Balanced precariously, these young climbers may be destined one day become adult British Bouldering Champions.

But this weekend they were aiming for the junior title and causing gasps of amazement and cheers of encouragement from their adult audience at the Cliffhanger event in Sheffield.

A giant marquee in Millhouses Park contained the climbing walls at oblique angles that the junior and adult competitors in the British Bouldering Championships tackled.

Among them was 13-year-old Jaime Davidson who had travelled from near Edinburgh to compete.

Urged on by her parents Bill and Karen, Jaime, who is already the Scottish and National indoor rock climbing champion, declared the Sheffield event "absolutely amazing".

Proud dad Bill said: "So many people talk about kids of today not having interest and hobbies, but look at all these young people here today. They are fit, healthy and having fun.

"This is a tremendous event, very well organised and it just really reinforces Sheffield as the climbing capital of the country."
For those too young to compete in the championships, Cliffhanger had a host of other attractions including a climbing wall for juniors who one day hope to be in with the big boys and girls.

Logan Wainwright, aged eight, is already a keen climber and he jumped at the chance to show how quickly he could clamber to the top. His mum Michelle said the entire family, from Epworth, near Doncaster, were climbers.

"It's a great family hobby and as well as keeping then fit and giving them confidence, also teaches kids problem solving as they work out the best route to the top," she said.

"Climbing is a great way for all the family to be involved in something together that gets us all out in the fresh air in beautiful countryside."

The youngsters didn't just climb upwards – for those who fancied a caving experience there was a special obstacle course for them to squirm and wriggle through against the clock.

Eliot Bell, seven, from Epworth, and eight-year-old Harry Hudson, from Mosborough, got the giggles as they helped each other through the course which they described as "wicked and really great fun".

There was also kayaking and skate boarding and BMXing and 30 tons of real snow was delivered to turn part of the park into a winter wonderland.

In another area of the park Sheffield Diveworld were offering youngsters the chance to get all kitted out and have a go at scuba diving. Daniel Jones, eight, from Chesterfield, dived straight in and said he had found the experience "just great".

Were you there? What did you think? Add your comment below.

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