Wojciech Pełka

When and how did you get into climbing? What keeps you interested? What fascinates you?

I got into climbing as a kid due to recommendations from the doctor, claiming that it should help me with my spinal deformity. I kept attending to classes but got into rock climbing on my own when I was 15. What keeps me interested are trainings and trip with friends, as well as constant improvement and movement exploration.

Who was your childhood hero? Do you consider yourself a role model now? Does it influence you at all that other people look up to you?

I don’t have one. Trying to improve myself.

What have been the most important milestones in your life so far, both in climbing and in everyday life? And did you recognize them immediately as such or only later on?

I believe becoming a member of KS KORONA Kraków - climbing club was a huge milestone in terms of my climbing development and life experience. It’s a unique place where people she=are the same passion regardless of the age, level and profession. Meeting my fiancee, finding and adopting a dog… I can find plenty of small events that sums up to where and who I am.

What were your greatest failures / setbacks / injuries? How did you cope with them and how did you come back from them?

I had a horrible back injury when I was a kid that kept me from climbing for a while, I worked a lot on it as well and managed to get better and stronger. Recently I had a knee injury that also kept me away from climbing for half a year. All injuries tables me to find different interests apart from work or climbing and rethink a lot of things.

What is your favourite climbing-related story / experience?

I think the day we were in Ceuse with friend when it was raining non stop for two days, even though we decided to go up to climb. When we got there rain stopped, rock was drying very fast and we both managed to send hour projects. It was like a miracle.