UKC

First Font 8A for 15 Year-old James Squire

© Beastly Squirrel

On the 15th of January 2012, 15 year-old James Squire climbed his first Font 8A boulder problem with an ascent of Boy Racer at Dinas Rock, South Wales.

Dinas Rock is described in the UKC Logbooks:

"A brilliant crag with some of the best climbing in SE Wales: mostly single-pitch routes upto 30m. Often steep, smooth face climbing; harder routes may need dusting off."

James Squire climbing 'Boy Racer' at Dinas Rock (Main Crag).  © Beastly Squirrel
James Squire climbing 'Boy Racer' at Dinas Rock (Main Crag).
© Beastly Squirrel, Jan 2012

James Squire pulling into the finish on 'Boy Racer' at Dinas Rock (main crag).   © Beastly Squirrel
James Squire pulling into the finish on 'Boy Racer' at Dinas Rock (main crag).
© Beastly Squirrel, Jan 2012
We had a quick chat with James:

Jack: Who is James Squire?

James: I'm a 15 year old boulderer from Bristol, also known as the 'Beastly Squirrel'. I have been climbing for about three years now and I'm a member of The Climbing Academy Youth Squad. Over the last 3 years I've been putting up many first ascents of boulder problems all around the Bristol area and I have been travelling around the country to repeat hard boulder problems including an ascent of 'Brad Pit' at Stanage (Peak District) last May and a recent ascent of 'Boy Racer' at Dinas Rock.

Jack: What are your plans for 2012?

James: In 2012 I hope to enter the British Bouldering Championships and the Climbing Works International Festival along with hopefully climbing my first V12/Font 8a+ outdoors, before I am 16 in October!

Jack: Tell me all about Dinas Rock, the place and the scene there?

James: Ever since I first visited Dinas Rock, a few months ago I totally fell in love with the place. It consists of a long limestone gorge with a beautiful river running straight through the middle with waterfalls every few hundred metres. There are many bouldering areas which have all mainly been developed by Liam Fyfe and Kevin Hughes, the bouldering has always been popular there but recently it has had a sudden increase in visitors, especially as the weather has been so mild.


James has a Vlog: beastlysquirrelblog


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James Squire is a top British boulderer, mainly operating in the south of England. He has established many grade 8 boulder problems. His crowning achievement so far is the first ascent of 

James's Athlete Page 14 posts



1 Feb, 2012
Cool, jealous.
1 Feb, 2012
I've seen this lad climbing at TCA a few times, crazy strong little fingers!
1 Feb, 2012
Yeah, he's a skinny little guy as well, he must weight just over a feather and a half.
1 Feb, 2012
Great job!
1 Feb, 2012
Inspiring!
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