Dylan Efron wears Pants Loewe. Shoes Mad Rock.
The reality star, producer, and famous-last-name-haver Dylan Efron gets to the crux of his favorite hobby.
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Why do you climb?
Because it’s a workout and it’s fun and I love it.
What does your climbing style say about your personality?
Maybe that I’m awkward. I look good sometimes, and then I’ll have a really awkward fumble. So it’s like, I have potential, but I’m not quite smooth yet—just like my golf swing.
If these rocks could talk, what would they say?
Get off my back.
What are some climbing-partner red flags?
Don’t be looking at your phone. Don’t be getting distracted, because you don’t want to die. If someone’s having fun, they’re gonna pay attention. If they’re not into it and they’re just like, “I don’t really want to be here,” that’s a big red flag for me.
Tank Top Stylist’s Own. Pants Balenciaga. Watch Omega.
What’s been your hardest climb?
Probably during COVID. I was going to Malibu Canyon Creek two to four times a week, and me and my buddy were trying this 5.11a. Climbing gyms were closed so it was my project. I probably tried it 100 times. That’s the one I’m most proud of.
When it’s just you and the wall, what are you thinking about?
A lot of times I’m visualizing what I’m gonna do, because I do a lot of sports like this and it’s easy to get in your head. You have inner voices that say, “You’re gonna mess up, you can’t do this section.” I always try to listen and say, “Alright, how can I do it?” I try to flip it into a positive.
Is climbing about conquering the wall or surrendering to it?
If it’s one of the two, it’s surrendering, because what you see with people who are new to climbing is they’ll try to force themselves on the wall. You think, “I work out. I have muscles. I’m gonna be great at this,” and then you burn out and the wall beats you. The best climbers know how to not use all their muscles all the time, and work with body positioning and balance. It’s definitely a give-and-take relationship with the wall.
Tank Top Stylist’s Own. Pants and Belt Isabel Marant. Watch Omega.
What about climbing turns you on?
What? Like, sexually? I’m not sure.
Strength or technique?
Technique all day, that’s how you get better.
Who is your climbing soulmate?
My buddy Alonso. When I’m climbing, I either want to be taking someone who’s worse than me and learning from me, or someone who can be that guide. That’s the best part of climbing: finding someone who’s willing to teach you. We go to Joshua Tree and do trad and a bunch of other stuff I learned from him.
What can you do to improve your grip?
When I was really into it, I had one of those grip things in the car, so whenever I was sitting in traffic, I was doing those. Or I’ll get a pull-up bar and hang from one arm. The second thing would be bouldering—you get such a pump in your forearms.
Pants Loewe. Shoes Mad Rock.
How do you recover after going too hard?
Jump in the ocean. Not everyone can do that, but a cold plunge is great. And honestly, I just stretch.
Is climbing a metaphor for something deeper?
When I first started climbing, someone told me that fear and focus are two sides of the same coin. If you have this channeled adrenaline and you’re scared up there, that’s gonna turn into fear. But if you can harness that adrenaline, it’ll turn into focus. It’s okay to be scared, but if I can do something productive with it, I can be better.
How many protein bars is too many?
It depends on the protein bar, because you’re gonna get gas if you eat too many of some. I was rock climbing in Croatia, and after a couple of hours, my stomach’s growling and they’re like, “Is everybody hungry?” I think they’re gonna bring out protein bars, but they brought out a Costco-sized jar of olives and we all just reached our hands in and ate until we filled up. I was like, “Why are we eating so many protein bars when we can have fruit and olives instead?”
T-shirt Celine. Shorts Versace.
What has climbing taught you about letting go?
It’s helped me let go of ego and embrace the fact that I’m trying my best.
What’s the ultimate song to climb to?
I can’t say because I’m always listening to a random fantasy audiobook, but every now and then, Lane 8 or Elderbrook will pop on, and I’ll start climbing better.
Is the climbing gym a good place to meet girls?
It’s a great place to meet people. If I moved to a new city and was trying to make friends, the first stop would be a climbing gym because I know the people there have at least one thing in common with me. It’s a community, so it’s not only a great place to meet women but a great place to make friends.
T-shirt and Shorts Coach.
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Grooming: Taichi Saito using Kérastase at Art Department.
Photography Assistants: Zach Helper & Eve Alpert.
Fashion Assistant: Phoebe O’Connell.
Production Coordinator: Claudia Malpeli.
Location: Metrorock Bushwick.
The post Dylan Efron Gets a Grip appeared first on Interview Magazine.