Building confidence

Last Monday I had a great day out with a couple of friends, one of whom is just getting back into climbing after a long spell off, and the other who hasnt been leading that long.  We went to Tremadog, timing it just right so that the bank holiday crowds were on their way home, so we had a quiet crag and great weather.

My top tips I think for building confidence if you are a similar position to either of my friends are as follows.

1. choose your partners carefully - go with someone who will encourage but not push you.  If you are the belayer, be sensitive, calm and encouraging, without continuing to push when they are obviously scared.  Remind them to breathe, slow down, take their time and look around them to spot hidden holds.  Telling someone to "go for it" is not specific enough to be helpful.  Try instead, "your foot is on a good hold, try to stand up on it" for example.

2. Start on something well within your ability, something that you led in the past perhaps and found easy, or just the lowest grade route at the crag.  Concentrate on climbing that well, giving yourself a sense of success.

3. Praise yourself!  To fix that climb in your mind, remember everything you did well.  As a belayer, your job is to remind the leader of what they did well.  This creates a positive mindset and gives confidence for the next lead..

4. Don't be suckered into a big grade leap for the next climb or even next few climbs.  Consolidate, and be sure to end on a high.  If you have a wobbly on a route, consider doing another easier one so the last climb you do is a positive experience.

5. Smile, and enjoy it! Climbing is supposed to be fun after all...