5 Reasons you'll Climb Harder with a Good Partner

Hey Cracksters,

Although climbing can be a very social sport, the actual climbing itself is usually pretty individualized. It’s just you against the rock, the project, or the gym problem.

However, I was recently reminded that having a solid partner and working as a real team is incredibly important. It can actually help you progress much quicker than if you’re just grinding away by yourself all the time.

Tom and I put this to the test a few weeks ago at a doubles bouldering competition. So, in today's newsletter, I’m going through 5 reasons why building a great partnership will speed up your learning and progression in climbing (and probably anything else in life, too).

1. Finding Beta

We’ve all had tunnel vision. You try the same beta over and over, absolutely convinced it’s the only way, until a friend walks up and says, "Why don't you just do this?" and it works instantly. When you have a partner who really knows your style, strengths, and weaknesses, that feedback loop becomes incredibly fast and accurate. You can bounce ideas off each other and find the best method for you very quickly, (or at least a lot quicker than just by yourself)

2. Double the knowledge

When you work as a team, you effectively have double the knowledge, movement skills, and tactics. Two brains are better than one when it comes to solving a complex sequence quickly.

3. Accountability

Having someone else there keeps you honest. If you’ve agreed to train at a certain time, you show up. If you’re booking a big trip and have specific duties to get it finalized, you "pull your pants up" and get it done because someone else is counting on you. Teamwork is the ultimate cure for those inevitable dips in motivation.

4. Psychological Safety

This sounds obvious, but having a trusted partner who you know can hold your ropes safely or give you a good spot when you really need it, is massive. If you don't have that trust, you can't 100% focus on the climbing because you're worried about what the belayer/spotter is doing. Safety and trust are the foundations of performance.

5. Competitive Pushing

Tom and I are competitors in the best way. We want to stay at each other's standard and not fall behind. If he sticks with a move, I know it’s possible, so I try harder. We "ratchet" each other up—one person gets slightly better, the other plays catch-up and then gently overtakes, and before you know it, you’ve both improved without even realizing it. Seeing your friend try hard when they're just as tired as you are is the best psyche there is, it helps you not give up!

In Conclusion

• Find your partner: Look for someone who challenges you and understands your goals.
• Work as a team: Remember you’re working with each other, not against each other.
• Celebrate the wins: It's much more fun when you have someone to share the success with.

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