Success at SYBC 2011

On Saturday I travelled to Transition Extreme in Aberdeen to compete at the Scottish Youth Bouldering Championships.

I was in Boys 11-13 years category. We had to climb 15 boulders in the qualifier. I topped them all first attempt and so did Angus Davidson and his brother Robert.

One of the qualifiers

Chilling out before isolation - we are better at climbing!

Four climbers went through to the final. We were in isolation for the final and there were two problems to climb. We had 4 minutes to complete each problem. I topped both and so did Angus.

In the Finals - a tricky green

Angus and I then had to have a super final on a very difficult, reachy and powerful problem. I had to climb first and came off quite low down on a dynamic move. Then Angus came out of isolation to climb. He tried a different way from me but slipped off. I had won!

It was a fun day and I was really pleased to have won. Angus was 2nd and Robert 3rd.

Hanging out with Angus!

I am now looking forward to competing in Arco, at Rock Junior 2011, at the weekend.

Letter from the Scottish Government

I got a letter today from the Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport,
Shona Robison MSP.

Malham Trip

At the weekend I headed down to Malham Cove with my Mum and Dad and Angus Davidson for some outdoor climbing. It was great fun to be back climbing there and with Angus. Our coaches for the weekend were Robbie Phillips, Natalie Berry and Ross Kirkland.

Us at Malham

I redpointed some great routes including "Something Stupid" (7b) and "Space Race" (7b+) and flashed "Free and even easier" (7a+) "Space Race" was my first 7b+ outdoors - I battled my way to the top.
It was an awesome weekend!

My coach, Robbie Phillips, gives me some beta

Angus climbing "Something Stupid" (7b)

me on "Space Race" (7b+)

We drove back to Edinburgh on the Sunday afternoon as we had been invited to the Virgin Money Fireworks concert at the Ross Bandstand in Princes Street Gardens. The fireworks and party were fantastic (free coca cola!) - but I would still have preferred to stay longer in Malham!