Just a few thoughts
The Vail comp begins today. It’s been wild to watch it evolve over the years – this and last year as part of the North American Cup Series. Formerly it was a World Cup, and before that, a fun grassroots comp with innovative formats (ever heard of freestyle dyno or speed bouldering?) and low budgets (you wouldn’t believe). Above is a bad photo from 2005 – speed bouldering 20yrs ago – and yes that is rain falling without a canopy, the athletes agreed the “show must go on”. That may have been the first speed timing system in North America. It was quite an art to get non-mirrored routes to have nearly the same run times (they ran both, we added the times). Oh, how far we’ve come!
See The Freshest Job Posts Here
Community & Culture
- ‘Girl Climber’ is an Incredible Climbing Movie – Once You Get Past the Title(Samantha Macilwaine, Outside)
- Guide to installing and replacing bolts on climbing routes (UIAA)
- Podcast: Does this Count? The Grey Areas in Climbing Ethics (Circle Up with Allison and Kyra)
Gyms & Industry
- Analyzing Climbing Industry Economic Data (CWA)
- Finding Home in a Chosen Family – The Upside of a Niche Industry (Foxman McCarthy-James, Vortex Routesetting)
- Outdoor Industry Leaders Share How Tariffs Hurt The Outdoor Recreation Economy (OIA)
- May Gym Round Up (Callum Taylor, Euro Climbing News)
Comp Scene
- Jun 26 – Jul 2: 2025 Youth National Championships (USAC)
- Para Climbing Confirmed For Paralympic Games LA28 With Eight Medal Events(IFSC)
- Hunt and Katibin Secure Second Speed World Cup Golds (IFSC)
- Paralympic News, Speed Rained Off and Ondra’s Last Dance (Inside Climbing)
- Video: Method Underground – with Cloe Coscoy (BetaBreakerz)
- Video: IFSC European Youth Cup 2025 Highlights (BLOC House)
For Routesetters
- Jun 10: Building the Dream Team: Hiring and Training a Diverse Crew Ft. Stefanie Myr (Vortex Routesetting, CBJ)
- Jul 17-18: Skills for Setting on Ropes (GOAT Climbing Gym)
- Jul & Aug: Introduction to Routesetting (B.I.G. Initiative)
- Podcast: No One Sets Alone: Collective Authorship – Ruth Jang (Holly Chen, CBJ)
- Podcast: Anna Borella talking IFSC, travel, setting, Champions League (Another Setting Podcast
- Video: Board Training on Custom Shaped Climbing Holds (Wedge Climbing)
For Managers & Coaches
- Jun 24: Securing Funding to Open Your First Climbing Gym (Gavin Heverly, CBJ)
- How to Build a Community for Climbing Gym Loyalty (Harness Consulting)
- Cross-Training Staff in Climbing Gyms (Ashley Routson, CWA)
- Pass it on – Coaching with compassion, flexibility and lived experience (Juan Avendano, NICAS)
- Reviewed – To Gri or Not to Gri? (Ben Brooks, NICAS)
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.
