Rock climbing is unlike many sports in that the majority of it’s participants are not involved in any kind of competitive activity. There is no winning or losing against an opponent.
So what drives rock climbers, why do they climb? Why do they punish their bodies and endanger their lives to conquer a piece of rock ?
The answer is clear, they are competitors. They simply refuse to lose.
Wiki defines Competition as…
“Competition is a contest between individuals…it arises whenever two or more parties strive for a goal which cannot be shared…”
We all know what competition is, we all compete to one extent or another, but how many “real competitors” do you know? You know, those die-hards that are so serious, that they compete at 100% even in relaxed pick-up games or in practice? They never play at 75%, it’s always an “all or nothing” mentality. Those are the people that usually have the best skills and the most game and are also those that refuse to lose.
They challenge themselves to always do their very best on every possession… in practice or in a game.
“If you're not making mistakes, you're not taking risks, and that means you're not going anywhere. The key is to make mistakes faster than the competition, so you have more chances to learn and win.”
- John W. Holt, Jr.
“A competitor will find a way to win. Competitors take bad breaks and use them to drive themselves just that much harder. Quitters take bad breaks and use them as reasons to give up. It's all a matter of pride.”
- Nancy Lopez
“Competition is a process or variety of habitual behavior that grows out of a habit of mind.”
- Willard Beecher
“Besides winning, [the most fun thing is] getting out there and mixing it up with friends; it's the competition.”
- Al Unser, Jr.
“Live daringly, boldly, fearlessly. Taste the relish to be found in competition -- in having put forth the best within you.”
- Henry J. Kaiser
4:13
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