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Rock-climbing kids: In their own words |
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Written by Julie Chapman
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Monday, 21 July 2008 |
How do you know if your kids will enjoy rock climbing? Well, there’s really only one way to find out: take them for an afternoon. Here are the perspectives of my two oldest kids after their first adventure with rock climbing at Momentum, an indoor climbing gym in Sandy, Utah.
My oldest son, Forester, was the biggest surprise. Here are his stats: 5 years old, generally terrified of heights, squeals and gets really pale when his dad lifts him above his head or flips him upside-down. How does a kid like this handle rock climbing and is it even worth it to try? Here are his own thoughts on the experience:
“Rock climbing was really fun. I had to wear a funny belt that also went around my legs and these shoes that are really tight on you when you put them on. When I first saw the really tall walls I thought I would probably get hurt if I tried to go that high. But on the bottom [the floor] it is really soft, so if you fall you won’t really get hurt. The first thing I learned how to do was to climb on the little wall [a kids’ bouldering wall with a super soft floor of crash pads underneath it].
But first I had to practice jumping on the floor and landing, like if I fell off the wall. I liked that there were animals and sea creature shapes and all sorts of stuff that I could hold on to and it was a rainbow. I could climb up on it and then hold on and climb across it a little ways. But I didn’t want to go all the way across it because I didn’t like the big bump in the middle [where the wall bows outward a bit]. When I had gone as far across it as I wanted to I would just drop down on the floor and I didn’t even get hurt.
Then my mom learned how to tie a rope to me and she held the other end and we went to the big tall walls. I would help her check the knot. At first I thought the ropes would slip around and accidentally untie and I would fall down, but that didn’t happen; the ropes were very strong and so were the knots. I learned to rock climb. I didn’t like to go very high, but I still liked to keep trying, go up a little bit and then my mom would take me down. My favorite part was climbing up and coming down, both — because I liked both of them. I didn’t have to go very high to still have fun. I can’t wait until I can go again.”
His older sister, Ilana, went too. Here are her stats: 8 years old, Type 1 Diabetic for five years now, tall, no fear, been telling us she wants to climb mountains since she was 2. We knew that she’d be great and love it, but we were still surprised at what a natural she is:
“The first step of rock climbing is put on your harness and really uncomfortable shoes. Second you need to learn to go across the [bouldering] wall. Then you climb the tall wall. It is fun and scary and fun at the same time. I love rock climbing! I went all the way to the top the second time I tried and then again two more times. I would rest, but Dad held the rope tight and I could let go and take a breather and then keep going. My favorite part was when Dad lowered me down after I got to the top. It was really high but the rope kept me safe.
After that we ate some yummy smoothies in the restaurant [a café, really] right there. By the way, the shoes feel like rocks are squishing your toes; the wall was very tall; your hands feel like they are on fire after all that. But it is still fun and I love rock climbing and want to go again!”
There you have it: adventurous or conservative, your kids might surprise you and love rock climbing too. For more information on gear, click here. For a parent's perspective on kids and rock climbing, click here.
For more information on rock climbing opportunities for kids go to www.momentumclimbing.com and www.quarryclimbing.com . |
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