since this forum originated in the "indoor" thread i thought i'd break the ice by posting an indoor experience...
i've never been much of a competitive person (besides with myself) and the idea of a climbing competition never set well with me. tonight i had an experience that changed that perspective...
so, tonight i got a last minute phone call from J saying he and Kim Sun were heading out to Jeonju to go bouldering. "sure...i'll join." found out on the way that it was a competition! great...i'm getting sucked into a bouldering competition. i have 'bouldered' maybe 3 times so far and i'm going to compete?!?!? so yes, i entered my first climbing competition and i soon discovered...no, it was not competitive. there was less than 15 folks in the gym and everyone cheered each other on...regardless of climbing ability. J and i failed the first route (we did get 90% through), but we had a second chance to keep going...yeah, we failed that too. the second round took place entirely on the overhanging wall and we were granted the courtesy run...niether of us got past the 4th hold...damn!! we discovered we can't boulder for $#it! that really didn't matter since everyone was cheering us on.
but as far as communication goes, the drive to Jeonju was quiet (with Kim Sun and his friend); the experience in the gym was quiet (well...we were). it wasn't until dinner and soju that everyone opened up. we had a little translation but the rest didn't matter. they were speaking korean; i was speaking english...we understood about 5% of what the other was saying and all was good. prizes were awarded, and J and i won our water bottle prize (for exactly what...i'm not sure). others won prizes for real accomplishment, and much joy, soju, and celebration ensued.
i guess i'm not used to competition not taken so seriously. coming from a city of quality athletes it was a real turnoff to feel the callous arrogance of other competitors (there were oases of events like
xdog's scrambles where community was greater than competition). there is
always someone better than you so why the F do you think you're so great...sorry...i'll stop that rant. needless to say this was a pleasant surprise.
i'm not sure if it's the korean culture or the climbing culture but i had a great time climbing, humiliating myself, and hanging out with these folks tonight! if all comp's are like this...hhhmmmm...i'll reconsider my 'competitive' side.
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