Watch Kindar McNamee on a V11 First Ascent in B.C.

Kindar McNamee is one of Canada’s top youth climbers. Based on the West Coast, he made a trip to the interior this summer with his twin brother, Guy. Born in Haiti, the two have lived in Canada since they were two years old.

Kindar recently made the first ascent of Kin’s Dragon, a powerful V11 and his first at the grade, at Pass Creek’s Valhalla Boulders north of Nelson. In one day, Kindar sent his first V9, V10 and V11.

Kindar competed at the Youth World Championships in Innsbruck and in Moscow. He also competed at the Youth Pan American Championships in 2017, where he placed third in lead and fourth overall for Youth B.

Their parents took Kindar and Guy to a climbing gym when they were nine years old and they started competing at 11. “I’m not really sure what what what made them want to climb. They just wanted to move,” said their mother Caroline in a short film on the twins called Precision and Focus: Climbing with teen champions Guy and Kindar McNamee, which you can watch here.

“And that hasn’t changed. Now, they climb five days a week. They never don’t want to go ever. It’s their absolute favourite thing to do. They completely love it. And they never give up. You know, they keep trying, they’re really committed to challenging themselves.”

Their coach, JC Reinosa, said, “I’m unbelievably proud from where we started to where we are now. As a coach, I want them to keep climbing, injury-free for as long as they can. I would love to see them eventually competing for Canada at the Olympics and at a World Cup level, climbing in the finals.

“A lot of people talk about goals like this, but very few act. I believe Guy and Kindar have the good habits, discipline and love of the sport to achieve these goals.”

Be sure to follow the brothers on Instagram below. There’s a new guidebook to West Kootenay bouldering, check it out here.

Kin’s Dragon

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I had a very fun time with @bennwebster, Nathan, @guymcnamee and @noahslotman. I hadn't lead climbed in a very long time. I didn't try anything too hard since I was just getting back into it. Thank you, Ben, for teaching me about lead climbing outside. I really enjoyed the experience. @flashedclimbing, @evolv_worldwide, and @evolvcanada, @rhinoskinsolutions #highfrictionday, #flashpodium, #climbfreeclimbfreelessly, #mecambassador, #mecnation, #climbingcompetition, #climbing, #hiveclimbing, #evolv, #champion, #bouldering, #boulderinglife, #boulderinggym, #rockclimbing, #climber #evolv_worldwide, #flashedclimbing, #athlete, #liveclimbrepeat, #training #trainingmotivation, #climb

A post shared by Kindar McNamee (@kindarmcnamee) on Aug 18, 2020 at 12:19pm PDT

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I often feel the coach(es) in an athlete's life is overlooked. A coach plays a huge role in any athlete's life. No one gets to their goals alone. This post is dedicated to thanking everyone who has been a coach in my life. It doesn't matter how long you were there; you contributed in some way. Thank you for pushing me to become better, for putting me on climbs I thought were much too difficult (sometimes they were). You have helped me with minor injuries and aches and pains (maybe caused a few sore muscles through conditioning). When I was terrified of lead falling, you helped me get over that fear. You taught me the basics of climbing. I learned how to breathe and control my emotions through comps. You gave me feedback and taught me how to reflect on my performance. A coach is also someone who is your friend. You can talk to them about things outside of sports. The list goes on and on. These coaches range from recreational instructors, personal coaches, club coaches, provincial coaches and national coaches. A coach and an athlete have a common goal: to get the athlete to become the best they can be. Both the coach and the athlete have to trust one another for any program to work. I am extraordinarily lucky to have had so many great coaches who have believed in me. Thank you so much! Addition to the list of names: Jeff, Christy #theoutdoors #highfriction, #flashedpodium, #climbfreeclimbfearlessly, #coaches @flashedclimbing, @evolv_worldwide, @evolvcanada, @rhinoskinsolutions, #climbing, #rhinoskinsolutions, #rhinofamily, #rhinohasyoucovered, #rockclimbing, #skinabusespecialist, #climbcanada #climbingcompetition, #hiveclimbing,

A post shared by Guy McNamee (@guymcnamee) on Sep 22, 2020 at 12:16pm PDT