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By Taylor ReedCompetition climbing in the United States will change – and soon.On February 19, USA Climbing’s board of directors approved a large set of recommendations submitted by the organization’s Competition Task Force. These changes range from large to small and impact competition rules, season structures, competitive pathways and qualification standards. They will certainly affect climbing and training structures...
Ask a Lawyer is a recurring column where attorney Jason Pill answers questions submitted by people who work in the climbing industry. Got a legal question that you’d like him to tackle about your gym, your employees, or anything else in the wide world of climbing? Submit your legal question here.QUESTION: “Most of the people on staff at my...
Mesa Rim Austin
Austin, Texas
Specs: 50,000-square-foot facility will include rope climbing (with 55-foot walls) and bouldering, along with a yoga studio, a cardio and weight training area, a sauna, locker rooms, and a community space all intended to “cater to the city’s existing community of climbers as well as the area’s large population of fitness-minded individuals.” Walls: Entre-Prises
CRM Software: Rock Gym...
John Burgman's new book High Drama is a meticulously researched, lovingly written account of how climbing got into the Olympics. As climbers get ready to vie for gold, the audience is right to wonder, "Where did this crazy sport come from?" Anyone can conceptually understand rock climbing, but these competitions on fake walls are materially different than those carefree...
Behind the Wrench…is an ongoing series that interviews the “rock stars” of the climbing industry: the routesetters at the gyms. This time CBJ hits the road and heads to the East Coast to discuss slabs, safety zones, setter wellness and how to create the best darn bat hang your local gym has ever seen.Name: Alison Krayer
Home Gym: Earth Treks...
Gravity Vault
Marin County, California
Specs: 20,000-square-foot gym will be the first West Coast location for Gravity Vault, which has facilities in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The new California location will include all types of roped climbing (top rope, lead, speed) as well as bouldering. A weightlifting and general fitness area will also be part of the layout, as...
The elephant in the room this year is the surprising fact that the 2019 growth rate of the number of commercial climbing gyms in America was the lowest since our annual Gyms & Trends report first began in 2013. The net number of climbing gyms in the US grew by 5.21% in 2019. 34 new gyms opened their doors...
It is a monumental effort to bring a new climbing gym into a community. Go ask the owners and managers driving the climbing business forward. You will hear countless stories of delayed permits, failed inspections and surprise expenses. Building a climbing gym is a big challenge, even if you've done it many times before.That is why CBJ is giving...
Join the CBJ CommunityThe Climbing Business Journal performs original research and produces content that can’t be found anywhere else, in print or online. We do not require a subscription to read our content, but we rely on readers just like you to provide the financial support needed to keep CBJ going strong.We offer different membership levels so that anyone, a casual reader,...
So, you want to own a climbing gym.Are you well versed in the industry? Do you know how to formulate a business plan or how to seek investors and funding? Are you familiar with the do’s and don’ts of designing a usable and inviting space? How about finding a decent and sensible location for your facility? Do you know...
