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!
Working at an indoor climbing gym comes with a wide range of benefits. Daily participation in a community you care about (not a given in many careers), coworkers who share your values, and the creativity of routesetting. You can also get the fulfillment of coaching and the sense of belonging... Continue Reading
Offering youth or coached programming is common in climbing gyms. Whether geared toward competition or recreational options like birthday parties, these programs are still sport programs at their core. SafeSport training and implementation may be needed in any or all of these types of programs,... Continue Reading
Article Brought to You by Monument Sports Group Signage and documentation in indoor climbing gyms serve many purposes. These include a gym’s policies, procedures, and training materials, and all have different functions. Clearly defined gym rules, warnings regarding the risks involved in... Continue Reading
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
