We’re proud to call some seriously talented athletes a part of Team ProBalm. Not only do they swear by our products, but they also share our values of living life to the limit, and embracing every opportunity to do what we love!
From climbing to biking, snowboarding to competitive fitness; these athletes choose ProBalm to restore and recover their skin so they can carry on, no matter what.
Check out Team ProBalm below!
My Dad first took me climbing about 16 years ago and since then it has become a huge part of my life. I grew up in the Peak District and over the years I have been super privileged to be able to get out there and just climb as much as I want, whenever I want. A huge big up goes out to my Dad for this and everyone who has helped me with my climbing along the way. I love to try and excel in all disciplines of the sport, and have been able to climb F8b, E7 and V12 over the last few years. I can’t really imagine my life without being able to climb and I’m so incredibly grateful that I get to travel to some of the most amazing places around, places that a lot of people will never go or even hear of in their entire lives. Peace.
I started climbing when I was eleven at Rope Race in Marple, and entered my first competition (North West round of the BMC Youth Climbing series) a year later, when I came fourth. From then, I competed as much possible, taking long trips to Edinburgh in mid-winter in order to come last in national competitions. In 2009, I had my first good result, fifth place in the British Bouldering Championships Junior section.
This was followed by second in the 2010 Youth Climbing Series final. This year, I reached the semi-final of the Climbing Works International Festival (coming 15th), won the Leading Ladder final, Elite category, came second in the Youth Open in Edinburgh, and third in the Juniors of both the British Bouldering and British Lead Climbing Championships. I was very excited to reach the final of the senior BLCC, just. I have recently been selected for the Great Britain Junior Climbing Team and am psyched to head out to France and Slovenia in November. I’ve not done much outdoors yet, but onsighted my first 6b this year! I really must get out more.
I train 4-5 times a week mostly at Manchester Climbing Centre and my best onsight is 7c. I’m in Year 13 at school, studying A-levels, and I hope to study Biochemistry at University next year.
I think it’s fair to say that Alex is one busy boy! He is already a sponsored long-boarder, fire staff performer and he’s been a pro parkour/free running athlete for the last 6 or 7 years. Alex has toured the world for various brands, films and events performing parkour and stunts.
Alex grew up playing rugby where he represented Essex and the Eastern Counties and this year he will be moving to American football in the UK and playing for a Texan pro team in summer.
Alex has won several Judo British National Championship gold medals, and is now making the transition into Mixed Martial Arts, where he is due to have his first pro fight. Alex will be running his first marathon in London this year, though he doesn’t think he’s ready we think he’ll smash it!
Did we tell you Alex can sing, play guitar and cajon (Google it) and is signed up to a record label?
And if all that wasn’t enough, Alex has started fostering huskies with 8 Below Huskies. Mush mush!
My name is Michael O’Rourke I am 18 years old and have been climbing for 11 years. I started climbing in the gym and was hooked on competitions ever since I’ve started. Once I moved to Boulder my climbing took off and within a year I won my first junior bouldering nationals and bouldered V14 outside. Now I am a full-time climber and I get to travel the country doing competitions and climb in some of the best areas the states have to offer.
My name is Rachel Wall, I live in Pembrokeshire, west Wales. I have been kayaking for 15yrs but 2yrs ago I started competing in surf kayaking. Last year I was picked for the Welsh surf kayak team. We competed in the Home Internationals in October 2012 held here in Pembrokeshire- Welsh Team 3rd place, and British Championships in October 2012 held here in Pembrokeshire – Individual 3rd place
This summer is the World Surf Kayak Competition. This is the highest level competition for this extreme sport. The competition is being held in Queensland, Australia 9th-21st July 2013.
I am competing as an individual This will be an amazing opportunity to represent Wales at the highest level in this sport. There is very little sponsorship within this discipline and I have to raise all costs to attend this event.
Surf Kayaking is the sport, technique and equipment, used in surfing ocean waves with kayaks. Surf kayak competition is an event which is made up of twenty minute heats of four people, and the best three wave scores you achieve during the heat will be added together to give your result. The two highest scoring paddlers in the heat advance to the next round, until the field is whittled down to the final four. The events are judged by a panel of professional board surfing and kayak surfing judges.
The Kayaks are made from carbon composites, they feature defined rails and fins like a surfboard. The kayak is sat in and a spray skirt is worn and paddled with a double ended paddle.
My name is Tara Hayes and I’m a member of the GB Junior Lead Climbing and Bouldering Team.
I started climbing when I was 8 years old for fun, however after 1 year I entered my first competition (the British Regional Youth Climbing Series). I came 1st in the Midlands, so went on to compete at the National Finals, where I came 7th.
Since then I’ve been committed to train so I can reach my full potential. I am now on the British Junior Climbing Team and I’m currently competing internationally in bouldering and lead climbing.
I was also 1st in the British Junior Bouldering Championships in 2011, 1st in the British Lead Climbing Championships in 2012 and 1st in the Scottish Bouldering Championships in 2013. In 2012 I competed in the Junior Lead Climbing World Championships in Singapore, where I made the semi-finals, as well as coming 4th in a European event.
I am hoping to climb more outdoors, but currently I have lead 7c and bouldered 7a/V6. Indoors I have lead 8a and bouldered V9
My name is Phill Mitchell, I am 21 years old and I started climbing only 3 years ago.
I started climbing in a boulder centre and instantly I was hooked, it took me a while to get going but before I knew it I was there 3 or 4 times a week. Last year I entered the paraclimbing national championships and placed second overall, this led me to gaining a place on the team and quickly flew out to compete in Laval, France, where I took second again. For the last comp of the season I flew out to Gijon, Spain to compete in the world championships and placed 6th.
Despite going to these competitions my true passion lies within outdoor climbing, mainly boulder. I first went outdoor bouldering in February 2014 and quickly found my first project, The Positron Traverse V3/4 at the Breck, Merseyside. From this I have travelled around the UK trying all kinds of bouldering on all kinds of rock. My hardest ascent being Kiss of the dragon V8 at Woodwell but I’ve got harder projects I’m currently working.
I aim to constantly push myself into the hardest climbing I can possibly do and travel as much as my wallet will let me.
In 2015, at the age of 17, I was diagnosed with Stargardt’s Macular Dystrophy; a juvenile form of macular degeneration that causes gradual loss of my central vision. As a result, I have limited colour and detail vision and rely purely on the use of my peripheral vision to carry out everyday tasks. When I’m trying to explain it to other people, I usually compare my visual impairment to holding a dinner plate or a football in front of my face.
I was heavily involved in scouting as a kid and had my first experience of climbing when I was 5 (I wasn’t very good!). I began climbing regularly at 13, attending my local climbing wall in Sunderland and became incredibly passionate about the sport. What really astounded me about the climbing community is how inclusive and supportive it is no matter your ability, age, gender etc. and I quickly found myself surrounded by a group of wonderful people that got me really psyched about the sport.