I never thought I would ever climb the steep climbing wall when I first visited the Pump Station before joining the club. I thought it looked too difficult and dangerous.
But already one of the first times I went to the club, I wanted to try climbing. Because it looked fun, because I was curious, and because it looked easy when the 5th graders did it. So I quickly found myself in the centre of the climbing wall wearing a climbing harness and climbing shoes.
It all started with me having to wear a safety harness and some special climbing shoes. It took a while because it was difficult to find the right size shoes and it's important that both the harness and shoes fit well. Dan made sure the harness couldn't break and put a rope brake on the harness so he could secure me from the ground so I wouldn't fall down.
I was nervous but also ready. I went from right grip to left grip, and when I couldn't find a grip to grab, Dan would tell me which one to grab and where to put my feet. I got halfway to the top and then I didn't dare anymore. But it was also my first time.
I wanted to go down and Dan told me to release the grips and then he slowly lowered me into the rope. It was actually quite funny, and while I was being lowered, I was singing the song "I believe I can fly".
Afterwards, Dan said that I had chosen the hardest route. I had been both excited and nervous about my first climb up the vertical wall and I had done it!
It's REALLY something I can recommend, especially for those with a bit of kick in the arse... like me.
