Background photo by Fred Pompermayer, courtesy of TouchstoneBouldering has been booming. According to data from CBJ’s 2023 Gyms & Trends report, 96% of the 218 bouldering gyms in the United States at year’s end opened in just the past 14 years. Bouldering gym builds—as opposed to climbing gym builds where roped climbing is the focus—have been on an upward trajectory since practically the start of the century, but especially of late. In 2023, 68% of the new climbing gyms stateside were bouldering gyms—an all-time high for a calendar year.
Last year, Bouldering Project opened the largest new U.S. bouldering gym, out west in Arizona. But where in the country are the largest bouldering gyms ofall-time that are still in operation today? We checked with the gym operators to determine which U.S. bouldering gyms are offering the most climbing, compiling a list of the top ten. Below are the ten largest bouldering gyms in America, based on total square feet of climbing wall surface.In tandem with this article, be sure to check out the Largest Climbing Gyms, Tallest Climbing Gyms and Largest Climbing Gym Developers in America.Photo by Tim Gillies, courtesy of EP Climbing
10. Movement RiNo
Wall Size: 13,000 sqft
Open Year: 2018
Location: Denver, Colorado
Walls: EP Climbing
Flooring: Flashed
CRM/POS Software: Rock Gym Pro
Movement RiNo is the 10th-largest bouldering gym in the U.S., with 13,000 square feet of climbing wall surface. Built in a former tin factory in Denver’s Five Points neighborhood in 2018, the bouldering gym—Movement’s largest and the largest in Colorado, based on square feet of climbing—features over 200 boulders on a variety of climbing terrain designed by EP Climbing. The 40,000-square-foot gym also provides yoga and fitness classes and shares a roof with Improper City, a taproom and coffee bar with an open patio and food trucks.Photo courtesy of Bouldering Project
9. Arizona Bouldering Project
Wall Size: 14,744 sqft
Open Year: 2023
Location: Tempe, Arizona
Walls: Owner/contractor
Flooring: Owner/contractor
CRM/POS Software: Approach
The 9th-largest bouldering gym in the U.S. isArizona Bouldering Project, Bouldering Project’s first location in Arizona. Opened in 2023 in the Phoenix area, the Tempe gym—the largest bouldering gym in the state—features 14,744 square feet of climbing on walls reaching 17 feet in a 49,000-square-foot facility, with the walls and flooring built in-house by Bouldering Projects Environments. The Largest New Bouldering Gym of 2023, BP’s Tempe location also has yoga and fitness classes, youth programming, private instruction, competitions and other events.Photo courtesy of Bouldering Project
8. Minneapolis Bouldering Project
Wall Size: 16,370 sqft
Open Year: 2017
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Walls: Owner/contractor
Flooring: Owner/contractor
CRM/POS Software: Approach
Minneapolis Bouldering Project is the 8th-largest bouldering gym in the U.S., with 16,370 square feet of climbing. Opened in 2017, the Minneapolis facility—Bouldering Project’s lone Minnesota build—features 17-foot bouldering walls in a 39,700-square-foot space. Amenities include fitness and yoga studios, co-working spaces, a sauna, a gear shop and a weight room, and programming ranges from climbing and fitness classes to competitions and after-school programs. The gym also shares a complex with a local brewery, Pryes Brewing.Photo by Travis Perkins @travperk, courtesy of Bouldering Project
7. Austin Bouldering Project – Springdale
Wall Size: 17,458 sqft
Open Year: 2015
Location: Austin, Texas
Walls: Owner/contractor
Flooring: Owner/contractor
CRM/POS Software: Approach
Austin Bouldering Project – Springdale, which opened in 2015, is the 7th-largest bouldering gym in the U.S. The 45,000-square-foot facility features 17,458 square feet of climbing surface, with over 250 problems on walls reaching 17 feet. Originally operating in the Seattle area, as Seattle Bouldering Project, Bouldering Project’s first gym to open outside the state of Washington was the Springdale location. In addition to climbing, the gym offers a range of yoga and fitness amenities and classes, after-school youth programs, a bouldering league and more.Photo courtesy of Vertical Endeavors
5. Vertical Endeavors – Twin Cities Bouldering
Wall Size: 18,000 sqft
Open Year: 2018
Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
Walls: Nicros
Flooring: Habit
CRM/POS Software: Rock Gym Pro
Vertical Endeavors – Twin Cities Bouldering is tied for the 5th-largest bouldering gym in the U.S., with 18,000 square feet of climbing. Vertical Endeavors is no stranger to large gyms, having opened its Glendale Heights location—runner-up for the largest climbing gym in the U.S.—in 2014. The Twin Cities Bouldering gym is Vertical Endeavors sole bouldering-focused location and fourth gym in the Minneapolis area. The 30,000-square-foot facility boasts 21-foot climbing walls built by Nicros—its parent company—plus a mix of yoga and fitness classes.Photo by Addison Ray, courtesy of North Mass Boulder
5. North Mass Boulder
Wall Size: 18,000 sqft
Open Year: 2021
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Walls: Vertical Solutions
Flooring: Flashed; Habit
CRM/POS Software: Rock Gym Pro
