My story is a bit different than most people at Tjom’s. You see I come from a small town in Limpopo, a long drive away from the hustle and bustle of the Big City. So naturally it came as a shock when I discovered climbing – in the small town of Kampersrus a local climber had turned his tool shed into a boulder cave, and as soon as I started I was hooked. Bouldering hard with some other locals became a ritual and every Thursday night I was at our little wall, setting problems with friends and working on harder and harder routes.
Karine and Swart moved from Johannesburg to Kampersrus about a year into my climbing journey. It was the first time I saw a girl being the strongest climber in the room and Karine became someone who I looked up to and learned about climbing from. Swart was a grumpy guy who never really looked interested in climbing, but strangely knew everyone in the climbing world and slowly introduced me to the climbers from the big city! I went to the Mayhem Mountain Festival 2024 and spent a month climbing at FA when I had to be in the city for studies. All of a sudden it seemed that my entire life became about climbing.
Prepping for Tjoms
Eight weeks before Tjoms and Arms, Swart told me I should participate in TIA and that I should climb with Anj, someone that I can call a Tjom after spending weekends at Boven together and learning about each other’s psyche. I was sceptical at first because I had never climbed in comp style or been part of a climbing competition. But it’s more about having fun than winning, right?
Training started as soon as our tickets were booked. Climbing at our small gym I knew I couldn’t train proper comp style because we don’t have the holds or space for it, a spray wall would have to do. And somehow that was enough. My psych for the event carried me through most of it. Endless hard problems, pushing myself day in and day out. My local community was super helpful in the buildup, giving me tips and working with me to get me as fit as our little wall allowed.
The Day of Tjoms
The day arrives, you walk into the gym during your quali round and know that up to that point you have done all you can training-wise. Now you need to focus on the task ahead – crush as many boulders as you can and have fun. The people around you are all psyched and ready to dominate. Even though you are there competing you never once feel like you are in a competition with those around you. Everyone is there to support each other, spraying beta if needed and, it feels like everyone is there to ensure you are having fun.
The DJs were mixing their hearts out and you climb your heart out, you have people watching and encouraging you wherever you look. Two hours fly by and now you wait to see if you are going to finals or not. I now truly know that FA knows how to get a community together. While the other competitors are climbing the qualis during the day there are spaces for chilling all around you, and you are guaranteed to find some friends to juggle with, share a meal with or support as they climb.
As the qualification slots came to an end I made a final pass by the TV to see if I had made finals or if I got moved out. We made it! I was going to climb in TIA’s finals with Anj. I was personally really grateful for the quiz because when I saw that Anj and I made finals I was a little stressed. I knew finals were going to be hard and not having any experience I was afraid of letting my teammate down. So having a distraction was amazing and once the quiz was over I knew I just needed to go out there, have fun and try hard.
Finals
I have never seen such a small space filled with so many people. Being in the final for my first-ever competition felt surreal. Wes and Tim explained the flow of finals so well that some of my nerves calmed down. The boulders were unlike anything I’ve ever climbed but I was not going to let that stop me from trying my best, Anj was more familiar with those styles and she was an amazing supporter, friend and teammate.
The spectators took their jobs seriously and made sure each of us felt their love and support while on the wall. The gees they had took all my nervousness away. All my expectations were blown away and having loads of psych around you, good friends and sick climbing made this one of the best nights ever.
I wish I could say more, but the finals passed in a blink.
Prize and Party
Once the last 20-minute timer ran out people were celebrating and chatting all around. While we waited for the scores and prize giving, the afterparty DJ booth was being set up and the bar was getting stocked up.
Prize giving was awesome, and seeing all the strong climbers get celebrated was heartwarming. The psych was 10-fold what it was during qualifiers. As the female/ female category podiums were announced Anj and I were both shocked and stoked to hear that we came second in our category.
After the prize giving we had to celebrate the FA way – a lekker afterparty that had everyone on a high. Tjoms in Arms is a unique event that every climber should come try out, even if you have to come from far as I did. I can promise you that it will be worth it!
On behalf of the crew at FA, we extend our deepest thanks and gratitude to the amazing community who keeps showing up for all the lekker jols we put on. Without your support, FA wouldn’t be the incredible hub of community and found family that is it. Check you at the new pozzie for the Meltdown!
Our thanks to Surefooted Photography for the stills. Chris Doman for the footage, and our various sponsors.
Final Results
Binnets
- Noggin
- Glitter Girls
- Rockey Jockeys
Boets
- The Master and the Apprentice
- Grip Gurus
- Big Cook Little Cook
Binnets & Boets
- Caramel Macchiato with Almond Milk
- Slippery when Mono’ed
- Fluffers for Food
- Rock Bottom
