Youth Climbing Essay
By Nikita Nemchuk My first impression of rock climbing came when I went to the Boston Rock Gym. I got hooked up to the rope and started climbing. I went straight up to the top, and my dad quickly lowered me to the bottom. I just had so much fun, doing that over and over many times. I could not wait to go climbing again. My dad worked over at Aegis, so he got to climb all the time. Every time we went to the gym I was just psyched to get on a rope and climb. When we went outdoor climbing for the first time (I think at Den Rock), it was just pure determination to get to the top and feel good about myself. Rock climbing has really helped build my self esteem. Then while climbing indoors, when I walked up to a wall just to climb is, my dad would say "Climb pink" or some other color. That's when I started to learn the rating system. When I went to a climbing camp at BRG (the one with Dave) during the summer, I finally met kids who liked to do what I did, and I also got to climb with them, not just see them climbing in the Gym. What I had had going through my head was that I can not believe that a lot of kids are not involved in this sport, it's so fun! Soon there after, came my first climbing compatition with the North Andover Youth Center. When I first arrived, I said wow. It was a bouldering comp with at least 150 contestants. When I climbed, I saw people that were better than me, and I learned from them. At the end, I finally found out how I stacked up against people in my class. I was 8th out of 24 people in my group. I was amazed. I thought that I would be near the bottom, but I wasn't! I just had the same thought going through my head. How did I manage to do that. Wow. My dad and I then took a lead course from Dan at BRG, and I finally got to climb the roof. I just had pure excitement going through me. It was exilerating when on my second climb on the roof, I finally got to the end of the route. A mounth or two later, I was asked by Alexsey if I would like to join Alpina. I was astounded. I replied with a definite yes, and I asked my dad when I could start. He said in a few weeks while he got every thing sorted out. Those were the longest few weeks that have passed. Then I finally started climbing with Alexsey an I had the best, and still am having the best climbing experience so far. I have been thought so many new techniques in the few weeks that I have been with him. All I have to say on a final note is that I Love Rock Climbing!!!!!!!!