Czech Climbing

He likes outdoor climbing and you can see him at all prominent crags round the globe. Seko was born in Istanbul and started his climbing at the age of 14, at the crags near Istanbul. He has the possibility to be a world famous sport athlete.

Seko in Atom Karinca, 8b+, Olympos
photo by © Tobias Haug

How, why and when did you start climbing?
I was trekking in a canyon near to Istanbul and I saw climbers on the walls, it was so interesting for me to see climbers because it is cool and amazing to move on the rock. And I ran underneath the rock to speak with people about try to climb.... that was how i started to climbing and it was nearly 11 years ago:)

What is your favorite home (Turkey) area and what is your world favorite?

I like to climb in Geyikbayiri, as there a lot of routes with a lot of potential left and there is a really social feeling for me, but all the climbing in turkey is special for me and offers me something different...
Also I would really like to climb in Spain (Andalusia area)

Seko in Kung Fu, 8b, Geyikbayiri
photo by © Tobias Haug

Have you climbed some hard route there?
Yes, I did some hard climbing for me, maybe these routes are not so hard for superstars but it was quite hard for me. I did in Turkey 1-8c+, 2-8c, 2-8b+, 1-8b/+, 3-8b and a lot of others.....

Seko in Moruk 8a+, Geyikbayiri
photo by © ?

Who is your trainer? Do you have a training program? What sort of training do you do for climbing?
I don’t have a trainer, but I get and pass on training ideas with other climbers. Of course I work on my weaknesses. Recently I have concentrated on bouldering, because this is pure climbing, sometimes I do coordination and power exercises. Also I climb a lot.

How would you describe your style of climbing?
I prefer to climb routes with gymnastic and unusual movements....

What is it about climbing that you enjoy the most?
Go to climbing and have fun with my friends make a lot of jokes about each other and kidding about our weaknesses;))

Seko in Atom Karinca, 8b+, Olympos
photo by © Tobias Haug

Favorite climbing memory?
I remember one; it was in Siurana, Spain. I was there to just belay my friend for 4 days, after that I start to try one route name is El Membre (8c) and my second day I did the route. It was surprise for me...
Your goals?
I haven’t any goal yet, but I don’t good climbing until now; that the routes I have done weren't goals for me, they were just small steps to my goal.....

Do you know Tomas Mrazek, the Czech and world champion? Do you have any idols?
I know him just a little... I was in Spain for World Cup, after competition we went to some party, like techno inferno;)) Thomas was there and he is really friendly person and amazing professional climber for me, I think he is a cowboy in climbing public.

Seko in Trebenna, 8b+, Geyikbayiri
photo by © Tobias Haug

Seko in Trebenna, 8b+, Geyikbayiri
photo by © Tobias Haug

You have been dabbling into bouldering too, on the Bale in West Turkey. Sounds like you are interested in it. Do you attend also bouldering competitions?
2 years ago I started bouldering, it teaches me a lot and also is fun.... west of Turkey; we have got great bouldering place, looks like endless, nice nature and historical site.... I was in some competitions in Germany but not so many, maybe in future I can join more.......

What are you most motivated by in climbing? Grading, beauty of the nature, friendship, athletic?
My friends motivated me a lot, it’s really important for me also when I get nice lines... I get electric impulses in all my body. Athletic climbing is my type of climbing, even when I can’t move athletic but if I can climb athletic its make me feel like flying:) grading is a small part of climbing for me. Of course I want to climb some hard stuff, but when I do hard climbing most important for me is how I move on this peice of rock and how I feel. The end grade is small spice for me ....but its also important depence of person:))))

Seko in Zapatista, 8c, Izmir
photo by © ?

What is the best and worst thing about climbing?
For me climbing is like a never-ending story, because after I have completed a hard climb, it leads me onto trying next hard climbing. With this I am learning new things and this is what opens new chapters for me. The other aspect is climbing makes me social, thoughtful, helpful, caring for nature....climbing teaches me so much about myself, my weakness-strengths.....the bad side of climbing is the manufacture of holds ; what really sucks though are rest days;))

What do you hope to do with climbing in the future?
Hopefully I can keep climbing strong and increase my level without time off from injuries. Also I would love to make in to the finals in the major competitions.

Serkan Ercan

Interview

Commentaries