Climbing Club Tackle Boulder Bash
On Saturday 8th November members of Cranleigh’s Climbing Club past and present entered a bouldering competition for the first time – Craggy Island’s annual ‘Boulder Bash’, held this year at their stunning new facility in Sutton. The team consisted of Sam McCagherty who competed in the Junior competition with Ben Monks and Archie Cameron-Blackie (OC) entering the Male Open (this put them up against some of the best climbers in the country including a number of British Senior team members).
The competition comprised a set number of problems, the idea being to flash-complete each on the first attempt for maximum points, with fewer points being scored if the problem was completed on the second or third attempt. With no real competitive experience or expectation the boys went in with open minds and large amounts of enthusiasm. The open and friendly nature of the completion brought the best out of all three; having advice and encouragement from pro climbers does tend to spur you on! All three finished in the mid-pack in the bouldering with Archie throwing the surprise of the day by finishing joint fourth in the dyno completion (basically jumping between two holds placed further and further apart; a high jump for climbers if you like).
The Climbing Club may only be in its infancy but there are signs of real promise that high level performance may be on the cards for some, and for others the experience of it all, rather than the competitive side of the sport, is helping them learn a lot about themselves.
Ben Tyrrell
Published
11 November 2008
- Category
Extra-Curricular
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