Teens of Bay Area

Clinging on to the hold with calloused fingers and an unwavering focus, Henry Jin doesn’t just climb walls — he overcomes them.

Henry Jin, a senior at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley Upper School, initially started rock climbing as another form of exercise inspired by his parents. He wasn’t keen on the sport until after COVID, when he got promoted to the competitive team. Though Henry started as the ‘worst one on the team,’ he began training 12 hours a week, slowly climbing up the ranks. Later, he became a coach and started training independently after having overlapping schedules with his competitive team. 

His height, he’d soon realized, had its own challenges. Being only 5’6”, he had to find creative ways to reach for the next hold. 

“Being short showed me that adversity breeds creativity,” Henry shared. 

Initially, he would make excuses, often giving up on moves that he thought he couldn’t do. For example, dynos, a dynamic leap from one hold to another by letting go of all points of contact, were his least favorite move.

“I was scared of them,” Henry admitted. “However, I found it necessary to learn to do it to improve, and since then, it’s taught me a lot. It’s symbolic in a way because you are letting go of a safer position, and then there’s that split second of instability. You have to fully trust yourself and commit; otherwise, you’re not going to be able to make the move.” 

This mindset has shaped the way he approaches not only climbing but life itself. 

“A big takeaway I’ve learned is the mentality of trusting yourself and taking calculated, measured risks,” Henry added.

That said, as a coach, Henry worked with a climber who, like him, struggled with dynamic movements.

“She preferred very static moments, moments where she was always in control and stable. She hated dynos,” Henry said. 

Over six months, he created custom climbs for her, gradually increasing the distance between holds. Then, one day, she told him, “Because of Henry, I actually like dynos”.

These are the moments he believes make coaching truly rewarding. 

“It made me realize that the mental transformations that helped me personally can also help others. And I think that’s a big part of why I enjoy coaching so much.”

Beyond that, Henry is interested in math, computer science and physics, specifically their potential in improving lives. He has since participated in UCSB Research Mentorship Program as well as a two-year ongoing internship with Envision. 

Though he is currently undecided on a major, he hopes to pursue an interdisciplinary combination of the three subjects he is interested in. He gives advice to current and prospective high school students: 

“Follow your interests–everyone’s path is different, and it’s okay to explore because lives are nonlinear and passions change”

Henry Jin, 2025