If you’ve been climbing at Awesome Walls you may have noticed a very talented young climber crushing the hardest routes and problems. We thought you might like to find out a bit more about the 2023 Junior British Bouldering Champion, Junior British Lead Climbing Champion, Four Nations Bouldering Champion, Four Nations Lead Climbing Champion, Midlands Youth Climbing Series Winner and Awesome Walls sponsored climber Louie Cawley…
How old are you now Louie and what age did you start climbing?
I am 13 years old now and started climbing when I was 7 years old.
When did you realise that you wanted to start competing and who influenced you?
I started climbing with my Dad and great Uncle who both influenced me, my Dad loved to watch me climb on a weekend which started off as a little bit of fun. Soon became my absolute passion. My Dad saw my potential on the walls and had a conversation with me about joining a squad to build my confidence and push me further due to him seeing how well I was progressing in such a short time and at the start only climbing at a weekend. After joining a squad my potential soon shined through and it was a massive eye-opener that I should start being coached 1 to 1 rather than in a group environment enabling me to push myself to the top, I soon began training and getting ready for competitions where soon I pushed and pushed getting me to where I am now. Yet I’m only just getting started, and there’s still plenty more that I am ready to achieve and push for!
You’ve been selected to be on GB Lead Climbing Team, what does this mean to you?
This has enabled me to see how far I have come in just 6 years. (just imagine me in another 6 years how far I will be then) It really has opened up my perception that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. It has given me the drive to push harder and challenge myself further helping me to better myself and prove myself on the international circuit.
What are your goals in the next couple of years and beyond?
My goals are: to get an international medal in 2025. My long-term goal is to compete in the Olympic games.
What other sports do you enjoy besides climbing?
If I am being completely honest I don’t enjoy any other sport other than climbing, climbing has become a part of me and has become my whole life and I am super glad for that.
Is there anything that might be perceived as an obstacle to you achieving your goals?
Personally, the only potential obstacle is financing and being able to fund my climbing career. However, I am super grateful to both of my parents for supporting me throughout my career and always going above and beyond to get me to where I am now, even if there were a few obstacles on my journey I still made it as the majority of this would be impossible without them both.
What music do you listen to when training?
When training or driving to competitions I am not really picky but I do like Old school drum and bass.
What’s your least favourite part about training?
Training can be really tiring although if it’s tiring I know I have trained well afterwards. Training gets me stronger and the more I train the more I push myself which means the further I will get up the walls!
What’s the best climbing gift you’ve received?
I’m forever grateful for being awarded money from Secure It, I imagine this is because he watched me climb and become a double British champion.
