Just a few thoughts
A big week of good stuff below. Perspectives on mentorship, sharing the gym with kids, how we label athletes, and a history of climbing comps. Gear discussions on chalk, brushes, belay devices, and staying cool. An access alert and insights from the crags. A setter comp.
Routesetters… please take our Grip List Survey. What are your favorite brands? What are your experiences with route density, safety trends, and professional development?
See The Freshest Job Posts Here
Community & Culture
- The Art of Falling – When Science Deciphers Our Falls (Pierre-Gaël Pasquiou, Vertige Media)
- Don’t Fall on the Groms – How Kids and Adults Can Better Share Climbing Gyms (Suzie Hodges Irby, Outside)
- How Mentorship Became an Essential Role in My Climbing Training and Success (Olivia Harmanos, Butora)
- Opinion – Stop Calling All Female Climbers “Influencers” (Samantha Macilwaine, Outside)
- Video: The story of the world’s fastest climber – and his coach | Sam Watson & Albert Ok (TEDx Talks)
Comp Scene
- Video: Lead Finals – Madrid 2025 (IFSC)
- Sanders and Lee Win First Lead World Cup Golds in Madrid (IFSC)
- Dohyun Lee and Annie Sanders take Gold in Madrid (Xa White, UK Climbing)
- Sport Climbing is now an Urban Sport (Inside Climbing)
- Video: Snowbird 1988 – The First International Climbing Competition in the US (Kris Hampton)
Crag Scene
- Action Alert: Protect Thousands of Backcountry Climbs
- Expert Insights for Safer Climbing Adventures (Brandon Pullan, Gripped)
Industry Scene
- An Inside Look at the Supply Chain Chaos Caused by Tariff Uncertainty (Nicole Silberstein, Shop-Eat-Surf-Outdoor)
- Black Diamond Publishes Annual Impact Report, Setting Bold Sustainability Goals for 2030 (Outdoor Sportswire)
Gear Talk
- Safety devices – is the end of the tubes programmed? (Pierre-Gaël Pasquiou, Vertige Media)
- Don’t Make These Mistakes When Chalking Up (Aaron Pardy, Gripped)
- I climb, so I brush! (Olivier Broussouloux, La Fabrique Verticale)
- Does This Weird Hand-Cooling Device Actually Make You Climb Harder? (Matt Samet, Outside)
For Managers
- Jul 24: Monument Sports – What to Know About CWA’s Industry Practices (CWA)
- Gym Expansion and Sustainability in Denmark – Boulders Co-Owner Martin Petersen (Naomi Stevens, CBJ)
- For Sale – Container Gym for Assembly at Your Location (CBJ)
- Video: The 3rd Place Equation (Chris Ryan Studio)
For Routesetters
- Aug 12: Mentoring the Next Generation (online discussion ft. Louie Anderson) (CBJ)
- Wanted: Routesetter Opinions for Grip List and Routesetting Trends 2025 Survey (CBJ)
- Videos from Battle of the Bloc Season 2: Rule Meeting – The First Competitor (Trango)
- Podcast: Our dream gym (Another Setting Podcast)
Training Tips
- Podcast: Sport Psychologist Kat Lumby Uses REBT to Deal with Fear in Climbing (TrainingBeta)
- Podcast: How Good Tactics Can Be Bad for Your Climbing (Kris Hampton, The Power Company)
- Shorty Beta – Five Techniques for Climbers Who Can’t ‘Just Reach’ (Tina Breslin, UK Climbing)
- Video: The “Off Foot” is Climbing Technique #1 (Hooper’s Beta)
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.
