This isn’t just a little bit cool, it’s totally amazing and an extremely rare opportunity for Perth climbers.
CAWA will bring Hazel Findlay to WA in February 2015, to conduct some coaching clinics for members and be the key note speaker at the CAWA AGM on Tuesday 24 February 2015.
For those not already familiar with the ‘Spice Girl’ from Reel Rock 8, Hazel is one of the world’s top female trad climbers. A professional climber currently on The North Face team, she describes herself as an all-rounder, enjoying everything from bouldering to alpine routes. But her real passion is trad climbing and the mental challenges that come with it.
Hazel is the first woman to climb a trad route at the British grade E9 (super hard and super sketchy), consistently demonstrating calm and poise on routes with loose rock, dubious gear and serious run-outs. She is also the first British woman to free El Capitan (which she has now done three times) and climb an 8c (Chris Sharma’s Fish Eye, Oliana, Spain, Australian 33).
Climbing since she was a wee girl on the limestone sea cliffs of South Wales, Hazel was the British junior champion six times. But she returned to focus on her real love: rock. Hazel is interested in everything that comes with climbing – the physical and mental challenge, but also the adventure, people and exploration of new places.
Hazel will come to Perth and share her skills and knowledge so that we can improve ours. She has a particular interest in the mental aspects of the sport and will talk about overcoming the mental barriers we all face in improving our climbing.
Three separate clinics will run on Saturday 21 February, Sunday 22 February and Monday 23 February 2015. Exact format and locations are yet to be determined. We are keen to do as much as we can outdoors but this will depend on the weather and nature of the practical components.
The three clinics will cover these broad areas:
- General (including sport) climbing
- Trad climbing
- Women’s specific coaching
There will be a mixture of theory, discussion and as much practical as we can manage. Coaching will cover the mental, physical and skill aspects that are relevant to each of the clinics.
Numbers for each clinic will be limited. Clinics will be open to climbers of all levels, providing that they already have some basic experience.
We anticipate the cost will be around $90 per member, for each clinic. Depending on the response, we may need to limit participation to one clinic per member.
Please note that the coaching clinics and AGM are strictly CAWA member only events.
More details about the clinics and how to register will be sent to members soon.
Dena Rao
CAWA President