Project: Team GB Youth Squad at Plas-Y-Brenin
Today’s blog post marks the start of a new series to supplement the more extensive portfolio pages. These little snippets, I hope, will give you more of a taster of what my work looks like ‘in real life’ and on a day to day basis!
At the start of May, I set my alarm for 4am and headed off on a very wet and wild weekend to spend the weekend with the BMC and their GB Youth Development Squad teams at the wonderful facilities at Plas-y-Brenin and The Beacon climbing centre, catching up with all the great work they are doing and meeting the future of GB Climbing!
I had great fun chatting to the staff and atheletes, documenting their weekend and getting seriously inspired by their dedication and passion. Many thanks to the coaches and staff for being so inspiringly enthusiastic, Duco for kitting everyone out, and of course the athletes for being so keen, despite storm Hannah rolling in!
About the weekend:
“With some athletes competing at Soure, Portugal, in the IFSC European Youth Cup - Bouldering, the rest of the squad assembled at Plas-y-Brenin whilst storm Hannah raged outside, for their last training event of the year before the international competition season commences.
With a weekend emphasis on sustainability, respect for the environment and developing the future of the climbing community, the young athletes were treated to a wide range of climbing and mountaineering activities after being issued their smart new GB kit, from Duco. The GB kit sponsor has a clear and deep-rooted commitment to sustainability, community and competitive spirit, and the GB Climbing Team kit alone has enabled the planting of over 1,000 trees throughout reforestation projects in Madagascar and Nepal!
With support from the endlessly enthusiastic staff at Plas-y-Brenin, the development squad had a substantial challenge to take on for the weekend - an introduction to outdoor climbing (for some their first time on rock) and translating their indoor skills to a new environment and exploring alternative ways to develop.
For many, these weekends are the time when they can get to know one another as climbers and team mates, instead of competitors, and so it is invaluable in assisting them to develop their support network, both of fellow athletes, but also coaches and staff who can aid their progression. “
Small excerpt from my report from the weekend, written and copyright of The BMC and Summit Magazine. - full article to be published in the Spring edition.