Coaching
Lucy Creamer climbing to 9th place in the final of the world cup at Ratho, Scotland in December 2003.
“Thank you so much Lucy for my two days coaching, to be coached by you was just great. You immediately spotted how I could improve my climbing and was dedicated to helping me work on my technique. It was good to know I could improve so quickly with your expert guidance, knowledge and tips. Thanks also for taking the time to answer my thousand and one questions and for tailoring the days to my level and specific goals. I'm excited again about my climbing and can't wait to put it all into practice! Big thank you.”
- Jo.
“… your coaching has definitely improved my leading ability a notch and has left me feeling the most motivated towards climbing in ages.”
- Jane.
”You really made us feel welcome and your coaching was fantastic.?I learned so much and am looking forward to putting it to good use. The week has really boosted my confidence and I feel, although I've got a long way to go I certainly now know which road to take.”
- Chris.
“Just wanted to send a quick message to thank you again for a really great day of coaching - I have come away with a great set of building blocks to consolidate and improve my trad leading.”
- Karen.
“Lucy was an excellent coach and the extra effort she put in really made a difference to all our climbing. My confidence and skills improved so I can now lead much closer to my physical limit."
- Dave.
'I have had one-to-one coaching from Lucy three times now. And on each occasion I have climbed a grade harder than before 6c+, 7a and most recently 7a+. Lucy’s calm, professional approach inspires confidence and helps me to push myself that bit harder. She has helped me develop redpointing skills and to think about how to approach routes more tactically. And she is super-friendly and mellow to be around.'
- Roslyn.
“Just wanted to say a big thank you for Sunday. I was bit brain dead by the end but I really enjoyed and valued what you were teaching me. Last night I managed to get up the 6b I struggled up on Sunday, this time with no rests, no falls and only a little swearing! I will definitely try and practice what you were preaching over the next few weeks.”
- Malcolm.
“Since my two day coaching with you my climbing confidence has improved so, so much. It's amazing how my footwork and technique has improved over such a short time. I have just returned from the Gower where I climbed my 1st HVS, in fact I bagged 3! All onsight! Not bad considering I had been stuck at VS for the last year. Thank you so much for passing on your expertise and all the extra time you spent on my climbing. I'm now looking forward to my 1st E1. Many thanks.”
- Craig.
“Lucy is great at striking the right balance between explaining technique, demonstrating it (truly inspirational!) and helping you overcome mental obstacles. The mental side is Lucy's speciality - she has the (slightly scary) ability to get inside your head and work out what's needed to get you up a route. It makes a BIG difference. Many thanks for a great week."
- Peter.
Lucy has been a British team member for 14 years, assistant manger to the senior leading team and has consistently set the standards for female British climbing. She is regarded as a highly technical climber and this ability has helped her to find success on many of her hard ascents. This skill combined with her 16 years of experience of working with climbers from beginner to British team members, means that Lucy will be able to enhance your climbing ability. Having coached people at home and abroad, she realises that a lot of climbers are under achieving. With her quick analytical skills, Lucy will be able to identify problems and stumbling blocks, which with careful coaching will change and improve.
To give you extra confidence, Lucy uses fixed ropes to ascend next to you while you are climbing. This is not essential but a lot of people find it a real boost when they are trying to push themselves out of their comfort zone. You might be having trouble putting gear in or struggling to work out the crux move, Lucy can be right there to help you in these moments of extremis.
Here are the main topics that can be covered but Lucy will tailor a session to your needs.
Trad climbing
Lucy has found that climbers who are struggling to progress in this diverse discipline, usually suffer from ‘head problems’. Having on-sighted E7’s, Lucy is an expert in this field of mental control and will be able to offer interesting techniques and tactics to improve this area.
Placing gear and general ropework is naturally a very important topic to look at and will be comprehensively covered.
Technique and physicality are substantial areas within climbing and will be addressed after an initial assessment.
Sport climbing
With the perceived danger of trad climbing removed, most of us think the key to harder sport climbing is to get stronger. Although this does help, it is certainly not the be all and end all. Lucy is able to provide true insight into a field that has many hidden intricacies.
For example, preparation is key; the small details make a substantial difference: Are your shoes clean? Do you know all the moves on your redpoint project? Do you have enough quick-draws? Are you mentally prepared to go for it on a long run-out between bolts? Etc etc… Highlighting these details and many others, Lucy can provide tips and tactics for on-sighting and redpointing. Also, assessing technical weaknesses and offering solutions, grades will definitely be improved.
Bouldering
A very popular and easily accessible element of climbing. Needing only boots and a chalk bag and a lump of rock, bouldering is a fun way to hone your skills. Lucy has found that bouldering is an effective and practical way to work on technique. As you are low to the ground and can look at individual moves, it works very well as a coaching tool. If you want to have a focussed technique session or need an assessment of your physical strengths and weaknesses, a bouldering coaching session could be for you.
Venues
The choice is yours; inside or outside. Lucy is based in Sheffield which boasts some of the best climbing walls in the country and of course is a quick hop out to the fantastic gritstone edges of the peak district. Lucy is happy to provide coaching at other venues. For example, Portland is an excellent limestone sport climbing venue in the south of England. Or there are many quality trad climbing crags around the UK, which can work well for a coaching session.
Prices
|
PER PERSON: |
HOURLY RATE |
HALF DAY |
FULL DAY |
|
1-1 TRAD CLIMBING |
£40 | £100 | £170 |
|
1-1 SPORT CLIMBING |
£35 | £80 | £150 |
|
1-1 BOULDERING |
£30 | £70 | N/A |
|
SMALL GROUP TRAD CLIMBING |
N/A | £50 | £85 |
|
SMALL GROUP SPORT CLIMBING |
N/A | £40 | £75 |
|
SMALL GROUP BOULDERING |
£15 | £35 | £60 |
Please note:
All clients must be competent climbers and have an existing knowledge of ropework and placing gear (if applicable).
The coaching is aimed at people who can already climb at least HS and are capable of taking responsibility for themselves and others.
The cost of Lucy’s travelling expenses to venues outside the peak district, will be added to the price.
Please see Climb France for details of Lucy’s coaching holidays.