STIKKIT - Escalade de bloc

Let's me introduce you Chris Webb-Parsons from Australia

Tell me about you and your past?
I was born in England and moved to Australia when I was 4 years old, with my Mum, Dad and little sister. I grew up in a place called Canberra (the capital of Australia) after completeing school I moved to Sydney when I was 20 years old with my wife teegan to be closer to the rocks.

What model and brand was your 1st climbing shoes?
My first climbng shoe was a pair of Saltics and they were called Jokers.

What is the best place in the world for bouldering?
Hueco, but the restrictions are terrible.

In how many country did you go to climb?
I have been climbing in Australia, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, New Zealand, England, Scotland, USA.

Where and why did you start climbing?
I went to my local climbing gym in Canberra and that same night I went and bought my first pair of climbing shoes.

Have you ever take part of Climbing World Cup?
I have been in two bouldering world cup but I did really bad. The first one I went in, I had a bad finger injury and I was very weak. In the second one I was short of money so the night before the comp I spent it sleeping on the streets and I only had about 1-2 hours sleep so I did really bad again. The only other international comp I have been in was in Austria and I came 2nd in a very strong field of climbers.

What do you think about bouldering as sport in Olympic Games?
I think it would be great if bouldering was in the olympic games, I’m just not sure if it would be the best thing for climbing. Because as the sport would become more popular there would be more people wanting to go rock climbing and the impact that could have on outdoor cliffs could create issues with access to crags. So I’m not sure if climbing in the olympics would be the best thing?

Do you often climb in gym?
In Australia I climb in the gym a lot. I enjoy training and climbing on plastic but I would prefer to climb out on the rock everyday.

Did you ever train for a specific project?
I always cater my training for what I’m interested in doing at the time, eg if I want to climb a boulder problem with big moves on small edges that is 20 moves long then I would train power endurance and maybe train some finger strength etc.

Who do you admire?
This question is a funny one for me. I don’t really have an heros but I do have respect and I do get inspired by different people at different times. I recently watched a documentary called Pumping Iron staring Arnold Schwarzenegger and he inspires me a lot. It shows how committed he was to his sport and his training but was still nice to people and was not arrogant.

What was the last book you read?
The Ice Man

What music do you listen?
I listen to all different types of music from Hip Hop to classical to techno.

What do you think about solo climbing?
It’s great but I think it is something where so many things can go wrong that can’t be controlled by you such as holds breaking etc.

What is a highball for you? At what height it begins to be a highball?
For me a highball becomes high when my knee start to shake hahaha. I’m not sure really it’s different for every boulder.

Was your progression fast or does it takes years?
My progression was fast because I was a young kid and I spent almost everyday in a climbing gym just climbing climbing climbing. But to be a world class climber it takes years and years.

Did you take part of a specific training to help your progression?
I have read lots of books and lots of different ideas on how to be a better climber. I do train a lot with a program that I write for myself but it’s hard to stick to a program when you have to work because some times I finish a hard day of work and I don’t have the energy to train.

 

What do you like to eat?
My favourite thing to eat is spaghetti bolognese.

What is your best meal in a crag?
Before climbing I love to have a bacon and egg role and a green tea.

Do you plan to climb all your life?
I have just injured my shoulder and I’m recovering from a major shoulder reconstruction so at the moment I just hope my shoulder and body will allow me to climb again. But yes I hope to be climbing all my life.

After Sharma, Nicole and Lamiche, would you like to design a climbing shoe?
Yes I would love to design a climbing shoe, I think I could make a good climbing shoe.

Have you ever shape holds?
Yes I have shaped some holds for a mate of mine who was making holds here in Australia. I really enjoy doing it.

What is the "bad-ass" place to climb?
Bad-Ass ?????? hahaha that’s Amercan talk mate.

What is the best developments in climbing history?
One name Wolfgang Gullich.

What item you don't want to forget to put in your bag before leaving to the crag?
Climbing shoes or chalk, my hands sweat a lot.

What is the best climbing DVD?
Coming At Ya Hyper or The Real Thing.

Cookies or chips?
Cookies.

Beer or wine?
Beer.

Do you consider yourself as a pro climber?
Semi Pro I guess. I have great sponsors, Black Diamond, Australian Industrial Rope Access, Moon and Five Ten. And although they give me great support I still have to work a fair bit to be able to travel and live. I think I could be a much better climber if I did not have to work.

What is your graduation status?
I went to college (year 12).

Crimps, slopes or pinch?
Crimps.

Describe a memorable moment in you climbing experience.
Toping out on The Wheel of Life.

What else than climbing do you like to do?
Surfing, road cycling.

Any advises or suggestions?
Enjoy life, travel and climb as much as you can cause you only live once.

Thanks
Chris Webb Parsons

 

Site personnel de Chris