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!
As the climbing wall industry and communities grow, so does the array of career opportunities. However, whether you're an employer or an employee, navigating the career path within an indoor climbing gym is not always straightforward. This article addresses the concept of upward versus lateral... Continue Reading
For most climbing enthusiasts, indoor climbing gyms are our happy place, our connection to the sport we love. For those of us for whom real rock is the goal, climbing gyms provide a training ground. They can be a social venue, or a space where we can test our limits. They provide accessibility... Continue Reading
Ever hear the saying, from George Bernard Shaw’s 1903 play entitled Man and Superman, which states, “those who can, do; those who can’t teach.” The trouble with coaching and instruction is that those who provide the instruction are given a position of power over those... Continue Reading
The job of an instructor is to deliver the content. A competent instructor provides the necessary instruction of content and skills. A good instructor ensures the required content is delivered in a way that is engaging and that students seem to understand. A great instructor continually assesses... Continue Reading
Competition day is a big deal for any coach. All of the training, coaching, and effort for both you and your athletes come to competition day. Showing up as your best self is the ultimate goal. Article At A Glance Writer: Marisa Romero, an expert in youth coaching and... Continue Reading
Building programs based on customer feedback isn’t considered common. But could it be? In this article, we’ll explore the idea of sourcing and integrating customer feedback into programming both in practice and in hypothetical. Article At A Glance Writer:... Continue Reading
Intermediate and advanced climbing programming can be some of the most challenging gaps in climbing programs to build, sell, and do well. There are several hurdles in the way, including recruiting and retaining talented staff who can teach the material, building a curriculum, filling classes,... Continue Reading
Routesetting is creative as it is strategic, and learning how to be efficient and risk-averse in the industry not only produces a better product, but may help with longevity in the profession. Article at a Glance Writer: Jess Malloy, head coach at High Point Climbing Gym. Jess has... Continue Reading
The ability to cross-train staff is dependent on gym size, classes, programming, and the number of roles available to cross-train into. Bouldering gyms may have fewer positions than gyms that offer ropes and auto belays. Facilities that offer youth programming and competitive teams have more... Continue Reading
One of the biggest struggles many facilities face is how to effectively integrate programs, and youth programs specifically, into the gym during busy times. Article At A Glance NOTE: An earlier version of this article was incorrectly attributed to a different author. The mistake was... Continue Reading
STOP! Have you read Part One of this series? If not, skip to the "Tie-ins, Resources, and Further Reading Section below to find Part 1. This article launches straight into content left off from Part 1. Writer: Jess Malloy, head coach at High Point Climbing Gym. Jess has written about... Continue Reading
There’s something special about being able to work with people face-to-face every day. Since the COVID-19 pandemic swept the globe and changed our collective experience with in-person work has become different. Very different. So different that some were even called heroes by simply going... Continue Reading
