The CiaO Foundation is proud to support one of its latest grant recipients, GB paraclimber Luke Smith, whose dedication, resilience, and passion for his sport have already taken him to some of the biggest stages in international climbing. Born with a clubfoot / talipes, Luke has never allowed his condition to define his limits. Instead, he has built a remarkable career in the RP3 paraclimbing category, representing Great Britain, competing at World Cups and World Championships.
Luke’s journey into climbing began at university in 2019. His chosen sport of Thai boxing was sadly not complimentary to his studies, but he was then introduced to the climbing wall. What started as a new hobby quickly became a passion, and today he considers himself as much a fan of the sport as a competitor. His rise through the ranks has been impressive: in 2024 he secured his first World Cup silver medal in Salt Lake City, delivered some of his best climbing at the World Championships in Seoul, and reached finals across Europe — including Innsbruck, Villars, and Arco, where he placed fourth. He also became British Champion, rounding off a season that showcased both consistency and growth.
Even when competitions don’t go to plan, Luke approaches them with humility and humour. Reflecting on his 2025 return to Salt Lake City, he described it as
“great qualifiers, really bad finals, and amazing memories.”
Beyond the pressure of the circuit, he finds joy in recreational climbing, especially in Switzerland, where he feels most connected to the sport he loves. Looking ahead to 2026, Luke is open to a full itinerary with hopes of returning to more European competitions, including Innsbruck once again (June) and Laval, France (August). His focus is simple but powerful: to keep improving and become a better all-around climber.
The CiaO grant will play a vital role in strengthening his training and competition pathway, helping him stay focused on progressing in his sport and pursuing his long-term ambition of reaching the Melbourne Paralympics in 2032. With a little support from us here at the CiaO Foundation and others, we know Luke will continue to push his performance, inspire others, and climb toward a future full of possibility.
“Try not to let your limits define you, and let them stop you from doing what you want to do. Then there will be no limit to what you can achieve.”
Luke Smith – CiaO Grant Recipient
“As a fellow climber, I know the ups and downs of taking on any climbing challenge. Though I also know that with Luke’s high hopes and long-reaching determination, success is bound to be only a hand-hold away. ”
Nügmais Powlesland – Charity Manager, The CiaO Foundation
Picture credit:
Colour Images – @xslobaon
B/W Images – @t0zzawozza
