Kalymnos, September 2008
Week 1 : 14th - 19th
Week 2 : 21st - 26th
Saturday is usually a travelling day however if you arrive early enough and are keen enough you could tick some easy routes close to the hotel before the evening welcome briefing and dinner. Formal coaching will commence on Sunday.
Trip Itinerary-
Saturday
- Travel to Kalymnos (click on the link 'How to get there' in the right hand menu for our information section on how to get to Kalymnos)
- Flight to Kalymnos/Kos
- If you travel to Kos airport then take a taxi to Mastichari port (approx 10-15Euros)
- Meet in the Mastichari Beach bar in the port for night cap, crash out on sun loungers on beach nearby for an hour or two, or arrange a night in a local hotel (approx 20-30Euros, this is not included in the trip price)
Sunday
- 7am or 9am morning Ferry to Pothia, the main port in Kalymnos. Takes 20mins (7am ferry) or 45mins (9am ferry) and costs approx 3 Euros.
- Taxi ride to Philoxenia hotel, Armeos (approx 20 Euros, can usually be shared with other team members)
- Catch up on sleep! or...
- Optional easy climbing on the 'Afternoon slabs' (directly above the hotel) to get used to the rock.
- Welcome briefing and team dinner in the evening.
Monday
- Eg: Odyssey or Afternoon sector
- Warming-up and footwork practice
- General approach to sport climbing and focus on leading confidence
- De-brief including coaches feedback
Tuesday
- Eg: Grande Grotte or Spartacus sector
- Introduction to hard onsighting, preparation, route reading, clipping, mindset and tactics.
- Steep rock and tufa climbing demos
- De-brief with possible video analysis in the evening
Wednesday
- Redpointing (the chance to work and send a route well above your onsight grade)
- Tactics and strategy - the benefits for confidence and technique
- De-brief and possible video analysis
- Curry night in Glaros Bar!
Thursday
- Well earned rest day (but possibility of VERY easy slab climbing)
- Optional boat cruise with beach barbeque and some easy Deep Water Soloing. Approx 25Euros (including food) and worth every penny! (see endorsements)
- Slideshow in Glaros Bar
Friday
- Finish redpoint projects (for those who didn't!)
- And / or: advanced mental strategies for onsighting
- This is the day to raise the bar and capitalise on the coaching
- Coaches help with routes selection and goal setting
- De-brief with possible video analysis
Saturday
- Farewell & final one-to-one sessions with coaches to summarise and set future training recommendations.
- Optional climbing according to travel itineraries.
- Written reports to be forwarded within a fortnight of the trip.
