Contents

the Team

On the 21st Aug" Singapore Management University played host to a myriad of Junior Colleges and Tertiary Institutions in the second incarnation of SCA's Young Climbers' Networking Session.

The day started off with a climbing session at the SMU wall, with the va rious representatives testing their mettle against the variety of routes peppering the wall, sharing beta and in the words of one participant, "doing something different than bouldering".

The climbing session was followed by a feedback session on the recently concluded Singapore Bouldering League 2010 with additional suggestions for improvem nts in 2011.

Participants felt that the newty introduced Flash format was a good idea as it reduced waiting time for the Novice category. Isola on of all competitors should be carr'ed out in order to make the format fairer for those climbing in the first detail and demonstration climbs should still be carried out for the benefit of participants.

A targe screen or television presenting real time results on a scoreboard would also raise the excitement level of the competition for the audience and was a suggested improvement along with a possible "elimination'" format for the finals in which straggling climbers would be eHminated after each route, guaranteeing a nail biting finish for spectators.

Opinion was also split between having an Inter Varsity league, where the polytechnics would compete against the various universities, or holding a separate POLITE league which is traditionally done for other sports. If so, the ranking of institutions for the POUTE league would follow the results from the Intermediate category.

The session ended with two presentations from Xiu Quan and Ben Toh. Xiu Quan (better known as Haroz), spoke about his training methodologies, how he began climbing back in Springfield Secondary School and how he has managed to sustain his passion for so long (he has never had more than a 2 week break from climbing, baning a broken arm).

Ben's presentation showed us the beauty of climbing on natural rock in places as diverse as France, Spain, New Zealand, Australia and Thailand. In Singapore, where people climb mostly on plastic and the younger crowd is focused on competitions, it was eye opening and inspiring to see a totally different side of climbing - one that feeds the soul.

seA would like to thank SMU for hosting the networking session, especially Roy Chua, Senior Manager, Office of Student Ufe for agreeing to our request for the usage of futilities. Other thanks go out to the SMU dirnb team members, the teachers/student development officers/sports officers/coaches for sending your charges, Ben Toh and Suzanna Tan, Xiu Quan and tast but not least. the young climbers themselves whom this session was for.

Destination: cantabaco, Cebu Island, Philippines

Type of Ro : Umestone

Type of Climbing:

Sport, Multipitch (3)

It on a mildly asymmetric flat last (much akin to Rock Pillar Pearls), the Aqua+ is a solid shoe whose top notch construction and quality make climbing in them pure joy. The Vibram rubber, as sticky as a possessive girlfriend, makes sm aring a breeze and the stiff midsole ensures that one can edge on min iSC\J Ie flakes with ease. A strip of rubber Oft"'I""I.~ the toe rand (with a cute picture of the Tenaya bear on it) and catches toe hooks with impunity while the heel cup is cushioned and designed to absorb some of the impact from falls. One very big plus point is the level of comfort ensconced In this shoe. tts tongue is plushly padded and the velcro straps

fasten smoothly into position. The lining of the shoe is also slightly arched, which makes it supportive of the foot, and the material is smoother than

what this tester is used to experiencing on other brands.

The last design also fit this tester's feet well, and since it is a female version of the Ra, is designed to be narrower in width and has a shallower heel cup. The quality of the shoe is superb, standing up to a high volume of climbing with little wear and tear and those with sweaty feet wNI be pleased to know that the material is quite resistant to degeneration caused by sweat.

Climbers who look for sensitivity in their shoes may also want to pass since this shoe, with

4mm of rubber and a midsole as stiff as a board, isn't the most sensitive on the market.

It is slightly more sensitive than the Evotv Optimus Prime but less so than a S.10 Anasazi Velcro.

However, these shoes have been used by Josune Bereziartu to climb the first and only 9a by a female a nd the male version is currently used by Ramon Julian who is leading the World Cup this year and sends 9a on a regular basis so the question of e shoes being able to perform is never in doubt.

