The only way is up for Lochaber climbing quartet

Youngsters have been climbing their way to success in competitions around the country.

 

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Kai and Aaron Tresidder, aged 8 and 11, Willow Mitchell, 8, and Kaiden Springett, 9, have been competing in some or all of the Scottish Youth Climbing Series events.

 

The series comprises four competitions - two rope climbing and two bouldering - held at walls in and around Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

 

All four are members of the Fort William-based 3 Wise Monkeys climbing centre and they have enjoyed and benefitted from the experience.

 

In the third of the four competitions, at Edinburgh International Climbing Arena, Aaron, Kai and Willow all won their age categories.

 

While Kaiden and Willow didn’t enter enough competitions to qualify for this year's overall placings, Kai got an overall second place in the Youth E category and Aaron a first place in his Youth D group.

 

This gave Aaron the chance to be part of the Scottish Youth Development Squad in which the Youth Ds also had their first experience of representing Scotland in the grand final in Swindon. All three lads from Scotland travelled together and enjoyed the friendly atmosphere.

 

Speaking to the Lochaber Times this week, Aaron said: 'Climbing is one of my favourite sports. My others are running, biking and ski-ing.

 

'At the competitions there’s a nice balance of competitiveness and encouragement and I got to know the other members of this year’s Scottish team because we travelled down to the finals together.

 

'I have lots of goals to keep me motivated, mainly to do with harder grades, top-roping and leading, where you take the rope up with you. I’d like to do more outdoor and winter climbing too.'

 

Aaron came out top Scot, finishing in eighth place out of 26 boys in his age category from around Britain. The other two Scots were 15th and 20th.

 

Based in Fassifern Road, 3 Wise Monkeys has a youth programme for ages five to 17-years old, wherever they are on their climbing journey.

 

'Indoor climbing is a lot of fun, but it is also a great way to build confidence, athleticism, mental toughness and great social skills,' said a centre spokesperson.

 

For more information visit www.threewisemonkeysclimbing.com.

 

Photographs

 

NO_F51_IndoorClimbing 01: Willow Mitchell won her age category in Edinburgh.

 

NO_F51_IndoorClimbing 02: Aaron Tresidder took top podium spot in the Scottish Youth Climbing Series Youth D category.

 

NO_F51_IndoorClimbing 03: Kai Tresidder won his age category in Edinburgh.

 

NO_F51_IndoorClimbing 04: Kai turns his full attention to the bouldering wall. Photograph: ClimbScotland.

 

NO_F51_IndoorClimbing 05: Aaron returns from his rope climb. Photograph: ClimbScotland.