Rock climbing dates: 29/11/24, 10/12/24, 6/1/24, 21/1/24

For my first activity I took an activity which is about endurance and strength. In total I did 4 sessions of rock climbing. Each time we had different courses and each step posed a challenge to myself and I held many strengths and weaknesses applicable to this activity. Yet to persevere I set a goal for myself to reach the top and to decrease my climbing time both of which I eventually achieved as I committed myself to this activity. 

LO 1 Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth

My strength was my upper body and arm strength and my reasoning skills to navigate how to do the activity. Having upper arm strength helped to climb with more ease and in a smoother manner. Although my weakness was my hand and leg coordination and my grip. Although I had upper arm strength, having to hold onto the grips for a long time was challenging and difficult for me since it made me lose balance and eventually tire me out. By knowing my strengths and weaknesses it made me identify that I had areas of improvement and areas for development. And it was important for me to know these so that I could improve my performance and make it such that I would not tire out quickly. Eventually I worked on my weakness by using my reasoning skills. I quickly navigated where and how to place my hands by climbing again and again from which it became easier for me to climb. 

LO 2 Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process

The biggest challenge I faced was the grip strength required to pull myself up which made me tired and unmotivated since my grip strength was my weakness. I had done rock climbing in nature before yet it was relatively small with not complex or difficult routes. To overcome my challenges I practiced over and over, climbing twice in each session which improved my grip and hand and leg coordination. By undertaking this challenge I could work on my strength and coordination, and this could be used potentially and carried forward further as a skill or an activity. By undertaking this challenge I identified my strengths and weaknesses which is important in taking on new challenges. 

LO 4 Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences

Rock climbing for me in the beginning was physically and mentally exhausting since it put strain on my body and to keep going even as I was tired was again mentally taxing. Yet I chose to commit myself to this activity by climbing twice each session and I set my goal to reach the top, by committing myself to this and when I achieved my goal on the second day and again and again it made me feel persevered. Physical and mental commitment was absolutely necessary for this since even though I was not mentally exhausted, being physically tired made me unmotivated and my mental commitment was absolutely required. Usually I find it challenging to committee things, yet for this I saw it as an absolute goal and I chose to be persistent and got motivation from my friends, and it was important for me to be persistent to achieve my goal and improve both mentally and physically.  

Final takeaway

From rock climbing I became a risk taker and I learned to be determined by committing myself. The highlight of my experience was to look down from the very top and see the height I had climbed and achieved and it made me feel exhilarated and it changed my perception of this activity to something that I can dedicate myself to rather than to see as a necessity or a requirement. This experience for me was a success since I achieved my personal goal as well as successfully complete the activity and it made me feel satisfied and content. I learned to handle myself and coordinate my body and it was extremely beneficial for me.