Just a few thoughts

Not long ago, speed climbing fans wondered if we would ever break the 5 second barrier. Now finalists are routinely sub-5, and the record is now 4.54. Bonkers. Happenings from our industry too – legislation, unions, wages, and battling Amazon. Good advice about gathering funding. And two looks at training partners.

Gym workers – please take our compensation survey!

Community & Culture

• Podcast: The First Boulderer and His Occultist Protégé – Oscar Eckenstein and Aleister Crowley (Kris Hampton, The Power Company)
• Take Action. Go Climb. This Mental Health Awareness Week (Tom Vaessen-Walker, NICAS)
• Second Life – Climbing Gear Reimagined (Claire Williams, Vertical Life)
• Subscribe and Score a free copy of Volume 25 (The Climbing Zine)
• A Message From Leadership & AAC Updates (AAC)
• Podcast: The Future of Indoor Climbing (The Struggle)

Comp Scene

• May 15-16: World Climbing Para Series Salt Lake City 2026 (World Climbing / IFSC)
• Zhao Breaks World Record On Way To Gold (World Climbing / IFSC)
• Gold For Sanders And Suzuki (World Climbing / IFSC)
• Wujiang Lead World Cup Highlights (Xa White, UK Climbing)
• Keqiao Boulder World Cup Highlights (Xa White, UK Climbing)
• Climbing To Feature In Expanded Olympic Q-Series (World Climbing / IFSC)
• Where Have Climbing World Cups Gone? (Rory Potter, Inside Climbing)

Industry Talk

• A Win for Climbing Gyms in Oregon – SB 1517 is Passed (Garnet Moore, CWA)
• Workers United files new Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charges against private equity-backed Movement Gyms (CBJ)
• Black Diamond Owner Clarus Corp. Launches Strategic Review That Could Lead to Sale (Tiffany Montgomery, Shop-Eat-Surf-Outdoor)
• Lucas, climbing instructor and route setter – 1,400 euros per month in a large gym (Matthew Amaré, Vertige Media)
• ABC Accreditation expands into Scotland (ABC Walls)
• Podcast: The Outdoor Industry’s Amazon Dilemma (Outdoor Unfiltered)

For Managers and Owners

• CBJ Compensation Survey for Climbing Gym Employees 2026 (CBJ)
• How to Talk to Investors When Opening Your First Climbing Gym (Gavin Heverly, Rise Above Consulting)

For Routesetters

• Jun 9: Curbing Ego With Curiosity (online discussion ft. Justin Wagner) (Vortex Routesetting, CBJ)
• The RIC Scale Is Only Half of the Story: 3 Missing Keys to Masterful Routesetting (Ty Foose, CBJ)
• What’s Wrong with RIC-SET? (Mitch Day)
• Video: Tasteful Art of Routesetting – Systematic Setting (Trango)

Training Tips

• Video: Is it Better to Train with a Partner or Train Alone? (Eric Hörst, Training 4 Climbing)
• Podcast: How to Navigate Relationship Issues with Your Climbing Partner (Neely Quinn, TrainingBeta)
• Video: Different Loading Types in Climbing Training Webinar (Paradigm Climbing)

Many of the links above are from third-party sources, and the views expressed at those links do not necessarily represent the views of the CBJ editorial team. We share this content to help readers stay informed about what is happening in the industry and the community of climbing.