At just 18 years old, Sophia Cook has already carved out a strong place in New Zealand’s climbing community. So strong, in fact, that she qualified earlier this year for the Youth World Championships in Helsinki to represent Aotearoa. Sophia, who is proudly supported by La Sportiva through Mountain Adventure, is a natural fit for the brand—her dedication, adventurous spirit, and love for climbing make her exactly the kind of climber who inspires others to push their limits.
Where it all began
Hailing from Redcliffs, Christchurch, Sophia’s journey began five years ago when her school offered climbing at Uprising as a summer sports option. She had never tried climbing before, but from the very first session, she was hooked. “Once that school term ended, I just wanted to boulder every day—and for about a year, that’s exactly what I did,” she recalls. What started as a fun after-school activity quickly became her biggest passion.
The following summer, Sophia was introduced to outdoor sport climbing, and everything changed. “Climbing outside combined two things I love deeply—movement and nature,” she says. The sense of challenge and freedom she found on real rock completely captured her. Soon, she was competing around New Zealand, joining the Flying Geckos Climbing Club, and training alongside some of Christchurch’s strongest youth climbers. Since then, she has continued climbing consistently both indoors and outdoors, across New Zealand and Australia.
A second home at Uprising
Uprising, the Christchurch climbing gym where it all started, still holds a special place in Sophia’s heart. “The atmosphere really shaped my early experience,” she explains. While the gym itself was fun and accessible, it was the people who kept her coming back.
“At Uprising, I felt like I belonged. There was always a buzz of energy—people trying hard, cheering each other on, sharing beta, or just hanging out. It became my second home.” For Sophia, climbing was more than a physical and mental challenge; it was also something social and creative. She never got bored, and she credits that environment with helping shape the climber she is today.
Lessons on and off the wall
Over the years, climbing has taught Sophia lessons that extend far beyond the wall. One of the biggest is resilience. “I’ve learned that failure is part of the process, and that progress often comes slowly, through effort, consistency, and trust in yourself,” she says.
Competition climbing, in particular, has shown her the importance of staying grounded. “Your placement doesn’t always reflect how well you climbed. You can perform your best and still not win, or have an off day and still podium. I try to focus on climbing for myself—enjoying it, learning from it, and not tying my worth to a result sheet.”
That mindset has carried over into school, relationships, and life in general, making her more self-aware, adaptable, and driven.
Finding motivation
Like most athletes, Sophia admits that she sometimes struggles with motivation, especially when it comes to training. But she’s learned that persistence outweighs inspiration. “You have to show up, even on the hard days, because consistency is what leads to progress,” she says.
At the same time, she knows when to rest. Outdoor climbing is her reset button. “When I need to reconnect with why I love climbing, I go outside. It always brings back the spark.” Her friends also play a huge role, offering support and inspiring her to push harder.
Balancing life at 18
Balancing school, training, travel, and competitions isn’t easy, but Sophia has learned to make it work. “There’s no real secret—just persistence,” she says. “If you stick with something long enough and keep showing up, you can’t really fail.”
Her determination is matched with discipline. She has learned to study on the road, on planes, and even in tents to stay on top of schoolwork while chasing opportunities to climb in incredible places. “Being curious and asking questions helps you grow—not just in school, but in climbing and life too,” she adds.
Backed by family and friends
Sophia laughs that her friends and family sometimes think she’s a little bit crazy—but in the best way. “They’ve been really supportive of my climbing journey. They know how much it means to me, and they’ve seen how committed I am,” she says.
Her parents occasionally worry about how much time she takes off school for competitions and trips, but they trust her to get the work done—and she always does. “I feel lucky to have people around me who support my goals, even if they don’t fully understand the climbing world.”
A message to young climbers
When asked what advice she would give to others just starting out, Sophia doesn’t hesitate. “Don’t give up. Keep chasing what you love, even if it feels hard or people don’t always understand it. Don’t be afraid to fail—failure is a huge part of growth and improvement.”
Her message is simple but powerful: “Be curious. Try new things. Ask questions. Learn as much as you can. And don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it or that you’re not good enough. You are—and you’ll prove it to yourself every time you try again.”
Follow Sophia on Instagram: @sophias.climbing