The Spiderman.Academy Mountain Creative Center is a new mountain rescue training base in Bulgaria. It stands in the foothills of the Rila mountains, behind Vitosha. Ivan Kristoff and his team are building it for volunteer rescuers, athletes and creative people. First, it will serve as a training base. In addition, it will be a place for film, education and new ideas.
Our vision for the mountain rescue training base
The project began as the International Vertical Access Network. At first, it seemed almost unrealistic. Today, however, it is a real entity with its own building. The Institute for Vertical Access traiNing (I.VA.N.) will train volunteers there. As a result, rescuers can learn rope access and air, water and land operations in one place.
The base also supports the volunteer work of Specialized Rescue Squad, a non-profit association in public benefit. Therefore, it is more than a building. It is the home of a growing rescue community. To learn more, read about the Rescuer of the Future concept.
A 360-degree view from the Air Traffic Control Tower
The villa is called Mountain View. A small Air Traffic Control Tower will crown its roof. From there, visitors will see Verila, Rila, Pirin, Stara Planina and Vitosha. On a clear day, the view will reach up to 100 kilometers. Helicopter landing zones are next to the villa, and a local airport is only 2 kilometers away. For this reason, the tower can support air operations and training.
The top of the tower will be called “The Eye”. Its shape is inspired by the Space Deck of the CN Tower in Toronto. In 2003, Ivan Kristoff completed rope access work above that deck. Meanwhile, a 360-degree camera on The Eye will show live video of air operations.
Explore the panoramic view below. Use the controls to rotate it.
Designed and built by our own team
“This is our first interior design project, and we did it entirely by ourselves. First, we planned the function areas, the electricity and the garden water systems. After that, we designed the interior and every small detail. We did all of this digitally at first. Our friends built the 3D images of the whole place and the furniture.
Since we will spend the next few years here, we wanted to imprint our own energy and spirit on it. We never thought we would design an innovative center. Still, here it is, and we are happy. It was a tough and challenging experience. However, we have built a home for creative people.”
Special thanks go to architect Chavdar Georgiev, our trusted adviser. In addition, we thank Lubomir Brankov, who runs a construction business in the area and helped us with the garden.
What the base will offer
The plan includes the areas below. However, the list may change as construction moves forward.
- A training base for rope access, off-road riding and rescue skills
- A Creative Center and Virtual Reality Gallery of 157 square meters on three levels
- A communications center with computer workstations and satellite navigation
- A station for emergency and off-road vehicles
- A fitness room, a climbing and bouldering wall, a sauna and a spa
- A home theater with Dolby Digital and DTS sound, plus an outdoor 4K cinema
- Rooms for a five-person rescue team and visiting sports teams
- Secure parking and storage
The quiet location and clean air suit high-altitude training. Moreover, the area offers a rope training structure, a riding base and a karting track. A large mineral pool is also nearby. Therefore, participants can combine climbing, riding and recovery in one weekend. We will announce the terms for volunteers and partners soon.
Spiderman.Academy Outdoor Camp
The Spiderman.Academy Outdoor Summer Camp is a place for trainers, students and their families. They meet there for weekend events about mountain and outdoor sports. The custom programs build learning skills, character and self-confidence. They also support art and self-sufficiency.
For example, participants join classes in personal safety, riding skills, motor sports, personal growth and rescue skills. The learn-to-ride program is open to all ages and abilities. Our moto riding instructor created it nearly 20 years ago. Above all, we want every participant to become a safe and confident rider of emergency response vehicles.
How to get involved
We invite you to join the Innovation Team and our #ForBulgaria initiative. First, follow the ForBulgaria project. Next, visit aerialrescue.com to see how we develop aerial rescue in Bulgaria. Finally, contact us if you want to volunteer, train or become a partner.
Further reading
- Off-road search and rescue: enthusiasts race scooters 60 km from NDK (in Bulgarian)
- The Spider-Man gathers volunteers for mountain rescuers (bTV video, in Bulgarian)
