"I've been climbing on and off for about 10 years, but prior to entering the realm of Boulders last year, I hadn't climbed very much for about 6-7 years.

I got into climbing as I remember watching a programme on climbing and thinking, 'Wow, that looks so cool'! I also figured it was a good way to get over my fear of heights - Face your fears and all of that - And it worked!

One memorable climbing story I have is of Monsoon Malabar in Blacknor Central in Portland. It was cool because it was my first time sport climbing outdoors. It was quite exposed at times and had some difficult moves (for me anyway) and it was a 6a. I think there was a lot of adrenalin involved that day!

Boulders is very friendly and has a great social atmosphere. My training regime usually starts with a large latte and a chat! I do have a tendency to talk to random people, primarily because there's a free comfy chair on the table they're sitting at! With respect to climbing, there's a certain camaraderie amongst the climbers at Boulders, which I think is what creates the social buzz you feel when you walk through the doors from reception. I absolutely love being a social secretary, not least because it gives me a legitimate reason to spend the evening talking to everyone around the centre! On a serious note, when I first started climbing at Boulders, I didn't know anyone else to climb with (yes, I was billy-no-mates!) so I used to climb with the climbing clubs and through them I met so many lovely people, so it feels quite gratifying to give something back in my role as social secretary."

"I've been climbing for almost two years now, after a work colleague persuaded me to try it. Nowadays I try to climb at least twice a week, getting outdoors whenever the weather permits! The season formally known as summer saw a little (but nowhere near enough!) outdoor climbing, including getting some long-awaited trad experience. Which brings me to the scariest climb I've done to date: After only ever having lead a handful of Trad climbs, and after my climbing partner retreated off a climb using my gear, I set about to retrieve it all - later wishing I hadn't! World War III Blues is a route in Pembroke I would rather forget.

Aside from climbing I'm a keen cyclist both road and mountain, making regular trips to all corners of the UK as often as possible. I've not yet ventured beyond home soil, but I'm keen to combine both mountain biking and climbing in sunnier climates - perhaps next year.

Boulders is a great climbing centre, as it cleverly manages to continually challenge it's more seasoned climbers, as well as creating a wonderfully friendly atmosphere in which to introduce new people to what is a fantastic sport. The Climbing Club evenings are a brilliant way of encouraging new, as well as existing Boulders climbers, to climb more and meet new people and friends along the way. It's through these evenings that I became a regular climber and it's great to now be a part of the Boulders team, getting more people to enjoy their climbing!"