Interview with david lama

<b>You're the best climber ever in your age, why do you think you've become so good?</b> I think many people can climb 8a and maybe 8b, but the rest is training or talent. And what’s real talent? I think many people have the talent to climb but how much? I don’t know how much I have but Ii think it’s not a little because I’m climbing quite well. So I think I have the talent and I’ve also done a lot of training. I also believe you must be very strong mentally in order to climb really hard. <b>So, when did you realize climbing was your thing?</b> I really feel sorry, but I can’t remember. Now I’ve been climbing for about 7 years, and I think I liked it from the beginning, because I would have given it up if I didn’t like it. <b>You're not the tallest guy around, but you can still beat the best, both in competitions and outdoors. Does this mean that you must always find your own sequences?</b> I often have to find my own way to be able to do the route but very often I can jump. Sometimes I can use holds, which are just footholds to others. Indoors, there are often no other holds, and a couple of years ago I had really big problems with my size but now I can do almost all moves. <b>How would you describe your style?</b> My style is very difficult to define because I climb dynamic but also safe. When I climb an easy route Ii climb it in a different style than a really hard one. <b>Do you have a personal trainer? Do you train a lot? How?</b> I’m training in a training group with about 30 people. I have two trainers but I get a plan so I can go training when ever I want to. I train 6 times a week. I go to a school where we can train twice a week in the morning (from 7:30 to 9:30). I get a plan from my trainers so I do almost everything on it. In the summer I just want to go outdoors, because I "hate" the hall (but it’s a good one). I just use it for training. <b>What is your favourite area? Why?</b> I like almost every area I’ve ever seen, because I just go where it’s cool to climb and where there are beautiful routes. I think Céuse is one of the greatest areas (but too many people know it, so it’s getting polished and slippery). In Switzerland there are also many good areas and also around Nice.