Central Rock Gym
Fort Myers, Florida
Specs: Central Rock Gym (CRG) recently announced plans for a mixed-discipline climbing facility in Fort Myers, Florida, set to open...
USA Climbing Team Trials are wrapping up tomorrow at Sportrock Rio… good luck boulderers! And congrats to gold medalists Annie Sanders and Declan Osgood (lead) and Sophia Curcio and Noah Bratschi (speed)! Results here. Videos here.So many great podcasts below. Setting as a shorter person. Climbing with disabilities. Building an inner-city gym community. Athletes and training. Enjoy.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…Purchasing and Logistics CoordinatorOnSite Walls
Montreal, QC
“OnSite Walls is looking for an organized and motivated candidate to join our team as a purchasing and logistics coordinator. In this position, you’ll have the opportunity to work with our team across all our departments in order to help us bring our projects to life!“
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40+ Hobbies & Interests to Put on a Resume
By Andrei Kurtuy
“Done right, hobbies on a resume can help you stand out from other candidates, show a bit of your personality to the hiring manager, and potentially even get you the job! That said, not every resume needs hobbies and interests, and at the same time, not every hobby belongs on a resume. In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about hobbies on a resume, including when to list them, how to pick the right ones to mention, and more!”Read the full article here
Gym-to-crag education is important. As climbing has grown, and crags and boulders have gotten more crowded, many of us don’t know how to interact with the land and each other. To preserve the experience and ensure access for future generations, we need to learn stewardship. That comes in many forms – below are messages about crag dogs, wet rock, and poop. It’s also raptor nesting season. Respect.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…General ManagerBouldering Project
Seattle, WA
“The General Manager is responsible for managing all aspects of operations, programming, and facilities of the Bouldering Project. During pre-opening, the GM will work closely with the Seattle Market Director to hire, train, and develop the core management team and staff. Once open, the GM supervises the gyms’ management team, supporting employees at all levels of the organization in their roles and responsibilities. The GM is responsible for the continued development, improvement, and implementation of the systems, operations, and safety procedures at the gym. It is of paramount importance that the GM establishes and maintains a culture of collaboration, respect, quality-obsession, and safety among the gyms’ staff and community.”
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35 of the Best Questions To Ask at the End of an Interview
By Indeed Editorial Team
“This question can clarify the different aspects of the role, especially if it’s a cross-functional position or is part of a team. You’ll hopefully gain a better understanding of the job responsibilities to help you decide if it is the right job for you. You’ll also get a better idea of the specific skills and strengths that are required.”Read the full article here
It was recently announced that Denver-based Rise Above Consulting has launched a “turn-key consulting network,” known as the Rise Above Consulting Network. Consulting services have been offered for climbing gym owners and developers practically since the first gyms started appearing around the United States in the mid-1980s. In the early 1990s, for instance, an advisory and development company called CARP (Climbing Arts, Resources and Productions) operated under the direction of Boulder, Colorado-based climber Ramsay Thomas. Later, in another instance, Bob Richards founded Climbing Wall Advisors. But the new Rise Above Consulting Network is fairly unique in its coverage of such a wide range of topics from a roster of experts—all being made available from a single source.To that point, Rise Above Consulting Network will feature consulting services and online training from a variety of climbing gym industry professionals. “Whether it’s route setting, human resources and operations, financial planning, marketing strategies, or leadership coaching, The Rise Above Consulting Network covers it all,” noted a press release.
