    
What I offer
I
offer bespoke climbing coaching to individuals and groups, worldwide.
This summer (2006) I am operating one-to-one coaching days in the Peak
District, both on limestone and gritstone. I am also available for
sessions at indoor climbing walls, by arrangement.
Coaching
sessions can cover sport climbing, trad climbing, or bouldering, and
can focus on any area. If you do not have a clear idea of where your
room for improvement is, a session can commence with a few routes or
boulder problems to reveal the missed potential! All coaching sessions
are tailored entirely to your needs.
Each
coaching session includes a written summary of what was covered, and a
breakdown of stengths and weaknesses. Video analysis is used where
appropriate.
Prices
- Coaching at Climbing Works: £40 per hour
- One-to-one coaching in the Peak District: £150 per day
- One-to-two coaching in the Peak District: £180 per day
“Adrian
Berry is one of Britain's best and most experienced climbing coaches. I
have worked with him many times and his analytical eye has helped many
climbers to unlock their potential. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend
him for one-to-one coaching.”
Neil Gresham |
My Promise
If you do not feel you have learnt from a coaching session with me - I won't charge you for it.
Recent Feedback
"Just wanted to say thanks for all of your help over the last few days. Your guidance (and perseverance) has helped me to push the boundaries of what I previously deemed beyond my capability and or beyond acceptable risk. I'll take away strong memories of that failed HVS, not for negative reasons, but to remind myself that I can comfortably (and more confidently) climb beyond my gear to the point of grounding out. That alone will help no end with pushing forward on the better protected VS and HVS routes.No more limiting myself to S and HS. A good stack of VS and some HVS climbs is now on the cards!
Mike
"Your structured build up thru the day gave me more confidence than I'd had for a long time."
Alan
"Many thanks for another enjoyable and productive day yesterday and for the feedback. In terms of the number of good hard problems ticked it easily goes down as my best ever day of bouldering and the most fun as well!"
Jon
"You’re brilliant – you really are the cup-more-than-half-full man."
Steve
"Thanks, Adrian. Sounds cheesy, but I think you're a great coach."
Al
“I
learnt so much, much more in that day than I have in the past 5 years,
and I achieved my goal. Adrian is a really good coach, explains things
well, is pretty patient and makes you believe in yourself. He gave me
some things to work on and I will definitely be going back for another
session."
Caroline
Never
thought I would ever lead E1, so a clean on sight of an E2 was a real
bonus... I got a shed load done in two days, a lot more than I had
reasonably expected to achieve, a lot of mental distance travelled”
Paul
“Just
a note to say a big thank you for the help and advice you gave this
weekend. The boys are thoroughly fired up and inspired to climb...like
you!”
16 year-old Sam climbed his first E4 on-sight during his first year of climbing after three coaching sessions!
"You
present any criticism in a very positive way, making people feel good
about their climbing potential and never deflated. You get people to
recognise their strengths and to build on those."
Lucy
"I have experienced Adrian's unique approach to coaching on three
week-long courses, two focussing on sport climbing, and one on
bouldering. He has an ability to unlock climbing potential
through some very acute observations and comments. He also
provides an extremely inspiring role model through his impeccable
demonstrations of a range of techniques, in particular on-sight
tactics."
Kate
"Keep on climbing and keep on teaching, you have so much to give."
Soren
"I
really appreciated your professional and structured approach; your tips
have added a more thoughtful and disciplined dimension to my own
climbing approach."
Louise
What to Expect: Roger Gibbs wrote this account of a day we spent together for the Oread MC Newsletter.
Finally
the weather looked vaguely o.k. after weeks of delays. So the big day
was here and it was off to Stoney (gulp!) to meet Adrian Berry (gulp!
gulp!) for some coaching and some terror. He was very relaxed and it
seemed a lot like going climbing with a mate, but I was paying for the
privilege!
I suggested Mani
and Padme as suitable warm ups but that wall was very wet so we walked
further along and I got on Little Capucin, HVS 5a. This turned out to
be really good climbing. It had some small loose bits but absolutely no
polish. I thought it was hard for the grade, especially the lower wall
but a good sideways wire protects. I felt I was climbing o.k. and
Adrian said little apart from commenting that the route was good and
hard for the grade – certainly E1 and borderline E2. It was nice to
have my feelings confirmed – I needed all the confidence I could get
for the day ahead! We discussed tactics and pointers on gear while
abbing off – it’s remarkable what you can learn even after years in the
game.
The sun was drying the
crag nicely now so we headed up to Windy Ledge for Scoop Wall. This is
very top end E2 in my opinion (I had seconded a strong climber who had
struggled to lead it a couple of years earlier). It also sported some
worrying wet patches but the gear was good and Adrian oozed confidence.
The first half went fine with encouragement (and some tips on ropework)
from below. I had to grit my teeth and hang in there a bit at the top
where some seepage meant I had to do some harder moves to stay dry.
This was a big confidence boost but I could feel I'd been working.
Coach
reckoned I’d had been cruising so far, so he needed to push me to
reveal some weaknesses (there are plenty after all!) He suggested
Pickpocket (E4) mentioning long reaches and good gear – he was talking
my language! The start was a shock – low wires and a poor cam. I was
not happy. Using my newly learnt tactics I reversed to the ground and
tested the gear. With the cam back on my harness and a bigger scowl on
my face I set off again. I got the bomber wire in – relief! But I was
soon back on the ground with my arms pumped solid. Third or fourth go
saw me crack the crux and onto more amenable ground on the ramp. More
gear and pulpy forearms. Some familiar faces appeared with encouraging
words but my fingers uncurled (really? Or just in my mind?) I was off.
It felt like I was failing.
Adrian
was priceless at this point. Full of confidence, full of motivation –
do you really want to do all this work and still not get the route? He
was my conscience – “You’ve fallen off but you can still get it as
clean as possible.” More tactical discussion and a break. I was shocked
at how late in the day it was and frankly I was knackered.
I set off again with some wise words in my head – “Keep your eyes on the prize – you’ve really got to want it”. The crux felt easy. The pump was pressing but I knew I
could do this. Into the steepest section and through to better holds.
Runner on. One move to easy ground. Breath. Feet! Feet! A ledge you
could camp on. Congratulations float up from the ground.
“You made that look easy.”
“How does that feel?”
Only the best feeling the world.
I
have been climbing on and off for twenty years but I think I learnt
more in one day than in the previous twenty years. Insights into
climbing physiology and training, tips on tactics and technique,
pointers on gear and a boat load of motivation. Bring on the summer!
It might not be everybody's cup of tea, being pushed this hard, but if you want to improve I can't think of a better way.
A word of warning – I have never been so physically and mentally spanked as after this day out on the rock! |
|