LIMERICK, IRELAND (Irish Climbing Coaching) – March University Clubs Offer

Prepare yourself for the Summer Season with one of Irish Climbing Coaching’s Sessions for your Club

All 3 hr Coaching sessions only 50 euros per-person when booked before the the end of April!!

Topics covered during sessions include:
* Identifying strengths and weaknesses
* Identifying and setting goals
* Moving efficiently on varying terrain, e.g. footwork, advanced techniques etc.
* Route reading
* Mental skills
* Using the wall effectively
* Plus much more…

Sessions are always tailored to the needs of the group with video feedback being provided during the session as well as written post workshop feedback.

All sessions are run by our two experienced coaches, Nigel Callender and Neal McQuaid and are suitable for participants of all levels of ability. Max ratio is 1:5 so a high-quality coaching is ensured.

Don’t miss this offer – book now!

- “Cheers, great course lads”

- “Brilliant course to learn about technique as I had just been [using a] trail & error method which is only good to a point. Thanks!”

- “Explained and demonstrated well, patience was shown by the instructors”

The course was led by our two Coaches, Neal McQuaid and Nigel Callender and was a mixture of 1 to 1 and small group coaching, coupled with video analysis and feedback. Each session was tailored to the requirements of the group and improvements were instantly apparent and were retained by the participants.

Thanks for the feedback guys…..
Nigel & Neal

As a Junior at a climbing comp., I somewhat foolishly revealed a major personal ‘dream’ to a well known and respected climber on the scene then. I was told I was being unrealistic and the word ‘never’ was actually used, but I didn’t have the confidence to tell them exactly where to go and so shrugged it off. This one, small and careless comment had other plans however. It stuck fast in my mind and soon – I was consumed, it burned like a fire inside of me. I began training hard every day, with hindsight I was very lucky not to injure myself and also lucky that the age I was at meant the gains made, became a very solid foundation for the future.

7 years later, one of my closest friends and I found ourselves locked into respective long-term projects, in a well known climbing area in North Wales. Matt was attempting a long, sustained line right at his limit. Three months of focused effort found him falling from the final insecure moves, far beyond the crux, tens of times. My own efforts focused on a mere 6 moves right at my limit of the time. In my case, failure was much swifter. 3 moves in I met what was to become my Nemesis, one move shy of still hard, but less insecure ground. I fell from that move somewhere in the region of 400-500 times (this is not an exaggeration), many times almost reaching the key heel hook. The drives home following these sessions were quiet affairs, usually interrupted by random and unprovoked expletives or moans of “why” and “so close”, escapee’s from a tormented internal dialogue? We both understood.

Success for both of us came on the same day a short while later. Matt keeping it together for the last few moves of his line before latching the final hold screaming and clearly elated. Spurred on by his effort, I gave everything to holding the swing, reaching the heelhook and sketching my way to the top of my own Nemesis. The pressure instantly lifted, but this felt different, there were the usual shouts of success etc. but something was missing. Unfortunately motivation is a hugely complex beast. There was no lasting elation, only a feeling of relief. Soon after, another throw-away comment finalised a series of events that led me to give up climbing for good. Had I understood what was happening at the time I could have intervened before things progressed too far. In the end, ‘for good’ turned out to be almost 18 months, but it took a good friend to persuade me to return to the sport (for which I will be eternally grateful).

It’s not all sombreness though (there is always surfing after all ) and as for the throw away comment as a junior; less than a year later I had shown my critic just how wrong he was and possibly showed myself that what is possible is limitless….even if motivation isn’t always.

Climbers are very critical. I know, I was one of the critics for far too long. I now realise the effects this can have on others. Chase your dreams like there is no tomorrow and shove the people who say ‘can’t’. Don’t let other people define your limits, they’re usually wrong and lack ambition.

The Spark that Re-Lit the Flame: Thanks to Rob Lamey for the Video!

I really feel a bit weird putting something so personal on the net, but I hope that some people who do find themselves in a similar situation (there is one in particular – you know who you are) maybe gain some tiny insight from it. More practical tips on keeping your motivation topped-up are to follow later in the week.

- Nige –