Industry insiders providing their expertise and services to the network include Gavin Heverly, the former COO at Brooklyn Boulders; Chris Ryan, founder of the Ryan Studio gym construction and design firm; Pete Ward, American Alpine Club board member; Sarah Filler, USA Climbing Level 4 routesetter; Pierre Despagne, renowned routesetter; Todd McCormick, founder of Keystone Climbing Consulting; and Clay Chaszeyka, president of the Harness video marketing agency and Chief Marketing Officer for HMH Outdoors.Another unique aspect of the new network, in addition to the depth of the featured expertise, will be the network’s availability to the global climbing community. “Clients from around the world can tap into the expertise of industry leaders, fostering a global community dedicated to advancing the industry into the future,” the press release stated.Rise Above Consulting was founded by Gavin Heverly, who collaborated with CBJ to launch the CBJ Climbing Gym Management Series, a monthly webinar series which resumed this week. Both Heverly and Rise Above Consulting colleague Chris Ryan have previously led sessions at the Climbing Wall Association Summit and the Indoor Climbing Expo.Pricing details for the new network were not listed on the Rise Above website at the time of this writing.
Performance Management is a complex art form that blends policy, process, leadership, management and communication skills. In this webinar, we will unpack it all and come away with tangible takeaways that you can implement to improve how your teams perform.
This session is a great fit for anyone managing people or projects, regardless of your title.
Ready to learn more? Join us Thursday, March 14th at 11:00am MDT for “Unleash Your Most Powerful Asset: The People”. Host Gavin Heverly of Rise Above Consulting will lead this webinar as part of the ongoing CBJ Climbing Gym Management Series.
CBJ Members: RSVP Here for Free Access**Not a Member? Purchase Access Here for $59
**Live webinars are offered as a FREE member benefit to staff of CBJ member businesses at the Biz level and above (check if your employer is a member here). Each staff member must RSVP, although managers can RSVP for multiple staff.
On-demand video recordings are available to staff at Plus or Premium member businesses and individual purchasers. Questions about accessing these recordings? Email us at info@climbingbusinessjournal.com.
See All CBJ Webinar Recordings Here
Meet your presenter:
Rise Above Consulting, founded by Gavin Heverly, specializes in solving complex and high-value operational challenges for businesses. Rise Above partners with passionate business owners and entrepreneurs to overcome operational and cultural challenges so they can scale success and drive high-performing culture. Heverly has 25 years of experience opening, growing and running climbing gyms, with much of that career spent at the executive level.
www.riseaboveconsultancy.com
The Association of British Climbing Walls (ABC Walls) recently released the results of its latest biannual survey of the indoor climbing industry in the United Kingdom. The survey, now in its fourth edition, was carried out by Crystal Market Research and ran from April 27th to June 16th last year. Open to the organization’s members, the survey received 92 responses from climbing facilities located throughout the UK, but predominantly from the South of England (45%). Topics covered in the 47-page summary document span the gamut of climbing facility operation, detailing trends around climbing wall services/programs, participants, standards/policies, staff and financials.Of note in the report is that multiple figures have returned to—and in some cases, surpassed—pre-COVID figures in past editions. Average customer visits in the last 12 months, for instance, increased from 39,569 in the 2019 survey to 62,510 in 2023—a 58% jump. And reported gross turnover “has increased substantially since 2021,” according to the report, with 19% of responding facilities now bringing in over £1 million (compared to 3% in 2021).However, overall confidence in the long-term viability of an indoor climbing business is still making a rebound: “In general, the walls in our survey are still confident about the future, though slightly less strongly so than in 2021, the small walls especially…The challenges facing walls most commonly cited are competition from other walls opening in their area, especially ‘chain’ walls, and increasing operating costs, including rising staff wages,” the report stated.
Indeed, the survey’s results show that the development of climbing facility chains, as well as bouldering-only facilities, has been on the rise in the UK—a trend that CBJ has longreported as taking place in the North American industry, as well. In 2023, 49% of the climbing facilities responding to the ABC Walls survey were part of groups, or chains—compared to 37% in 2021—and 67% of facilities that opened less than four years ago were bouldering-only.
Other amenities that have been gaining in popularity, in terms of programming, include local climbing competitions and national “schemes,” or training programs, for instructors and climbers—both of which increased by at least 20 percentage points from 2019 to 2023. On the flip side, the percentage of responding gyms offering children’s parties and yoga/pilates decreased in the latest survey.
