Campbell Harrison’s scaling new heights

At just 26, Campbell Harrison is well on his way to ascending to the pinnacle of the professional sport climbing world – literally and figuratively – with his spot secured for the Paris Olympics later this year. Beyond his athletic prowess, Campbell is a down-to-earth Melburnian with a passion for life both on and off the wall.

Originally from Seaford, Campbell now calls Brunswick home, where he lives with his partner Justin. Of his upbringing in Seaford, he said: “I thought it was a really nice place to spend my childhood. I have really fond memories as a kid of riding my bike with friends through the wetlands, or going for runs along Kananook Creek and the foreshore trails. Being so close to the beach is also something I really took for granted growing up.”

These days, when Campbell’s not preparing for competitions or tackling challenging routes, you might find him at one of his local climbing gyms, where he occasionally picks up shifts.

"I first tried climbing when I was nine years old, and I was hooked on the movement of climbing pretty instantly," he said. "I was an athletic kid in that I was strong and could run fast, but I never really felt drawn to most traditional sports. Climbing was purely a hobby for me until I started competing in my early teens.”

Since those early days of fascination with movement, Campbell's journey in climbing has been impressive. "Qualifying for the national team was the first thing that really cemented the value of a good work ethic to me. From there, I got pretty focused on the grind of trying to be the best climber that I could be."

Campbell's training regimen is nothing short of intense as he dedicates himself to perfecting his craft. “I’m usually training two days in a row, and then resting for one day. Training days are usually composed of two sessions that take anywhere from one to four hours each, for a total of around four to five hours a day. Most of this time is spent on the climbing wall, but I also do a lot of strength and conditioning work on the side.”

As a self-funded athlete, he's also had to navigate the delicate balance between training and earning a living. "Travelling the world to compete in sport is understandably expensive," he said. "Finding the balance between earning and training has always been a tricky one."

Despite the challenges, Campbell's passion for climbing burns brighter than ever. "I'm feeling really grateful and excited about the opportunity I have to compete in Paris. I know that the whole experience is going to absolutely fly by, so I'm really focusing on trying to take it all in."

While the pressure of the Olympics looms, Campbell remains grounded, prioritising mental health and self-care in his preparation. "I'm definitely someone who had to learn the hard way that you have to take care of your mental health in order to perform in sport. I work regularly with my (nonsport) psychologist and ensure that I take time off when I need it. In my spare time, I like to play video games, learn French, and try to play the piano a bit.”

As a member of the LGBTIQA+ community, Campbell is also passionate about representation and inclusivity in sports, and demonstrates that authenticity and athleticism can go hand in hand. "For me, it's important to be outwardly authentic about who I am. When I was younger, I always craved queer role models in climbing, and I hope that I can be that for other queer people coming into the sport. My sexuality is something I'll never keep as a secret, but it's also not the basis of who I am, and I hope to show that to people through my sport.”

To stay updated on Campbell's Olympic quest, follow him on Instagram @ campbell_harrison547 and catch every exhilarating ascent he makes in Paris. SARAH HALFPENNY