Also tied for the 5th-largest bouldering gym in the U.S. is North Mass Boulder, an Indianapolis facility that opened in 2021. Built in a historically preserved factory, Indiana’s largest bouldering gym features 18,000 square feet of climbing in a 47,000-square-foot space, with walls by Vertical Solutions reaching 17 feet. One of the newest gyms on this list, North Mass also has yoga and fitness studios, a training area—with Kilter, Tension, Treadwall and Moon boards—social and work spaces, youth and family lounge areas, a café and bar, and other amenities.Photo by Momentum Indoor Climbing
4. Momentum Indoor Climbing Silver Street
Wall Size: 18,340 sqft
Open Year: 2017
Location: Houston, Texas
Walls: Walltopia
Flooring: ClimbMat; Strati Climbing
CRM/POS Software: Rock Gym Pro
Momentum Indoor Climbing Silver Street, the 4th largest bouldering gym in the U.S., is a 43,000-square-foot facility with 18,340 square feet of climbing. Originally a Utah-based gym operator, Momentum expanded into Texas in 2017, opening a roped gym (Katy) and the Silver Street location in the Houston area. The latter features over 280 problems on Walltopia walls reaching 15 feet. Other offerings include a spray wall, Lattice and Moon boards; youth programs for all ages; climbing, yoga and fitness classes; a bouldering league and competitions.Photo by Madeleine Chan Stanley, courtesy of VITAL
3. Vital Climbing Gym – Brooklyn
Wall Size: 18,633 sqft
Open Year: 2021
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Walls: EP Climbing; Vertical Solutions
Flooring: Habit
CRM/POS Software: MindBody
Vital Climbing Gym – Brooklyn is the 3rd-largest bouldering gym in the country and largest in New York, with 18,633 square feet of climbing in a 46,000-square-foot space. When it opened in 2021, the Brooklyn gym—the Largest New Bouldering Gym of 2021—was VITAL’s first outside of California, before VITAL acquired two bouldering gyms in Manhattan later that year. VITAL Brooklyn features indoor and rooftop bouldering on walls reaching 13 feet; Tension, Treadwall and Kilter boards; aerial silks, cycling, yoga, fitness and climbing classes; and a slackline.Photo by Hero Creative, courtesy of Bouldering Project
2. Seattle Bouldering Project – Poplar
Wall Size: 19,941 sqft
Open Year: 2011
Location: Seattle, Washington
Walls: Owner/contractor
Flooring: Owner/contractor
CRM/POS Software: Approach
The 2nd-largest bouldering gym in the U.S. is the Seattle Bouldering Project – Poplar location, with 19,941 square feet of climbing. Bouldering Project—which operates 13 open or planned climbing gyms across eight states/districts—stormed onto the bouldering scene in 2011 with its Poplar build in Seattle, the largest bouldering gym in the country at the time. The three-story, 39,700-square-foot facility has two floors of bouldering on BP-built walls reaching 17 feet, a new training center with five training boards—two Kilter Boards, two MoonBoards, a Tension Board 2—a bar and restaurant downstairs, a gear shop, saunas, a range of youth programs, and competitions.Photo by Fred Pompermayer, courtesy of Touchstone
1. Dogpatch Boulders
Wall Size: 20,500 sqft
Open Year: 2013
Location: San Francisco, California
Walls: Walltopia
Flooring: Flashed
CRM/POS Software: Rock Gym Pro
In 1st place for the largest bouldering gym in the U.S. is Dogpatch Boulders, with an impressive 20,500 square feet of climbing. Touchstone—the second-largest gym developer on this list, with 18 open or planned climbing gyms throughout California—opened Dogpatch Boulders in 2013, complementing Touchstone’s roped gyms in the San Francisco area. Dogpatch Boulders took a sizable leap on this list after adding 6,000 square feet of climbing in 2016. In addition to over 300 problems on Walltopia walls reaching 17 feet, the 30,000-square-foot facility has a Kilter Board, cardio machines and weights, climbing and fitness classes, youth programs and more.
Top athletes can inspire and motivate us, and this week brings us many of their stories. Also discussions of gym inclusivity, limits of self-promotion, and a wonderful new product to open climbing up to more people. A webinar coming for planners of new facilities, a podcast to help coaches keep it fun, and recaps from a few deep water soloing events. Finally two concurrent IFSC events happening right now (watch live here) – Youth Worlds and the European Championships.See The Freshest Job Posts Here
CBJ hosts the most active job board for climbing businesses and organizations. Below are the latest posts from this past week…Facility ManagerHead RoutesetterRoutesetterLatitude Climbing + Fitness
Hampton Roads, VA
“Facility Managers lead staff by example by providing exceptional customer service and ensuring an organized climbing experience for members and new customers alike. This position facilitates smooth operations of the gym, and ensures staff and customers are educated on gym policies, programs, gym safety. The Facility Manager always upholds the mission of Latitude, which is to build climbers!Route Setters functions as a member of the route setting team to create enjoyable boulders for climbers of all experience levels. Route Setters are expected to set interesting, thought provoking, and challenging boulders that are not overly restrictive or inhibitive for the climber. Route Setters work individually and as a team to fulfill the goals and assignments of the Head Route Setter or Sr. Route Setter. Route Setters may also be asked to perform general facility maintenance including: wall stripping, hold washing, hold organization, wall maintenance, route tag upkeep and air filter replacement.”
