09/02/2020
In accordance with our mission statement we want to empower under-represented climbers. We are starting a series on our page that allows us to highlight and elevate some of the cool folks in our local community.
Our first feature is our own DeWayde! DeWayde is an Ohio native living and working as a physician in Oregon.
2. What got you into climbing/how long have you been climbing? Started climbing in 2017 at age 47. Began climbing as a way to continue challenging myself mentally and physically; it's also a whole lot of fun!
3. What styles of climbing do you prefer? Styles of climbing I enjoy are bouldering, top rope, and lead climbing. I also enjoy mountaineering. The style of climbing I least enjoy is crack climbing.
4. Why do you keep climbing? I keep climbing for the same reasons I began in the first place- climbing is a great physical and mental challenge. I enjoy the solitude of climbing; it's just me and the wall or mountain. My success or lack thereof on a project is almost totally dependent on my ability.
5. What are your climbing goals? My personal goals are to continually improve and refine my techniques. I would like to climb in as many diverse locations as possible, eg, Joshua tree, Red Rocks, etc. My mountaineering goal is to climb Mount Hood. In a broader sense, I am dedicated to exposing as many Black people to climbing as I can. I had never heard of rock climbing when I was a youngster, or even as a young physician. Climbing is for everyone, and I want to increase Black folk representation in our sport.
6. What are your hopes for the future of climbing culture? More diversity. More inclusion.
7. What activities do you enjoy outside of climbing? Bodybuilding, martial arts, snowboarding, mountain biking, kayaking, triathlon
8. Why are you a member of Eugene Climbing Collective? Our mission statement says it all!
Interested in being featured? Shoot us an email with 1. photos of you (climbing or not) and 2. answers to these questions or ones of your own. 💛✨🌟 ECC
