Tara Hayes

Name: Tara Hayes

D.O.B: 05/06/1997

Hometown: Northampton, now live in Sheffield

Sport: Bouldering

I started climbing at the age of 8 after seeing an advert for a 6 week climbing course in a shop window. I enjoyed the unique challenges that every climb presented and decided that just 6 weeks wasn’t nearly enough!

I started competing after climbing for about a year and was selected for the GB junior climbing team when I was 13. Now a member of the GB senior team, I compete in bouldering. I’ve suffered with a bad ankle injury over the last few years but am hoping to get back to doing the full boulder world cup seasons in the years to come.

I also love to climb outside and I often go on multiple climbing trips a year, as well as lots of local days out in the Peak District.

Get to know Tara

Tell us about your successes so far?

Placing 2nd at the Youth World Championships in bouldering in 2016.

Bouldering my first 8a 'Nutsa' in Rocklands in 2018.

Climbing ‘Foxy Lady' (8a) one of the famous lines in Magic Wood, Switzerland. This climb had been on my ticklist from a young age. .

What are you working on? What are your goals for the future?

I’m hoping to do the full boulder world cup season in 2022 and in the years following, aiming for good progression and to compete to the best of my ability.

I would like to push my boulder grades outdoors and find some harder projects to work. My long term goal is to do 'Never Ending Story' (8b+) in Magic Wood.

Why do you climb? What do you love about climbing?

I love that every climb is unique and presents a completely new challenge requiring different skill sets – basically it never gets boring! I also enjoy the combination of technique, coordination, pure strength and fitness. There’s always something new to work on and that keeps the training interesting and enjoyable.

Which Scarpa shoe is your favourite?

I’m not sure I can choose just one, my favourite two are the Instinct VSR and the Drago.

The Instinct VSR is a great all round shoe which is good for both competitions and outdoor climbing. The Drago is unbeatable for standing on smears and volumes though so I always have a pair in my bag. It’s usually my go to shoe for competitions.

Tell us about your best day climbing?

It’s very difficult to pick one day when I’ve climbed for so long, but one of the contenders would be my first day climbing in Rocklands. I was amazed by the landscape and quality of the boulders everywhere and it was a relaxed day full of climbing with friends.

What do you do away from your sport?

I work as a route setter but also enjoy skiing, playing squash and wild swimming (when it’s hot enough). I like baking, reading and I do some crochet and knitting occasionally. .