JOB SEEKER TIPS:
Make your skill set known: How to highlight your professional strength in a resume
By CareerBuilder
“Tailor your resume strengths to the job for which you’re applying. While you may have a standard resume as a starting point for your job applications, you should continually adjust it to incorporate the elements most relevant to the specific position you want. Consider keeping a separate list of strengths for your personal use. Turn to this list as a reference tool when updating your resume for various employers.”Read the full article here
We are having Climb Fest 2.0! Sunday, September 15th from 9:30am—12-30pm at Movement Plano where we will have our four DFW climbing teams with different abilities competing! We need your support to make our event a success.What we need are volunteers, donations for raffles and silent auction and sponsors. Find out more about our event
Date: Sunday, September 15th
Time: 9:30am – 12:30pm
Location: Movement Climbing Gym, 525 Talbert Dr, Plano TX 75093
Donate items to the silent auction and raffles, here is our Amazon Wishlistor donate other items (gear, gift cards, restaurants, spas, etc)
Register to volunteer, show your support, and be part of a day filled with fun, camaraderie, and positive impact. (link takes you to the event page, fill the form on the bottom)
Share our flyer and invite friends and family to join in! Event details.
If your company or you want to be a sponsor:
Diamond $2,500 (8 raffle tickets, Company name and Logo on sleeve of T-shirt and in print materials, Company Executive invited as official starter of the event, Social Media Mention)
Platinum $1,500 (6 raffle tickets, Company name and Logo on back of T-shirt and in print materials, Company logo on banner at raffle table, Social Media Mention)
Gold $1,000 (4 raffle tickets, Company name and Logo back of T-shirt and in print materials, Company logo on banner at silent auction table, Social Media Mention)
Silver $500 (2 raffle tickets, Company name on back of T-shirt and in print materials, Social Media Mention)
Bronze/Nonprofits $100 (1 raffle ticket, Company name on back of T-shirt and in print materials, Social Media Mention)
How did the idea of Vertical Footing come about, and what were the key steps in its development?
After such a rewarding career in climbing, we felt the need to share our passion beyond the usual boundaries of the sport. Climbing has given us so much — not only physically, but also mentally and in terms of personal growth. It’s a sport that pushes you to exceed your limits, to be persistent, and to build self-confidence. We wanted to pass on these values to a broader audience, especially to those who, due to various physical or motor limitations, do not have access to this discipline.
The idea of launching an inclusivity project came naturally. We saw how transformative climbing could be, and it seemed essential to us to allow everyone, regardless of their abilities, to experience it. That’s how we imagined and developed “Vertical Footing,” a machine that allows people with difficulties, including those with disabilities, to practice climbing autonomously.
Our goal is simple: to provide access to this sport for everyone. We want anyone to be able to enter a climbing gym and climb with the same freedom as any other climber. We strongly believe that sport, and especially climbing, can be a powerful vehicle for social inclusion, self-improvement, and enjoyment. This is what motivated us to take on this challenge.
Could you tell us about your collaboration with Sébastien Kuehn and the role he played in bringing this project to life?
Today, Sébastien—our meeting was really important for the development of this project. We are not just business partners, we are friends now.
To launch such an ambitious project, to do something that no one has ever tried before, even the biggest climbing equipment brands to date—it’s a real challenge.
Our meeting was decisive because all three of us combined our skills, with a lot of motivation.
And of course, this is just the beginning. We are ensuring we have additional partners who will manage the commercial side, as well as a medical expert, a doctor who oversees the medical aspect.
What were the biggest challenges you faced in developing Vertical Footing and other products, and how did you overcome them?
Challenges in such a project are inevitable. Just the idea itself was already a big challenge. For us, the biggest factor was time. When we came up with this idea in late 2021, early 2022, we immediately thought of Paris 2024. It’s our last competition, the perfect opportunity to showcase Vertical Footing to the largest audience. Between industrial research to validate a proof of concept, prototype work, developing other connected machines in parallel, and the fact that there were only three of us, it required a massive investment.
Could you explain in detail how the motorized winch of Vertical Footing works and how it enables people with disabilities to climb autonomously?
In Colmar, we offer you the chance to climb with ELSA, our proof of concept. It’s a mechatronic system developed for load balancing that can learn how much weight to remove from a person and follow their movements all the way to the top of the route, eliminating some or all of the physical demands of climbing. Note that while physical assistance is provided, the need for coordination, balance, and the thrill of ascending vertically to nearly 15 meters is not removed! This proof of concept is currently being transformed into CAMI, the world’s first climbing assistance system capable of automatically adapting to the type of climber, their disability or condition, and their progress over time.
How is the C.H.A.S. harness different from traditional harnesses, and how does it ensure the safety of users?
For CAMI to be used by everyone, we developed the world’s first climbing harness adapted for people with disabilities. It positions the climber optimally, verticalized as if they were standing. Even paraplegics’ knees won’t touch the wall, while protecting their cervical spine, supporting their pelvis and spine if they cannot do so themselves, preventing pressure sores, and can be put on without needing to stand up or raise their legs. This is a unique harness, currently patent-pending (hence no product images), which restores autonomy to those who need it, both in the sports world and in hospitals, reducing the need for caregiver intervention to almost nothing. Our patent is very valuable as we have also patented the first standardized attachment system located on the harness straps—the only way to correctly verticalize a person—thus preventing other harness manufacturers from using this wonderful idea without our approval.
