Sophomore Kailyn Klein has spent almost as much time scaling walls as she has on solid ground, completing challenging new walls and aspiring to new levels of competition as a rock climber. Klein has been climbing for over a decade, and her introduction to the sport was light-hearted and spontaneous.
“As a kid I always loved climbing trees, and my parents wanted me to get that energy out somewhere else. My dad knew about the sport because one of his coworkers took him one time. He thought it would be perfect for me,” Klein said.
Her energetic nature made her integration into the sport natural and effortless. The quick grasp she had on techniques and skills made her passion for the activity grow stronger.
“I remember I loved the first time I climbed. I was only 5 years old and doing really easy stuff, but I was able to get up pretty high. The experience was amazing and I didn’t want to leave. I enjoyed it so much that I wanted to go back immediately,” Klein said.
For a large part of the initial stages of her climbing career, Klein viewed it as a fun hobby and a way to expend energy. Her talent was evident and this later shifted, becoming a competitive endeavor instead.
“Climbing became more serious for me when I was around 10 years old. I was just in the kids club at the climbing gym, but one of the coaches saw my potential and made me move up to the team,” Klein said.
Through her extensive experience with the sport, Klein has built resilience and strength. The sport of rock climbing requires a lot of physical strength to be able to achieve success, a skill Klein has refined over the years.
“I think people often underestimate how much of a full body sport this is. People usually think it is just arms or fingers being used, but it really is head to toe with legs and core. Most usually don’t realize how hard the training is and the sport itself isn’t as easy as it may look,” Klein said.
As much of a physical battle as there is within this sport, the mental aspect is equally as challenging. Klein works to improve her mindset with every practice and competition.
Through hard work and dedication, Klein has been able to overcome the battles she faces on and off the rock wall, and set herself up for future success.
“On the outside this seems like a very dangerous sport, which it is, but when you have been doing it a while you learn skills that will keep you safe or give you the comfort that you are safe. I no longer have a fear of heights, and I always try to go in with a positive mindset, because it helps me perform better if I tell myself I can do this,” Klein said.
To read about a student who dazzles on the ice, also maintaining long-term commitment to her sport, click here.
