Interview with Adam Ondra, Three-time World Champion Professional Rock Climber

Sport - Interview

by Melisa Kaya

Adam Ondra started climbing at the age of 4, and as a competition climber, he has won three gold medals at World Championships and he stepped up into podium ten times. And as a rock climber, he has made some of the first ascents at the world's hardest routes such as 9a+ flash at St. Léger and 9c at Flatanger in Norway. We're talking about a rock climbing active legend who has climbed over 100+ times at routes graded 9a or harder, so there is no end to what I can say about him. I had an opportunity to interview Adam Ondra, and I asked about the importance of individual sponsorship in rock climbing.

Adam Ondra - Orpierre, France in 2003 (10 years old) - Photo by JITKA MAZLOVA

What were the biggest problems that you have been experienced during the first period of your career? What was the first notable achievement in your career that enabled you to overcome these problems and reached you to the highest level?

I was very lucky to have the support from my parents with whom I started climbing when I was about 4 years old. When I was 8, I already got sponsors supporting me with the equipment which was great because, with my frequency of climbing, I went through a lot of gear, especially climbing shoes.

Adam Ondra - The World's First 9a+ Flash on Super Crackinette at Saint-Leger du Ventoux - Photo by BERNARDO GIMENEZ

What are the common problems of climbers who are looking for a new sponsor? What is the best way to attract sponsors' attention?

When I was younger, the world of sponsorship was very different than it is today. It was much more dependent on your climbing performance. The better you climbed, the better deal you got. Now it is much more about how you can present yourself. The world of social media has changed everything. It has created more possibilities but arguably it has got more unfair because you cannot really make a living even if you are on the world-class level unless you are good at presenting yourself.

I think many climbers have a dilemma whether to go professional or not. They are afraid of not making enough for a living if they only climb but other jobs are stopping them from progressing in both climbing and presenting themselves as climbers. It requires a certain risk and confidence to go professional.

Adam Ondra - The World's First 9c at Flatanger in Norway - Silence - Project Hard 2017 - Photo by PAVEL BLAZEK

What do sponsors expect and demand from climbers and what are your expectations from your sponsors? What are the main factors that affect the continuity of sponsorship?

Of course, there is always a balance between what you ask for and what you need to do for it. I see myself as a professional athlete and my main personal goal is to climb as good as possible. But that requires being relatively free to train and climb. Having too much duties for your sponsors affects my climbing a lot. So at the moment, I am trying to reduce presence at the events for the sponsors and trying the raise the awareness of my sponsors via social media.

There are two main factors that decide whether the sponsors are satisfied - it depends on how well you climb as well as how well you present yourself (and them). And it is very individual and differs sponsor from a sponsor so it is very important to talk about yours and their expectations.

Adam Ondra - Photo by Mikulas Zubec

Think that, you are invited as a speaker to a meeting about sponsorship. The venue is full of company officials and decision makers from different industries who want to be a sponsor to athletes but they had no idea about climbing and climbing community. What would you say to them about climbing, climbers, and climbing community? and How could you explain the benefits of sponsoring a climber?

Climbing is growing immensely as a sport. It is not a sport of a few weird individuals, it has become a mass-sport, at least in certain countries such as Japan, Austria, France and many more. At the same time, I like to believe that it is a “clean” sport. There is no doping yet, there is a friendly atmosphere. Also, it is a sport for any age. I believe humans are naturally attracted by climbing, it is in our genes.

Adam Ondra - Competition Climbing - Photo by Paola Magni and Dario Ballabio

Driving a family life at home must be difficult for a climber who is constantly traveling and at different locations. Where do you want to see Adam in the future? What do you think about family and daily life?

I think climbing and having a family might be challenging but definitely possible. Driving a van with kids when you go climbing is what so many families do nowadays and that is what I would love to do as well one day. I believe that experiencing the outdoors gives a lot to the kids.

What advice would you give to athletes who want to pursue a career in climbing?

Just go for it. If climbing is what you really love, then it is the way to go.

Thank you Adam for this enjoyable and informative interview.

For more information, please visit website of Adam Ondra

This interview was conducted in a Question-and-Answer format. The answers were checked for grammar and punctuation and published without any additional editing. Monday, September 17, 2018. All photos are the property of their respective owners.