In all, it is a great shoe if you are someone who abhors downtumed shoes and requires a high performance shoe that is more flat lasted. The sensitivity of the shoe may take some getting used to, but isn't a major issue and in part contributes to the longevity of the shoe as a whole.

Outso ; Vi m XS G 4 mm

Weight: 340 g rns,

Size: 3-13 UK ( ndudes half sizes)

Sf~e 10:00 Gull 13:56 Gulhn 14:35 Sl~e 18:30

AU DA Y, EVERY DA Y, LO W FARES To boo isH Jetst r.com, csll 80() 6161 977 or visit your frsvelsgen

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by Jansen Having rules for rockclimblng might at first glance be somewhat ironical. After all, climbing was born in the mountains, In the great outdoors, and there are no rules there. Purists argue that rules curtail creative expression (what rules? we don't need no rulesl), but they have to concede that games are more spectator-friendly, and hence more popular when presided over by rules. Consider: can soccer achieve its almost cult-like popularity of today if it were played by 50 players per side chasing after 3 balls? The common goal of climbers in Singapore is to see their sport gain more recognition at the national level. To that end .. Rulesl Rules! Rulesl For a person who is completely new to the sport, here are the rules for bouldering competitions.

Rotation Format

Earlier format; tried and tested. With the growing popularity of the sport which resulted in a hundred over participants, it caused the competition to drag on for hours.

Bouldering Scoring Format

Bonus Top System

Points System

Climbers who reach the bonus hold (typically located halfway up a route) are considered to have reached the 'checkpoint'. Climbers who fall before that, regardless of whichever hold reached, are given equal standing.

Each hold is accorded points, and climbers who reach higher holds are awarded proportionately higher points. At the end of the competition, points are tallied and the winner is the person who has accumulated the most points.

A checkpoint system

A get-as-high-as-you-can system

. . .

• •

•

. . .

. .

•• • • •

This scoring format is said to favour smarter climbers.

This scoring format is said to favour stronger climbers.

If there was a description which defined the inaugural (Team Random) was exactty like their namesake: a Singapore Institute of Management Bouldering random assortment of individuals from different tertiary Championship, it would be one of smoothness. From the institutions and schools. In essence, that is the beauty of running of the event (despite the heavy downpours on climbing; bringing together people who would otherwise consecutive days), the oily slickness of the walls and the have never met, celebrating diversity and reveling in the rain itself which lashed down and threatened on more simple Joy of having fun doing something you love with a than one occasion to engulf us in its embrace, everything bunch of good friends.

came together to create an unforgettable experience.

The problems at the competition were varied - ranging from balancy set pieces to movement puzzles, to spectacular throws in a bid to determine the best aU-rounded dimber. Three different categories (consisting of Novice, Open and Team) were contested for. The gauntlet was thrown down as the hard rain fell.

Team Event

The team event saw a total of 14 teams from various secondary schools and tertiary institutions, as well as working adults tackling a total of 5 problems in groups of four. Teams were required to have at least one female member and were given a total of five minutes per problem. Whereas most team dynamics at other competitions resemble that of an intense, competitive boardroom meeting, the atmosphere at SIMBC was strangely communal and even encouraging.

Frustrated team members, unable to pull the moves, were provided with heartening touches and soft words. Most though, were out to simply have a good time on a saturday afternoon and enjoyed the physical challenge of climbing at their limits as well as the mental challenge of jumping for holds high above the ground.

Interestingly, the team that prevailed at the end of the day

Novice Finals

Highlights of the Novice women's final induded a display of courage by Mai Thi Thanh Hien from NUS on the second problem. Where other competitors could brace themselVes against the wall and reach up to get the ending tile, her petite stature left her only one option - get her feet as high as possible and jump with no hand holds to brace against or move from. As she made her move, in that heartbeat of a moment, when no one was breathing, Hien's hand brushed the underside of the ending jug with the faintest of touches before gravity took her hand away and led her bad< to earth.

Up until that point of time, the competitors both male and female were stuck in stupor, unable to shrug off their slippery sleepiness. Hien's display ended up being the spark that galvanized the rest and raised the energy levels of both crowd and climber.

It was with this new sense of energy in the air that Joshua Um from NTU entered the fray. During his first problem, his upward ascent was rudely interrupted when a tile got ripped off of the wall at his call. Plummeting to earth but uncowed, his primal scream on the next route was second only to his victorious roar as he turned and faced the crowd whilst pumping his fist in the air, all memory of his previous misfortune washed away.

Open Finals

Struggling with reachy problems and powerful mantfes, one could see plainly the agony etched deeply on many of the Open Women competitors' faces. Climbing with an injured shoulder, Janet Goh was locked in position for what seemed like an eternity on her first route, her time long gone, deciding whether to commit to a mantle that would rend her shoulder further apart.

The first men's route had

looked ridiculous

stopping all climbers at the second move, until Ponti Hardiyanto from Indonesia stepped up to the wall. With arms that look more like hydraulic jacks rather than strips of organic flesh, Ponti ate the route up with the polished ease of one accustomed to having his way with gravity.

Kicking the wall in frustration after being stopped cold in the first route was Foo Xiu Quan.

. The stakes were high for

him gOing into the second if his chances of victory was to be kept alive. Taking the merest of glances to read the route, he clapped his hands together and fired the route at first go, posting the only ascent amongst his peers to thunderous applause.

It now came down to the last route. With a tricky sequence involving microscopic crimps while being suspended off a volume and going to a nonexistent sloper (the No Shadow Hand), the competitors felt the immense weight of gravity bearing down upon them. Unable to find space to set their feet for support, they yielded one by one, their flames extinguished as soon as the chalk dust thrown up by their impact settled over the mats.

All except for Xiu Quan that is, who by some force of will, scrambled his feet up and onto the volume in a desperate bid for traction that paid off. With newfound support, the last few moves were a mere formality for the one who rose highest of all, fists clenched in a familiar pose of triumph.

As the lights go out on SIMBC, some are left with a OJ rious feeling of fullness, as if the memories created during this competition would scarcely be enough to last them until the next one comes along. For those who return a little hungrier, time cannot pass fast enough until it is time for them to dance underneath the lights again.

by Teo Yen Kai Mount Mckinley or Denali (the native name meaning "the High One") in Alaska is the highest mountain in North America. Standing at 6194m, Denali actually demands climbers to ascend a longer vertical distance compared to Everest. While Everest is at 88S0m, climbers only need to climb a vertical distance of about 3350m from Everest Base Camp which is at sSOOm. In comparison, a Denali climber has to ascend 3994m from Denali Base Camp which ~s at 2200m.

Located dose to the Arctic Circle, Denali is also one of the coldest mountains to climb. Even though we were climbing in Summer, we had to brace ourselves for temperatures as low as -35 ·C.

The Team

The idea of dimbing Denali was first conceived in Jan 2010 by Jane lee and Sim Vi Hui, climbers from The Singapore Women Everest Team. The plan was to attempt the climb in a self-reliant manner - meaning there would be no guide or porter to provide any kind of assistance. Knowing that there were not much people who have the competency and courage to attempt the climb in such a stylel my long time Everest teammate and best buddy - Stefen Chow - and I saw this as a good opportunity to form a team to climb Denali self-supported. Fortunately, it did not take too much convincing for the girls to let us join

em on the adventure.

The Preparation

For 5 years after Everest, I did not do any mountaineering. It was definitely lots of work getting myself back in shape and reacquainting myself with my climbing tools. But the biggest hurdle was getting the leave approved from my boss. I was like a nervous kid waiting for his exam report as my boss reviewed my leave application before

Kail Jane lee, Sim Vi ui, Stefen Chow

generously putting his signature on it. Donel Now, the next problem was how to integrate training into a fully packed schedule. The extensive traveling requirement of my work further hindered the training and requires much self-discipline to squeeze time to train when I was out of Singapore. I remember getting strange stares as I hiked around a small, dusty Oil Town called Duril in the middle of Sumatra Island, with a bag pack full of bottled mineral water.

