Climbing Reminds Me I’m Alive
Entrepreneur Lindy finds scaling an overhang the best way of unwinding from her busy life!
It’s a great sport for ladies – all about balance, technique and precision
As I reach out and pull myself up the rock, I can feel my heart hammering in my chest.
Using the last of my strength, I push myself over the top and hop up onto my feet. Then, straightening up, I take a breath and look out over the azure sea, stretching away to the horizon.
My arms and legs are aching, but my smile couldn’t be wider. And, despite having just completed a challenging climb, I’m completely relaxed.
As well as running my independent estate agency in the Cotswolds, I teach property law and legislation for landlords, which keeps me busy. So, believe it or not, scaling a rock-face or working my way up a complex climbing wall is something I do to unwind.
I first discovered climbing almost 20 years ago at university. As a mature student at 35, I did a degree in equine science in Gloucestershire. Prior to that, I’d spent time travelling in the US, until I broke my back falling off a horse in the summer of 1994. I returned to the UK to recover and consider my next adventure.
In 1995 I joined some outdoor recreation and leisure students for a “taster session” at the local climbing wall. From the very first ascent I was hooked. Throughout my studies, climbing became my real passion and my escape.
In 1998, I spent my gap year in the US working for a vet and, while there, I climbed outdoors in New York and entered some indoor climbing competitions in Florida. On my return to the UK in 1999, I decided to compete on my home tur f.
When I won my first competition at The Warehouse in 1999 my friends were flabbergasted!
Having a taste of success I decided to try to reach Olympic level. I began to train five nights a week, and at weekends.
While training, I met my boyfriend, Simon – a talented climber and route setter, who trained me and pushed my limits. We’re still together – and climbing regularly – 17 years on!
I was placed in 3 of the 4 qualifying competitions necessary to get on the team, but life took over.
At the end of 1999 I took a “real” job with a pharmaceutical company and unfortunately the six-week residential training course overlapped with the selection competitions so I had to drop out. But climbing remains a huge part of my life.
Although Simon and I often climb with no ropes or harness, the worst accident I’ve ever had took place after climbing rather than during! Back in 1997, I’d climbed a tricky overhang, the hardest route I’d done at the wall, and was on top of the world. Arriving home, I tripped over my shoelace walking up the path and managed to fracture my skull and my cheekbone in three places!