Attended awesome walls Sheffield with 1384 squadron of the air cadets to assist them in top roping with an Awesome Walls instructor. The even was organised by Charlie Owen of 1384 squadron who kindly invited me to help.
It was a very interesting session as I encountered different techniques used by the instructor. In particular, the instructor demonstrated a way of belaying which did not involve crossing hands and explained that this helped to keep the belayers hands away from the belay device. This was interesting to see but some of the cadets fed back that they found it more difficult than the previous method they had been shown which did involve moving one hand above the other. Personally I felt that it is better to stick to the norm as young climbers are attempting to add the technique to their "muscle memory".
At the instructor's request I was belayed by one cadet probably half my size with the aid of a sandbag who confidently lowered me back down. The same cadet caught a fall of one of the other cadets who was attempting the volumes.
Everyone enjoyed the session and we actually overran as no one was looking at the time!
Area :
Awesome Walls Sheffield