How does the B.A.S.S. controller ensure that climbers who are not secured do not start their ascent without safety?
BASS is a connected device designed to ensure the safety of climbers in climbing gyms. It will help secure the thousands of gym managers already equipped with automatic winches and also contribute to the growth of these products in climbing gym markets. It will be supported by major insurance companies, who will avoid the costs associated with heavy incidents due to falls. If a climber enters a route without attaching themselves, BASS will trigger a sound and visual alarm to alert the climber and those around them. But that’s not all—it’s also capable of measuring the wear level of the winches and predicting when maintenance will be needed, allowing managers to run their climbing gyms more efficiently and profitably.
You mentioned that Vertical Footing will be showcased at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. What do you hope to achieve with this presentation?
For us, it’s a great opportunity to present our systems during the Paralympic Games. Our project makes perfect sense, as its primary use is intended for people with disabilities. Additionally, Paralympic climbing will debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games, which adds even more meaning to showcasing it at this event. It’s also an opportunity to meet political figures to present our project.
What impact do you hope your products will have on the climbing community, especially for people who had never considered climbing as a possibility for themselves?
Simply put, accessibility! Today, climbing is often seen as an elitist sport. Indeed, it requires a high weight-to-power ratio, a rather lean physique, an injury-free body, and many other physical criteria. However, the benefits of sport, especially climbing, are well recognized. This sport promotes essential values such as perseverance, respect, and self-confidence. That’s why it’s so important for us to make climbing accessible to a wider audience.
We already know that climbing is highly popular. However, the first barrier for many remains the physical aspect. Not everyone is looking to push themselves physically. Some people simply want to find a place where they feel good, a respectful environment where they can develop confidence in themselves and in others. Climbing offers this unique environment, conducive to personal growth.
So why not give them the chance to discover this exceptional sport? Whether for the physical effort or the positive atmosphere and human values it embodies, climbing has a lot to offer to those who try it, whatever their goals may be. Our mission is to break down these barriers and allow everyone to experience this enriching activity.
How do you see the future of inclusive climbing, and what are your long-term goals with MBS Industry?
Our goal is simple: to make climbing accessible to everyone. So, in a few years, I hope that climbing gyms, whether private or public, will have Vertical Footing in their facilities, making it accessible to a wider audience.
MBS Industry will continue to develop high-performance equipment to improve accessibility and safety in climbing, but not only that. Vertical Footing is a sports tool, but we are also working on evolving it into a medical device, as well as using it in the field of work at height.
So yes, MBS Industry is the beginning of a great adventure that, for now, has no expiration date.
Have you already received feedback from potential users or climbing facilities interested in your solutions?
We’ve launched our pre-orders, and yes, some gyms have already committed: (https://www.mbs-industry.fr/map). Additionally, some gyms, like CLIMB UP, have signed a letter of intent. The project is progressing gradually, but we are still in a phase of communication. We hope more gyms will approach us, because beyond the financial returns it can bring, we mainly offer better accessibility for all!
How has your own experience as top-level athletes influenced your approach to developing these solutions?
It’s not really our experience as top-level athletes that has changed everything. Rather, this long career has allowed us to discover the climbing world at an international level and build numerous connections. However, it’s primarily our professional experience that has had a major impact. We’ve been climbing for over 25 years, and for more than 15 years, we’ve been working in this field. We are constantly developing climbing on multiple fronts. My brother has been focusing on the development of climbing through the management of dedicated structures for many years, while I have gained solid experience in the technical and communication aspects.
From the beginning, we wanted to advance this sport, introduce it to a wider audience, and make it increasingly accessible. This remains perfectly consistent with our initial vision.
Do you see your project as a way to redefine what it means to be an athlete in the modern context, with a focus on inclusion and self-improvement?
I believe that people like us, with our experience, have a duty to share as much of this expertise as possible with others.
We’ve gained a lot of experience over the years. So why not pass it on and share it with as many people as possible around us?
What motivates you the most in this new chapter of your career, and what are you looking forward to in the years to come?
We’ve always been hard workers, always dedicating our time to doing something rather than doing nothing.
CBJ press releases are written by the sponsor and do not represent the views of the Climbing Business Journal editorial team.
Boulder’s newest climbing gym in the works—The Campus—is slated to open in the coming winter, with Claire Gordon (pictured coaching at Uplift Climbing in Shoreline, Washington) at the head. (All photos courtesy of Team Pinkpoint)
The Campus
Boulder, Colorado
Specs: The Campus, a bouldering-focused training facility, is expected to open in Boulder, Colorado, in the 2024/2025 winter. Majority owner Claire Gordon founded The Campus, gathering inspiration from her own youth climbing experiences and conversations with coaches, parents and other gym owners.
