Learning to Climb in Singapore
Facing your fears is something that we are taught to do at an early age. Youth, for all its joy, provides a warm sense of immortality which is slowly diminished as we trundle through life with this ever dawning realization that our presence is somewhat finite and, more importantly, can be snuffed out it in a heartbeat.
So, being early 30′s, I decided to face my biggest fear1 which is actually my fear of heights.
Like most people, I am fine on aircraft and looking down. However, it is slightly a different matter when the distances are so much nearer and more real like standing at the railings at the shopping mall.
The combination of my girlfriend2 and my company3 put me in a position where climbing seemed like the natural choice. So deciding that climbing up a small wall wasn’t so bad, I went for my SNCS Sport Climbing Course Level 1 at Climb Asia.
Actually, it’s not as hard as you might thinking (or impressive). In fact, you get a simple induction into the belaying system, the equipment involved and how to communicate effectively with your partner as the climber and belayer.
I was actually quite proud of myself as I had managed to reach the top of the wall, this being significantly higher than the one that I was forced to climb at work. I went again with the better half and I managed to be get up to the top twice. I recommend to any couple in need of resolving trust issues that you try climbing. I must say that having to lean back of a wall knowing that your loved one is going to be safely lowering you to the ground is definitely one to push the envelope.
Decided to get a pair of climbing shoes for my own as in most sports, getting familiar with your own equipment is probably better than having to rely on rentals where the configuration changes. And since we’re talking about bare feet, it’s probably a good hygiene factor too.
Ended up buying a pair of recommended Rock Pillars Zeals. Apparently good for beginners and something to grow into. Here they are in all their glory.
Must recommend this to one and all as it is quite an adrenaline rush. Of course, once that’s worn off, it’s quite physically demanding along with being required to think on your toes (excuse the pun, for you climbers out there). I think twice or three times a week will give you an excellent upper body workout.
- Okay, it’s probably rated my third, after cockroaches and something else that sneaks up on you [↩]
- She loves to climb, that one. [↩]
- My company decided it would be nice to use climbing walls as part of their corporate training – woohoo! [↩]
