Page 53 - 2018 AMA Winter

SPORTCLIMBING
FIRST TIME COMPETITOR
By Tia Gibson
I have been enjoying climbing for about 7 months and never considered taking part competitively, so when I agreed to go to the Army Climbing Championships, I started to feel apprehensive
Thankfully I was reassured that there is always a great vibe at the competition and that everyone who goes is really supportive. I saw it as less of a competition and more of a chance to enjoy good climbing, get inspired and push myself out of my comfort zone a little. So I went along.
On arriving at Boulders in Cardiff I found the vibe was great! Although I was super nervous, this was self-induced pressure, I was also really excited to be there. The competition kicked off with a number of top-roped climbs to be attempted which increased in difficulty, I found this really beneficial because the easier climbs where really great for warming up effectively and this then got me focused and excited for the more challenging climbs.
Prior to this event I had never climbed up an indoor wall that was steep, I was so scared of falling into thin air but I actually had fun doing this. Alongside the top-roped climbs, there was a separate bouldering competition, this could earn you extra points towards the team event and was a great way to keep warm. All this was on day 1 of the 2 day event.
Entering Boulders at the start of day 2, the score board of points from the previous day was presented to us and I’d managed to qualify for the open semi-finals. The climb for the semi-finals took the form of lead climbing, this was something I had never done before. Having never done lead climbing I certainly had no experience of taking lead falls, so naturally the thought of this terrified me. Despite trying my best, I did feel that I let my fear get the better of me on this climb.
I was disappointed with my overall performance on the semi-final route, however I still managed to climb well enough to make it into the final. This meant another lead climb route with the potential to fall, so my emotions went from felling buzzed and shocked to feeling absolutely terrified! My fear only heightened when I saw the route that the women faced in the
‘My emotions went from felling buzzed and shocked to feeling absolutely terrified!’
final. I was the first one out to climb and thankfully this turned out to be one of the best experiences I’ve ever had climbing. I was pushed far out of my comfort zone but with the whole of boulders cheering me on, I successfully got a lot further than I ever thought possible.
I only started climbing about 7 months before going to the Army Climbing Cham-
pionships. I did not climb as a child and I’m not a natural, I’m uncoordinated and clumsy but I do work on my strength and flexibility, I managed to surprise myself with just pure determination.
My performance at the competition managed to get me invited to the Inter-Ser- vice Climbing Championships. I knew this was a whole different league of climbing but I went along for the experience and had a great time. I didn’t do that well but I did get inspired and I met some amazing people, it was a unique experience to socialise with RAF and NAVY personnel.
Overall, I’m grateful for the whole experience. It has inspired me to keep climbing and to maybe train so that I am ready for next year hopefully. I would recommend attending the Army champi- onships to anyone who enjoys climbing, it is an opportunity to do some great climbs and see some amazing climbers.