Gordon started Pinkpoint Training in February 2023, a traveling team of competitive youth athletes. After experiencing some pain points, such as “gym hopping and trying to find a gym that will allow an independent team to train there” and observing negative opinions of team kids held by adult gym members, Gordon said she “had just come to a head with trying to find a space for our team.” Fortunately, opening a climbing gym had been “a lifelong dream” for Gordon. Gordon grew up as a team kid and began to compete on the youth circuit in 2004, per the Pinkpoint Training website, which gave her the extra push she needed to really start looking into opening a facility.
Gordon’s vision is to create a training-focused facility that is the home of Team Pinkpoint but is not a youth-focused facility. “The main thing that [Team Pinkpoint] will influence in the build will be: Can they reach the climbs? Is there a hangboard that someone who’s five feet tall can reach?” Gordon said. “Other than that, I would really like to just have the youth team participating as active and equal members of the community, so they really aren’t receiving anything separate or needing anything different than anyone else training at a high level.” The gym will be open for “climbers with a desire to train and improve” Gordon continued, which comes with some differences from a typical commercial gym. For example, The Campus will not offer rental shoes or tailor the climbing experience to first-time climbers. “But,” Gordon added, “you can get into [climbing] somewhere else, and then when you’re ready come see us at The Campus.”
As a training-focused center for athletes of all ages, the amenities were chosen with training in mind. The gym will feature hangboards, weight training options, and basic fitness equipment. In addition to the 50 feet of bouldering problems, climbers can train on Kilter, Tension and Decoy Boards. Gordon noted The Campus will be the first gym in the West/Midwest with a Decoy Board—all other boards being located along the East Coast and in Bend, Oregon, at the time of this article. Eric Sanchez will head the routesetting team and will set boulders under a color circuit that does not correspond to V grades.
While The Campus is where Team Pinkpoint will train, Claire emphasizes the gym is not a youth-centered climbing gym, but rather a gym for focused climbers of all ages.
The building that will house The Campus is a 4000-square-foot empty warehouse located across the street from Avery Brewing, with tall walls and enough space for Gordon’s vision. Boulder was an ideal location for Gordon because it is where she and many of the Team Pinkpoint families live. Gordon also believes the city needs a gym “that can accommodate the number of people in Boulder who are climbing at a really high level,” without a focus on first-timers or beginning climbers. “We’d really like to create a space that is just for the very committed,” Gordon summarized.
Walls: Rockwerx
Flooring: Asana
CRM Software: Approach
Website: www.thecampusclimbingandtraining.com
Instagram: @The_Campus_Boulder
In Their Words: “I would really like to create a space where athletes can just be a part of the community and they can be seen as members, and they can project with the 20-year-old college kid and the 40-year-old dude who’s in there after his tech job; and really a space that is open to anyone who is interested in training at a high level, and not having our kids have this tag of ‘birthday party kids’ or ‘the annoying team kids.’” – Claire Gordon, The Campus Founder and Majority Owner
Climbing structures have evolved significantly over the past decades. Enthusiasts and professionals alike are witnessing a revolution in how these facilities are designed and utilized. In this blog post, IMPACT Climbing delves into the exciting trends and innovations shaping the future of climbing installations.
Integration of Advanced Technology
Technology is redefining the climbing experience. Firstly, augmented reality (AR) is making its way into climbing facilities. AR projects interactive routes onto surfaces, providing climbers with dynamic and customizable challenges. This innovation enhances engagement and allows for endless route variations without physical alterations.
Moreover, smart tracking systems are becoming commonplace. These systems monitor climbers’ performance in real-time, offering detailed feedback on speed, grip strength, and technique. Climbers can analyze their progress and tailor training programs effectively. Additionally, virtual reality (VR) simulators are offering immersive experiences, enabling climbers to explore diverse terrains from indoor settings.
Modular and Adaptive Designs
Flexibility in design is a growing priority. Modular climbing installations allow for easy reconfiguration, catering to different skill levels and training needs. Facility owners can modify routes swiftly, keeping the experience fresh and challenging for regular users.
In addition, adaptive designs accommodate various spaces, whether compact urban gyms or expansive outdoor parks. These structures can be expanded or reduced as needed, optimizing space utilization and enhancing accessibility. Such versatility makes climbing more inclusive and adaptable to diverse communities.
Enhanced Safety Features
Safety remains paramount in climbing activities. Innovations in padding materials and fall arrest systems are minimizing injury risks. Advanced auto-belay devices are providing reliable support, especially for solo climbers, ensuring confidence and security during climbs.
Moreover, sensor technologies detect equipment wear and structural stress in real-time. Early detection of potential hazards allows for prompt maintenance, preserving the integrity of the installations and the safety of users.
Aesthetic and Experiential Improvements
The visual and experiential aspects of climbing are receiving significant attention. Artistic designs and thematic elements are transforming climbing structures into captivating attractions. These aesthetically pleasing installations not only serve functional purposes but also enhance the ambiance of recreational spaces.
Additionally, integration of natural elements like plants and water features creates serene and inspiring environments. Such enhancements contribute to the overall well-being of climbers, offering more than just physical challenges but also enriching sensory experiences.
How Impact Climbing Leads the Way in Climbing Structures
At Impact Climbing, we are at the forefront of these innovations, delivering cutting-edge climbing structures that set new industry standards. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in every project we undertake, from initial design to final installation. With a team of experienced engineers, designers, and craftsmen, we ensure that each structure is not only visually stunning but also functional and safe.
