Confessions of a...Climbing Instructor

Sam Brown, 22, lives in Cowbridge and is a climbing instructor at Boulders Indoor Climbing Centre in Cardiff

How long have you been a climbing instructor?

I have been a climbing instructor for seven years but have been climbing since I was four.

How did you become a climbing instructor? What inspired you to chose this career?

Both my father and grandfather were big on climbing and I was brought up spending my weekends climbing in the Peak District National Park and simply having the best time. I think that is what inspired me to become a climbing instructor. I wanted to be able to show people that climbing is not just about getting to the top but how rewarding it is both physically and mentally. It can boost your confidence and there is nothing better than feeling satisfied at the end of a day’s climbing.

What are the best and worst things about it, the most challenging and rewarding aspects of the job?

The best thing about being a climber is I get to do something I love all day every day. I get to share my passion and enthusiasm with other people and hopefully get new people enthusiastic about climbing too. This, however, can be a challenge in itself but a positive mental attitude really helps! The worst thing is probably the irregular hours. They can be quite anti-social, working a lot of evenings and weekends but the reward I get from seeing people who were really nervous at the beginning, progress and conquer the walls outweighs any negatives!

Do you have a favourite climb, and perfect place to take your climbing holidays, if you do indeed take them?

I have been climbing all over Europe including Spain, France and Croatia but nothing compares to the mountains in North Wales. The mountains provide some of the most exciting climbs and the views are breathtaking. I go abroad twice a year and every month I pack up my campervan for a few days and set off visiting different places in the UK.

Have you ever had a moment which left you in fear of your life?

When I was 18 I was climbing in Llanberis, North Wales and fell nearly 30 feet. I hit the ground pretty hard and ended up landing precariously on a rock. It was a very scary moment. Luckily I wasn’t too badly injured, but it could have been a lot worse. With falls you have to get back climbing as soon as you are fit enough otherwise the fear continues to build and you will end up not wanting to climb.

What's so special about your job?

I get to teach people the thing I love doing the most. I like the variation climbing gives me, each day is different and I am constantly meeting new people. I still get that buzz everytime I start a new climb whether it is in the indoor centre or on a mountain somewhere, it is still as exciting.

What qualities do you need to be a climbing instructor, why does it suit you so well?

Above everything else you need to have patience. First time climbers are naturally slower than more experienced climbers and need to progress at their own speed. As an instructor you cannot rush people and often I find myself empathizing with people. Climbing isn’t for everyone and not only is it physically challenging, it is also mental challenging so you need bags of enthusiasm to motivate the more cautious. While it may be my fourth climb of the day, it could be my climber’s first, so each time I need climb I need to be as enthusiastic and as fun as the last.

What advice do you have for anyone who wants to become a climbing instructor?

Practice and confidence! Confidence is an absolute must for this job, you need to be confident in your ability as a climber because people put their trust in you. Volunteering at a local climbing centre or shadowing an instructor are great ways to get experience in the field. Climbing isn’t for everyone so make sure it is definitely something you want to do before you start training and gaining the necessary qualifications.

As seen in the South Wales Echo

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