“I’m like “mom, I haven’t climbed for two days!”” she says in a pained tone and twitches slightly for greater effect.  I’m laughing because Jazz is describing her addiction to climbing and there is so much I can identify with.  Like most climbers she is always keen for that next route, that next day at the crag, that next training session.  Anything that connects her with the sport she loves.

If you live in Durban or are in any way involved in the School’s comps then it’s difficult not to notice Jasmin Pillai.  Not because of her extraordinarily long brown hair that nearly eclipses the length of her petit body but because of her athletic prowess on the climbing wall.  The way she crushes any and all competition and beats girls and guys alike way beyond her own category.  And she does it all with a shy little smile and a sparkle in her eyes.  Get her talking about climbing and you'll see her face really light up.

And although Jazz may currently lack the confidence to send the higher grades she certainly doesn’t lack the power or ability.  In the School’s National climbing comp in October last year she released the beast on her final route and dominated the competition.  She confided in me recently that she can’t wait to get out of school so that her climbing can grow.  So here’s a heads up to the climbing world, this little dynamite is in matric this year and raring to bust out into the big wide world.

Age: 16 but I'll be 17 soonish

Number of years climbing: About 3 years

How often do you climb during the week?: Twice during the week training at varsity and once during the weekends or twice if I'm lucky

Favourite crag: Probably magnetic wall since it was the 1st place I climbed on outdoor rock and I currently have three unfinished projects there.  But generally anywhere... I love being outdoors and if the rock is climbable then I'm happy =)

What do you enjoy about climbing?: I'm not really sure, it just puts me on a high.  Possibly the adrenaline rush I get (seriously I'm sure all climbers will understand what I'm saying).  It also gives me a chance to prove to myself that I can do anything I want to do if I push myself hard enough, which I think has really boosted my confidence over the years. And, of course, climbers are awesome company so if I had to minus everything else I've said, I'd still be climbing just to be around them crazy climbers!

Last time we were at Rumdoodle you had a big smile on your face after climbing a route. What made you enjoy the route so much?: Big moves  to jugs!  Haha.  I must say face climbing is my week point though I still really enjoy climbing at Umgeni Valley.  I think the main thing I enjoy in a route is how it flows.  If it’s not flowing its not speaking my language which isn't very inspiring at all so I get frustrated more easily.  Then again working out the moves of a route is also fun, especially when you know you're doing it with more style then anyone else because you're short and have to do things differently to the taller kind who are doing one big move when you're having to do three, using tiny intermediates and drop knees and other crazy stuff!

You mentioned that you would love to go back to Montagu where you were recently on the Renegade tour (apparently you even dreamed about it). What do you want to do when you go back there?: Get straight back onto 'Thruster' and do the move that I'd been struggling so much with.  I never dream about climbs so it must be a sign.  I need to go back there!!!

What did you enjoy the most about the Renegade tour?: Where to begin?  It was a super awesome experience just to be able to climb in the cape.  I loved the fact that you could climb in the morning, then chill in the pool round lunch time and go back to climb in the evening.  Cape climbers are blessed to be able to do that!! I also found the rock in Oudtshoorn very different to what I'm used to so being exposed to it was really cool.  I must admit I really enjoyed the night climbing we did, and I thought it was a good exercise for someone like me who hates falling.  Because when its dark you can't see where you're going to fall, so you tend to forget about it! My send on the Church of Frederico at the steeple was also another highlight!

A while ago you were forced to take a month off of climbing because of an injury. What was the injury and what did you do during that month?: I had injured my left hand middle finger at the DBC competition, when I had fallen off  a problem.  I don’t know if it was the actual fall or the strain I had put on my finger that damaged it.  No-one could tell me what exactly was wrong with it.  I went to a physio and chiropractor and both answers were fairly vague so after Nationals, which I probably shouldn't have climbed at due to my injury, I decided to take off time before I made my injury permanent.  I wasn't sure how long to take off so I took off as much as I was able to without losing my sanity.  I would say I was lucky that I had exams to write in that month so I had something else to focus my energy on.  Occasionally I'd go for a run to try and get my blood pumping again but it wasn’t really the same.

Have you ever used your plait as a weapon?: I have actually.  Well I was asked to try as my mates wanted to see if it was possible.  It’s not that easy at all! You have to get a good circular motion going with your head which makes you extremely dizzy and then you can't control who you hit! One thing I know is that I would be the twisting hair of doom in a mosh pit.  =P

Pirate or Ninja?: Ninja all the way!!