A bit about me

Hi I'm Wim, the guy behind Get A Grip Clothing Co. I first started climbing back in 1994 at the age of 14 as part of an extracurricular class at Kelston Boys High School, and soon developed a strong passion for it. I was lucky enough to have an awesome teacher who was an avid climber and mentored us. My friend and I would cycle from Titirangi to Mt Eden Quarry wall every weekend we could (it was accessible in those days). I still fondly remember my two favourites, Bandersnatch, a 19 stem climb finishing out on an arete, and Snatchbender (presumably set by the same person?) a 24 with an awesome undercling lunge near the top. Some great basalt based climbing! 

After moving to the Waikato, I found the Newstead Orchard wall - privately owned and built but for $50 a year they'ed give you a key to have access. I introduced my new school friends to climbing and we quickly began some pretty decent competitive climbing amoungst ourselves and we'd get out to Wharepapa and Froggatt whenever we could. Meeting more climbers there, I ended up illustrating the Wharepapa South and Froggatt guide book - don't judge too harshly, I was only 16-17 at the time. Also during this period we volunteered our time as work experience, helping to build Extreme Edge Hamilton over the Summer break. Many T-nuts were hammered in, holds carved and walls painted.

From then on it was a common hangout for myself and other climbing friends and I also ended up working at Extreme Edge Hamilton for a number of years. Moving on to study in Auckland, the rocknasium was my midweek connection to climbing, having many boulding jam sessions with the infamous Zane.
As I've gotten older I've not been able to climb as much as I've liked and the ability of a strong and nimble 20y/o has faded, but I still thoroughly enjoy it. I'm lucky enough to have a partner Kelly who also shares the passion for climbing and we've done our best to climb some amazing places while we've travelled. From Kangaroo Point in Brisbane, the Canyon Cliffs in Moab Utah, Maple Canyon also in Utah (Highly recommend that one, a truly unique place to climb - thanks to Sierra Blair for that suggestion!), Suesca in Colombia and more. 

Being a graphic designer and a climber, I've always wanted to create my own climbing themed clothing, and now, I've finally gotten around to it. I hope you enjoy my creations, and if you see me around, come say hi!   

From some of the adventures