Our Community in Profile: Meet Jamie
The first in a new series of articles taking a deep dive into what makes our climbing community tick- this week it’s one of Boulders’ home grown climbing instructors, Jamie.
The Start Of It All
I always used to pass Boulders when on the train from Newport to Cardiff, and always fancied trying it. After the first COVID lockdown I moved to Germany for 8 months and met a climber in my German language class, which piqued my interest even more. When I moved back to the UK, I decided to come down and do a Bouldering Give It a Go session. From then on I was hooked.
I always thought that climbers had to have lots of upper body strength, but as soon as I finished the Give It a Go session I realised that anyone can climb, regardless of their fitness level. There are climbs ranging from really easy to really hard on all types of terrain.
I also realised that it's not all about getting to the top; the only thing that matters is having fun.
Once I'd completed the Give It a Go session I spent around 6 months purely bouldering, meeting new friends and refining my skills.
I then decided to do the Learn to Climb course, as the goal was to one day go roped climbing outdoors. Once I'd finished the course, I spent about another 6 months top rope climbing and bouldering. I made even more new friends and met lots of climbing partners, and then embarked on the Learn to Lead course.
Some friends had already taught me a little bit about lead climbing and I had done a handful of lead climbs, but I wanted to learn properly with an instructor. Learning to lead opened a lot of doors for me. It allowed me to climb on more walls at Boulders, bridging the gap between indoor and outdoor climbing.
My advice for new climbers is this: don't focus on grades! I've been guilty of it many times, and it only holds you back. Just think of grades as a rough guideline on how hard something is. If you look at a climb and think it looks cool or fun to climb, just try it. Don't be afraid to try something that is hard, you may surprise yourself!
The best thing about Boulders is the community. Everyone is extremely supportive; lots of the climbs I've completed have only been possible with the support of people I've met at Boulders, either through helping me figure out the moves and advising on technique, or simply by keeping my morale high and pushing me to try my hardest.
Most of the things I've learnt throughout my climbing journey have come from people I've met at Boulders and I still climb with most of these people to this day.
Moving Outdoors
My proudest climbing moments so far would have to be my first lead climbs, indoors and outdoors. Climbing outdoors was the goal for me as soon as I started climbing, so once I'd done my first indoor lead climb it was only a matter of time before I took the leap and went outdoors!
My friend Gareth took me to Taffs Well on a damp winter's day. Once I finished the route, I was well and truly hooked on outdoor climbing, and haven't looked back!
Going Pro
I've always been passionate about teaching. I taught cutting hair to colleagues when I was a hairdresser, and coached lots of kids in class and in competitions when I practised karate, so when I discovered my passion for climbing, I knew that I wanted to teach it.
When I joined the Boulders team, they trained me up to be an instructor and slowly transitioned me from Front of House to Instructing. They also sent me on courses with some very experienced people, and this really helped me to become the instructor I am today.
For me, seeing people achieve their goals is as satisfying as completing my own. I love introducing people to this amazing sport and sharing my passion with others. One of my favourite things is introducing people to climbing who are less able bodied or don't believe they can climb because they're not strong. Climbing is for everyone!
I'd love to become an outdoor instructor, teaching climbing and mountaineering to people and to train up other instructors too.
Making memories
One of the best things about climbing is the adventures you have along the way.
I went to Symonds Yat with my friend Ryan to climb the Pinnacle. We decided to park in a layby instead of the car park, which meant we got totally lost and turned a 15 minute approach into a 1 hour hike. We then climbed the Pinnacle in one 40 metre pitch. Sitting on top of the column looking out across the Wye Valley was amazing, and reminded me why I love climbing so much.
I'm glad we had a proper adventure, but my legs regretted it the following day!
This summer, me and eleven mates went on a week-long climbing trip to Riglos in Spain to do some multi-pitch sport climbing, which was even better than I expected. It was absolutely terrifying to be 100m up the side of a rock face and look down to see nothing below you but the ground a long way away, but also the best feeling in the world.
It's such a beautiful place, and I can't wait to go back! It’s definitely the most amazing place I’ve climbed so far.
Looking to the future
My personal goal is simply to climb as many amazing routes in as many amazing places as possible and see the world at the same time.
Route-wise, there's a beautiful line at a crag called Foxhole in the Gower, called Pioneers Of A Hypnotic Groove. It's graded 7b, and goes right through the back of a very overhanging cave up onto a headwall above. It looks really hard, and I'm very excited to go and try it when the weather is drier!
Climbing has made me realise failure is totally normal and is often even better for you than succeeding. It's also made me appreciate life a lot more; to live in the moment and just enjoy the experiences I have.
I've had so many great experiences and met so many great people whilst climbing and it's taken me to amazing places that I would never have been to if I hadn't taken that first step and given it a go.
It's such an amazing sport, and I recommend everyone to try it at least once!