17/05/2026
Watching children discover their own bravery is one of the bests part of teaching climbing. Olivia started the session unsure and a little scared, but with patience, encouragement, and a few of my trusty squeaky-toy surprises, she found her smile - and then her confidence. By the end she was laughing, dancing, and proving to herself that she could try something new.
Zander was just as incredible. He'd never climbed before, yet he pushed through every moment of doubt. When he reached the top of his first route, the look of pride on his face said everything. He couldn't quite believe what he'd achieved- and neither could his dad.
Both of them climbed higher than they ever expected, and they finished the session beaming, showing off their little "climbing dance " that made the whole room light up.
Moments like these remind me why l love what l do. Finding creative, playful ways to make climbing feel fun instead of scary helps children realise they're capable of so much more than they think. And Watching that confidence grow- that's the real summit.