Be inspired
As we begin a new year, three readers resolve to start a hobby they’ve always wanted to try, as part of Good Housekeeping’s My First Time series
‘Bouldering gave me such a buzz’
Charlie Selbie, 41, from Tunbridge Wells in Kent, hoped to face her fear of heights and find a hobby she could enjoy on her own.
I’ve always been an active person but, being scared of heights, I’ve tended to keep my feet firmly on the ground with activities such as running and the gym. Even getting into a ski lift on holiday can be quite traumatic for me. I have friends who love rock climbing and they’ve tried to get me to join them, but I couldn’t bear the thought of dangling off a cliff face.
Then I heard about bouldering. It’s a type of climbing that can be done at any height, as you can make your way across horizontally as well as vertically on an indoor climbing wall. I’d been looking for a hobby I could do on my own, and as there’s no equipment needed, I wouldn’t have to have someone holding the ropes for me.
Despite this, I was still nervous ahead of my introductory session at VauxWall East climbing centre in London, wondering how high I’d need to climb. Walking in, it was reassuring to feel cushioned matting beneath my feet – at least there would be something to break my fall!
And my instructor, Flo, soon helped me feel at ease. She was so smiley and knowledgeable, and it was clear how much she loved the sport. I wore my usual gym clothes for the session and then Flo helped me choose the right size climbing shoes, which were available to borrow from the centre. They were a bit uncomfortable the first time I put them on – they need to be very tight so they can bend with your toes and help you grip – but I soon got used to them.
We began with a safety briefing before some stretches, including hip flexes and wrist mobilisation, and then I coated the palms of my hands in chalk to remove any slippery moisture. Flo got me started on a low, horizontal wall where I could climb close to the ground.
The wall was covered with lots of different-coloured grips, with each colour plotting a potential climbing route. Flo taught me some basic techniques, such as keeping your body close to the wall so you’re not using extra energy to pull your whole weight in each time, and how to swap your feet over to reach grips that are further away.
I was surprised by how quickly I picked things up, and Flo encouraged me to move on to a harder path when I completed each route. Seeing my progression gave me a real sense of accomplishment, which spurred me on to be braver as the session went on.
Then, as a final challenge, Fl
