Xander is 8 years old has been climbing for 12 months. He started following a birthday party and has not looked back!
Initial sessions were as and when possible with his father, however, shortly after starting he attended a squad selection at Oakwood Climbing Centre and was ecstatic when he found out he had made the grade. He started training with the Squad in January 2018 and participated in his first competition less than 4 weeks later. He narrowly missed a podium place in his age category, coming 4th. He has since competed in several competitions most recently at White Spider Climbing Centre where he achieved 100 points and 9 top outs, far more than expected, the competition field ranged in age between 6 & 15. He prefers bouldering to roped climbs and is aiming to complete a V4 as soon as possible. Xander now trains for 5 hours a week, split over two sessions and will climb more when time allows between school and the busy social life of an 8 year old!
He urges anyone thinking of climbing to have a go and try it.