We offer a comprehensive range of services tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients. Our services include:
Custom Design: We work closely with you to create climbing structures that fit your vision and space requirements. Whether it’s an indoor gym or an outdoor installation, we bring your ideas to life with precision and creativity.
Professional Installation: Our skilled installation team ensures that every structure is assembled with the highest standards of safety and quality. We manage the entire process, so you can focus on welcoming climbers to your new facility.
Maintenance and Inspection: To keep your climbing structures in optimal condition, we offer ongoing maintenance and inspection services. Our team provides regular checks to ensure that your equipment remains safe and durable over time.
Consultation and Support: We are here to guide you through every step of the process, offering expert advice and support to help you make informed decisions.
Impact Climbing is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in climbing structures. We combine innovative technology, sustainable practices, and a passion for climbing to deliver products that stand out in the market. By choosing Impact Climbing, you’re partnering with a leader in the industry, committed to creating climbing experiences that inspire and challenge climbers of all levels.
Ready to elevate your climbing facility with the latest innovations? Contact us today to discover how we can help you achieve excellence in your next climbing project.VISIT OUR STOREREQUEST A QUOTEINSTAGRAMPINTERESTEditor’s Note: An earlier version of this story was first published on IMPACT Climbing’s blog here.CBJ press releases are written by the sponsor and do not represent the views of the Climbing Business Journal editorial team.
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 simple observation during my conversations with gym owners: finding experienced routesetters is a major challenge in regions without outdoor climbing or large city centers.
Like climbers, setters prefer to live near climbing areas, making it hard for gyms in regions without outdoor climbing to attract talent. Additionally, the industry has a gap in the necessary education to develop skilled routesetters.
As indoor climbing gyms increase in urban centers and flatlands, the demand for skilled routesetters has skyrocketed. Gym owners often share the same story—while the enthusiasm for climbing is there, the expertise to create engaging and challenging routes is lacking. This is where the Setter Summit comes in.
Born from a passion for climbing and a desire to foster community, the Setter Summit was created to address the need for enhanced expertise in routesetting. The routesetters at The Front Climbing Club in Salt Lake City, shared this vision, engaging in conversations about improving skills nationwide.
Together, we launched an event specifically for climbing professionals, aiming to bridge the gap between established climbing hubs and emerging climbing communities.
Each year, the Setter Summit brings together top routesetters from around the country for a few days of workshops, discussions, networking, hands-on training, and climbing.
Attendees learn the latest techniques, explore new shapes, and most importantly, build a network of support and collaboration.
It’s not just about setting routes—it’s about building a community where climbers can thrive. As we gear up for another exciting Setter Summit, we look forward to welcoming seasoned setters who can help train the next generation.
Together, we’re making climbing accessible and exciting for everyone, one route at a time. Join us and let’s reach new heights together!
Learn more and register here: https://proxyclimbing.com/Setter-Summit
About the Author: Liz Pecknold
Liz Pecknold, Senior Sales and Marketing Manager at Vertical Solutions, brings over 25 years of climbing experience to her role. Her favorite climbing destinations include Joshua Tree National Park, Smith Rock State Park, and the Flatirons.
Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this story was first published on Climbing Wall Association’s blog here.This story was paid for by the sponsor and does not necessarily represent the views of the Climbing Business Journal editorial team.
Graphic by Climbing Business Journal; all photos courtesy of Hailey Caissie
On this episode of the Climbing Business Journal Podcast, host John Burgman speaks with Hailey Caissie. Hailey is the Programs Manager at The Crag in Tennessee, and she is also the author of 101 Climbing Games and Activities. So, for anyone who struggles to think of games to play in youth programs or even adult programs, this book may be an interesting resource. It’s a tool that could be helpful to coaches, parents, youth athletes, managers, and simply anyone who climbs. John and Hailey discuss the writing process a bit and how the book came to be, and Hailey shares several games covered in her book, from Blind Climb to Tug of War.
Thank you OnSitefor your support!
And thank you Devin Dabney for your music!
Timestamps
00:00 – Intro
04:40 – The Tennessee gym scene
06:31 – New gym challenges
07:44 – Caissie’s climbing history
11:06 – The book’s origin story
14:18 – The impetus for the book
16:07 – Youth age gap considerations
18:25 – Managers and coaches working in harmony
23:17 – Handling wild youth climbers
27:05 – Book sections
28:22 – Strategy games
31:18 – Community input
32:46 – From idea to inception
34:45 – Climbing book publishers
36:00 – Caissie’s writing routine
37:53 – Public responses to the book
45:14 – Caissie’s favorite games
51:57 – Adaptive games
56:14 – Working with youth climbers with ADHD
01:01:36 – Contacting Caissie
01:03:28 – Closing
Abridged Transcript
BURGMAN: What was the hardest part about opening [The Crag Franklin’s] relocation?…
CAISSIE: Well, I’ll tell you, the fun part was designing and thinking about all the programs that I wanted to have there, and just imagining all these kids that I’m going to get to teach and do camps with. So, that was definitely the fun part. The hard part, and I think a lot of gym members can relate to this, is the city of Franklin and all of its hoops to jump through. And there was a plane crash with the owner of the building the day that we signed the lease. So, they perished and we had to figure out reallocation and dive through those hoops and wait for lawyers. And there was a huge hurdle to jump through and it was just a freak accident, but that was definitely one of the challenges.