Getting there

Getting to Denali is a challenge in itself. It includes over 20 hours of flight time from Singapore - Taipei - Seattle - Anchorage, followed by a 3 hour car ride from Anchorage to a small homely town called Talkeetna. There, we got addicted to the most awesome Cinnamon Rolls from Talkeetna Roadhouse and Halibut Sandwiches from west Rib Pub.

To get to the base camp, we need to take a 1 hour flight from Talkeetna. To add to the challengel the flight availability depends greatly on the weather. After holding us back for a daYI the weather once again challenged e skills of our pilot who on that day, was the only one willing to risk flying in those foggyl misty condition. As we approached the base camp, the poor visibility made us circle the base camp for at least 10 times before there was a break in the fog. The pilot then quickly made a dash for a landing. That day, we were extremely lucky to be able to make it to the Base Camp as there were only 2 successful flights.

TheOimb

The very first climb from Denali Base Camp to the Ski Hill Camp (2375 m) was surprisinglyl also one of the most

tiring. We were still at a relatively low altitude and the vertical ascent was about a mere 300 meters. However, the tough part was that we had to carry all our expedition food and gear hich weighed over 100 pounds on average for each person. Our only consola 'on was the thought that the weight would slowly reduce as we ate up the food. To help us cope with the weight, we used a sled, dragging our food and equipment along instead of carrying it.

The journey from Base Camp to Ski Hill Camp is considered one of the more dangerous part of the climb as crevasses were abundant and one could easily get disoriented and lost in the wide open glacier during a white out. Hence, we decided to set off at midnight when the snow bridges would be the most solid. One amazing thing about climbing in Alaska during the summer is that due to the summer solstice, it felt like God had forgotten to switch off the light and hence, it never got dark. On the flip side, it was drfficutt to sleep with the "lights on".

After Ski Hili Camp, we adopted a cache-and-carry climbing m thod. This means we would carry the food and equipment we do not need and bury them in the snow at the half way point to the next campsite (Motorcycle Hill Camp) and return to Ski Hill Camp to rest for the night. We would then move up to Motorcycle Hill Camp the next day. On the day after, we would descend from Motorcycle Hill Camp to pick up our cache. This Cache and Carry method offers 2 benefits. Firstly, we do not have to carry all the food and equipment all at once. Secondly, the progressive ascent aided us in acclimatizing to the altitude.

On one of the trips to cache our stuffs, Yi Hui fell into a crevasse! Fortunately the crevasse was only waist deep a nd she was roped up ith Jane who kept the rope tight to

prevent Vi Hui from falling deeper into the crevasse. Vi Hui's climbing boot got trapped in the snow and we had to help her remove her boot to get her out of the crevasse. We then carefully dug her boot out. It was very fortunate that we could recover the boot,

as without it, the prospect of frostbite is only too real.

Beyond Motorcyde Hill Camp (3350 m), the terrain became much steeper. As we passed this point called the Windy Comer, we could appreciate how the place got its name. The wind was so strong that day that a few teams actually decided to turn back down.

Basin Camp (4330 m) is undoubtedly my favorite campsite amongst all. Other than having spectacular view of Mount Hunter and Foraker, it also had a toilet which was built over a crevasse I It was such a great feeling not needing to use the Oean Mountain Canister (CMC), in which we were supposed to do our big business. It was also at Basin Camp

here we had a relaxing rest day when we just laze around, chit chat and had a few game of Bridge.

