| 8/10/2007 10:45:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article | BUSINESS: Problem-Solving In the Vertical World
Trey Johanson-Smith
Adrenaline Climbing
For those who have not yet experienced the thrill of accomplishment that rock climbing provides, let me tell you a little story. And then I'll tell you another one.
About seven years ago, when my oldest son was 6, he was invited to a party at an indoor rock-climbing gym. The host, an owner of the gym, generously invited parents to try it too. Being of the I'll-try-anything-once variety of parent, I accepted his invitation and attempted my first ascent.
While the climb itself is a blur in my memory, the feeling I had upon completion still raises the hairs on my arms. I was exhilarated! I returned to the ground and ran like a crazy lady to all the other parents, exclaiming, "This is fantastic!" and "You've got to try it!" Mostly, the other parents prudently and politely nodded their heads at me and went right on schmoozing.
Well, it's no small statement to say that rock climbing has changed my life since then. Seven years later, I own Adrenaline Climbing in Suwanee. I can't tell you how grateful I am to be in the position to infect others with my love of this sport every day.
So, here's the second story. Nowadays, I have the privilege of witnessing how rock climbing impacts and improves children's lives. Just in the course of a one-hour session, I have seen timid, cautious and even phobic kids overcome their fear and reach for the top. There is nothing I know of that boosts self-confidence more than getting one hand-hold higher than you thought you could. It's direct. It's concrete. It's the epitome of achievement, and I see it again and again.
Rock climbing is problem-solving in the vertical world. I've often said that I wish every teacher could bring their students to me on the first day of school. I would observe the children climb just one route and then provide the teacher with a description of each child's unique learning style. In just one climb, I see varying degrees of linear thinking skills, pre-planning skills, spatial orientation, impulsivity vs. thoughtfulness, decision-making skills, focus and concentration, frustration, tolerance, self-confidence vs. insecurity, perseverance, introversion vs. extraversion, emotional ability, risk-taking vs. caution, assertiveness, responsiveness to auditory vs. visual instruction, and the list goes on.
Then there are the kids who choose to train for the competitive rock-climbing circuit. Typically, traditional sports don't appeal to them much. They tend to be more individualistic, rather than team-oriented. In rock climbing, the ascent is just about you and the rock.
But climbers must also commit to their own safety and the safety of others. This interdependence between the climber and the belayer is just one of many metaphorical life-lessons found in climbing. While supporting one another on belay, climbing kids learn to support and trust one another in every endeavor. Rock climbing demands concentration and discipline, commitment, internal motivation, personal integrity and responsibility. If you hang around the kids on Team Adrenaline or any other youth climbing team, you'll find them to be unusually, well, grounded.
Atlanta boasts five excellent indoor rock-climbing facilities, conveniently located throughout the metro area. Also, the Southeast contains many hidden jewels of sandstone, limestone and granite awaiting your adventurous spirit. I hope you will take me up on my invitation to experience rock climbing. But be careful: You might just get addicted to life in the vertical world. Don't say I didn't warn you.
For more information, call (770) 271-1390, or e-mail trey_onbelay@adrenalineclimbing.com.
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