…Tell me about how you got into climbing in the first place. And tell me, by extension of that, if your initial entry into it did not involve gyms, how did you find your way to the gyms?
Thank you for asking. I first fell in love with climbing with my cousins in the woods of East Tennessee. We lived a little bit set back, at the foothills of the Appalachians, and there were a lot of places to romp through the woods and play and explore. And we found a cliff, we found probably a 30-foot by 100-foot cliff in our woods. And so, my cousins, who were 13 and 14 years old—and I must have been 8 or 9 years old—were all in, ready to learn about tying anchors and creating systems. I remember they made me a little Swiss seat out of rope that was so uncomfortable. And I didn’t care, I was in love with it. I wanted to climb as high and as often as I could. That’s where I spent most of my summers as a kid, romping around the woods, getting dirty, cutting my hands, just loving it.
“One of the kids inspired me to go ahead and just put it in a book,” Hailey said of her list of climbing games. “And I’ve always wanted to be an illustrator. I’ve always had a lot of heart for sharing the kinds of things that I know. So, a book seemed like a natural next step.”
…How did your climbing intersect with the writing?
It’s a great question. So, when we built this climbing gym together, I saw a lot of kids coming in, and I was like, “Oh, gosh, these kids have to learn how to climb.” So, I put together a curriculum for the first time. I just asked a bunch of teachers how to do it, and it’s gotten better and better and better. After every practice, I would debrief with my coaches, and I’d learn how to teach better. And teaching better means being concise and being clear and not having too many rules for a game. So I learned, firstly, through curriculum. I’ve written my whole life; I’m a journal keeper, and I’ve always had a little bit of poetic art. After I started teaching these kids and seeing the benefits of it, I started recording these games…
Kids are little geniuses running around, and they’re very creative problem solvers. So, I feel like I’ve been inspired by kids over and over and over again, and they’ve taught me over and over not to overestimate them. So, if someone has a great idea, even if they’re eight, I’m likely to hold onto it. And so, when I had all these games, and I told [one of the youth climbers in our programs], “You know, I think I’ve always wanted to write a book one day,” she said, “You should do it!” And I said, “Ok, I think I have about 100, I’ll call it ‘100 Climbing Games.’” And she said, “You should call it ‘101 Climbing Games and Activities.’” I said, “Ok, you’re brilliant kid, I got you.” [laughs] So three years later, it’s finally out. It took a while to put it together, but I’m a patient woman, and I’m dedicated, so I think it’s doable. I think a lot of other people have a ton of things, a ton of gifts, a ton of resources that they can share with the rest of the community, too.
…Is there something that you wish coaches knew from the managerial side? And is there something that you wish managers knew about the coaching side? How can we help bring those two sides together in harmony?
…I have seen a couple of gyms do it really well. And one of the things that I’ve seen done really well is, on the front end, with a little bit of design. So, having a segmented place specifically for teaching: this is where classes happen, this is where warmups happen, this is where the kids’ zone is. Secondly, I have seen a lot of coaches do a great job at group management. So, generally, it’s around a six-to-one ratio, depending on the kid’s age. So, each coach is in charge of keeping these six kids together, and that’s also a pretty good number for playing a game.
And then, we have to have a little bit of overall awareness. All of us are members, kids are members too, so they get just as many rights to the areas as everyone else. But, if you do want to take an area on specifically for your team or league, it can be helpful to have just a little sign up: “League practice from six to seven o’clock tonight.” That way, it’s communicated with the rest of the members that, “Ok, this will be open from seven, at least they won’t be running underneath me during my project.” And teaching etiquette is a huge part of it as well. So, when I bring kids over to the boulder, every time, even if they’ve been in it for two years, I have them tell me the three golden rules, and one of them is watching zones, not running, and coming down properly.
…How do you handle a particularly wild bunch of kids, in terms of just team practice, activities, games, that sort of thing?
Awesome, that’s a great question. So, usually if I get a wild bunch of rowdy, wily coyotes in, we’re going to do something for mind and body and listening. We’re going to get them on a line, like the barrier between the concrete and the carpeted areas. We’re going to get them all somewhere, in some sort of order. I might even have them line up from tallest to shortest, from birthdays, from January to December, because then they’re going to start using their higher functioning, their left-side brain stuff. And then from there, we’re going to do something a lot like Simon Says. So, then I’m getting them to listen over and over: “Touch your toes, touch your nose, hands in the air, move them around like you just don’t care.” Now they’re listening, and now I see that they have energy and power. So, I’m going to go over to the power or endurance or strength section of the book and we’re going to wear them out just a teeny tiny bit, just enough for them to focus. We’re going to do something like Capture the Flag, which is a great game…From the endurance chapter, I would recommend Tag…This will get them sweaty and hot and headed to the water fountain pretty quick. Now they’re ready to listen to the actual instruction…
…Let’s kind of go back to the book, the process of putting this together and getting it published. Specifically, you get these activities from a lot of different sources, different coaches, and then what do you do? What is the process for getting a book published in the climbing industry?…
Well, I’ll give you my advice from my experience, and that’s to go to the publisher first. I wrote the book first: I illustrated, I made it beautiful, I did all the edits, and then all the while doing research on what publisher I thought would be best for my brand and most likely to take me and who had the best connections. And finally, I picked one, and it needed to be in a different format, so there was a lot of rework to do after that. So, I’m going to say go to the publisher first, because they’re going to be your best resource for guiding your writing, finding your market, putting it in the right format. And then they’ll have a ton of other resources, too, when it comes time for marketing and sales…And you get to know them, whether or not you want to work with them as a business partner…You got to make sure the relationship works first before you get locked into it.
