Sports climbing level 1

I have done rappelling & climbing during army, reservist and NCC days. I was young and do not know much about it. Since it is part of the training, just take it on the stride. Didn't realise years later, i would be visiting these sports again.

Thanks to Balasing, we have a contact that teaches climbing. The 7 of us, went for level 1 certification today.

Venue: First Toa Payoh Secondary School

Time: 8:30am - 4:30pm(we finished after 5pm)

Class size: 13 + 2(Trainers)

Trainer: Corrine & Derrick

Sgrunners: Sotong, Roonz, Roentgen, Fennel, Ronnie, Bee & Littletigger

It was light raining the entire day but pit stops here and there. It just make the circumstances more interesting as it is.

The lessons start with theory. As usual, i almost fell asleep. Lucky with a few folks "entertaining" me to keep me awake. Hehe. I feel hungry during the lesson! I couldn't understand why even though i did have my breakfast at home.

Lunch time. Wow, the time we have been waiting for. Especially to the person that states the reason what do i intend to achieve after the lesson - "to find out the good food in TP!". What to do, so i have to search my makansutra database for some yummy food stalls. Aiyoh, Corrine mention we should only have light lunch!!!! So bo bian loh...bring them to the nearest hawker center for sui bian jiak....so sad....could have done a makansutra in Toa Payoh ALONE!

8 courses lunch at Tao Payoh

We start our piratical lesson after lunch. The training must be done in pairs. Since i am the odd one out, i have to go around looking for buddies to tag team with me on being the climber or belayer.

It was fun doing those drills and memorising the steps. More practise it will be a second nature and wont need to be worry about remembering! Hehe...

I don't have strong arms. Mine are like chicken wings! Go for display and weak! Hehe...I also scare of height! The older i grow the more kiasi i am! *lol* But with my childhood spent in Kampung, i love to climb trees! Be in rambutan, durain or coconut trees, i will have a way to climb to the top! I think these experiences help me in the climb later on.

The fun part is to do the actual climb. There are 2 walls 12meter and 14 meters. 14 meters wall are more challenging as it is not flat and have a 90 degrees turn around 12 meters mark.

I am the first person to attempt the 14 meters wall! Haha...since nobody want to be the first! I climb till 7 meters, before my arms failed me. There are a few things that i have learned. 1) i have not learn the proper technique of climbing(It was not taught! this lesson is about belaying more than how to tackle or climb the wall!) 2) i lack the confidence of my strength. 3) i do not have the proper shoe for the climb 4) belaying or climbing is as equally tiring!

When i get into doing the 12 meters flat wall. I was pleasantly surprise that i didn't take too much effort and managed to climb to the TOP! I reckon i finished in 2 mins. With more confidence i should be able to do it within 1 min. This wall is easier that the one i did previously. Plus watching how other do it, plus the climb earlier make this climb easy.

At the TOP

At the end of the day, everybody pass the course. That is very good. Well done everybody!

Group Photos

It was fun for me, i hope everybody enjoy it as much as myself. Thanks for the accompany everyone, till next time, we shall climb again!