Definitions in deep water soloing

From 'armchair landing' to 'body slap' to tide times, it's all explained here...

Armchair landing - The required landing position upon entering shallow water from height
Body slap - Loosely applies to any untidy landing, e.g. one in which a slapping noise is heard
Chalking stick - The contraption used for chalking holds before that moment of commitment, usually in the caves.
DWS - Deep Water Soloing. Rather cutely referred to by Rock & Ice editorship as 'above water soloing'.
Enema - What occurs when the legs are left a little apart upon landing! Best avoided as it's uncomfortable and messy.
Inverted - The nature of the climbing on some of the wilder, upside-down routes, especially crux roof sections.
Neap tides - These represent the smallest tide deviations of the month; mediocre highs, usually at around midday times.
Shallow water solo - Yep, not quite enough of the wet stuff. Hopefully a bit safer than a theoretical! Usually S3 (see Grading).
Splashdown - The moment of falling into the water!
Spring tides - These represent the biggest tide deviations of the month; the biggest highs and the lowest of the lows, with the best highs early and late in the day.
Swim-in - A route which usually needs to be tackled after a swim to the start.
Theoretical solo - A route which could conceivably be labelled a DWS; generally a little too high, or maybe a little too shallow... strictly, one of these might find itself a little outside the parameters of the S grading system (see Grading).
Tide timetable - An annual booklet, giving all projected tide movements in a given region.
Venue - Any area or crag which offers DWS climbing, whether realised or not.

Training for deep water soloing

by Mike Robertson

Training for DWS is more about psychology than physical strength or fitness. Of course, it helps to be a good climber, but you need to win the 'head game' too. Mike Robertson explains how.

Motivation for deep water soloing

by Mike Robertson

What motivates anyone to go deep water soloing? Mike Robertson takes an irreverent look at the extreme sport of DWS.

Grading for deep water soloing

by Mike Robertson

The subject of climbing grades in this country seems to instil fear in most foreign visitors, as they are used to more simple representation. While we are brought up on a diet of bizarre, over-complicated grades, that seem designed to thwart us. This article aims to establish the basis by which the grades applied to DWS came about and how they work.

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Mike Robertson

Mike has been climbing for over 20 years and has worked for several big-names in the climbing world including Rockfax climbing guides and Mountain Hardwear. He has written extensively on deep water soloing in areas of the UK including Dorset and Pembrokeshire and has used his professional photography skills to record his achievements.

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