Routesetter.com caught up with 23 year old British route setter, Jamie Cassidy to find out what it was like to work with Godoffe, live in hotels, and how not to be intimadated.

Where do you live? Where do you climb most, gym or crag?

I live in Liverpool with my parents but most of the time I stay with friends or in hotels when I’m working. I climb mostly in gyms and try to get out occasionally; I probably climb outside more on trips to Fontainbleau, or Cresciano, I’ve just been to Albarracin in Spain, which was awesome.

Do you work, make any money?

I work as a professional routesetter for national and international comps and gyms around the country. I also work for Entre prises UK installing some of their walls. I make some money but not a lot, I lead a fairly relaxed lifestyle, just the way I want it!

How long have you been setting & climbing?

I’ve been climbing for 11 years and setting for 10.

Did you consciously decide to make a switch from competitive climbing to high end route setting?

I competed for years at home and away but always enjoyed setting more. So I decided to turn professional and focus on that.

How long have you been waiting to go to the IFSC route setting course?

I was waiting for the IFSC course for years, my federation wouldn’t allow me to do the previous one when I was 19 because I was too young (not true) but I’ve done it now!

What was it like working with Jacky Godoffe and Simon Wandeler during the course?

Working with Wandeller and Godoffe was brilliant. I’d worked with Godoffe before at the European cup, he’s really cool, although completely insane. I’d not met Wandeller before, he’s a really nice guy and a good routesetter.

You were also setting with some of the biggest names in competitive climbing. Were you at all intimidated?

It wasn’t intimidating at all… because I knew I was probably way more experienced in a comp setting situation.

Would you rather be known for your climbing or your setting?

I’d much rather be known more for my setting than climbing. I climb for myself but I set for others.

What is the setting scene like in Britain? Are there a lot of pro-setters?

The setting scene in the UK is pretty small with only about 6 of us who regularly set at different gyms and comps.

Does the British federation have a national route setting program?

The BMC [British federation] has a national setting course held every couple of years but we’re pretty happy with the team we’ve got.

In what direction would you like to see the setting profession head?
I would like to see setting go big, with a standardized minimum wage and a helpful governing body, who knows, maybe one day the Olympics!!

What’s next for you?

Next for me is to go to a round of the bouldering world cup [Bulgarian round] as a routesetter, you have to do two practical experiences before the IFSC makes you a forerunner. The Birmingham European cup was the day before the course so that counts as one of mine!

 |   Subscribe to post | Leave a comment