Luke Tilley

Rock Climbing and Fire Poi

I was inspired to take up climbing aged 12, watching climbers scale the overhung faces of Kilnsey crag, Yorkshire. After getting stuck scrambling up the first moves of one climb (I now know to be Directissima… the route to warm up on) and being kindly lifted down to safety a fire was started in my heart and I was determined to come back stronger and able to top those routes. Since then climbing has become my life! Training, competing, going on trips and chilling with other climbers is what I live for.

I have mainly focused on competition climbing, I got on the junior climbing squad in 2007 and since then I have competed internationally for team GB. My biggest achievements in the competition circuit are coming 8th in the 2008 Youth World Championships, Sydney and 6th at the European Youth Series in Vienna this year. I am currently British Champion for under 18s and 14th in Europe for under 18s. I love going to these national and international events, meeting so many psyched young climbers and have made some brilliant friends.

Comps are great fun and keep me fit but my heart has always been in outdoor climbing. I spent all summer climbing at Kilnsey, where it all began for me and the Peak District with a week in south France to top it off. I have climbed seven 8a’s and my first two 8a+‘s this year.

I am also a semi professional fire performer and travel all over the country doing shows at events such as weddings, parties and sporting events. Check out our troops.

In my spare time I attend sixth form, completing year 2 of my A-levels in Graphics, Photography, Physics and Sports Science.

Goals

• Redpoint 8B - 2011
• Regularly final 2012 European Youth Series
• Podium 2012 European Youth round
• Travel the south of Spain climbing every day
• Avoid injury
• BBB, A level results minimum
• Get Poi Sons up and running with regular shows

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