Introduction
As part of my CAS experience, I took part in four rock climbing sessions that focused on building strength, stamina, and technical skills. Rock climbing is a physically demanding activity that requires coordination, balance, and proper technique. Each session gave me the chance to practice different climbing methods, improve my grip, and increase my overall fitness. Over time, I was able to see clear progress in my ability to climb more confidently and efficiently. These sessions provided a valuable opportunity to challenge myself physically while learning a new and exciting skill.
- Session 1: 22nd August
- Session 2: 26th August
- Session 3: 28th August
- Session 4: 3rd September
LO1 – Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth
During the first rock climbing session, I struggled to climb very high and could only make it a short way up the wall. By the end of the four sessions, however, I had improved significantly and was able to almost complete the entire course. One of my strengths was maintaining balance while climbing, which helped me stay steady on the wall. At the same time, I realized that I needed to work on pushing myself upward to reach the next rock, as I often found this part of the climb difficult. Recognizing this allowed me to focus on improving my upper body strength and technique throughout the sessions.
LO2 – Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills
Rock climbing was a completely new challenge for me, and each session pushed me to go beyond my comfort zone. At the beginning, I found it difficult to climb high and lacked the strength to push myself upward. Over the four sessions, I gradually developed new skills such as proper foot placement, using my legs instead of only relying on my arms, and planning my next move before climbing further. These skills made the climbs more manageable and helped me improve with every attempt. Taking on this challenge allowed me to gain confidence in my ability to learn a new sport and build my physical abilities through consistent practice.
LO4 – Show perseverance and commitment in CAS experience
Throughout the four rock climbing sessions, I showed perseverance by continuing to push myself even when the climbs felt tiring or difficult. On the first day, I was not able to climb very far, but I kept practicing and attending each session with the commitment to improve. Even when my arms felt sore or when I slipped while climbing, I stayed determined to try again. By the final session, this persistence helped me come close to completing the entire course, something I could not do at the start. Staying committed to the activity allowed me to make steady progress and achieve more than I initially thought possible.
Conclusion
Overall, the four rock climbing sessions were a valuable CAS experience that allowed me to identify my strengths, face challenges, and steadily improve through practice. Each day began with warm-up exercises, which helped prepare my body for the climbs and reminded me of the importance of safety and preparation. From not being able to climb very high in the first session to almost completing the course by the last, I was able to see clear progress in my abilities. The experience taught me the value of perseverance, consistency, and skill development. Rock climbing not only helped me improve my physical strength and balance but also gave me confidence in trying new activities and committing to them over time.
Evidence
