When I started climbing, I was terrified risking a fall. I saw all those climbers at the gym taking incredible falls, and getting back on the wall. Crazy stunts !
I started freezing when I was at the edge and always asked my belayer to hold me. I would not risk a fall. And it did not prevent me from progressing.
But I knew this was a critical point for me to overcome. And that it would impact my life far beyond climbing.
I took “fall lessons”. And I realized there is a huge difference between letting everything go when someone asks you to do so for the sake of the exercise and accepting falling might be an option when you are in motion to catch the next hold. So I kept freezing.
Once, as I was climbing a fairly easy pitch, the hold I was pressing my foot on turned. And I fell. And nothing happened. It was too quick for me to rewind my entire life-movie, and before I realized, I was sitting in my harness. My belayer did his job.
Actually, I am not afraid of the fall itself. I am not afraid of “letting go” or of “losing control”. I am rather afraid of the potential injury I could indure falling.
But most importantly, I was at a stage in my life I was afraid TO COMMIT TO MYSELF. So I decided to approach climbing as a tool to improve my personal commitment. And as I set this intention on the wall, committing to one extra move, just one, despite the fear, I took more falls. Some are more impressive than others. Some hurt a bit, but in most cases, it is soft and safe. I never injured myself taking a fall.
I considerably expanded my comfort zone. I have fun engaging in more difficult routes, one hold at a time. My performance improved. I feel more self-confident & self-conscious.
Even one move is valuable. This is where learning occurs.
Keep moving.
Love,
Delphine
1.This is a very personal approach and I know climbers approach “risking a fall” in many different ways, all to be respected.
2.Mayol kindly allowed me to use this pic of him taking a fall.