Shauna Coxsey climbs Hydro, second 8B in two months

Shauna Coxsey has claimed the third ascent of Hydro, the 8B boulder problem in Ogmore, South Wales, first ascended by Eliot Stephens in 2022. In doing so,Coxsey climbed her second 8B in as many months after her ascent of Flip Flopera at the Bowderstone in the Lake District.

Coxsey has been visiting different UK bouldering locations as a part of her new YouTube series where she is seeking to find the fifty best 7th grade boulders in the UK and her 8B exploits have happened around filming for this series.

Commenting on her ascent, Coxsey said "I wasn’t sure if I should try the Hydro at first as the holds just seems crazy bad but with a bit of encouragement from Ned (Feehally, Shauna’s husband) I had a go. I managed to quickly figured out the body positions and foot options that made the holds feel holdable and decided to try from the start knowing that I didn’t have many goes before my finger strength was zapped. After a quick fumble go I found myself squeaking and grunting my way through the viciously intense moves and then grabbing the top. This climb is slightly an eliminate but still a gem. Really wild holds on a great bit of rock right by the sea".

This was Coxsey’s first visit to South Wales to explore the outdoor bouldering areas. Commenting on managing to climb at such high levels as a new mother, the 30-year-old added "I still feel like I’m lacking some energy as I am still breastfeeding which I love but it’s hard too. It’s just so nice to feel confident enough to try these boulders and to be finding my fight again. I still feel like I have a lot of gains to make which is exciting too."

Coxsey is Britain's most successful competition climber, having won the Boulder World Cup in both 2016 and 2017. She claimed silver in 2014 and 2015, and bronze in 2012. She retired from competitions after taking part in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, where she finished 10th.