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| Over the Pyrenees down into Spain |
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| The route from Pyrenees to Siurana |
When I arrived from over the Pyrenees at my annual Siurana ReAch Coaching Week I wasn't really perpared for how the week would end.
My team of Ninjas was Ben, Louis and Jamie, all from different parts of Scotland (Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Oban) and all of differing ages from 9 upwards.
The coaching began with the usual process of getting the kids to relax and get used to me and each other whilst the parents watched in trepidation making sure their little ones were in 'good' (or at worst 'safe' hands!).
Eventually climbing standards, individual charactoristics and strengths and weaknesses began to emerge. Eventually some scope for coaching emerged and eventually an increase in personal bests and celebrations of successes began to emerge with goals being met and surpassed by some.
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| Mandy and son Jamie |
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| Louis and Jamie enjoying their leading... |
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| Competition climber & Coach: Jonathan Stocking putting up ropes for the kids |
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| The Ben & Mark show! |
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But today Saturday (sabado) our final day will be renamed to 'Louis-day' after our team ninja Loui from Edinburgh who's selfless, quiet persistence saw him find the confidence to climb better and bring smiles to his mates the other ninjas who's week had already been made by their worthy attack on their big 7a. Young Jamie from Oban has showed great inteligence in his climbing and this is reflected through his ability to read the moves quickly and climb at a pace that impressed me and the other Ninjas. However, young Ben from Aberdeen (aged 9) really impressed me with his unwavering determinationation to keep trying and each time his father (Gus) and I suggested he might need to consider coming down, he just downright refused to give up.
An absolute inspiration to me and when I asked Ben what age he was, he told me: " I am only 9.., but I am shooting for double figures soon.., soon I will be 10.., the BIG time!"
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| "Going for double figures...The BIG 10!" |
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