Simon Nadin


Simon Nadin is a British rock climber and professional photographer, who won the first ever IFSC Climbing [World Cup] in 1989.

Climbing

Nadin was a climbing all-rounder and pioneered routes which set new levels in climbing. He started climbing on gritstone outcrops, such as The Roaches, near his home in Buxton and using nuts made in his school metalwork lessons.
Within a year of starting climbing he was climbing at E6 level and in later years frequently onsight-solo climbing|solo]ed E4, E5 or harder routes.
In 1989, having only been a professional climber for six months, he became the first IFSC Climbing World Cup champion, beating Didier Raboutou at the final round in Lyon, with an audience of 8000 people. He also came first in that round of the World Cup winning £3000 for this. Nadin was nearly disqualified twice for late arrival due to not seeing instructions put up in the official hotel, as the UK team was staying in a youth hostel.
Later in 1989, he unsuccessfully attempted to free climb The Nose on El Capitan with Lynn Hill.
Nadin's training methods were unusual, training 'heavy' in the winter, but still able to complete difficult ascents having not climbed for a period of time.

Media

He appeared in series 3 of Coast climbing The [Old Man of Hoy] with Neil Oliver and Andy Cave.

Selected climbs