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Climbing competition: The G-Force is 2nd in Round 1 and 2!

Written by Fiona November 21 2012

In recent years, the G-Force has become more and more of a climbing addict. It’s the one sport that I can’t join him in because I am a) pretty useless with heights b) don’t have the time because of other sports. But it’s good to have some hobbies that are different and so I’ve encouraged G to go climb the walls!

Competitor Louise Humphries Pic credit: Paul Diffley, Hot Aches

Competitor Louise Humphries Pic credit: Paul Diffley, Hot Aches

He spends a couple of evenings a week at Glasgow Climbing Centre and sometimes heads to EICA, as well as climbing outdoors in summer and winter in Scotland whenever his climbing buddies are available.

This year he has also entered the Scottish Tooling Series for the first time. If you don’t know what tooling is, I’ll explain as best I can. With arms made longer by ice axes and shoes akin to grippy ballet pumps, tooling sees climbers ascending walls and rock using two ice axes and climbing shoes or crampons attached to winter walking boots.

Indoor tooling is actually the sister sport of dry tooling, a discipline of climbing that is more often utilised outdoors on rock. It has developed because there are times when climbers need to move from ice, where axes and crampons are most useful, to sections of rock face.

On the rock they must be proficient at finding the right nooks, crannies and holds to make secure moves while still using the axes and crampons. And like so many winter sports, the discipline has been turned into a competition indoors.

The Scottish Tooling Series 2012

The Scottish Tooling Series comprises four rounds. The first took place in the Ice factor at Kinlocheven on November 10. And the second round was played out at Glasgow on Saturday (November 17).

Participants climb routes on climbing walls scoring points for the highest point reached – and with the aim of beating fellow climbers in children, male/female senior and veterans classes. Glasgow’s event, at the Govan climbing centre, saw 55 climbers, including kids, men and women, attempting up to 15 routes.

Thanks to secured ropes, harnesses and a partner to belay them, the contestants can climb without fear of plummeting to the ground. But there are times when the climbers may make a wrong move or slip – and that’s when they may fall from the wall stopped only by a rope.

Neil Silver, organiser of the STS, said: “It’s nail-biting stuff watching the climbers try to climb as high as they can up each route.

“Many people are finding that tooling is a fun sport and a great alternative to normal indoor climbing. It is also really accessible for all ages and both men and women so the popularity is rising quickly.”

The G-Force places 2nd!

And after all the scores had been totalled, the results sheet revealed that the G-Force had come 2nd in his vets category. He was beaten by vet Simon Yearsley, a friend and the owner of Big Tree Campervans.

I went along to watch the G-Force climbing some of his routes and I felt really proud of him. Although new to the sport, the G-Force looked able, strong and agile on the climbing wall. It was also great to see so many girls and women climbing, too. I envied their sleek and muscley physiques!

Sadly we had to leave before the final play-off because I’d booked a birthday meal out for G, but his scores still put him in 2nd place.

In fact, the G-Force was also 2nd in his vets class at the first round in Kinlochleven. His phone call after that event went along the lines of: “I won a prize, I won a prize. I was second vet!”

While eating our meal out – at the Pelican Café in Glasgow’s West End which, incidentally, was very good and great value for money (no I didn’t get a freebie!) –  G was buzzing about the competition. Words such as “awesome”, “amazing”, “exciting”, “challenging but good” fell out of his mouth (in between mouthfuls of food and sips of beer!).

He added: “I am really enjoying taking part in the tooling series. I didn’t think I’d do well at all but to come second behind a brilliant climber like Simon has given me a lot more confidence. I need to get stronger and practise more.”

The addition of a new pair of specialist ice axes for his birthday (kind gift from me!) can only add to his enthusiasm.

Practice makes perfect

This week, the G-Force has been even keener than usual to lift weights and hang out on his finger board, which is attached to the inside of the door in his den at home. There is another such wooden contraption in our TV room!

What is a finger board? If you don’t know, a finger board is a board with various size holes cut out and smoothed off. This is similar to holding on to climbing wall holds or gaps in rock. By hanging on the fingerboard and performing such things as pull-ups etc, the climber can become stronger.

The next round of the STS is at Aberdeen on Saturday (Nov 24) and the final is at Glenmore Lodge in Aviemore on December 1. I will be there to cheer on the G-Force!

Full results for the Glasgow round of the STS

Junior Boys
1st – Tim Millar
2nd -Andrew Halliday

Junior Girls
1st -Emma Powell
2nd -Sophie Fichett

Female Vets
1st -Susan Jenson
2nd -Judith Foster

Male Vets
1st -Simon Yearsley
2nd -Gordon Lacey

Adult Female
1st – Fiona Murray
2nd – Amy Goodill
3rd – Louise Humphries

Adult Male
1st – Stevie Johnstone
2nd – Scott Grosdanoff
3rd – Peter Holder

 

 

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