Climbing Coach and owner of Lattice Training
Thank you to Ollie for letting us interview him at the Youth Climbing Symposium at Oakwood Climbing Wall.
Who you are and what do you do?
My name’s Ollie Torr. I’m a full time coach and owner of Lattice Training which is a coaching service. We work with juniors and adults all around the world and we mostly make training plans.
What was your first climbing experience?
My first climbing experience was being taken trad climbing with a friend of mine who was a fair bit older than me and getting very scared in the Peak District.
How did you know that climbing was your thing?
I think I started to know it within the first year. It was partly because I was good at it at the time and partly because I just really enjoyed it. However I’ve always done loads of different sports and I make time to do other things, all the time.
Where is your favourite outdoor climb?
I love the Frankenjura. Where Dicki [Korb] and Patrick [Matros] are from, who are here today at the Youth Climbing Symposium. It’s limestone climbing in Germany and it’s absolutely beautiful.
What has been your proudest climbing moment?
My proudest moment has probably been … I was climbing a route on the north face of the Eiger and we had to escape because there was a storm. It was absolutely terrifying because it took us 10 hours to get out of there but I ended up having to lead a new climb to get out. It was really scary, but we got away with it and it was one of the best adventures I’ve ever had.
What are your ambitions?
My ambitions are to keep building up the coaching industry, work with loads more athletes over the next few years and build up my company Lattice Training. We’ve got loads of new ideas to help climbers out. Also I will be trying to climb 9a in the next few years.
Lead, Speed or Boulder and Why?
I think all 3 disciplines is a good idea. Speed is just a different type of climbing and it’s good fun. I like sport and boulder for outdoor climbing but I think all of them have their own merits.
What are your most liked and hated healthy foods?
Most liked healthy food would have to be salmon, I love fish. Most hated healthy food would probably be kale. I know it’s so good for me but I just can’t stand it.
If not climbing, what sport would you be doing?
I would be surfing because I love surfing already and I don’t generally have time to do it as I’m climbing all the time, but I would be in Indonesia surfing.
Give us an inspiring quote (either yours or someone else’s).
I’d say “The most rewarding thing in life would be hard work, regardless of the outcome. So there’s no excuse for not trying.”
For more information about Ollie see his Instagram and website for Lattice Training.
Interviewed By Finnley Neville, aged 9
