“When Toby was four months old, he’d managed to half get himself over the cot rail”

TOBY

As a movie buff and someone who’s always fascinated by inspiring stories of determination and perseverance, I was captivated by the article about Toby and his journey into competitive climbing. Growing up, I dabbled in various sports but never quite found that one thing that truly challenged me like climbing does for Toby. His passion for this sport is evident in every word of the article, and it’s clear that he was born to climb.

Growing up, I savored every sport I engaged in – rugby, football, cross-country, hockey – yet found their routines somewhat tedious. A fresh thrill came with climbing. The opportunity to test my boundaries in an unpredictable manner was exhilarating. If not a climber, I’d likely pursue a career as a Formula 1 racecar driver due to my long-standing fascination with the sport.

I’m incredibly fortunate to have my dad as my climbing coach. His unwavering support and deep understanding of the sport make our time together both enjoyable and productive. Though he doesn’t climb himself, his wealth of knowledge is truly remarkable. There are moments when I need some space or feel like I’ve had enough of his guidance for a while, but these instances are few and far between. Overall, having my dad as my coach has significantly enriched my climbing experience and deepened our bond in the most wonderful way possible.

During the toughest training period of winter, I dedicate myself to exercising six days a week, logging seven or eight hours each day. This could be weightlifting in the gym or scaling mountainside. To unwind and disconnect from the physical strain, I indulge in my passion for reading. Immersing myself in the captivating worlds of “Lord of the Rings” series is one of my favorite pastimes. Additionally, I engage in virtual adventures through video games such as “Grand Theft Auto” and “Call of Duty.” As competition season arrives, my training schedule eases a tad, allowing me to focus on feeling great and shedding some fatigue.

Based on my personal experience and background, I believe that having a balanced and nutritious diet is crucial for powering my daily activities, especially when it comes to training. Growing up with a talented home cook like my mum has been a major advantage in this regard. Her meals are always wholesome and made from fresh ingredients, ensuring that I get all the essential vitamins and minerals my body needs.

Skin is important… when I climb a lot my fingertips bleed

In Olympic climbing competitions, there exist three distinct disciplines: speed climbing, lead climbing, and bouldering. Among these, I personally gravitate towards lead climbing. During lead climbing events, climbers are given just six minutes to ascend as far as they can on a previously unseen route.

As a seasoned rock climber with years of experience under my belt, I can confidently assert that climbing is more than just a physical challenge – it’s a mental battle like no other. Before I even set foot at the base of a wall, my mind is a whirlwind of emotions. Fear, excitement, doubt, and anticipation all jostle for attention, creating an internal maelstrom that can be as taxing as any climb.

Climbing relies heavily on the health and resilience of your skin. It serves as the crucial connection between you and the wall. When I engage in frequent climbing sessions, the tips of my fingers may bleed. To maintain my skin’s moisture level during climbing, I use hydration sprays instead of making it overly wet.

In order to maintain a smooth and optimally textured surface on my body, I occasionally remove small pieces of damaged or flaking skin with the help of a sanding block. This prevents those areas from snagging on clothing or other objects. Keeping my skin soft is crucial for proper grip and flexibility, but not overly so as soft skin can easily tear. I strike a delicate balance by applying various moisturizers regularly, ranging from brands like Nivea to Elizabeth Arden.

I’m deeply thankful for my parents’ encouragement, which has allowed me to pursue what brings me joy. When sport climbing became an Olympic event in 2020, I realized: “This is my passion. I want to dedicate myself to it.”

TRISTIAN

“When Toby was four months old, he’d managed to half get himself over the cot rail”

Around four to five months old, Toby began exhibiting curious behavior that startled us. One day, we entered his room to find him partially hanging over the crib rail. We intervened just in time before he tumbled down. Similarly, he frequently found ways to climb over the stair gates.

The first time he ascended something, he was around three to four years old. During our vacation, we visited an activity center that had a climbing wall. He reached the summit, and the person in charge remarked, “He’s the youngest child to have achieved this.”

At the age of eight, Toby became a dedicated member of an after-school climbing group, igniting his deep-rooted passion. His obsession was unrelenting; he excelled in every sport he attempted. His determination was unyielding – even after being put to bed, he could still be found pushing himself to the limit with exercises like planks. We’d often remind him that school awaited him tomorrow, but he showed no signs of slowing down. Toby’s drive propelled him to incredible heights in training, yet his understanding of when to rest was lacking.

Toby wasn’t my initial role as a coach, but our dynamic evolved over time. Since I’m not an accomplished climber myself, I learned the sport by attentively observing it. By carefully watching Toby, I’ve absorbed his climbing patterns and techniques. Unfortunately, coaching climbing doesn’t generate significant income, and with four children – Toby being the second youngest – I continue to work in IT and manage my own business.

While Toby was forced to halt competition participation due to lockdown restrictions, we constructed a garden climbing wall, which covers an area of 3.6 square meters [as shown in the main photo, left]. This wall offers diverse angles, including 40, 50, and 60 degrees. Utilizing this wall proved beneficial for Toby’s foundation fitness, strength training, and power development during his break from competitions.

For approximately half a year, we journey overseas for training due to insufficient resources in the UK. We’ve visited China, Japan, Austria, and the United States for this purpose. However, we’ve also honed our skills at the Titan bouldering wall in Wandsworth, London – an exact duplicate of the Paris Olympics’ wall.

Toby is making remarkable progress, and we’re fortunate to be able to help him pursue his passions without having to give up significant things ourselves. The term “sacrifice” isn’t applicable to our situation.

Toby Roberts competes in sport climbing, which begins on Monday 5 August

2024-07-26 16:35

TOBY

TRISTIAN

Read More