The full 2023 Survey of ABC Member Climbing Walls is available for free to participating ABC Walls members, and other organizations can purchase the report by contacting ABC Walls here.Click here to read more international stories, and stay tuned to CBJ for further coverage of the indoor climbing industry worldwide.
Congrats to new CT, NH and CA gyms that opened or will soon. Salute to one in OH that’s about to close. A discussion of French gym growth. A video about building costs. Tips on hiring consultants. Keynotes for the Summit in May. And check out the BBC podcast, it was fun talking with Hannah and I got to express a few thoughts about the growth of climbing.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…Head RoutesetterThe Circuit
Bend, OR
“We are looking for a self-motivated head setter that can help craft our culture, promote our values, and accomplish our goals. We need someone who understands the unique communities that form in climbing gyms and the needs of our customers who come in for so much more than a workout. There is no limit to what this job may entail- flexibility, understanding, and determination will be expected. Previous route setting and management experience is necessary, and experience setting within a large gym environment is preferred. Extensive business knowledge and customer service skills are required.”
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9 Mistakes and Blunders to Avoid in Your Next Job Interview
By CareerBuilder
“If you’re interviewing for a new role, there may be something in your current role that you want to get away from. However, you should always use discretion and professionalism when talking about past jobs. Speaking too negatively about roles, even those that weren’t great experiences, can make it look like you’re a difficult co-worker or subordinate. Remain positive by talking about what experiences helped you to learn and become a better candidate for the job you’re interviewing for now.”Read the full article here
Bend, OR —EP Climbing, a renowned name in climbing wall design and manufacturing, is thrilled to announce its collaboration with the University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA) on a groundbreaking project that resurfaced the university’s climbing wall.
Originally constructed by EP Climbing in 2005, the Freeform Wall has stood as a central point for climbers at UTSA for almost two decades. Acknowledging the need for modernization to meet current industry standards and materials, UTSA enlisted EP Climbing to spearhead this revitalization effort.
Returning to the project with a fresh perspective, EP Climbing introduced innovative design elements, creating new Mozaik walls that seamlessly fit into the existing space. The team demonstrated ingenuity by creatively reusing the original steel substructure from the Freeform Wall, ensuring both sustainability and efficiency.
The revamped climbing walls now stand at an impressive 53 feet 5 inches for sport climbing, covering an area of 2,270 square feet, and a height of 16 feet for bouldering, totaling 386 square feet. To enhance safety and comfort, a new 12-inch flooring padding has been installed.
The primary objective of this project was to bring the climbing wall up to modern standards, enabling route setting that aligns with current climbing trends and styles. Overcoming the limitations of the original Freeform Wall, known for its highly textured and contoured surface, EP Climbing successfully delivered a more versatile and dynamic climbing experience for the UTSA community, while increasing user capacity.
Located in the Recreation and Wellness Center, the climbing wall attracts climbers of all skill levels within the UTSA community. This project’s execution during the winter break minimized disruption, ensuring a seamless transition for climbers returning to the facility.
EP Climbing’s extensive expertise in climbing wall design and manufacturing positioned them as the ideal partner for this transformative project. Beyond constructing new climbing walls, the company specializes in updating, remodeling, and resurfacing existing climbing structures, ensuring they meet the highest modern standards.
For organizations and institutions looking to revitalize their climbing facilities, EP Climbing offers tailored solutions for remodels and resurfaces. Reach out to EP Climbing for expert guidance and personalized consultations.
About EP Climbing:
EP Climbing is a leading name in the design and manufacturing of innovative climbing walls. With a focus on excellence and a commitment to pushing the boundaries of climbing experiences, EP Climbing has been transforming climbing spaces since 1988. For more information, contact hello@epclimbing.com.
CBJ press releases are written by the sponsor and do not represent the views of the Climbing Business Journal editorial team.