Mr A: "So, Nathan, where do you think you will finish today?"
Nathan: "My best placing was 22nd last year so I expect I'll be about 20th."
So went our conversation on the way to Redhill. I had a more optimistic assessment and told Nathan that there was a real chance of him making the top ten. I think he thought I was joking.

Little did any of us know what was really in store.

Redhill doesn't change much. It has been two years since my last visit; I only go there for the SIBL round and didn't even attend that last year (it clashed with our year nine trip to North Wales). The wall always looks so small when you first walk in. Then it's a surprise when it seems to swallow hundreds of people without too much of a squash.
It's obviously a big day for this wall when the SIBL comes to town; too big for the mens' toilet which suffered a blockage within the first hour and left everyone sharing the ladies' (if you see what I mean).

I was pleased to see Herne Bay High School arriving with some of their keenies and, of course, John GIbbons brought millions (well, eight) of the Westway squad with a fair few making their own way to the venue.

We had time for a good look around at the problems. Russ, Chris, and Joe are entering the Male Open category this year so Tom had even more people to hold hands with.
It seems to me that the first round of this league tends to be high-scoring. Certainly, our lot thought that most of the problems could be flashed. Indeed, those same climbers went on the do just that.

The results are our best ever SIBL performance with Tom finishing joint second in the Male Open and Dane Court climbers occupying seven of the top ten places in the junior male category.

There were so many superb achievements that I can only mention just a few:

Russ, Chris, and Joe took little encouragement to make the leap to the 'Big Boys' category. They had a great day and competed against some inspiring climbers on well-set problems (thanks Zippy).

Tom was joint first until Tim Hatch decided to move his monster-score from the Veterans category back to the Open Male. Nevertheless, Tom outclimbed some previous rivals and was so much more confident; both in his planning and his climbing.

Matt and Tony climbed like pros all day amassing maximum points with apparent ease. They constantly impressed onlookers and kept their cool right through the head-to-head.
Joel's run of improvement continued with an amazing maximum score and very near completion of the head-to-head.

Rob Dixon told us all about the Outdoor Adventure Show bouldering comp to which the top ten or fifteen (he couldn't make up his mind) would be invited in February 2004. Cash prizes, big sponsors (Tom thinks he's going to win a car). Now there's a real incentive; some have to work to keep their places others need to step up a gear and improve their ranking.

And where did Nathan finish in the end? Fourth and with the second highest score. A full sixteen places higher than he predicted. Definitely one to watch.

Mr A

Thanks to the 'taxi drivers'; Mr Cousins, Mr and Mrs Pay and Mr Shepperson. Your help is vital.

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