RAF ODIHAM CLIMBING CLUB

Written By: AS1 Ryan Croxford and AS1 Oli Underwood

Not only is the team asserting its dominance in competitions; the climbing club has grown considerably as a social community as well, attending weekends both in the UK and abroad. Climbing at RAF Odiham has recently become one of the largest, most active, and most exciting sports to be a part of on Station.

Toward the end of April, the club took part in the illustrious RAFMA Festival of Climbing. The premiere event of the RAF climbing calendar took place over a long weekend, split into two phases – the championship itself, and outdoor climbing/ mountaineering activities held throughout the Peak District. Competitors for the RAF championship came from units across the UK and overseas, and were divided into five categories: Novice (anyone who is not a confident lead climber), Female Open, Men’s U25, Men’s Open and Men’s Masters.

RAF Odiham dominated in each category with every member of the club in the top 10. A particular mention should go out to AS1(T) Rhys Hall (1st Men’s U25) and Cpl Dean ‘Dino’ Stock (2nd Men’s Open). Such a showing resulted in RAF Odiham taking home the Stn trophy for the best overall performance!

The remainder of the weekend aimed to provide outdoor climbing lessons and skill development. The RAFMA was able to provide a several instructors, most coming from representatives from different Stns including RAF Odiham’s own – Flt Lt Richardson and Cpl Fillingham-Doyle. These weekends provide an exclusive opportunity to develop climbing skills, meet other climbers, and encourage further development.

Overseas climbing opportunities saw members of the club venture to Fontainebleau, a region of France just south of Paris that is frequently described as ‘the Mecca for bouldering in Europe’. The quantity and quality of boulder problems in this beautiful forest-region is immense, with a large and varied selection of routes that are great for both beginners and experts. In February a small team of RAF Odiham climbers braved the tall, harsh crags of Costa Blanca. They went to Spain with the intent to improve their technical climbing ability, as well as their mental capacity to deal with situations when pushed to their limits. The weeklong trip culminated in multi-pitch climbing routes of up to 100m in height and they pushed the boundaries of their climbing ability and their comfort zone.

Over the winter, the club competed in the Armed Forces Bouldering League (AFBL) where personnel from across the three services gathered to compete in a series of rounds that tested their bouldering technique, mental strength, and physical resilience. Each individual round is located at a different climbing gym across the country. Having attended several of these events, which cater for climbers of all levels, it was decided to set up our own bouldering competition!

A local bouldering hall in Southampton provided access to their climbing gym for a day and our fellow Joint Helicopter Command unit , RAF Benson, were invited to take part.

Organised by club members Fg Off Stephens and AS1(T) Richards, it worked much like the AFBL albeit on a smaller scale. The event comprised of two categories, elite and novice, with fierce but friendly competition between RAF Odiham and RAF Benson personnel, podium places being won by both. Prizes included: climbing chalk, T-shirts, and mugs, all provided by the club or donated from friendly climbing companies. It was an incredible day, with the fixture expected to become an annual competition for the club.