We went climbing again today. I signed the boys and I up to a “Family Taster” course today. I’ve already been through a full intro course as a refresher, so didn’t really need a “Taster” session, and my original instructor David, who was also the instructor today, said I could just bring the kids in and supervise them myself.
The main reason I signed them up for the taster course was in the hope that the course instructor would give the kids stern warnings about the importance of safety, listening to their parents, maybe teach them how to belay, and also figure out the equipment for the kids (regular harness or full body, climbing shoe size etc). There wasn’t much lecturing at all, and the kids didn’t learn how to belay – they didn’t even use a regular belay device, but a fancy one, but at least I figured out the equipment.
Big Boy O managed to climb a 5 route on top rope, on an inclined / slab-like surface – better than I’ve done since I’ve restarted! (And my current goal for end of this year, ha!) And a V1-V2 route on bouldering, also better than my recent achievement. Baby F initially used all coloured holds when he did the autobelay route – both kids are naturals at autobelay and really seem to love it – whereas I’m not a fan. But then he eventually completed a 4 route, also on the same inclined / slab-like surface.
The instructor was really impressed by both boys, but particularly commented that Baby-F is natural – did some good smearing, and is very intuitive about movement. There was one point, where he got himself into an awkward position with his head backward and overhanging empty space, which stressed me out a bit… but he managed to twist himself around, so he was facing down, and pushed off his hands and got to safety. The instructor said that the way he could be so creative and problem solve on the fly is a gift, and he could be a really good climber. He asked if I lived locally and could have the boys climb regularly, because they could be very good, and then suggested more local gyms to where I live. I didn’t mention that I had already signed up for an annual membership at this climbing gym, because I’ve always liked the place, and I’m happy to commute an hour each way to climb there.
My friend HV mentioned that she has a friend whose pre-teen / teen son is an avid climber and climbs competitively. Her friend who doesn’t climb ends up chauffeuring him around to climb sites and competitors all over. I didn’t even know that climbing could be competitive for a kid. I just wanted to climb myself, and wanted to bring the kids along. But since doing a sport is good anyway, and if the kids are interested (and they are, and do seem quite natural at it – more so than me!), they might as well pick this as ‘their’ sport, even if it’s not quite a conventional one. Baby F says he prefers top rope. Big Boy O went from being clearly on the side of bouldering, is now on the fence. So now I’ve bought them each a child’s climbing harness.
