White Spider Indoor Climbing are proud to announce the sponsorship of Great Britain Bouldering Team member, Nathan Phillips.  All the team here at White Spider and Red Spider (our sister bouldering centre in Fareham) are looking forward to supporting Nathan in his upcoming International competition season.

A Biography from Nathan Phillips

My name is Nathan Phillips. I’ve always been climbing, whether it be on a climbing frame in the local park or swinging around on the goal posts instead of doing my job as keeper. Eventually at the age of 6, my dad took me to a climbing wall. A year later I was competing in the YCS formerly BRYCS (British Regional Youth Climbing Series). I can’t really remember how well I did, but I knew I liked it.

At 15 I decided to give up lead climbing after winning the National final of the YCS and focus on my true passion, bouldering. I was never the strongest climber and I didn’t actually start any form of specific training until 18.

The next year, I made the Senior Bouldering Team as at the time there was no Junior Team. I then went out to be the first Brit to compete, make finals, podium and win at an International Youth Bouldering Competition (EYC). With the creation of the Junior Bouldering Team during my last year in that category, I stuck around for one more year to offer my hand as a coach.

I now compete in Senior World Cups and have made a few semi-finals. Over the next few years, I hope to progress to Finals and push for those podium positions. With the support of White Spider Climbing I will be able to get to more World Cups and give myself the chances I need to hopefully achieve my goals.

Outdoors, I have amassed a large number of hard ascents up to 8B+/V14 and a total of 70 8A/V11’s and above so far. This includes a flash of the super classic 8A+/V12 ‘Jack’s Broken Heart’ in Magic Wood Switzerland.

That’s enough about my history. I’m super psyched to be joining the White Spider Team and so appreciative of what they are doing for me. If you are reading this, come say hi if you see me route-setting or training at the wall. I’m usually more than happy to answer any questions or just have a chat.