Sum mlti ng

The terrain got too steep to use the sled beyond Basin Camp and we carried all our equipment in our backpack. It was a long, tough day gettfng to High camp (5245 m). I was almost at the edge of exhaustion when I a rrived at the campsite. It was during then I wished that we had guides or porters who would help us to set up the campsite and build snow wall around it to pro eel the camps4te from the wrath of the wind.

carry But we chose to climb the mountain the hard way, and we accept that we had to hold back our tears and pushed ourselves to set up the campsite. It was hard to imagine that we had to set off for the summit the next morning.

Fortunately, the night rest did us good and we felt well rested in the morning. The summit push was the only time our bags did not exceed 10 kg. However, it was not any easier. The terrain was steep and the air was thin. Though Denali is 6,194 m, the thin air is equivalent to a height of 6,900 m in the Himalayan as the troposphere is thinner at the Poles. It took us 9 enduring hours to reach the summit of Denali. But as we took our final steps to the summit of Denali, we finally understood why climbers punish themselves by climbing mountains the hard way.

The satisfaction and fulfillment was so overwhelming that no amount of words could sufficiently describe the triumph we felt

TheOescent

HReaching the summit is only half the journey". Now we have to embark on the journey down. We were dog-tired when we got back to High Camp at 2300 hrs. Vet, the following morning, we made an ambitious aim - to

: Hiking i past Mount FQraker.

r-~~~~~----~~~-r~----~~~~~ --------

descend all the way from High Camp to Base Camp. Bearing in mind that it took us 11 days of climbing for us to reach High Camp, we were going to attempt the descent in a single shot. Well, gravity was on our side and our load was greatly reduced as the food was mostly finished, so • WHY NOTI Moreover, the thought of the Cinnamon Rolls and Halibut Sandwiches were much more appealing than the instant dried food we had been having for the past 2 weeks. Hence, we adopted the "Impossible is Nothin~ and IIJust Do I~ attitude.

During the descent, as I was coming down a steep section that drops a few hundred feet, my left crampon suddenly came loose, causing me to slip and start sliding down the slope. Fortunately, Stefen did a textbook self-arrest maneuver and stopped the both of us from sliding down. The self-arrest was not done without sacrifice though. Stefen's camera lens protector cracked due to the impact as he threw himself down prone on the snow.

As we carried on the epic descent, we discovered that the mountain was not going let us off easy. The sled, which had helped tremendously became a devil with which we had no control over. Because we were going down the slope, a pull on it and it wou td slide past us down the slope. It gave us a rude shock when the rope tying the sled to me tightened. Once the sled stopped, it would wait there pa 'ently until we walked past it and then Deja Vu! The sled tortured us all the way down until we finally arrived back at Base Camp at 9 am the next day. We had trekked

for 23 hours, skipping sleep, lunch and dinner. We were in a zone where where we could barely feel our bodies and were moving by sheer will.

Going home

our initial ecstasy when we heard the roar of the plane coming to pick us up was muted by a sudden realization that hit us so hard it brought tears to our eyes - the expedition had ended. That was it. ..

What an irony that we took so much pains to come to a mountain that we now could not walt to get out of. And now, we wish it would not have to end. As we were ushered up the plane, I felt a familiar dilemma between wanting to get back to the town to enjoy a warm meal and hot shower, and wanting to stay just a little longer to savor every last bit of the mountain. This love-hate relationship with the mountains is one mystery of mountaineering I have never quite figured out.

But one thing is for sure - somehow, some day, we will find ourselves back on the mountains again.

T~ Ym Kailoves the mountofns, the S«J and the sIcy. Hence, he dimbs,. scuba dNes and Is now komifJg to fly (paragliding). S1m 't7 HuJ works In the fteJd of experlent1D1 educot1on and her next odwmwre would ~ 0 6().doy trek oanss the entW Gobi desert "Mongol'so from May • July 2011. lone LH Is the Ieodef of the srxnssJuf Singopore Women Everest Teem. She Is now on 0 quest to ex>mplete the ~ Summits. Stefen Chow Is (I dreomer, ond would rother ~ 0 tnOUf)tQineer at times. ~ Is o photogrof)her by profession (www.ste{onchow.ex>m).

j

I remember several issues ago when we wrote about climbing in Yangshuo. The directions we gave came

with lots of its and what·ifs about planning - especially concerning flights, since no airline flies to Guilin direct. Now it is easy. Fly Singapore to Guilin and then take the public bus to Yangshuo. You will be climbing In less than 6 hours after leaving Singapore. Just thinking about it is making my fingers itch!

