Tom Newman

Name: Tom Newman
DOB: 1988
Interview: Moon Climbing / January 2012
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Moon Climbing – When and where did you start climbing? I started climbing when I was 7 at the Newton Aycliffe sports centre. The locals referred to the centre as ’The Wreck’, classy place!

Moon Climbing – Do you have a favorite style of climbing (traditional, sport, bouldering etc)? At the moment it has to be bouldering but I think that’s because I live in the UK. When I have brief visits to my mums house Catalan I dabble in the sport climbing. I would obviously only do sport if I lived there!

Moon Climbing – You are stuck on a desert island with just one route and one boulder. Which ones would you choose and why? Well if I was an outstanding climber, I would like to do things like Chilam Bilam and The Change, but unfortunately I’m not that good. In terms of boulder problems, one climb that has always captured my attention has been Ammagamma in the grampians, simply because of the way it looks and climbs.

Moon Climbing – Who is your climbing hero or inspiration and why? I would say that one of my main inspirations in climbing has been Andrew Earl. I really like his attitude towards climbing. He doesn’t mess around and if your getting shut down on a boulder problem, he’s never shy to let you know you can’t do it through a lack of weakness.

Moon Climbing - How often do you climb? 4-5 times per week

Moon Climbing – Where and how often do you train and for how many hours per week? I train at the best climbing wall in the UK……… Nottingham Climbing Depot . Each session I do last between 1-2 hours

Moon Climbing – What kind of training do you do? Currently I’m doing strength training, which involves weights, and lots of static climbing of rubbish holds.

Moon Climbing –Your top training tip or tips? Doing loads isn’t necessarily better and stopping when you still feel strong and not tired is a good thing.

Moon Climbing – The climbing achievement you are most proud of and why? Well I guess on paper my greatest achievement was the Ace but it didn’t feel like the hardest thing a I’ve done by a long shot. I can think of plenty of Yorkshire 7c+’s I’ve done that took more effort.

Moon Climbing - What is your opinion on competitions? Good, bad or indifferent? Good, flipping love them.

Moon Climbing – Your goals for 2013? Climb hard blocs, help manage a successful bouldering centre and attend Boulder World Cups over the world.