An Interview With Tom Bolger

Tom Bolger, Lynne Malcolm and Dillan, one of the three canine rescue centre dogs they?ve found a home forUKC News, May 2009© Pete O'Donovan

I am proud of moving to SpainTom BolgerTom Bolger is one of an elite group of British climbers. He has climbed F8c+.There are less than twenty British climbers who have reached that level, ever. Tom is twenty one years old and has already ticked two F8c+'s and several F8c's. He has moved to Spain to pursue his climbing ambitions, and seems to be making the most of the steep dry rock.You can read about one of his recent ascents in this UKC NewsHe untied for a few minutes to tell UKClimbing.com a little more about himself:A very happy Tom Bolger, immediately after his ascent of Cadena Perpetua.UKC News, May 2009© Pete O'DonovanI'm from Yorkshire, wasn't born there but grew up there – near Keighley.I'm now living in village about an hour north of Lleida, about 10 minutes from Santa Linya, 20-25 from Terradets and 15 from a less known crag called Disblia which has equally amazing routes.I'm 21, been climbing since I was 8. Started climbing on the back of a barn in the Lakes, some guy put a top rope up and it started from there.I want to climb the whole way out of Santa Linya and to do this you need to be climbing 9a+Tom BolgerI am currently teaching English in Lleida.I mostly climb at the three mentioned crags but also Rodellar, just depends on the weather and archaeological excavations!I moved out to Spain because I was sick of saving up to go on big trips to Europe. For me Spain is pretty amazing – I love sport climbing and for this it is perfect. I'm really quite psyched for a range of styles but I love steep climbing, I started indoors and guess this has something to do with it, I prefer athletic style climbing to any other.When I was younger I was totally absorbed by competitions, I am proud of winning a round of the European Youth Cup series and finishing second over all, but things change. Now I am proud of moving to Spain, this is something I had wanted to do for a number of years prior to actually doing it. Also I'm proud of doing a couple of 8c+s.My ambition for this year is to try and climb 9a, this used to be my lifetime ambition but as you know, your ideas change. Now I want to climb the whole way out of Santa Linya and to do this you need to be climbing 9a+, so we'll see.My best advice for a young climber is to enjoy what your doing, approach things with an open mind, try it and see what happens you might surprise yourself, remember even if your not doing a route every time you go out, if you're trying hard you're still improving.My top 5 routes are Ultima ola 8c+, Ingravids extension 8c+ Santa lena 8c/+ Favelita 8c Cadena perpetua 8c.Tom Bolger was talking to Jack Geldard.Thanks go to Pete O'Donovan for the photos. Diesen Artikel inkl. Bilder auf UKClimbing.com anschauen

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