The climbing in Yangshuo is underrated and It can only get more popular. Good limestone, amazing views, and a cool climate (for December trips) is also a welcomed change from the crowd in hot and humid KrabL Access to crags necessitates a car, which can be easily arranged with China Climb or any of the other climbing service providers there. Accommodation is also cheap and clean. Food is varied and good. It is tad oily and salty, so do ask for less oil and salt.

I am guessing someone at Jetstar must be a climber ... Perhaps it is time climbers in Singapore form a sort of lobby group, and we can go to the airlines and start demanding flights to ... say Gap? No airport? Build one!

In rock-starved Singapore, we're all plastic pullers. ,'II admit: Cranking on coloured tiles easily brings me more joy than clamping down on real rock -11m a product of the artificial construct. rrn not into endless trekking to find the best crags. rrn the sort that wants the tendon spanking, without the legwork.

When a dimber finds their niche, they likely settle in one gym, get a membership and not move. That's a good thing - the more you interact with a group of like-minded individuals, the more you'lJ assimilate into that community of climbers, and subsequently, the richer your experience of the rock climbing culture.

Still, the climbing community in Singapore isn't very large (though it's growing fast), so you'll see folks who regularty transit between different climbing gyms. But for gym regulars, there's a deeper reason for their loyalty. Here's my take:

Whittle down all factors that may cause preference for a particular gym (read: distance, fees, constantly slimy tiles, cute counter staff), and your reason for frequenting a particular plastic paradise will boil down to your preference for a certain climbing sty1e.

. ""0.' ~:o'-'._

Opinion by MeMn Hoe "There's no reason to dimb indoors when there's great weather outside," says Mu~ a freelance art director and regular at Yishun SAFRA. J:ley, you can't deny that the atte.moon sunlight on a clir'l)bing wall is one of th.e most beautiful t.hings you'll ever see -

" .

8Ouldering-c:entric gyms like Climb Asia aren't all business ana no play though. It's a gOOd spot for an after-work bum (it open till late), or for tile t)loke who's only got two hours to spa e for a quick climb, but boulder gyms aren't without their share of fun too. For one, you'll be able to set routes anyway you like, versus fixed ones on the high wall (you could do it as well for the latter, but you'll need more than a laser pointer and 30 seconds), and you'll be within earshot of beta and encouragement from other gym ratsbouldering probably allows the greatest amount of interaction, which is probably the most important element of a climbing community.

What type of plastic gets you goi ng?

Your fingers & forearm are itching for a pump. You've been cooped up at the work the whole week. You are looking forward to a weekend of good workout & training on the wall. There is a project that you know you can send with just a few more tries. You are at the end of a training plan before your upcoming climbing trip. Alas, lightning ... thunder ... dark clouds and soon ... huge drops of tears fall from the sky and water starts cascading down the climbing walls ...

Ahhhh ... What should you do?I?1 Pack up your hamess, quickdraws & rope. Head to the boulder gym. Try out the new Boulder Circuit Training at SAFRA Adventure Sports Centre (SASe) boulder gym at Safra Yishun. You'll be in for an even more intensive work outl

What is Boulder Circuit Training?

Training done by climbing the boulder cirOJits systematically and continuously.

What is a Boulder Circuit?

A cirruit is made a set of boulder problems that are similar in difficulty but consist of a variety of moves. Problems in the same circuit are marked and numbered using the same color tapes.

