Louise Flockhart

Name: Louise Flockhart

D.O.B: 14/04/2004

Hometown: Edinburgh

Sport: Climbing

I started climbing by chance as my local soft play was at EICA Ratho in Edinburgh, the UKs biggest climbing centre. I was in awe of the big walls every time I visited, so when I was 8 years old, I started kids climbing classes.

I worked my way up to the local youth team, and then the Scottish and GB youth teams. I have competed internationally since 2018. In 2022 I was selected to the GB senior team and have competed in both lead and boulder since.

Get to know Louise

Tell us about your successes so far?

3rd at the European Youth Bouldering Cup in Soure, Portugal in 2022,
9th at the Youth World Championships 2021 (Boulder) and 11th (Combined),
Gold or silver at every youth national since the start of 2019,
Competing at my first World Cup in my hometown of Edinburgh,
2023 CWIF Finalist.

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

This year (2023) I am on a gap year and I’ve moved to Sheffield to focus on my climbing. Over winter I’ve seen big progress in my climbing and I have been selected to compete at senior European Cups with potential for World Cups.

I am aiming to progress through as many rounds as possible at these competitions. This year is my last year in junior, so my goal is to pick up final positions and medals at the European Youth competitions and Youth World Championships in South Korea. The LA 2028 Olympics are a long-term goal of mine

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

I love the combination of mental and physical challenge that climbing involves. My motivation to compete is because I love the sport and constantly pushing myself to be better at it. To me, climbing is just super cool.

I love playing around at the wall – taking on complex jumps, swinging between tiny holds or figuring out how to get round an awkward corner. I’m also inspired by the fantastic places both competition and rock climbing have and will take me.

Which SCARPA shoe is your favourite?

My go to shoe has to be the Drago LV. It’s perfect for competition as I can trust my feet on volumes as well as small foot holds. I’ve also been loving the new Instinct S. It’s the perfect shoe for my board sessions as it’s downturned and much stiffer than the Dragos.

Tell us about your best day climbing?

It was the last comp of the season in 2019 - The European Youth Bouldering Championships in Brixen, Italy. I hadn’t performed well all season, struggling with exams and training. In the semi-final I felt focused and happy.

I climbed well, topping 2 of the first 3 blocs but my highlight of the round was figuring out feet first beta in the last minute to top bloc 4 and make finals! In finals I had so much fun. I made a bet with my dad before seeing the blocs that I could find a figure of 4 and I did!