Fourteen year old Brogan Flockton has been climbing since she was seven. She has been competitively climbing for most of this time and takes part in two disciplines - Boulder and Lead Climbing. She has been on the Scottish Youth Development Squad for 3 of these years.
I loved being up high when I was young and I was always climbing walls/trees or to the highest point of a play park. My parents both climbed when they were younger so encouraged me to try it.
There are only a few clubs in the area and most climbing is parent led. I started climbing with my parents and then joined Alford Climbing Kids for a short while. I then joined Granite City Climbers which is a parent lead group for more breadth of difficulty and variety. Most of my climbing has been with my own family belaying and coaching me.
Lockdown meant no climbing walls were open for a few months and when they did reopen it was rebooked sessions of an hour at a time. Thankfully those days have passed and I can climb for longer periods.
Last year I sustained a finger injury so wasn’t able to climb for a few months which has knocked my training plan a bit.
I’m hoping to be reselected for the Scottish Youth Squad as I missed out due to injury last year. Ideally a podium place in the Youth Climbing Series would be an aim.
I regularly attend Strength and Conditioning supported by Inverurie Youth Sport Foundation for young athletes.
I also go Climbing at Transition Extreme as often as possible and depending on what competitions are coming up I adjust the training towards that specific discipline. I also go to Inverurie Bouldering wall or Alford Climbing wall when I can.
Monthly we go to Inverness/Dundee/Edinburgh to bigger climbing walls to get more experience as we are restricted in this area with the facilities available.
Although very determined and competitive I have been able to build my skills in teamwork, communication, problem solving, cooperation when belaying others. I have met lots of others from throughout Scotland and built friendships with others who take part in the sport.
Annually I take part in any local competitions in Dundee/Aberdeen and Inverness and then nationally I compete in the Scottish Youth Bouldering Championships and Lead Championships. In September/October I take part in the Scottish Youth Climbing series which is my main focus.
So far I have just had to accept any let downs and wait until I could get back to the same level to try again.
My biggest inspiration is Shauna Coxsey who was the first British climber to represent GB in the Olympics when it became an Olympic sport. I also got to meet her when I was 8.
Depending on which category I’m in each year does depend on my achievements as often I’m competing against girls older than me. Top 5 in the YCS is always an aim so that I can be selected for the Youth Development Squad. I also enjoy the local Winter Competitions against adults and this year in Dundee I came 1st Youth and 1st Female against the adults.
My parents! I do sometimes need a nudge but when I’m motivated I can go bouldering with friends now I’m over 14. Up until that age I had to have an adult with me climbing. The downside to Lead Climbing is I need a competent person to belay so I do rely on either my parents or a friend to belay me. It’s a very social sport and I am rarely on my own.
Try it, have fun and enjoy it.
It means I can train closer to home when Inverurie Bouldering Wall is open and save the drive to Aberdeen. I’m hoping to use the gym and swim sessions to keep my fitness levels up.
ClimbScotland are the governing body for climbing and they have a list of walls and advice on their website. They also explain how Youth climbers can get into climbing competitions.