Etiquette & safety rules in the gym

DON"" sit in the middle of the landing zone! Just like you will look out for incoming cars when crossing the road, look out for fa mng climbers I None of us own the gym or any of the climbing walls. So share.

I first came across the circuit concept when bouldering at Fontainebleau, France. Amidst the forest of sandstone boulders, problems are marked and grouped into 5 color circuits. Each color represents a different diffirutty level. Long ago, the French alpinists climbed the circuits as part of the training for their expeditions.

Boulder problems

In a boulder gym, routes are called problems. To climb a problem, hold & step on tiles that are marked by the same color tapes. The start & end tiles of each problem are marked with a long length of color tape, with numbers written on the starting and ending tapes. The other holds in the problem are marked by smaller pieces of color tapes.

Boulder Circuits at SASe

At the SASe boulder gym, the drOJits are split into 6 different colors, The start of the circuit is marked with a tag that indicates the direction of the drruit. Just follow the direction indicated to find problem 2, 3 and so on.

Go and try the circuits now!

yourClm

9' March 1987

170cm

About 63 kg Seanmccoll.com Climbing, soccer, piano

ies and with dimbing at a coach?

There are definitely sacrifices that I must make. When I was in high school, I would actually miss a lot of school to be able to travel and compete. Because I also played soccer at a high level (in high school), it was very hard to keep up with my workload at school. My schedule for climbing is constantly changing. Now that I'm back in school at the University level, I'm forced to train in the evenings when the gym is somewhat busy. Although I don't have a coach, I'm always talking to my friends and old coaches for tips and advice on training.

What techniques have you evolved to get around th lack of reach? Are there certain things shorter people have to be more aware of?

I usually find that reachy problems are just more annoying. I know that it is very easy to set a boulder problem or even a move on a route that is MUCH easier for someone that is tall. It's not very hard actually. All you have to do is put a good foot hold and a massive span to a hold that you generally can't jump to. Most of the time, the good route setters will just put in another foot hold, so if you're tall you use the lower one, and if yol/re small or want your feet high, you use the higher one. For dealing with my heighr, I end up jumping a lot, or cutting my feet off the wall. Although I sometimes complain about being smaller than some of the other climbers, I know I'm not the smallest and sometimes it helps to be a bit smaller. I'm sure that there are some moves that I find easier to do because I am small.

What is your opinion on "talent" in climbing?

"Talent" is a very broad word and I think it shouldn't be thrown around too much because if you say a new upcoming climbing isn't "talented", does that mean that they will not become a good climber? No, it depends on their motivation and how much they train. Of course, climbing might come naturally to some people and not to

Interview by Tim lay

others but everyone has the "potential" of being a high level athlete; it comes down to how motivated the athlete is.

I believe if you were going to try and guess why some climbers are better than others, excluding their training routine; it might be their drive to succeed. I for one love the thrill of winning a competition so I try my hardest to win every time I'm in a competition. Some people just don't have that drive and unfortunately it is a necessity for high level competing,.

How is the support system for climbing like in Canada? What aspects do you thin k are im portant for the growth and advancement of the sport?

The support system for climbing in Canada is minimal at best. I've competed on the World Cup circuit for many years now and the only support I get from my federation is the registration fees, which I am greatly appreciative of. I know that my federation is slowly growing and I hope that in maybe 10 years' time, athletes like myself that compete on the world cup circuit can get funding from my federation. For me, that's why I can't travel to Asia to do 2 wortd cups; because it costs around 3000 dollars for a trip like that. If my federation had the money to pay for me to go, I'd be there in a heartbeat!

I get excited about the fact that Climbing could be in the Olympics. I think it is a necessary step towards the growth of our sport.

How do you keep yourself motivated?

I keep myself motivated by staying around people who love dimbing and doing all the competitions. I love competing and I always look forward to when my next competition will be. During the winter, my competitions are pretty spread out, but during the summer, I have competitions almost every weekend I