Maria Davies Sandbu

Name: Maria Davies Sandbu
DOB: 1992
Interview: January 2013

Moon Climbing – When and where did you start climbing?

Maria – I started climbing when I was 13 years old while I was living in Australia. I tried climbing one day my family was hiking in the Grampians and thought it was really fun! I joined a junior training group in Melbourne and climbed in a indoor gym there for 5 months. When I got back to Norway I continued the climbing at home. Since then I have been hooked!

Moon Climbing – Do you have a favorite style of climbing (traditional, sport,
bouldering etc)?

Maria – I do bouldering and sport climbing. I prefer steep climbing and in-cut crimpers!

Moon Climbing – You are stuck on a desert island with just one route and one boulder. Which ones would you choose and why?

Maria  – I would choose something challenging so that I could work the project for a long time, never to be bored on the island! For a boulder maybe Black Shadow in Rocklands- it is such a cool looking boulder with powerful and challenging moves. The route could be Nordic Flower in Flatanger. (Huge cave in Norway). It is a long and steep route with big shapes and would challenge me in many ways!

Moon Climbing – Who is your climbing hero or inspiration and why?

Maria  – I dont really have a climbing hero, but I admire anyone who really committes to the sport and continues to push the limits! People I train with or meet when travelling who show pure dedication and commitment to the sport and their training are an inspiration. To see people around me push themselves to the limit and therefore improve their climbing is inspiring.

Moon Climbing – How often do you climb?

Maria  – I climb 5-7 days a week. One ore two sessions a day.

Moon Climbing – Where and how often do you train and for how many hours per week?

Maria  – I train in a bouldering gym in my hometown- Trondheim. I also try to get out on rock whenever the weather is good enough. I find climbing outdoor as very good training! When training indoor at the gym I train something between 10-15 houres a week.

Moon Climbing – What kind of training do you do?

Maria  – I do bouldering, sirkles on the bouldering walls, campus training, pullups and various power and strength exercises, and weights. Depending on the time of year/ what training period I am in I vary the types of training.

Moon Climbing – Your top training tip or tips?

Maria – Challenge yourself in new ways and vary the training. Work on your weaknesses. And always try harder!

Moon Climbing – The climbing achievement you are most proud of and why?

Maria  - When I did my first 8A boulder problem. That was a big ”step up” in my climbing career and it showed the progress I had been having that whole season. Also when I did Fish Eye (8c) in Oliana was a very proud moment for me!

Moon Climbing – What is your opinion on competitions? Good, bad or indifferent?

Maria  – I think cometitions is a good thing. It is a totally different approach to the sport than the outdoor climbing, but it should be acknowledged and supported equally. It is good both for those who enjoy this type of climbing and also for the growth and recognition of the sport world wide.

Moon Climbing – Your goals for 2013?

Maria  -  In 2013 I plan on climbing more outside and doing fewer competitions. I am planning on travelling to some places in Europe both for bouldering and rope-climbing and also climbing a lot near my hometown. (The Flatanger cave especially). I hope to do another 8c route, and also climb my first 8A+ boulder!