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!

Subscribe

CWA Blog CWA Blog : Association News CWA Blog : CWA Summit CWA Blog : In the News

What I Loved About the 2022 CWA Summit
What I Loved About the 2022 CWA Summit

The lights dimmed, the music flared, and a silver mohawk walked out on stage. Paula Horwitz pumped her fist to the music and the crowd was stoked. As I looked across the hall, I knew I was with my people. Before she introduced our keynote speaker, Kevin Jorgeson, Paula shared a heartfelt story... Continue Reading

Date posted06/16/2022


Great Wall Design: What Is It & How to Get It
Great Wall Design: What Is It & How to Get It

There are three “angles” to look at great wall design, according to The Pad Climbing team. Setting, climbability, and aesthetics. Typically when we design walls, it starts with taking the space and visualizing the best use based on the flow of climbers, then designing the... Continue Reading

Date posted06/16/2022


Member Spotlight: Macon Rocks
Member Spotlight: Macon Rocks

Macon Rocks, located in Macon, Georgia, has incorporated a community focus before they were even a gym. Whether by preserving community history in their building or working with local businesses and non-profits to benefit their members, Macon Rocks has not only expanded their business but... Continue Reading

Date posted06/6/2022


The Intangible Benefits of Working in a Climbing Gym
The Intangible Benefits of Working in a Climbing Gym

There are many reasons we work at climbing gyms, and no matter where you are on the career ladder, there are several skills and abilities we can develop to enhance our lives and strengthen our resumes.As we explore some of these areas of growth, we discover their interconnectedness and how they... Continue Reading

Date posted06/6/2022


Welcome Adaptive Climbers in Your Gym
Welcome Adaptive Climbers in Your Gym

Six minutes, and eight seconds. A new personal best (22 minutes faster than her first attempt) is set by thirteen-year-old climber, Yashu Badalamenti. Yashu has cerebral palsy and started climbing last summer in an adaptive summer camp. She is delightful, encouraging, and a blast to be... Continue Reading

Date posted05/13/2022


Meet the Insurance New Staff to Support the Indoor Climbing Industry
Meet the Insurance New Staff to Support the Indoor Climbing Industry

Monument Sports Group is pleased to introduce Missy Finnerty who recently joined the team as a Customer Service Representative for the CWA Insurance Program. Missy is a graduate of Radford University, and prior to joining Monument Missy was a claims examiner at The James River Insurance... Continue Reading

Date posted05/2/2022


Apply The Bell Curve to Predict Retail Sales in Your Gym
Apply The Bell Curve to Predict Retail Sales in Your Gym

Imagine a packed 30,000-square-foot climbing gym. The lead wall looks like a tangled spiderweb, the bouldering pit is ringed with climbers and onlookers. There are at least 400 people and an appropriate cloud of chalk dust throughout the space. What if I bet you a shiny quarter that I could... Continue Reading

Date posted04/28/2022


CWA Summit Session Spotlight: The Importance of Cultivating Community
CWA Summit Session Spotlight: The Importance of Cultivating Community

One of the most special things about indoor rock climbing is its ability to introduce someone to the sport in a place where climbing isn’t already woven into the cultural fabric. Stop any person in your gym, and I’d bet a substantial sum that climbing means more to them than just a... Continue Reading

Date posted04/28/2022


Learn From the Pandemic: Paid Leave and More
Learn From the Pandemic: Paid Leave and More

Dr. Fauci of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S.’s top public health official, has declared that we’re at the end of the “full-blown” pandemic. That doesn’t mean challenges aren’t ahead related to the pandemic for the climbing industry. A... Continue Reading

Date posted04/14/2022


Coach Taylor Reed on Training Adults With Intention
Coach Taylor Reed on Training Adults With Intention

What happens when young climbers “age out” from participation in youth teams? What recourse do individuals have if they’ve gotten into the climbing game “too late?” Adult avenues for professional training or guidance in climbing aren’t always as well... Continue Reading

Date posted04/14/2022


CWA Summit Session Spotlight: Differentiation: Case Study of the Seattle Market
CWA Summit Session Spotlight: Differentiation: Case Study of the Seattle Market

The Seattle area has been steeped in indoor climbing history. Indeed, being the birthplace of indoor climbing in America, and having numerous climbing gyms in the metro area of almost four million, it’s the perfect case study to discuss market differentiation. As the next CWA Summit... Continue Reading

Date posted04/14/2022


CWA Summit Session Spotlight: What Is DEI & How It Helps You Grow
CWA Summit Session Spotlight: What Is DEI & How It Helps You Grow

Getting started with diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in your gym can be difficult. There is so much to learn, so much good you can do, and equally, so many things that can potentially not go in your favor. This cannot be a reason for the industry to not face it, however. We must... Continue Reading

Date posted04/4/2022