Wednesday, 26 August 2015

EIGER PARACLIMB LECTURE by Mark McGowan

LECTURE BY MARK MCGOWAN

A story of 3 days on the infamous Eiger sight guiding a world's first, with blind climber John Churcher along with two other British Paraclimbers, Jamie Owen (Autistic), Alex Taylor (MS) and Scottish climber Colin Gourlay.



(Photo: Finalcrux Films)

"Abseiling down from the Eiger summit in a storm in the dark with a blind climber, an Autistic climber and a climber with MS wasn't terrifying, it just felt meaningful..."


(Photo: Finalcrux Films)


If you are an organisation looking to book the lecture then please contact markmcgowan01@gmail.com for details or enquire on form below:

Monday, 24 August 2015

Reach Coaching at Big Rock Milton Keynes...


Filming new routes on Gozo island

 Big Rock Climbing Centre in MK are teaming up to provide regular coaching sessions from Mark McGowan from Reach Climbing Coach.

If you live in the area and are looking to improve your climbing with structured sessions from a GB Team coach then get in touch to arrange a 2hr session at Big Rock with Mark for £30.

8a+ Grotte de Sabart

Contact markmcgowan01@gmail.com or call Chris on  Tel: 01908 583 128 to arrange your session.

Big Rock Climbing Centre
Mandeville Drive
Kingston
Milton Keynes
MK10 0AG


Monday, 10 August 2015

Autism At Height


Don't just hope and pray for the best in your climbing, take action based on experience with our climbers on the rainbow project: Autism At Height.

Jamie Owen (Autistic) & his friend
John Churcher (World's first blind
Paraclimbers to summit the Eiger)
If you, a friend or family member are Autistic and want to begin or improve your climbing skills with Reach Climbing Coach, then contact markmcgowan01@gmail.com for cost of a 1:1 coaching programme built around a quality experience of working with Autism At Height.

Jay on the Eiger
Mark has worked and help develop young Jamie Owen's climbing skills, self confidence and other life skills, which eventually lead to Jamie's successful ascent of the Eiger in Switzerland in July.

"Working every week with Jamie in North Wales, around UK competitions, climbing in the Pyrenees and finally sharing the summit of the notorious Eiger, has been life changing for both of us. I understand Jamie and his perspective, sometimes more than I understand the 'neurotically' shaped ideas of what is 'normal' in life and society. First we built mutual trust, then friendship, then we focused on driving his performance in climbing.

Jamie has won every competition he has entered and now climbed the Eiger and that is why he is a key part of our project. Autism at Height has and is learning so much from Jamie and his perseverance, kindness and basic will to improve his own and others lives like his, is what makes my work so meaningful and worthwhile..."  (Mark McGowan)

Now based in Northamptonshire, we are hoping to develop the project in England as well as planned trips further afield. Please get in touch if the Autism At Height project is of interest to you or someone you know.

markmcgowan01@gmail.com

Friday, 7 August 2015

Corby Climbing Centre...Crowdfunding Now!



Project aim


To build a public bouldering centre in Corby, Northamptonshire, which offers indoor rock climbing for all ages and abilities, and therapeutic climbing programmes for the whole community

About the project

Over the last three years, iDID Adventure has supported countless marginalised young people to improve their physical and mental health through therapeutic adventure programmes that improve well-being, confidence and self-esteem. Through our work, we've seen the phenomenal health benefits of rock climbing and we think everyone should have access to that!
Sadly, our local area doesn't have a dedicated climbing centre within easy reach. iDID has identified an opportunity to build a state of the art bouldering facility to enable people of all ages and abilities to enjoy this awesome sport... the benefits are huge!
  • Improve fitness
  • Aid communication, social interaction, and risk management skills
  • Fun for everyone
  • Great family activity
  • Increase strength
As a social enterprise, the profits from the centre will enable us to offer social programmes to a wider population, invest in grassroots paraclimbing, and support marginalised individuals in our community. 


The Corby Climbing Centre will be home to over 6000 sqft of bouldering walls catering for absolute beginners and advanced climbers alike.  Bouldering is low level climbing without the use of ropes with walls surrounded by thick crash mats. Each wall has a different 'problem' (a series of climbing holds that form a route to the top of the wall). Climbers then use their strength, problem solving skills, and technique to get to the top. No two routes are the same.
This fantastic sport has seen a massive rise in popularity due to the fact it's extremely accessible, sociable, and most importantly... it's fun!

