Petite Ile is the first bouldering gym of Brussels. The project started with a group of friends who did not understand why there was no such space in the capital of Belgium while the sport is booming globally. The group quickly grew and, BOOM!, Petite Ile was born.

Petite Ile is a project carried by group of climbers from diverse backgrounds. Some of us come from businesses, the performance arts, cinema and the catering industry, while others from the EU commission and academia. We are an odd but lovely family continuing to grow. Together we created a wonderful space and offer a climbing gym with great routes, healthy food and a nice relaxing atmosphere.

Petite Ile is a community. The climbing gym is a place where people come to climb, move or meditate but also to meet each other, have a drink or co-work. We organize events and have an active climbing school with a social program. Moreover, we work with local businesses and entrepreneurs, and foster values of gender equality, diversity and the local organic food chain.

Petite Île Values Charter

SHARING, BODY EMPOWERMENT, FREADOM, AWARENESS, INCLUSIVITY, CARE, SUSTAINABILITY, SECURITY.

At Petite île we share the values associated with climbing: freedom, performance, respect for nature, integrity and sharing. We also want to go further and make it a place where the practice of sport is associated with feminist, queer, body positivity and anti-racist struggles, with the somewhat idealistic aim of becoming what we call a safe(r) space.

Whoever you are, whatever your origin, history, identity or orientation, you’re welcome here. Bouldering may seem like a discipline that demands strength, flexibility and a certain sense of risk, it’s true, but it’s also a place for individual expression and relaxation, and we want to make it a practice that’s accessible whatever your body, level or physical condition.

Petite-île is a little cocoon for many of us, a place of solidarity, exchange and encounter, and each and every one of us is responsible for it. It’s up to each and every one of us to be aware of the other people who occupy this space, and to ensure that everyone feels comfortable and included.

In order to offer everyone the freedom to be themselves in our rooms, we, employees and members of Petite île, must be particularly attentive to, and will be intransigent towards, violent or discriminatory behavior of any kind. Mansplaining, gender violence, harassment, grossophobia, classicism or validism have no place here, and if these terms are unfamiliar to you, you’ll find a glossary on the following pages and/or at reception.

If you are faced with a situation that makes you feel uncomfortable, you can turn to the people at reception and/or contact us via this email: hello@petite-ile.be

For example: ask the person concerned if he or she or them would like some advice, rather than spontaneously assuming that you are legitimate to do so. If you’re climbing with several people, or if you’re at an advanced level, be discreet; single people or beginners should be just as comfortable. If you don’t know someone’s pronoun, use the neutral one or ask them.

A safe space is an ideal, and unfortunately we have our limits (Petite-île is not equipped with PRM access). We’re also aware that these issues are new for some, and that mistakes will be made, by all of us, but that’s ok, cause we are trying.

To work towards greater inclusivity and help deconstruct stereotypes, we don’t yet have a set of instructions, and we need your help. If you’d like to help us out, contribute your experience or ideas, we’d love to hear from you.

Everyone who enters this space agrees to respect the values set out above, and to follow the house rules.

(Thanks to the Brussels Art Pole and Jezebel studios for the work they’ve already done, which inspired this charter )