Monthly Archives: January 2017

One week in the USA…

Posted on by

… to meet up with Solid Rock Climbers for Christ.

After the training camp in Canada, my North American journey was followed by a trip to the States.

I stayed in Bend, Oregon, where I did a presentation and a clinic at the Bend Rock Gym and met a lot of great people.
Thank you Solid Rock for the support and the prayers, it means a lot to me.

With Calvin and Jaxon Landrus at Smith Rock

Climbing at Smith Rock with Calvin Landrus

A few things I’ll remember about the amazing week I’ve had:

A lot of sweet people.
Encouraging talks: about everyday things and, more importantly, about our faith in Jesus.
Climbing at the Bend Rock Gym and meeting its owner Jim Stone.
An article in the local newspaper about my visit, so nice!
Lots of snow: everyone was telling me how exceptional it was, but I loved it.
Going to Smith Rock and doing some climbing there, in the snow! What a beautiful place.
Being introduced to the American culture. I hope I’ll go back one day. 🙂

Thanks to Calvin Landrus, director of Solid Rock Climbers for Christ, and to Jim Stone for inviting me.

To find out more about Solid Rock Climbers for Christ, go to www.srcfc.org.
And if you happen to be in Bend, go climb at the Bend Rock Gym!

Smith Rock from above while flying back home.

Smith Rock from above while flying back home.

1 week in Canada…

Posted on by

… for the 2017 IFSC world climbing camp in Victoria.

My journey started on the 1st of January with a nerve-racking experience. My parents had dropped my off at the national airport, but as I wanted to check in, I was told I didn’t have the travel authorization for Canada and wasn’t allowed to leave the country (it had only recently become mandatory). “So here my trip ends”, I thought. But to make a long story short: thanks to some computers downstairs, a kind man and a quick response from the Canadians, I was able to check in and leave Belgium after all.

The rest of my first-time-flying-on-my-own experience was marked by 3 delayed flights and a very upset stomach. At the end of the long flight I ate a sort of warm pizza-like sandwich which turned out to be a poisoned gift. In Calgary airport I started feeling bad and during the next flight I had to grab the sickness bag several times (something I’d never experienced before). Buh. I suppose it was a food poisoning.
Thankfully I was allowed a rest day the next day. And I was being looked after by Kimanda, the climbing camp’s organizer, who bought me some wholesome food. Once I was able to eat again, this definitely made me feel better. 🙂

The IFSC training camp itself
I had a great time working together with other world cup athletes and I got to do a lot of things I don’t do very often:
give a presentation about my competition routine, coach the teenagers in my group during mock competitions, set a route and even demonstrate one.

 

It was great hanging out and working together with other talented climbers, outside of a competition.
I hope the camp’s participants went home having learned a lot and being motivated to keep going and never give up in order to reach their goals!

 

 

 

A write up about the event: Independent Sports News
And a TV piece: Check News

Check out The Boulders Instagram page, @bouldersclimb for more information.
1D4_9787