*Photo Credit: Vauxwall London

Over the last year, our team of experts have worked tirelessly, volunteering their time, expertise, and money to get this right so we have the best chance of launching a high standard bouldering facility in Corby. For the locals here, it's tough to get into this brilliant sport when there is no dedicated climbing centre nearby, and we want to share the benefits that climbing can have on people's lives.
As a great way to keep fit, bouldering can be enjoyed on your own or with a group of friends. At Corby Climbing Centre, you can choose to come down and climb independently or join one of our many climbing clubs and sessions.
  • Coaching evening
  • Paraclimbing clubs
  • Bouldering Leagues
  • Dedicated children's sessions
  • Ladies Only
*Photo Credit: The Climbing Academy
As an organisation, social responsibility and impact is in our blood, we've helped countless individuals through our programmes and development work, here are a few examples.
  • 178 programmes for over 200 young people
  • Over 2000 volunteer hours
  • Award-winning inclusive grassroots adventure clubs
  • Creators of the UK's first alternative communication system for climbers with communication difficulties
The Corby Climbing Centre will be open to the general public, and will be no different. Here are just a few ways we'll be giving back:
  • Paying above the living wage
  • Committing to environmental responsibility
  • Delivering therapeutic climbing programmes in the community
  • Supporting local events and community organisation
  • Sponsorships for promising young climbers limited by economic status
  • Invest in the growth of grassroots paraclimbing
However, none of this is possible if we can't raise the last bit of money. We've raised over 60% of our funds and now... we need your help.
By helping us raise £75,000, you'll be bringing this amazing climbing centre to life. If we don't get fully funded, we can't build. It's as simple as that.

Give as little or as much as you can, http://www.ididadventure.co.uk/corby-climbing-centre

Thursday, 6 August 2015

Autism At Height... Jamie Owen



"Jamie Owen Personal Development And Support:

Ive been working with Jamie for over a year now in Snowdonia on a weekly basis which has lead to a massive improvement in Jamie in terms of his well being and improved ability to cope with more complex situations such as travel, budgeting and food shopping in both the UK, France and more recently in Switzerland where Jay climbed the Eiger as part of the GB Eiger Paraclimb 2015, (see media report)
On the Eiger, Jamie’s courage and raw humanity was profound to be part of. He personally assisted in motivating John Churcher on the final ice field in a very precarious situation to make the final few steps to the summit. A truly inspiring moment for me as his coach and key worker.


Autism At Height!

Jay has come such a long way, in fact, we both have… Jamie is now in a film about the Eiger Paraclimb!

I have moved to Northampton now, but wish to continue my work with Jay as I promised him a better life than the one he has endured living in a small room with his parents.

I would like to propose the following..
."


If you meet  Jay Owen​ in the Welsh mountains or at the Indy Climbing Wall or Beacon Climbing Centre don't try and fix him, he doesn't need that, just say hello, shake his hand and be a real friend. If your lucky, you will learn something about Autism, just like he has had to learn about you...

Here is to more access for a better life for Jamie and others unlike him!

... Next!!!!!!!!

#autismatheight


Wednesday, 5 August 2015

Moved. Northhamptonshire...

Eiger Paraclimb 2015 (Finalcrux Films)

Reach Climbing Coach is now based in Northamptonshire, England.

If you live or work in or around the wider area and climb between 6a and 7c and are looking for 1:1 climbing coaching then please get in touch via markmcgowan01@gmail.com for cost and coaching strategy



Indoor and outdoor coaching available depending on your needs and plans. Just supply that information when directed to our online data-capture form.

Working the core on a classic 8b
in Grotte de Sabart, Pyrenees

Referrals from clients:



"...This training season I decided to get all the help I can to speed up my improvement. I needed guidance to work towards my goals in long term. I also needed more vision and opinions about my exercises and weak links. I am glad I can share my training with Mark..." (Ville Mustonen, Finland)


" I met Mark in Glen Nevis on his return to climbing to check out some lines he had in mind for me, I wasn't really training at this point but after a day or two talking and training with him I had a much more structured idea of what to do to improve and I did" (Kev Shields)