Molly Thompson-Smith takes part in BBC’s Young Reporter festival
4 years ago
United States Sean Bailey has established himself as a prominent figure in the climbing world, known for his achievements in competition climbing, sport climbing, and bouldering.
Sean Bailey is an athlete for Scarpa, a brand that produces climbing footwear and equipment. He describes climbing as his outlet for learning, experiencing the world, and giving back.
Sean Bailey expressed interest in being sponsored by Vans, as indicated by a social media post where he used the hashtag #sponsorme @vans.
Sean Bailey is a Black Diamond athlete and visited the company's Salt Lake City headquarters to collaborate with the design team on their new line of climbing shoes.
Sean Bailey is listed on the Reppa roster, indicating a partnership with the brand. He was born and raised in Seattle, WA, and his passion for climbing began in Index.
Sean Bailey, along with Ben Hanna, engaged in hold shaping activities at Pusher headquarters, following Bailey's win at the IFSC World Cup SLC.
Sean Bailey is an athlete for Outdoor Research, a brand that highlights his obsessive approach to climbing, which has led him to win World Cups and climb multiple difficult outdoor routes.
Sean Bailey discussed the origin story of his clothing company, ANTIGRAV, and the importance of creativity in various aspects of his life, including establishing his V15 FA 'The Gold'.
Mellow released a video documenting Sean Bailey's first ascent of 'Shaolin' in Red Rock, Nevada, a problem he proposed as V17.
Kailas is an IFSC Partner.
EP Climbing is an IFSC Partner.
Euroholds is an IFSC Partner.
Perfect Descent is an IFSC Partner.
Trango is an IFSC Partner.
Sean Bailey was born on May 20, 1996, in Shoreline, Washington. He began climbing at the age of five, introduced to the sport by his parents, both experienced climbers. His competitive journey started with the youth team at the Vertical World climbing gym. At 17, Bailey won the USA Climbing Sport Climbing Series Youth National Championship, marking an early milestone in his career. The same year, he also secured victory in the 2013 American Bouldering Series, the senior national bouldering competition in the United States. These early successes indicated his potential in the varied disciplines of climbing.
Throughout his career, Bailey has consistently achieved high-level placements in international competitions. He has earned five IFSC World Cup podium finishes, including a first-place finish in bouldering at Salt Lake City in 2021, and two gold medals in lead climbing at Villars and Chamonix in 2021. He also earned a silver medal at Vail in 2018 and a bronze in lead at Chamonix in 2022. Beyond the competition circuit, Bailey has made significant ascents in sport climbing, redpointing Chris Sharma’s ‘Realization/Biographie’ (5.15a) in France in 2016 and ‘Joe Mama’ (5.15a) in Spain in 2019. A notable achievement was his ascent of ‘Bibliographie’ (5.15c) in Céüse in 2021, a route first climbed by Alex Megos.
In bouldering, Bailey has advanced to the highest grades, completing ‘Box Therapy’ (V16, later V15) and ‘Grand Illusion’ (V16) in 2020. His first V15 boulder, ‘Pegasus,’ was sent in Joe’s Valley, Utah, earlier that year. In 2024, he achieved the first ascent of ‘Shaolin’ (V17) in Red Rock Canyon, Nevada, making it one of only three V17 ascents in the United States at the time. Bailey has also been a multi-time USA Climbing National Champion, winning the Lead National Championship in 2016, 2018, and 2022, and the Bouldering Nationals in 2019.
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