Catching Up With CAT: Building Confidence Through Training

Hello Christina here for this week's Catching Up With CAT

I’ve been doing well and wanted to share a little more about the staff training we’ve been going through recently.

I feel like I’ve been challenging myself more and pushing outside of my comfort zone. During our safety trainings, I’ve had the opportunity to learn new techniques and skills that will be very helpful when working with the community.

Recently, I learned how to perform both weighted and unweighted transfers for belaying. These are important skills that help keep participants safe and supported during climbing activities. I also had the chance to practice lead climbing for the first time at Steelworkers Park. It was definitely challenging, but it was a great experience and a reminder that growth often comes from trying something new.

In paddling, we’ve been practicing rescues in different types of boats and learning how to respond in a variety of situations on the water. One of my personal goals for this summer is to successfully complete a self-rescue. I’m excited to keep building my confidence and skills throughout the season.

Thanks for reading, and I look forward to sharing more updates soon!

“Growth begins at the end of your comfort zone.” — Neale Donald Walsch

This quote stands out to me because many of the skills I’ve been learning recently have pushed me beyond what feels comfortable. Whether it’s practicing lead climbing, learning new belay techniques, or working on paddling rescues, I’ve had to trust myself and be open to learning. These experiences remind me that growth doesn’t happen when things are easy—it happens when we challenge ourselves to try something new. That’s why this quote reflects my journey so far this summer.

— Christina