Adam Ondra

Czech Republic

I am a rock climber from Czech Republic who is excited to climb everything from bouldering to multi-pitches. I love the feeling of moving up on the rock, on small holds with ease. Because I have to combine my climbing with school, I have to spend a lot of time in the car, fortunately I do not have to drive yet, so I am quite fresh after whole night in the car. I love the lifestyle I have now and I am glad I found this passion, thanks to my parents.

Birthday? February 5 1993

Year you first started climbing? 1999. My parents brought me to the cliffs when I was really little and I often just hanged on the route, which I really enjoyed.

Three climbing achievements you are most proud of?

• First ascent of Marina Superstar (9a+/b) in Sardinia (sport climbing)

• Flash of The Vice (8B) in Rocklands  (bouldering)

• WoGü (8c) in Rätikon (multi-pitch)

• Winning a World Cup in 2009.  (Well, I know that is 4, but I cannot exclude anything.)

Memory/story of the first time you ever went climbing? So early that I cannot remember.

Favorite climbing area and why? The problem is that in many of areas, which used to be my favorite, I have no more routes to climb. Therefore I have to choose whole region of Cataluña where I have always enough routes from Dani and Chris. And even if not, there is still enormous potential. Except Cataluña, I like many places in Alps (Schleier Wasserfall, Zillertal, Rätikon, and Cornalba the most), Frankenjura and I love to climb on Czech sandstone from time to time.

Best climbing experience? The day I climbed WoGü?

Worst climbing experience? A 30-minute trip to Frankenjura. In the first route, I broke the hold just below the second bolt, fell headfirst on the ledge and we went to hospital and then home. Luckily nothing serious happened except some bruises.

What's your dream trip? Where? With who? Around the world? Last year in Rocklands we met a few Germans that did a one-year trip climbing in Australia, New Zealand, America and South Africa. That must have been amazing! With who? Does not matter, just with somebody I like being with.

Guilty pleasure? Lying on a bed and doing nothing from time to time.

Something that annoys you while climbing? Summer heat and chipped holds where it would be possible to go without.

What/who inspires you in climbing? Beautiful lines in perfect rock with interesting moves. Regarding to persons, I do not really have an idol but Wolfgang Güllich is the climber I admire the most.

Favorite après-climb meal? Lots of pasta with any sauce, or pizza, or piece of fish with rice.

Favorite climbing flick? Progression.

What's in your iPod? I like all kinds of music except classical.

Strangest place you've ever woken up? In the bushes above Sperlonga village in Italy. Crazy local people went hunting.

Strangest person you've ever woken up with? My parents? I do not know how they keep driving with me so far away every single weekend.

Three things you'd never roadtrip without? Three pairs of climbing shoes.

Superstitions? Yes, I do not step on square-shape canals. Also, tweaking into my backside, it should resemble bee and it should motivate me to climb fast higher up in order not to get another nip. :-)

What's your dream job? A climber.

How are you training when you are not climbing? I train more or less only by climbing. I go spinning once a week. I also train mentally while lying on my bed and looking at the climbing wall in my room. :-)

If you could steal one thing and not get caught, what would it be? Teleport machine.

If you could have dinner with three people (dead or alive) who would they be? Wolfgang Güllich, John Gill and Obelix.

Which would you prefer: power of flight or invisibility? Power of flight. But ability to switch it off as well, climbing would not be fun anymore!

Do you have any tattoos or piercings? NO.