Para Climbing 2020 Campaign

Kia ora to each and every one of my amazing online whānau who have helped with a koha/gift to my Give-a-Little page for this years Competition season.

How quickly things change. There’s a planet load of folk feeling somewhat displaced in their goals at present and uncertain in their work. I want to acknowledge that first. And acknowledge those who have faced deeper losses. For those of you facing disappointment, uncertainty, hardship or loss, you are not alone, your feelings are valid.

Without demeaning any such loss, here is an update on my climbing goals.

Yesterday I should have been flying out to the USA to train & compete. In June I planned on the World Cup in Austria. Obviously with borders closed I’m still here in NZ. I have been able to receive a refund on my accomodation, however my flight are on hold for 12 months, and I can only hope events will be rescheduled within that time.

The USA comp is postponed not cancelled, but in all honesty no one is certain of any competitions this year. I have to share this, because so many of you have supported financially & while we all hope for a Covid-19 containment followed by new scheduling of events, I have to be upfront & tell you I don’t know what 2020 looks like.

I’m crossing 10 fingers & 5 toes that events are all rescheduled for later in the year. I can tell you I will put in all the mahi/work in preparation. I can tell you, whenever the next comp is held, I plan on being there and your donation would have absolutely helped in making it happen.

I have brands that I represent, but I do not have a financial sponsor, and obviously all public speaking events are off the cards for a while too. So I am eternally thankful if you’re in a position to leave your donation toward this goal.

There will be unplanned expenses in the next weeks to finish setting up so that I can continue training at home. At this stage I no longer have access to a climbing gym with domestic travels now restricted. Very soon the gym gym (weights etc) where I workout may also be off the table. But there IS a World podium out there for New Zealand and I plan on being ready, and taking it!

I can assure you funds that have been received are currently held in an account earmarked “Gold Medal”, set aside for travel to competitions as intended. But if you would love to see them put to use on some home training equipment as mentioned above, please get in touch. My page does state that extra funds would go toward training, however I feel that I would rather ask first.

I have a boulder wall now installed through community contributions, there is a rubber floor below it for limited low basic use, but it is awaiting a few boulder crash pads before it is more useable to the elite athlete level that I am aiming for. Meanwhile the garden rake with a tyre inner tying on some weights is working well for benchpresses. ;o)

It’s also really heavy on my mind that for anyone who has donated to this goal this year, & now finds themselves in a financially precarious position, please do not hesitate to get in touch and I will contact Give-a-Little and work through how to have your donation refunded. I don't want anyone to be feeling unecessary strain in their family. This may not be typical to offer a refund, but I feel it is the right thing to do.

Please take the time to consider what’s right for your family & put them first. I will keep you all posted with news and training and events, and it will all work out in the end.

Kia kaha everyone. Be kind to each other… kindness spreads faster than any virus and we all need it right now.

xo

Rachel