Climbing is a relatively new sport for me. I started in around April 2023 and that is when I fell in love with it. For me personally, it’s not only the sport I adore, it’s the spectacular Boulder UK, along with all of its staff and customers that have really made my first year or so a wonderful experience. Boulder UK is a sort of community that is irreplaceable, which I recently was reminded of at the Junior Selection Comp at the weekend.

I have always been the kind of person that gets really anxious about competing, because of the pressure I put on myself to do well. But I didn’t feel that way at all this weekend. As soon as I walked in, the staff just smiled at me, and I immediately felt comfortable in the environment I was in. This enabled me to relax, and just enjoy the competition that was yet to come. As I began to climb the problems, I realised that I wasn’t climbing my best, but I didn’t feel stressed or worried at all, because of all the encouragement I received from both my team members and my coaches. This encouragement isn’t only given at competitions but is a continuous thing that I experience whenever I enter the centre, which has really enabled me to develop not only as a climber, but also in confidence and the ability to just be myself. Every time I compete now, I have started to feel less and less nervous, which is why I am so grateful for all of the continued support from the community here at Boulder UK.

I have not only become more confident in competing, but also in my lessons, since I’ve been a part of Dev Squad for about a year now. I always look forward to climbing every week, which is all thanks to my benignant, humorous and optimistic group that I am apart of, as well as my exceedingly supportive and reassuring coach. This all creates an exceptionally welcoming and buoyant atmosphere, that always generates a safe and pleasant experience. Being in Dev Squad has really allowed me to elaborate on my climbing in all aspects, from having a positive mentality and a determined mind, as well as developing the terminology and techniques that have allowed me to grow both physically and mentally.

I just want to say a huge thank you to all of the Boulder UK community, that have continued to succour and nurture me. Which has emphatically impacted me both on and off the wall.