As for climbing, mountain walking and caving;
I've been climbing since 2012. During 2012 I was working with Kingswood, where I was regularly running climbing sessions with up to 15 participants. I was generally climbing 2/3 times a week myself, achieving an average climbing grade of 6b+ and pushing 7a at times (bottom roping) and 5b+ sport climbing.
However during 2013 and working with The Bushcraft Company, I wasn't able to climb as much due to work commitments. However I've managed to maintain my climbing ability to a 5c+/6a (bottom roping).
My time with The Bushcraft company proved invaluable to me, as it was the perfect environment to progress my "hard" & "soft" communication skills. Sometimes when interacting with customers in, at times, very challenging conditions.
Since then I have worked at 3 climbing centres as an instructor, a coach and a route setter. I have also improved my personal climbing abilities to bouldering at V6 and above, leading at f7a+. I now provide freelance support to several outdoor companies nationally, running a variety of outdoor activities. As well as providing Bloc Climbing Centre an external Chief Instructor responsible to training, assessing and moderating the coaching and Clip n Climb teams. I am also responsible to training the staff on incident management (rescue training) for Clip n Climb as well as a 15metre wall in a private facility.
In 2018 I founded Up & Under Adventures and have been providing a variety of sessions, workshops and courses including rock climbing experiences, abseiling experiences, outdoor bouldering workshops, introduction to rock climbing, Learn to lead climb, indoor beginners course, private one to one coaching. During which time I also completed my Level 2 and Level 3 Personal Training Diplomas, allowing me to provide personal training and physical training sessions for climbers.
In 2024 Up & Under Adventures became a Mountain Training provider of the Rock Skills courses with myself as the course director for these courses.
Mountain walking as been a hobby since I was a child. With my family regularly taking walking holidays up to The Lake District. These experiences have inspired me to undertake my Mountain Leader qualification.
Caving is another hobby of mine. Which, at times, has proved scarier than climbing. However, I still regularly go exploring in old mines and quarries as well as the caves systems of the Mendips.