Hailey (left) stands with members of The Crag Franklin’s Homeschool Recreational League. The kids in the league range in age from 6-13 years old. The mural in the background was painted by Hailey.
…Are there any activities, games that you haven’t mentioned, that you consider really effective or a particular favorite for some reason? I’d be really curious to hear some more…
…We’ve got one called King Swing, which is an absolute blast, and you do need a little bit of space for it. But King Swing is where we climb up a pretty approachable route on a rope that’s two stations over, so there’s probably 10 or 15 feet between the anchor it is on and the route that they’re climbing, because what we’re doing is creating a pretty large swing when they hop off the route. So, they’re doing the “king swing,” and we do this every time we have a birthday on the team, so it’s like jumping into your next year…
The most effective one—this is by far my favorite game. When I meet a group of kids for the first time, some of them are new, some of them have been climbing for a few years, I want to see what they already know. So, we play Squish. Squish is a game usually in front of a traverse, but it can definitely be done on the boulder. And it’s kind of a listening game and kind of a technique game, because I start with, “When I say ‘squish,’ and only when I say ‘squish,’ will your feet move off of the black line. You’ll go to the wall, get your hands and feet on, and listen for commands. We’re going to review the commands first, so I can see if you know the techniques. We’re going to match hands, we’re going to side pull, we’re going to backstep, we’re going to smear, we’re going to switch feet again,” things like this. And then we can add some caveats and rules, like if you fall off, you’re out, or maybe you get two falls. But then I’ll say, “Alright, you ready to play?” And I’ll say something like, “Ready, set, go.” The kids that run to the wall are not listening. “When I say ‘squish,’ and only when I say ‘squish,’ your feet move off the line.” Because I need them to listen for this one. And we can practice fundamental skills like edging and switch-foot and smearing and drop knee and heel hook…
How can some of these games be adapted to special needs kids, or maybe kids that want to do adaptive climbing, adaptive competition, or something like that? Are there ways to tweak some of these games so they are appropriate for different kids with different needs?
…Climbing is for everyone, and it should be accessible to everyone. Just because you’re in a chair does not mean that you can’t climb, and it doesn’t mean that you can’t play and have fun with your friends, too. So, what I did was I picked out a few games from each one of the chapters that I thought would be most appropriate to start with, in the IFSC adaptive climbing category. So, we’ve got reduced power, upper extremity amputee, lower extremity amputee, and visual impairment. And so, let’s go to visual impairment for a moment. One of the games is super fun. It’s called Sumo, and this is a floor game. This is a great one to warm them up, a team icebreaker, or if their hands are really tired. What we’re going to do is stand about a step away from each other, with your feet on the floor touching each other, or not touching but facing each other. Your hands are going to be up in the palm shape, with your fingers together. Only palms can touch palms. We cannot interlock fingers or grab onto one each other. And what we’re trying to do is push against one another to knock the other off balance. So, we’re starting to learn a little bit about center of gravity, we’re starting to learn about pressure on our feet, and we’re learning about how to compensate for balance that’s been thrown off…
This kind of maybe pertains to what we talked about a little bit earlier with the kids that are a little wild. But what do you do with kids that are ADD, ADHD? Because I know that’s another challenge of coaching a group of kids. You’re going to have some kids that have a lot more energy than others….
It’s going to be so individualized. But I’m going to say the parents on your team; relationship with the parents is fundamental, number one. They will tell you what motivates the kid. They will tell you appropriate consequences for not listening. They know their kid better than anybody. So, get the parents on your team, firstly. Secondly, I’m going to say meet them where they are. If I have a kid with a ton of energy and not a lot of focus, awesome. We’re going to be doing laps. We’re going to do speed. I’m going to get you into speed climbing: “You ever see speed climbing in the Olympics? It’s the best thing in the whole wide world. You’re going to be great at it.” Meet them where they are, meet their energy and direct it. Put it into a place, connect and redirect…
…I want people that are listening to this to go out and get this book. So, can you tell them if they want to buy it, where can they go if they want to correspond with you?
…If you want a few games to help enliven your youth program, your summer camp, gosh, anything like that…go to BookBaby.com, look for 101 Climbing Games and Activities. If you forget all of that, go to Amazon. It’s there too, but the percentages are nicer over at BookBaby. If you forget that, DM me on Instagram [@HaileyCaissie] and we will figure it out. I also do wholesale, and I am happy to get a few in your gym if you think that the parents of your youth team members would like it, too.
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