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!
Ever wondered how hard it is to remove a stuck climbing hold? Use this interactive flow chart to learn more about what routesetters deal with when a hold gets stuck. And more importantly, how to prevent it from happening as much as possible. The flow chart comes from the CWA's Professional... Continue Reading
From October 26 to 30, the CWA is bringing a full week of education and certification to Montreal. Two days of conference programming built specifically around Canadian gym operations, and five days of certification courses hosted at Allez Up. This is the largest gathering of Canadian climbing... Continue Reading
Head Routesetter, Routesetting Manager, Assistant Director of Routesetting, etc. The role(s) of routesetting leadership have evolved and changed a lot over time and I want to talk about it. I’ve heard a lot of people say “We’ve come a long way since the days of exchanging... Continue Reading
The Climbing Wall Association has always been powered by volunteers that work in the climbing wall industry every day. For years, committee members have dedicated their time, expertise, and energy to helping the CWA develop industry standards, strengthen certification programs, advocate for the... Continue Reading
The climbing wall industry is built by people who are willing to share what they know. Whether you've solved a tough operational challenge, developed a better community program, improved staff retention, or discovered a lesson worth passing on, the CWA has many opportunities for you to... Continue Reading
Routesetting, auto belay maintenance, cleaning, decorating, inspections. All of it happens off the ground, and all of it is covered by a web of industry, local, and national regulations. The CWA’s mission is to help climbing walls operate responsibly and Work at Height (WAH) compliance has... Continue Reading
We are excited to introduce the new CWA Community Hub, your central destination for staff training, professional development, industry resources, and operational guidance for climbing walls. Designed to bring learning, connection, and support together in one place, the Hub makes it easier than... Continue Reading
Preparing for a crisis in an indoor climbing gym is not limited to risk management for climbing-related incidents or injuries. A crisis can stem from both internal and external risks, many of which may seem beyond your control. This article discusses several of these risks and steps gym operators... Continue Reading
Running a climbing facility means managing risk daily. But one scenario that can catch any operator off guard is a formal workplace health and safety inspection. Whether it's triggered by a complaint, an incident, or a scheduled visit, inspections don't need to be a source of panic. With some... Continue Reading
Bouldering is often the first activity a new climber tries when they come through the door. There is no harness, no belay check, and no partner system to rely on. For many gym operators, that simplicity can make the bouldering area feel like the lowest-risk part of the facility. In practice, it... Continue Reading
Most gym operators have a gut feeling of where incidents are likely to happen. Boulders and auto belays, maybe the occasional slip and fall. But the climbing wall industry needs more than gut feelings.For the first time, the CWA and our CWA Insurance Program partner Monument Sports Group have... Continue Reading
After more than a decade of operating in a shaky legal environment, Oregon's climbing gyms, along with ski areas, fitness studios, rafting outfitters, and a wide range of other businesses, finally have some support for their use of waivers. Oregon Senate Bill 1517, signed into law in early 2026,... Continue Reading
