Interview with Daniel Woods
Daniel Woods’ Background
Born in 1989, Daniel has had a resounding climbing career for someone so young. Daniel has put his stamp on bouldering from a very young age - entering his first competition when he was just 8 years old! Since then he has continued to test the capabilities of a climber on some of the toughest climbs around. He takes great pride in testing his climbing abilities across both bouldering and sport climbing of which he his topping the scale of difficulty ratings in both sports.
Daniel is a well recognised climber in the field, with prominent climbing successes across the USA and around the world. Here’s an insight into his life as a professional climber…
Interview with Daniel Woods:
The Interview
CheapTents.com: What inspired you to get into Climbing?
Daniel: I started climbing at the age of 5 and did it just because it was something to do. At the time I was too young to develop a passion for the sport and I had not tried any other activities as well. When I was in middle school, I participated in team activities through my school and quickly found out that they were not for me. I switched my attention back over to climbing and my dedication for the sport grew every year and has led to where I am now.
My inspiration came from knowing that it is not a team sport, but a self sport. I liked knowing that if I won a competition or completed a goal outside, it was myself who did it and not the team. Rock climbing just felt natural and right to do. I love the feeling of different types of rock and formations and the possibilities that they offer. Also, knowing that what you can do with climbing is endless and there will always be a knew challenge out there is very inspirational.
CheapTents.com: What has been your biggest sporting achievement?
Daniel: So far my biggest achievement is balancing my bouldering and sport climbing. I started out as a sport climber then switched gears to bouldering. Bouldering has been my life for the past 7 years with an occasional trip to try a hard sport route. I feel like I have met all my goals so far for bouldering and now am psyched to see what I can do on a rope. In the past couple of weeks I have climbed harder on a rope than ever and hope to continue pushing my limits. I want to be pushing my standards for bouldering and rope climbing simultaneously.
CheapTents.com: What is you biggest weakness?
Daniel: My biggest weakness is my experience level and “head game”. I have a bunch of power, but lack when it comes to doing a climb on flash or on-sight, or developing the easiest method for completing a climb. In competitions, I can do really well once the pressure kicks in, I let my head get the best of me.
I need to learn how to be a smarter climber and control the pressure. Strength isn’t everything, experience and confidence go a long way!
CheapTents.com: When did you feel like you ?made it? in your field of outdoor sports? And do you feel like you’ve satisfied your goals?
Daniel: At 13 I was brought onto the map. I had La Sportiva and Sickle as sponsors, was winning junior competitions and placing podium in junior World Cup events overseas, and I was appearing in magazines. This was the beginning and since then so much has changed.
I would say that at around 17 I made my hobby into a dream. I signed on with The North Face which was the best move I have ever made in climbing. They have made my goals come true and provided me with the best product out there on the market. Also, La Sportiva, Petzl, and Organic stepped in to help me achieve my goals. Now I am able to travel and develop/repeat hard climbs all over the world.
As for goals, I feel like each year I satisfy my goal then keep setting the next goal higher. I am satisfied with what I have completed and set up, but want to keep on going. That is the best part about climbing… there are no limits!
This extract has kindly been provided by Cheaptents.com. You can read the full interview with Daniel Woods on the Cheaptents Blog.
Comments
Comment on this article
We welcome your comments on this article, please complete the form below to add your views to the reader discussion.
Please note: Mountaindays.net reserves the right to remove or edit any comments that are deemed inappropriate or off-topic.
Thank you for taking part in this discussion.
Latest Reviews
With Bare Hands by Alain Robert
Alain Robert, the world famous urban solo climber has released his autobiography, With Bare Hands: The Story of the Human Spider. Read a gripping excerpt in our review of the book.
Other Recent Reviews
Psychovertical by Andy Kirkpatrick
The Eiger Obsession by John Harlin
Thin White Line by Andy Cave
Walks and Climbs in the Pyrenees
Sport Climbing & Rock Climbing Books
UK Forecasts
Select the relevant mountain area from the map or list below to view the forecast:
Take me to the weather section
Posted by WATTSJennifer25 on August 28, 2010
Don’t have enough money to buy a car? Don’t worry, because it’s achievable to receive the <a >loans</a> to resolve such kind of problems. Hence get a student loan to buy everything you require.