ball in the bag!
Skip the chalk clap
We know it looks dramatic, but clapping freshly chalked hands together creates that very recognisable cloud of chalk.
Instead, gently rub your hands together over your chalk bag to spread the chalk evenly without sending as much excess into the air.
The same goes for blowing chalk off your hands, if you have too much, try to keep the excess over your chalk bag.
Keep your chalk bag closed
When you’re not using it, keep your chalk bag or bucket closed where possible.
It’s a tiny habit, but it can help prevent spills when bags are being moved around the mats or accidentally knocked over.
Small habits add up
Switching from loose chalk to a chalk ball, skipping the chalk clap and keeping your bag closed might not seem like huge changes, but when lots of us make those small changes week after week, they can add up.
Next week, we’ll be talking about using less chalk, why more chalk doesn’t necessarily mean more grip, and why your climbing brush might be more useful than you think!
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