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CrazyCarl
Aug 22, 2012, 10:22 AM
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Hello,
I'm 25 years old and I have dreams of becoming a professional rock climber. Hopefully if climbing becomes a sport in the 2020 Olympics I would love to represent our country.
But, I look at many of the world class climbers and see that many of them started at a very young age. I started when I was 24 years old and I'm now 25.
Is becoming a pro climber a possibility or a wistful hope? Should I keep rock climbing as a passionate hobby or continue to train hard, hopefully make it a career?
(This post was edited by CrazyCarl on Aug 24, 2012, 4:29 PM)
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iknowfear
Aug 22, 2012, 10:36 AM
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CrazyCarl wrote: Hello, I'm 25 years old and I have dreams of becoming a professional rock climber. Hopefully if climbing becomes a sport in the 2012 Olympics I would love to represent our country. But, I look at many of the world class climbers and see that many of them started at a very young age. I started when I was 24 years old and I'm now 25. Is becoming a pro climber a possibility or a wistful hope? Should I keep rock climbing as a passionate hobby or continue to train hard, hopefully make it a career?
you are definitely too late for the 2012 olympics...
Your best bet for a career as climber is to finish a good education (if you have not already) and get a part time job. pay will most likely be better, and you can still climb alot.
Or you go the way of becoming a climbing guide, which is also a pro climber.
however, if you dream of fame and fortune, climbing is most likely the wrong sport.
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potreroed
Aug 22, 2012, 11:37 PM
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You're not too old to climb hard, in spite of the "late" start, but your chances of making an Olympic team are pretty slim. Then again, you might prove me wrong.
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dan2see
Aug 23, 2012, 12:27 AM
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Fortunately for me, I don't know anybody who's too old to climb hard.
Like you, I started only a few years ago. I'm still working on improving performance, so I haven't reached my full potential yet.
Actually what held me back was, I went to school. One year in college, and a second year learning the skills. But I'm back on the rocks, and my grades are gradually improving again.
(This post was edited by dan2see on Aug 23, 2012, 12:31 AM)
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dan2see
Aug 23, 2012, 1:57 AM
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acorneau wrote: dan2see wrote: Actually what held me back was, I went to school. One year in college, and a second year learning the skills. But I'm back on the rocks, and my grades are gradually improving again. School grades or climbing grades? 
Ha ha 
School grades: "A" -- just barely. Actually I think the real lessons have been about goals, and achievement.
Climbing: 5.10 -- just barely. Actually I think scrambling is more fun.
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Wade308
Aug 24, 2012, 12:02 AM
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Man, I wish I had started at 24.
I'm just getting going at 38. Which probably seems ancient to you. But if I've realized one thing, the older you get the younger that age seems.
I'm in the best shape of my life right now. When you're my you'll have 14 years of experience. You'll be killing it for many years to come, don't you worry.
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billcoe_
Aug 24, 2012, 5:27 AM
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Too old. Sorry.
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granite_grrl
Aug 24, 2012, 3:17 PM
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The thing about getting sponsored for climbing is not about just about how hard you climb. Yes, they have to climb decently hard, but it's really about how well you sell your self. So get a blog and start pimping.
In terms of the possibility of one day being in the olympics, it's going to be about scoring well in world cup events. Look it up online, and be prepared to travel.
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CrazyCarl
Aug 24, 2012, 4:31 PM
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Cool, thanks for the information guys!
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hroldan
Sep 10, 2012, 8:07 PM
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Not too late, but for the olympics?
I got to know 2 great amazing climbers, one was 17 years old backed up by a brand of climbing ropes travelling around the world. The other one top climber was 40 years old, a real machine, a life climber.
The older one never went into competitions but he was in fact way better than the young one, his experience was of great value (and he was not climbing as often as he wanted to!) incredible, he solved many problems and skipped a few bolts we couldn't, ever.
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dynosnore
Sep 11, 2012, 8:45 PM
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Older rock climbers are still very strong. You should continue to get better into your 30's if you train hard and correctly.
Of course, the olympics are very competitive and sometimes you need superior genetics or luck.
You never know until you try though! Good luck training. If you climb because you love the sport and not because you want to be famous you should be fine whatever happens.
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flesh
Sep 16, 2012, 6:30 AM
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Ben Moon did his first v14 at 45. If you look at resistance routes in spain.... you could probably improve until 55 or older.
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agnivsen
Jan 2, 2013, 9:27 PM
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I am in a similar situation, started at 24 and now at 25 I'm wondering where could I be going with this...
although I've never thought of olympics, I want to be pretty serious with climbing and I have to climb excruciatingly tough routes to satisfy myself...
point is, I do not know if I'm headed in the right direction. Wondering how far can I go with this !
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CrazyCarl
Jan 2, 2013, 10:17 PM
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In reply to: Well, I've been doing research and apparently rock climbing is a sport you can do even in your later years(I've seen guys in their fifties rock climb). In most sports once you hit thirty it goes downhill pretty quickly, but with rock climbing you can keep going. I guess if you start doing it in your twenties and keep doing it you're in such great shape(rock climbing is the best workout I've ever tried) that age means less. I've heard good things my friend, keep climbing!
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Syd
Jan 4, 2013, 8:11 PM
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flesh wrote: .... you could probably improve until 55 or older.
I'm 64 and definitely still improving. Starting hangboard training a few years back made a big difference and recently hangboard with weights has given another boost.
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otto6457
Jan 5, 2013, 2:32 AM
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Syd wrote: flesh wrote: .... you could probably improve until 55 or older. I'm 64 and definitely still improving. Starting hangboard training a few years back made a big difference and recently hangboard with weights has given another boost.
That's good news!
I'm 55 and just starting out. If I've still got 10 years of climbing ahead of me I'll take it.
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oldguy53
Jan 12, 2013, 11:01 PM
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would you start becoming a pro football player today? Same thing its a small window and it's closed. sorry, get a job, married, have kids, climb on the week ends, drink beer get fat, die. HAVE A NICE DAY.
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satch
Jan 15, 2013, 12:04 AM
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10 more years - come on boys. I'm 66 and climbing as much as ever, maybe more now that I have more time and live in a climbing town. Fred Becky is still climbing at 90.
And it's not just about the numbers - remember how Alex Lowe described the best climber - the one having the most fun!
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