Shamus Boulianne

Hi I’m Shamus Boulianne!

I am a Canadian Paraclimber born with Ectrodactyly; a genetic limb difference that leaves me with only two non-articulating fingers on my right hand. I cannot climb like everyone else. But I don’t want to climb like everyone else. I am always challenged to ‘break the beta’ and find a different path up a wall or piece of rock. I love this process and the way it fosters my creativity and ability to see climbing in ways that most people don’t have to.

The first time I entered a climbing gym, I knew I had found something special. I topped my first climb with a feeling of utter euphoria; I was hooked. I began to recognize regular faces at the gym and started making friends. I progressed quickly and became a recognized face in my local community. I started to recognize my disability as a gift that meant I could stand out amongst the crowd. People told me I had a unique style and that they loved to watch me climb. This motivated me to push harder, climb more, and begin competing on the international stage.

Now, I have two years of IFSC competition experience under my belt, including a 9th-place finish at the 2023 world championships.