Youth World Championships 2023 – Recap

A note to all of the GoFundMe supporters…

Hi everyone! We’re home.

Thank you so much for your support in my first international competition. It was a very valuable experience. And I had a blast representing team Canada. Thank you all so much for making it possible.

Arriving in Seoul and checking out the views from our hotel rooftop

My mom asked me some questions to reflect on and share with you…

Jack, You placed 37th out of 51 in the qualifying round for lead climbing. What was that experience like for you?

In one of our training sessions with Coach Liz, I learned about the Rose, Thorn, Bud method for reflecting. So I’ll use that.

Rose — spending time with a bunch of really cool and strong people. The whole experience was really enjoyable. From Exploring Seoul with my team to competing in the competition.

Thorn — I didn’t do as well as I thought I could. I slipped low on both routes. I felt disappointed.

Bud — I’m looking forward to next year so that I can give it another shot with a new perspective.

Can you describe the conditions for people that weren’t there?

Inside the climbing gym it was air conditioned with free drinks for the competitors. Outside was very hot and humid. The outside wall, where I climbed, was hot to the touch. Like walking in hot sand. Especially on route 2. The walls weren’t nearly as tall as the ones I had been training on for endurance. These walls were short and very difficult right from the first hold.

What was it like representing team Canada?

I felt proud. It was uplifting to know that I made it all the way here. I felt like I had to hold up to a certain standard bc I was representing my country.

Can you share with us some of your highlights / core memories from South Korea?

I had my first dinner in a plane and the seat in front of me had a remote w a full keyboard and a game controller 🤯😱

Obviously, the competition. I’ll never forget it.

Exploring Seoul with my team and family. Everything was cool.

Namdaemun Market for the endless rows of traditional and novelty goods and the Gwangjang Market for the craziest street food experience.

On one of my train rides, an elderly lady gave me an orange bc I gave her my seat.

Going to the top of the Lotte World Tower (127 stories tall!) followed by a trip to a HUGE Crocs store at the Starfield Coex Mall🐊💚

Visiting the DDP (Dongdaemun Design Plaza) daytime and then again at night (on our last night in Seoul). At night, projectors lit up the building and made a really moving light show.