These Little Ninjas scale full-sized walls

Salt Pump Climbing Co., on Hagis Parkway in Scarborough, teaches folks of all ages about the joys of rock climbing. They even have a class for kids 18-months to 5-years-old. It’s called “Little Ninjas.” The kids are pretty fearless and tackle the walls with the gusto of much older Japanese assassins.

Lydia Yocz, 4, climbs a wall at the Salt Pump Climbing Co. in Scarborough on Friday during the "Little Ninjas" class designed for kids under 5-years-old. The class is designed to be a safe introduction to the sport of climbing. Troy R. Bennett | BDN

Lydia Yocz, 4, climbs a wall at the Salt Pump Climbing Co. in Scarborough on Friday during the “Little Ninjas” class designed for kids under 5-years-old. The class is designed to be a safe introduction to the sport of climbing. Troy R. Bennett | BDN

Seriously, it was great to sit in on one of the sessions today.  The instructor told me the kids aren’t burdened by a fear of height and their strength-to-body-weight ratio is amazing, compared to adults.

Lydia Yocz, 4, gets buckled into a safety harness by instructor Kai Brown at the Salt Pump Climbing Co. in Scarborough on Friday during the "Little Ninjas" class designed for kids under 5-years-old. The facility, which opened in July, also has classes for older kids and adults. Troy R. Bennett | BDN

Lydia Yocz, 4, gets buckled into a safety harness by instructor Kai Brown at the Salt Pump Climbing Co. in Scarborough on Friday during the “Little Ninjas” class designed for kids under 5-years-old. The facility, which opened in July, also has classes for older kids and adults. Troy R. Bennett | BDN

Salt Pump Climbing Co. opened in July and boasts a 10,000-square-foot facility situated on a rather picturesque old quarry pond. They have top-rope, lead climbing, and bouldering on walls up to 45 feet high. And the foot and hand hold patterns change regularly for an added challenge.

Cole Stinson, 4, climbs a wall at the Salt Pump Climbing Co. in Scarborough on Friday during the "Little Ninjas" class designed for kids under 5-years-old. he facility, which opened in July, also has classes for older kids and adults. Troy R. Bennett | BDN

Cole Stinson, 4, climbs a wall at the Salt Pump Climbing Co. in Scarborough on Friday during the “Little Ninjas” class designed for kids under 5-years-old. he facility, which opened in July, also has classes for older kids and adults. Troy R. Bennett | BDN

 

Cole Stinson, 4, climbs a wall at the Salt Pump Climbing Co. in Scarborough on Friday during the "Little Ninjas" class designed for kids under 5-years-old. The class is designed to be a safe introduction to the sport of climbing. Troy R. Bennett | BDN

Cole Stinson, 4, climbs a wall at the Salt Pump Climbing Co. in Scarborough on Friday during the “Little Ninjas” class designed for kids under 5-years-old. The class is designed to be a safe introduction to the sport of climbing. Troy R. Bennett | BDN

Troy R. Bennett

About Troy R. Bennett

Troy R. Bennett is a Buxton native and longtime Portland resident whose photojournalism has appeared in media outlets all over the world.