Do you want to improve your technical and mental approach to Trad climbing?
Mark McGowan shows his support for iDID Adventure's crowdfunding campaign to build an indoor bouldering centre in Corby. Now you can help yourself knowing that your progression is helping someone else too!
For the past 3 years, iDID has supported hundreds of young people affected by deafness, disability, and mental health issues, into climbing. The team are passionate about the health and social benefits of climbing and channel that into programmes designed to engage people positively in life. As a non-profit organisation, funding is critical to ensure the success of their work.
iDID are aiming to become financially self-sustainable by building an indoor bouldering centre in Corby, Northamptonshire. Corby Climbing Centre will be home to over 6000 sqft of bouldering walls, open to the public, and catering for absolute beginners and advanced climbers alike.
At iDID, their grassroots work is sustained through funding and training provisions but director Susanne Rees says it’s not enough. She added,
“Through our work, we’ve helped countless deaf and disabled people to access climbing, particularly through our Sign Climb System and inclusive programmes, but we want to do so much more. Our demand is far exceeding our capabilities, it’s frustrating to be limited financially. This climbing centre will offer an opportunity to bring something amazing to Corby. People will be able to go and have a climb knowing their money is going back into doing social good and improving access for others.”
iDID have currently raised over 60% of the £200k needed to build an indoor bouldering centre to support their work. Now they are reaching out to the community to raise the last £75,000 they need to build the facility.
Over the last year, iDID’s team of experts have worked tirelessly, volunteering their time, expertise, and money to get this right so they have the best chance of launching this facility in Corby. The project has attracted a huge amount of support from the climbing community. Neil Gresham, Mina Leslie-Wujastyk, John Churcher, Mark McGowan, Climb Out, the BMC, Beta Monkeys, Dark Ventures and Climb Skin are all passionate about getting Corby Climbing Centre up and running. With a great selection of rewards available, you can support the project too!
Having just returned from a successful ascent of the Eiger, Mark McGowan is now running 2 Trad coaching days in Burbage North in a bid to support the project. Here are just some of his achievements.
Started rock climbing at age 12 then after trips to Wales at age 16 decided to move there at age 17 where he climbed with the likes of Johnny Dawes, Nick Dixon John Redhead and Andy Popp around the TRAD haunting grounds of Llanberis slate, Gogarth and Cloggy with many on sight ascents and early repeats up to E6 in the mid eighties.
Climbed in many areas across UK (with 1st ascents across Scotland up to E6 & 8a) and various European sport climbing venues. Although a large part of his background is TRAD - He now has a main focus in sport climbing and coaching.
Coached in around UK, Spain, France and now based in North Wales...
Key Achievements:
* Zero Gully (V) at age 15 with Colin Gourley
*On sighted Right Wall E5 6a at age 16 in 1985
*FWA of Red Slab (VIII, 8) on Rannoch Wall in Glen Coe in Feb 1988 with Colin Gilchrist (still un-repeated)
*5th place in UK National Open Lead climbing Competition in 1990
*Awarded a Talented Sports Performer’s Award by MC of S in 1992 to compete on International Competition Circuit
*Ground up 2nd Ascent of Gone With The Wind E7 6b, 6a in early ‘90’s with Grant Farquar
*North Face of the Eiger 1992 with Neil Boyd
*Began climbing again by training from 6a (5.10b) to 8a (5.13b) within 180 days of starting back after a long break 2010
*Founder of Reach Climbing Coach
*Coach for British Team 2011 (Scotland)
*Head Coach for GB Paraclimbing Team for 2014/15
So what can you expect from the day?
It will be assumed that you have experience of Trad climbing, have your own gear, and climb a min. of VS.
Mark will meet you at an agreed location in the morning before heading to the crag to discuss current strengths and weaknesses before agreeing a strategy for the rest of the day. Mark will look at movement, gear placement, and mental focus to get you challenging your expectations of what you can achieve.
The day will be limited to a ratio of 1:2 in order to maximise your coaching experience. If you wish to come with a friend, or partner, please ensure you pledge on 2 spaces. If coming alone, you will be paired with another climber on the day.
Only 4 places available until 24th August. To book your space, please visit the Corby Climbing Centre crowdfunding page http://crowdfunder.co.uk/corby-climbing-centre
