Fort Lauderdale High School junior Anton Frongillo has an unusual hobby that pushes him to new heights: rock climbing. Living in Sweden as a young boy, he had to climb to get places and continued with the sport even after moving to the United States. 

“I’m from Sweden, and it’s very mountainous there. You know how they say people are born with skis on their feet? Well, I was born with climbing shoes on my feet,” he explained. “ It’s also such a useful skill; being able to climb is the key to taking you places. It’s a great way to get in touch with your country and see what Sweden is really like.”

After moving to the States, Anton continued climbing and has come to appreciate the physical and mental challenges. “Climbing is not only physically demanding, but it’s also stressful,” he explained. 

“Your whole body shakes and you need to stay calm because the more you sweat, the worse your hold onto the rock . Freaking yourself out will make you fall! Rock climbing has helped me not only on the mountains, but also in the classroom. It helps me focus after having to be mentally there 100 percent of the time. [Also…]  you’re going to the gym and lifting, but making it is like putting together a puzzle.”

Anton also finds the sport to be something hard to give up and points out his potential in rock climbing. “Rock climbing can be very addicting,” he explained.  “It’s an adrenaline rush that makes you want to do it again”.

Anton works out at Project Rock in Pompano and would like to help make the sport more popular while also trying to become a professional. He notes that the sport is catching fire here in South Florida.  “It’s growing here at FLHS. My goal is to recruit people for the new gym that opened. You can get paid to do certain climbs around the world, if you complete a climb and record it, you can make a living off of it.” 

Every summer he returns to Sweden to practice. “My favorite wall is Kivik. It’s where I grew up, and I always went there,” he shared.  “It’s in the woods and you have to go with equipment to clean and prepare for a climb.”

This upcoming summer Anton will be taking on a challenge like no other and competing in a tournament in Maine. This will be his big chance to show the rock climbing community what he is all about.