As a Dabble ambassador, aka Super Dabbler, I am regularly trying new hobbies via the countless classes on the Dabble.co website. I’ve tried SUP yoga, sushi rolling and photography, among many other activities. While each class challenges me in some way, my most recent class helped me take on one of my biggest fears: Heights.
This month’s Dabble class was Intro to Climbing, which was offered by Brooklyn Boulders Chicago on the Near West Side. The hourlong class is an introduction to rock climbing taught by a CWI-certified instructor in a small setting. My class had only two students, so we had plenty of one-on-one instruction and coaching. We learned the basic concepts of climbing and were given the opportunity to try climbs based on our skill level. Because I had never climbed and I was terrified, I started with V0. (My fellow student was more experienced, so he did more difficult climbs.) After failing a few times, the instructor had me try something easier to build my confidence. Getting to the top of the wall was the mental boost I needed to try a V1. It was an exhilarating feeling to complete it. I forced myself past the certain point on the wall where I would start to panic and get tunnel vision. It’s easy to miss an obvious path to the top because you are so close to the wall, but the instructor encouraged me from below. In addition to instruction and motivation, the $35 class includes your climbing shoes and a tour of the facility. The class will fly by!
Because I was climbing, I didn’t get much footage, but I put together a video of my experience. Watch below and subscribe for more videos of my fun adventures. Also, if you’d like to try a Dabble class on just about any activity, you can get 10 percent off by using code MARETTE10 at checkout. (An easier method if to use my referral link, which automatically populates the discount.)ย Dabble classes are currently available in such cities as St. Louis, Seattle, Chicago, Austin and Denver, but hopefully Dabble will expand further. Happy Dabbling!
Watch my short climbing video:
