It started with climbing trees.
Now, Lucia N. is competing on the national stage in bouldering and climbing even higher. Next stop? Semifinals… maybe even the Olympics.
For Grade 10 student Lucia N., climbing has been part of her life from the very beginning. What started as a love of being up high has grown into something much bigger, leading her from local competitions to the national stage!
- The First Climbs
Lucia’s introduction to climbing came naturally.
“I have been climbing trees since I was like 4,” she shares.
Years later, after a friend introduced her to a local climbing gym, everything clicked. What began as something fun quickly became something she wanted to pursue more seriously.
Now, Lucia trains consistently, spending at least seven hours a week working with her coaches, her team, and on her own to build strength, skill, and confidence.
Last year, Lucia decided to challenge herself by entering youth provincials in bouldering, a form of rock climbing done without ropes on walls up to 14 feet high.
That first competition set everything in motion.
She performed well enough at Provincials to earn a spot at Western Regionals in Winnipeg, where she competed against athletes from across Western Canada. There, she placed 16th, securing a qualifying spot for the next level: Nationals.
- Chasing the Summit
Just one month later, Lucia found herself competing again, this time at Nationals in Vancouver, facing some of the top youth climbers from across the country. Competing at that level is no small feat.
By the end of the competition, Lucia placed 33rd out of 54 athletes, ranking her among the top Youth B bouldering climbers in Canada.
“My achievement is being the 33rd best youth B climber in Canada!”
For Lucia, climbing is more than just competition—it’s something she genuinely loves.
“I love climbing because it keeps me fit and healthy,” she says. “I enjoy climbing in a gym as well as outdoors in nature… I love competition, so getting to compete and do my favourite sport all at once is great!”
That combination, passion and drive, continues to push her forward.
- Aiming Higher
Every experience has brought something with it, and for Lucia, one idea stands out above the rest:
“Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
It’s a mindset that reflects the effort, consistency, and determination behind everything she’s accomplished so far.
Looking ahead, her goal is clear: to return to Nationals and push even further, aiming for a semi-final spot (top 24).
And beyond that, she’s thinking big.
“In the long term, I would love to end up at the Olympics someday.”
Balancing training, travel, and school takes flexibility, and that’s exactly what has made this journey possible. Home education has allowed Lucia to build a schedule that supports both her academics and her athletic goals.
“My being home schooled has given me an incredibly flexible schedule, allowing me to train hard, travel… and still get my schoolwork done.”
From climbing trees as a child to competing among the top youth athletes in the country, she’s already accomplished something incredible.
And she’s still climbing.
Lucia, we’re excited to see how high you go next!
Share Your Story
Do you or your child have a story of success to share? We’d love to hear it! Whether you’re excelling in academics, sports, the arts, or something entirely unique, we want to celebrate your achievements.
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Let’s continue celebrating the incredible students of HCOS who are redefining what education can look like.
