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Pay What You Can in Indoor Climbing Gyms: Why It Works
Pay What You Can in Indoor Climbing Gyms: Why It Works

This article is sponsored content written by CWA staff. The American Alpine Club has recently released its groundbreaking Pay What You Can (PWYC) Toolkit for indoor climbing gyms. At the CWA, we were ecstatic to see this important work being done and to see so much of our membership help out.... Continue Reading

Date posted08/29/2024


Routesetters Working With Coaches: Part 1
Routesetters Working With Coaches: Part 1

Routesetting in climbing gyms presents unique challenges, however, accommodating the diverse needs of all climbers is the primary concern. Gyms often cater to members who use the gym as their “crag” or are training for outdoor climbing. Article At A Glance Writer: Andrew... Continue Reading

Date posted08/29/2024


Setter Summit: Lifelines for Indoor Climbing Gyms
Setter Summit: Lifelines for Indoor Climbing Gyms

This article is sponsored content. Brought to you in part by Agripp and Trango, with Proxy Climbing. The Setter Summit is more than just an event—it's a lifeline for climbing gyms around the country, especially those in areas where outdoor climbing is scarce. For me, it all started with a... Continue Reading

Date posted08/19/2024


Community Building in Indoor Climbing Gyms: Part 4 - Asset Mapping
Community Building in Indoor Climbing Gyms: Part 4 - Asset Mapping

In the last several articles in this series, we have covered why investing in community building is worthwhile for your gym. Article At A Glance Writer: The Headwall Group, renowned programming experts within the indoor climbing industry. They presented a highly successful CWA Summit... Continue Reading

Postedby Bix Firer
Date posted08/19/2024


Perspectives on Comp Style Routesetting in Indoor Climbing Gyms
Perspectives on Comp Style Routesetting in Indoor Climbing Gyms

oftenfocusedon A rose by any other name, the landscape of indoor rock climbing has been forever changed by competitive rock climbing. As the sport of rock climbing becomes more popular with the general public, indoor climbing gyms are noticing an ever-increasing divide between regular indoor rock... Continue Reading

Postedby Ashley Routson
Date posted08/1/2024


Sport Climbing & the Paris 2024 Olympics
Sport Climbing & the Paris 2024 Olympics

Two-time U.S. Olympic athlete Brooke Raboutou competes in the Semi-Final round of the IFSC World Cup Bouldering Competition in Salt Lake City. Photo by Jake Byk/CWA EDITOR'S NOTE: This article was originally published with the first Olympic games to include rock climbing in 2021. It has been... Continue Reading

Postedby Jake Byk
Date posted07/29/2024


Building an Exceptional Coaching Team For Your Indoor Climbing Gym
Building an Exceptional Coaching Team For Your Indoor Climbing Gym

Building a top-tier coaching team can be what makes or breaks a program. Creating cohesive staffing that supports one another, communicates well, and compliments each other’s skills is critical in any workplace. Within a climbing team, it can have massive impacts on the program and your... Continue Reading

Postedby Kirby Kahl
Date posted07/19/2024


Direct Pathway Released for CWA Certifications
Direct Pathway Released for CWA Certifications

Attending training courses and getting certified is a time commitment and can be expensive. Many folks in the indoor climbing industry have years or decades of experience but would still benefit from certification. To this end, the CWA is very pleased to be launching a Direct Entry pathway for... Continue Reading

Date posted07/19/2024


CWA Partners with Monument to Produce Orientation Videos
CWA Partners with Monument to Produce Orientation Videos

At the 2024 CWA Summit in Portland, the CWA announced a new project in partnership with the Monument Sports Group to provide orientation videos for the indoor climbing industry. Attendees at the show had a chance to see some of the preliminary graphics and see some short snippets. Climbing gyms... Continue Reading

Date posted06/28/2024


Middle Management in Indoor Climbing Gyms: Strategies for Success
Middle Management in Indoor Climbing Gyms: Strategies for Success

Regardless of the industry, the company or the exact job title–middle management is a notoriously difficult and stressful job position to hold. No matter what, you are always in the middle. You are a supervisor, but also need supervision. People report to you, but you also report to people.... Continue Reading

Postedby Ashley Routson
Date posted06/27/2024


Chief Routesetting a USA Climbing Comp
Chief Routesetting a USA Climbing Comp

Indoor climbing gyms hosting a USAC climbing competition can be complicated, especially when it's not your home gym. We provide some advice to help you chief a successful event. Continue Reading

Date posted06/24/2024


Community Building in Indoor Climbing Gyms: Part 3 - Youth
Community Building in Indoor Climbing Gyms: Part 3 - Youth

One of the most common challenges climbing gyms face is simultaneously managing youth programs and day-to-day operations. Limited space, the overlapping and potentially conflicting needs that arise during our busiest hours, and managing the expectations of families and members all present... Continue Reading

Postedby Bix Firer
Date posted06/24/2024