bubblebutt Posted March 6, 2003 Share Posted March 6, 2003 I know this site is full of cynics and spraylords and i'm risking dersion and accusations of chestbeating but had to share the fact that I watched my 10 year old do his first lead climbing at the gym last night and I am so proud I 've been smiling all day. He's been in a program at the gym . He climbed a 5.7 for warm up, then a 5.10a he'd climbed before and then a 5.10a he'd never done and flashed it. It honestly brought tears to my eyes. He doesn't seem to be too worried about falling ( my problem) and the gym's done a good job training them on clipping, backclipping etc. Any other old climbing farts got kids climbing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cpt.Caveman Posted March 6, 2003 Share Posted March 6, 2003 bubblebutt said: I know this site is full of cynics and spraylords and i'm risking dersion and accusations of chestbeating but had to share the fact that I watched my 10 year old do his first lead climbing at the gym last night and I am so proud I 've been smiling all day. He's been in a program at the gym . He climbed a 5.7 for warm up, then a 5.10a he'd climbed before and then a 5.10a he'd never done and flashed it. It honestly brought tears to my eyes. He doesn't seem to be too worried about falling ( my problem) and the gym's done a good job training them on clipping, backclipping etc. Any other old climbing farts got kids climbing? sounds like the making of a ropegun. That's not chestbeating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimL Posted March 6, 2003 Share Posted March 6, 2003 Right on! Actually, too young, give him a coke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr_Flash_Amazing Posted March 6, 2003 Share Posted March 6, 2003 It's all good if you're bragging on someone else. Especially if it's your spawn and he's redpointing his age. Tell him if he keeps it up 'til age 15, you'll buy him an ice cream cone and take him to France! Rock on, junior! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erik Posted March 6, 2003 Share Posted March 6, 2003 the alpine snaffle sez "score one for the good guys!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubblebutt Posted March 6, 2003 Author Share Posted March 6, 2003 Thanks, It's really interesting seeing a child get into the sport/lifestyle. I haven't pushed him atall and he genuinely loves it. He's started buying gear with his allowance and has some cams already. Being a dirtbag I am steering him to buys cams and gear that I think I need and then borrowing his gear. If you can't take advantage of your own child , who can you take advantage of! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottP Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 I put my four year old in his full body harness for the first time this last Tuesday. I rigged a toprope to a beam in my basement and hoisted him up. He thought that was pretty cool. I then pulled the stairclimber over and asked him if he could climb up it and touch the beam. He pulled himself up and then mantled onto the console. One knee and then he stood up and tagged the anchor. I don't know who was smiling more, him or me. We're going to Index this spring to climb that big boulder slab at the base of the quarry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr_Flash_Amazing Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 Nice. There's TR anchors at the top of the short slab/boulder down by the river trail at Smith, pretty much straight below Cocaine Gully. Probably about 5.1 or so; be a good one for a wee clamberer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
specialed Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 bubblebutt said: Thanks, It's really interesting seeing a child get into the sport/lifestyle. I haven't pushed him atall and he genuinely loves it. He's started buying gear with his allowance and has some cams already. Being a dirtbag I am steering him to buys cams and gear that I think I need and then borrowing his gear. If you can't take advantage of your own child , who can you take advantage of! "Yup son you're definetly going to need a few #3 bugaboos and some HB offest micronuts if you want to start climbing, and some of those lightweight alpine etriers. Just start with basic gear like this, then go from there..." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jens Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 Any tips on getting little ones on the rock? We just had a little baby girl and I'm already eyeing those ABC and animal holds for my wall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr_Flash_Amazing Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 3'-tall climbing wall to the high-chair? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshK Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 Jens said: Any tips on getting little ones on the rock? We just had a little baby girl and I'm already eyeing those ABC and animal holds for my wall. Congrats, Jens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jens Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 Thanx Josh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cpt.Caveman Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 Monkey harness..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sk Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 children don't need to be encouraged to climb as much as they just need to be allowed to climb. and watched over ofcourse. other than that, let them do their thing. they go in stages... and at their own pace. both my 7 year old and my 4 year old climb when they can, and we hear about it if they don't get their turn on the projects they are working on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COL._Von_Spanker Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 That's great about your kid climbing. I work with the 8-14 year old climbing class at stone gardens. It's pretty much the same kids every week, so I really enjoy watching them progress as climbers. I think their technique progresses really fast at that age because they are forced to use it to reach holds that ar typically within a average persons reach. Good work, I hope the young one sticks to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubblebutt Posted March 7, 2003 Author Share Posted March 7, 2003 I agree with Muffy and Col Vspanker. From what I have seen they learn to use their body and do dynamic moves much faster than an adult. My climbing has actualy improved by watching how my son uses his feet. Having an incredible body weight to strength ratio also helps the little buggers aswell They are like gibbons at that age. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fern Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 if anyone has a little kid's harness they don't need anymore lemme know ... I have a nephew. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freeclimb9 Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 fern said: if anyone has a little kid's harness they don't need anymore lemme know ... I have a nephew. Send $30, and I'll send you a BD Wiz Kid used 'bout 4 times (they grow so fast). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fern Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 he's only 2, though tall ... prolly need a full body rig. thanks for the offer though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sk Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 fern said: he's only 2, though tall ... prolly need a full body rig. thanks for the offer though ya go with the full rig till he is at least over 40 lbs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordonb Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 I have a 14 yo daughter and 10 yo son. They both are climbing 10a on TR. I have not gotten them leading yet. We are going to Disneyland then J-tree for spring break and I thing they are more excited to climb at j-tree than ride the rides and Disneyland. Between the strength to weight ratio and their flexibility they can really kick ass. We signed each of them up for a technique class at VW and their climbing improved easily one whole grade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuMR Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 Gordonb said: I have a 14 yo daughter and 10 yo son. They both are climbing 10a on TR. I have not gotten them leading yet. We are going to Disneyland then J-tree for spring break and I thing they are more excited to climb at j-tree than ride the rides and Disneyland. Between the strength to weight ratio and their flexibility they can really kick ass. We signed each of them up for a technique class at VW and their climbing improved easily one whole grade. If you really want them to get crankin', put them on the Vertical teams...some of those kids PULL DOWN HARD!! Regarding Muffy's statement: Full rig is the way to go on smaller folks...they don't have hips and are top heavy... My 3 1/2 year old is smithing it this weekend!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordonb Posted March 7, 2003 Share Posted March 7, 2003 We have looked into the VW team, but the time comitment is a little high. Living in Federal Way makes it worse. Both kids are involved in so many activities as it is. My daughter wants to do the Smith Rock climbing camp, but at $2000 it is a little expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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