Rock climbing is no longer the best kept secret of the sports world. During the past few years, this high-intensity sport has seen a significant surge in popularity—and not just among avid sports enthusiasts and adventurers.

Local rock climbing facilities report that more women, children, and older adults are taking up the sport.

In fact, rock climbing has gotten so much attention that it’s in consideration to become an official Olympic sport. The final decision by the International Olympic Committee will be announced in 2013 in Buenos Aries. If included, climbers will compete in the 2020 Olympic games.

“There has definitely been an increase in interest and a change in demographics in recent years,” said Lillian Chao-Quinlan, president of Sportrock Climbing Centers. “We have a 60 percent 40 percent split of men to women who come in to climb, which is a big change from several years ago. There’s been a huge increase in the number of women rock climbing.”

According to the 2010 Outdoor Recreation Participation Report by The Outdoor Foundation, a nonprofit group, approximately 6.1 million Americans or 2.7 percent of the population 6 years or older participated in some type of rock climbing, whether it be bouldering, sport climbing, indoor climbing, traditional climbing or mountaineering.

The study said in 2009 climbing attracted the fifth highest number of new participants, ranking behind whitewater and sea kayaking, non-traditional or off-road triathlons.

Sportrock and the Claude Moore Recreation Center – both in Sterling – offer rock climbing courses for beginners to experts. Before climbing, participants get hooked up to a rope, which is used for belaying – a climbing term describing the rope and pulley system that secures climbers as they ascend. Both Sterling facilities offer courses that are rope-belayed and others that use automatic belays.

“We have five runs, which are different courses, two of which have automatic belays,” said Mitchell Frid, assistant manager of Claude Moore. “The two hardest runs that we have are rope-belayed. We pride ourselves on having courses for novices, especially for smaller kids. We can help them a bit with rope-belaying.”

Sportrock has approximately 20,000-square-feet of climbing walls, and each wall has levels of varying difficulty. The walls are changed every six to eight weeks to keep climbers interested and challenged.

“It’s like a new chess game each time you come in,” said Chao-Quinlan. “Rock climbing is not just a physical activity, but it also engages you mentally. You have to figure out the problem of the wall so that you don’t get stuck.”

Many local gyms also offer rock climbing walls for its members, including Lifetime Fitness.

And while rock climbing is a great workout, many people like the social appeal as well. Sportrock draws a big crowd of young professionals, and Claude Moore is a favorite spot for families. Rock climbing has become a trendy activity for bachelor and bachelorette parties as well as children’s birthday parties.

“During the summer and weekends, the rock climbing wall is a very popular feature, especially among kids aged 6-12,” said Frid. “They really enjoy it.”

At Claude Moore children must be at least 6 years old to climb on the walls.

Another draw to rock climbing is its inexpensive price. Claude Moore rock climbing costs range from $3.75 to $8.25 depending on age and Loudoun County residents’ status. Most participants at Sportrock get a membership, which ranges from $65 to $85 per month depending on term length. But Sportrock also allows non-members to pay a walk-up fee of $18 to climb for a single day.

Chao-Quinlan reiterates that rock climbing is a sport that people of all skill levels can enjoy.

“It’s become a lot more popular because it’s more accessible,” said Chao-Quinlan. “There is no stereotype you have to be to try rock climbing. It’s a fun activity and it’s a great sport.”