James Kassay

Australia

I started climbing early 1995 at the age of 10. From that moment on, I knew that my life would never be the same... 15 years later and here I am, managing my family’s new climbing gym Bayside Rock and living in what used to be my bouldering cave. I have competed for Australia six times, completed 15 problems V13/8B or above (including Sleepy Rave V15/8C), and when I’m not bouldering or working... I’m taking photos.

My plan for the coming years??? Start training and see just how far I can push myself while still having the time of my life!

Birthday? (24/02/1985)

Year you first started climbing? 1995

Three climbing achievements you are most proud of?

• Completing Sleepy Rave V15/8C
• Competing at the World Games in Germany (2005)
• Winning the Australian climbing and bouldering Nationals.

Memory/story of the first time you ever went climbing? My first real climbing experience was at a kids club run at the local climbing gym, I won a bottle of Coke, a chocolate bar and a chalk bag… I was hooked for life!

Favorite climbing area and why? Favorite to date would have to be the Grampians! There are so many styles of boulders there that you can climb something different every day. I feel a strong connection with the place; it’s kind of a home away from home…

Best climbing experience? There are too many to pick one out I’m sorry.

Worst climbing experience? Thankfully I can’t think of a single one. I try and make the most out of everything.

What's your dream trip? Where? With who? Dream trip… All expenses paid trip around the world sampling all the top climbing spots with a bunch of my best buddies who are psyched!

Guilty pleasure? Milk and biscuits before bed… (Lots of biscuits!)

BD gear you use every time you go climbing/bouldering? As I am mostly a boulderer at the moment, I would have to say either my Drop Zone or Mondo pads.

Something that annoys you while climbing? Flys… They bug me to no end. Especially when it comes to lunch time!

What/who inspires you in climbing? I enjoy seeing people challenge themselves and pushing their personal limits no matter what level they are at.

Favorite après-climb meal? Pasta or Asian of some sort.

Favorite climbing flick? Isn’t Cliffhanger everyone’s?

What's in your iPod? I have a pretty crazy mix of music on my iPod… good and bad…

Three things you'd never road trip without? My camera, climbing shoes and credit card!

Superstitions? Nope

What's your dream job? Pro rock climber…

How are you training when you are not climbing? 20-odd hours setting routes each week seems to keep me pretty fit these days!

If you could steal one thing and not get caught, what would it be? $100 million, a black hawk helicopter or a Porsche 911 turbo… Not too fussy.

Which would you prefer: power of flight or invisibility? Flight wins hands down! (Invisibility would have its perks, too, though)

Do you have any tattoos or piercings? No!