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!
It’s hard to believe we have been staying home, wearing masks, and social distancing for a year. As vaccines roll out, many of us may feel like we’re coming around the corner with the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, it is essential to remember that the pandemic’s effect on mental... Continue Reading
In our previous discussion about the long term athlete development model, we reviewed the history that led to the creation of the program. The goal of the LTAD model is to ensure the quality of sport and physical activity, and to keep athletes and/or participants engaged in sports and recreation... Continue Reading
As the pandemic rages on, climbing gyms continue to be among some of the hardest hit businesses in the country, despite the help offered by the December 2020 COVID Relief Package. The CWA is working hard to understand how our industry is coping with continued government-mandated closures and... Continue Reading
For retail, the beginning of the year is my favorite. Your inventory has cleared out from holiday sales, so you have extra space for new products that will breathe fresh life into your shop. Timing is perfect, with spring pre-season orders starting to arrive and fall pre-season order deadlines... Continue Reading
Any relationship – belaytionship, friendship, or more – requires communication. Climbing is a wonderful metaphor for this, so we couldn’t miss the chance to tell you what’s on our mind. Whether it’s the first time tying in with a new partner or the 50th, everyone... Continue Reading
This is Part 2 of a two-part series. In Part 1, the experts shared their tips for throwing a stellar member appreciation event. Now, they’re pulling back the curtain on their most successful events. Gyms across North America (and the world) are continuing to figure out how to remain open... Continue Reading
There's no question that gym operation looks a little different nowadays. To curb the spread of COVID-19 while staying open, new approaches like reservation systems and sanitation stations have been implemented in climbing gyms everywhere. While these new safety protocols address the public... Continue Reading
Before we were all disrupted and shifting our operations due to COVID-19, we offered an introduction to the Long-Term Athlete Development Model, or LTAD. The goal of the LTAD model is to ensure the quality of sport and physical activity and to keep athletes and/or participants engaged in sport... Continue Reading
2020’s impact on our industry, on our members, and us as people is still being understood. In a way, we’re still in the thick of it. One obstacle is overcome just to see another one forming on the horizon. As climbers though, we inherently keep moving upward. We hope we’re... Continue Reading
Member appreciation looks very different these days. Indoor in-person gatherings—particularly those with communal food or beverages—are on hold nationwide. This rules out classic bouldering-comp-plus-beer events, as well as many others. This is tough, because climbing facilities... Continue Reading
In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Maxim ropes shared a procedure for infrequently disinfecting climbing ropes. This protocol was based on work that Teufelberger, Maxim’s parent company, had done in 2015 for ropes that are used in pest-infested areas. Arborists and cavers often... Continue Reading
Triangle Rock Club has appointed Mike St. Laurent as Chief Operating Officer, effective as of Jan. 1st, 2021. St. Laurent’s history with Triangle Rock Club extends to the company’s founding. He was hired as the company’s first employee after offering to volunteer during the... Continue Reading
