Crack Is Back: A Weekend of Jams, Laughs & Learning with Sean Villanueva O’Driscoll at Awesome Walls Dublin
On December 13th, Awesome Walls Dublin buzzed with tape, chalk, laughter, and climbers rediscovering how humbling crack climbing is. All of this came thanks to a very special visit from world-class climber and crack connoisseur Sean Villanueva O’Driscoll.
With the new WideBoyz crack generator volumes, we finally had the perfect tools to bring crack climbing into the gym. There was no better way to launch them than with a full weekend of masterclasses led by Sean himself.
Friday: Setting the Stage (and the Cracks)
On Friday morning, Sean V, Sean McBride (Awesome Walls Head Routesetter), and Dave Ayton got to work transforming the bouldering walls into a crack-climber’s playground. Using the WideBoyz volumes, the team set crack challenges ranging from friendly hand-jams to spicy wide-body wrestling.
The aim was to build learning tools: cracks that encouraged technique, body positioning, and movement—rewarding patience over brute force.
Friday Afternoon: National Squad Masterclass
Friday afternoon saw members of the Mountaineering Ireland National Climbing Squad and Youth Team take part in a dedicated crack-climbing masterclass with Sean.
For many of the climbers, crack climbing was a new (and eye-opening!) experience. Sean broke down the fundamentals, hand jams, foot jams, body positioning, efficiency, and when to relax versus when to commit. Watching elite youth climbers apply these unfamiliar techniques so quickly was hugely impressive. The session sparked loads of curiosity, questions, and laughter.
It was a brilliant example of how gym-based crack training can translate real outdoor skills in a safe, supportive environment.
Saturday: What’s the Craic?! Two Masterclasses, Double the Fun
Saturday was all about the Awesome Walls community, with two back-to-back public masterclasses – and yes… What’s the craic?!
Members of all abilities jumped in, from crack first-timers to climbers already keen to refine their jamming skills. Together, Sean V and Dave Ayton guided climbers through technique, mindset, and problem-solving, creating an atmosphere that was equal parts educational and hilariously fun.
There was tape, falling, and ‘aha!’ moments as climbers learned to trust jams, relax, and realise crack climbing is about technique, not strength.
More Than a Workshop – A Community Moment
What made the weekend special wasn’t just the quality of instruction, but the energy in the room. Crack climbing has a unique way of levelling the playing field, encouraging collaboration, and generating shared suffering (and shared success!).
Seeing climbers cheer each other on, swap beta, and laugh through the learning curve reminded us exactly why events like this matter.
What’s Next?
With the WideBoyz crack volumes now firmly in place, this is only the beginning. Expect to see more crack-focused setting, training opportunities, and workshops in the future – because once you start jamming… there’s no going back.
A huge thank you to Sean Villanueva O’Driscoll, Sean McBride, the Mountaineering Ireland squads, and everyone who took part.
Crack climbing is officially alive and well at Awesome Walls Dublin – and we can’t wait to do it again.
Thanks for the awesome photos Ireland Climbing
