CWA Blog

The Climbing Wall Association's blog is a place for indoor climbing professionals to find useful and relevant information from industry and business experts. Stay on top of best practices, thought leadership, and trends by subscribing to our newsletter!

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Case Study: Mountains Beyond Borders and Indoor Climbing Gyms
Case Study: Mountains Beyond Borders and Indoor Climbing Gyms

Boulder, Colorado-based non-profit Mountains Without Borders works with indoor climbing gyms to recycle used climbing gear. Learn about how you can support their mission. Continue Reading

Date posted04/14/2023


5 Indoor Climbing Holds You Probably Want
5 Indoor Climbing Holds You Probably Want

In no particular order, here are five hold sets that spark joy – or bittersweet fury – when I see them on the wall, as well as why you may want them for your indoor climbing gym. Continue Reading

Date posted04/4/2023


Producing a Culture of Safety in Indoor Climbing
Producing a Culture of Safety in Indoor Climbing

Indoor climbing gyms have a unique set of risk management concerns. Every facility and program must constantly be proactively managing these risk management hurdles. In this article, we’re going to introduce the concept of a “culture of safety” in the space of workplace risk... Continue Reading

Date posted03/31/2023


Nonprofit Member Spotlight: Adaptive Climbing Group
Nonprofit Member Spotlight: Adaptive Climbing Group

In this most recent non-profit member spotlight, I sat down with three folks involved with the Adaptive Climbing Group to discuss how the organization has been instrumental in expanding access to the sport of climbing to those with a wide range of adaptive needs. With Kareemah Batts, our 2023 CWA... Continue Reading

Date posted03/30/2023


Monetary Value of Robust Youth Program
Monetary Value of Robust Youth Program

Creating robust recreational and competitive programs that fit in to your gym’s culture may be challenging, but the benefits of creating and developing life-long climbers that will fall in love with climbing create great culture and contribute greatly to your gym's revenue. Continue Reading

Date posted03/1/2023


Outdoor Prolink Now Available for All CWA Members
Outdoor Prolink Now Available for All CWA Members

CWA members work hard and play hard. You put in long hours, blood, sweat, and tears - working at height, setting the perfect routes, sharing your love for indoor climbing - you deserve the best gear. And you deserve a sweet discount on it. Enter Outdoor Prolink pro deals: deep discounts on... Continue Reading

Date posted02/24/2023


How To Host a Recreational Paraclimbing Competition
How To Host a Recreational Paraclimbing Competition

Want to host a paraclimbing Competition at your gym? Learn how to prepare your gym, a budget, a marketing plan, and more. Hailey Caissie of the The Crag speaks with three experts to offer advice and guidance for your gym. Continue Reading

Postedby Hailey Caissie
Date posted02/15/2023


Indoor Climbing Programs Assessments: A How to Guide, Part 2
Indoor Climbing Programs Assessments: A How to Guide, Part 2

In the second part of our Indoor Climbing Program Assessments, we will dive a little deeper into staff assessments. Get an example rubric for evaluation, the phases of implementing an assessment, and more. Continue Reading

Date posted02/9/2023


CWA Announces First Sessions For 2023 CWA Summit
CWA Announces First Sessions For 2023 CWA Summit

CWA Summit session content will be focused on core topics for different employee types, building on a theme of collaboration Continue Reading

Postedby Matt Pucak (deleted)
Date posted02/6/2023


Member Spotlight: Crux Climbing Center
Member Spotlight: Crux Climbing Center

The CWA chats with Grace Nicholas, Head of Operations at Crux Climbing Center in Austin, Texas, about the importance of being reactive to their community through innovative gym design and operations, while making climbing a more equitable, diverse sport with their expansive programming options. Continue Reading

Postedby Quinn Gordon
Date posted02/3/2023


How to Avoid High Employee Turnover in Climbing Gyms
How to Avoid High Employee Turnover in Climbing Gyms

High turnover of employees costs businesses money and time, and can lead to a further trickle down of discontent on your team. Learn some reasons why employees are leaving your climbing gym and strategies to combat turnover while building a stronger team. Continue Reading

Date posted02/1/2023


A Common Misconception of Coaching
A Common Misconception of Coaching

Many potential coaches in the indoor climbing industry feel that their climbing talent or background isn't strong enough to take the step to become a coach. Chris Oshinski is here to provide some empirical evidence to correct this misconception and bolster the ranks of coaches. Continue Reading

Postedby Christopher Oshinski
Date posted01/22/2023