Climbing Gym Resources During COVID-19 Outbreak

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL GYM DURING COVID-19

CWA COMMUNITY CALLS

• Signup for CWA Community Calls
• Gym Mitigation and Survival (GYMS) Act HR 890 (4/21/2021)
• Inside Voices Info Session (3/3/2021)
• New Wave of Reclosures (11/23/2020)
• Virtual Leagues (10/13/2020)
• Survive & Thrive Workshop Day 1 Wrap-Up (9/2/2020)
• Review of July Survey Results (8/29/2020)
• Exit Strategies (7/28/2020)
• Brainstorm: In-person Competitions & Events (7/21/2020)
• Routesetting Panel (7/14/2020)
• Returning to Youth Programming in the Time of COVID-19 (7/7/2020)
• June Conversation With Reopened Gyms (6/30/2020)
• What Can We Do – A Conversation with Camber Outdoors (6/25/2020)
• How to Run Virtual Events (6/23/2020)
• How to Maintain and Grow Community Through Virtual Events (6/16/2020)
• Protests, Gyms & Tough Conversations (6/12/2020)
• Crisis Communication (6/10/2020)
• Returning Employees to the Gym (6/2/2020)
• Conversations With Open Gyms Part III (5/29/2020)
• Youth Programming, Camps, and Classes (5/26/2020)
• Another Conversation With Open Gyms (5/21/2020)
• Reopening Guidance Walkthrough (5/19/2020)
• Conversation With Open Gyms (5/14/2020)
• Member Appreciation Brainstorm (5/12/2020)
• Advocacy Update (5/7/2020)
• Long Term Business Impacts (5/5/2020)
• Financial Planning (4/30/2020)
• Reopening Operations Brainstorm (4/28/2020)
• Leading Through Adversity (4/23/2020)
• Hygiene Brainstorm (4/22/2020)
• Tech Strategy (4/16/2020)
• Impact on Outdoor Climbing (Access Fund, 4/14/2020)
• Canadian Gyms (4/8/2020)
• Member Engagement (4/7/2020)
• Current SBA Options (4/2/2020)
• Open Forum (3/31/2020)
• Labor Law (3/26/2020)
• A Medical Perspective (3/23/2020)
• Gym Manager Community Call (3/20/2020)

MORE RESOURCES FROM CWA

• REOPENING DASHBOARDS: Mar 21 – Feb 21 – Jan 21 – Dec 20 – Nov 20 – Oct 20 – Sep 20 – Aug 20 – Jul 20 – Jun 20 – May 20
• Ask Your Representative To Support The Gyms Act
• Inside Voices – A Movement To Save Our Indoor Climbing Space
• Survive & Thrive Workshop
• Roadmap to Reopening – Routesetter Safety – Youth Program Rules by State
• Main COVID-19 Resource Page
• Advocacy Campaign: Calling and Letter Writing
• Sign the CWA Letter To Congress For Emergency Funding
• Survey: Economic Impact of COVID-19
• Specific Activities For Specific Outcomes (Headwall Group, 5/3/2021)
• Women and Competitive Climbing: Creating Environments That Foster Growth (Hayley Moran, 4/29/2021)
• The 13th Month: Retail In Climbing Gyms (Todd McCormick, 4/19/2021)
• Projecting Anti-Racism: American Mountain Guides Association Affinity Programs (Anaheed Saatchi, 4/5/2021)
• Managing Youth Behavior Issues In The Gym Part 2 (Headwall Group, 3/31/2021)
• Where Is The Stimulus For Climbing Gyms? (Garnet Moore, 3/22/2021)
• You’ve Reopened. You’re Serious On Safety. Do Your Members Know It? (Jake Byk, 3/22/2021)
• Managing Youth Behavior Issues In The Gym (Headwall Group, 3/16/2021)
• Promote Mental Wellbeing In The Workplace (Holly Chen, 3/8/2021)
• Timing Is Everything: Age-Appropriate Training For Kids (Heather Reynolds, 3/4/2021)
• The Art of Product Selection (Todd McCormickin, 2/18/2021)
• The Best Member Appreciation Events Around (Emma Walker, 2/8/2021)
• Why Revisiting The Basics Is So Important In The COVID Era (Holly Chen, 2/4/2021)
• Youth Development & COVID-119: Tips To Adapt Your Youth Programming (Heather Robinson, 1/25/2021)
• Onward and Upward: Gym Owners Look Into 2021 (Jake Byk, 1/21/2021)
• Member Appreciation In The Time of COVID (Emma Walker, 1/11/2021)
• Projecting Anti-Racism: A Case Study of GP81 and Try-Hard Crew (Anaheed Saatchi, 1/6/2021)
• How The New COVID-19 Relief Package Helps Indoor Climbing (12/28/2020)
• How to Self-Advocate to Local Health Authorities (11/17/2020)
• How to Throw the Best Member Appreciation Events (Emma Walker, 10/30/2020)
• Making Your Gym More Inclusive – Adaptive Climbing Edition (Holly Chen, 10/28/2020)
• How Coronavirus Changed Retail, and What I’ve Learned in the Past Six Months (Todd McCormick, 10/6/2020)
• How to Create Business Plans That Move, Support, and Adapt (9/22/2020)
• What do in-person events look like during the pandemic recovery? (Garnet Moore, 9/22/2020)
• Maneuvering Though COVID-19 with CARE (9/22/2020)
• Is More Stimulus Coming? (Garnet Moore, 9/15/2020)
• Fostering Connection and Inspiration at the Survive & Thrive Workshop (Laura Allured, 9/15/2020)
• Communication Strategies for Mask Requirements (Holly Chen, 9/11/2020)
• What happens when someone at my gym tests positive? (Emma Walker, 8/17/2020)
• How to Plan Activities for Groups and Teams During COVID (Headwall Group, 8/17/2020)
• How to Self-Advocate to Local Health Authorities (7/16/2020)
• Projecting Anti-Racism: Asking for Free Labor (Anaheed Saatchi, 7/16/2020)
• Considerations for Returning to Youth Programming (Headwall Group, 7/15/2020)
• A Review of Climbing Gym Reopening Policies – June 2020 (7/10/2020)
• An Open Letter to Congress for Further Financial Relief Measures (7/10/2020)
• A Review of Climbing Gym Reopening Policies – May 2020 (Garnet Moore, 6/26/2020)
• Projecting Anti-Racism: Highlights from Flash Foxy’s Stronger Together Episode with Abby Dione (Anaheed Saatchi, 6/24/2020)
• Climbing Gym Workplace Health & Safety for COVID-19 Part II (Aaron Gibson, 6/18/2020)
• Climbing Gym Workplace Health & Safety for COVID-19 Part I (Aaron Gibson, 5/28/2020)
• Adjusting to the New Realty: How to Avoid and De-Escalate Customer Conflicts (Emma Walker, 5/28/2020)
• Adjusting to the New Reality: How to Communicate with Your Customers (Emma Walker, 5/22/2020)
• Roadmap to Reopening (5/15/2020)
• Building Power in the Darkest Hour – Advocacy Behind the Scenes (Alexandra Wojcicki, 5/14/2020)
• Member Engagement Series: Inspirational Content (Emma Walker, 5/14/2020)
• Follow Up on Remaining Hygiene Brainstorm Questions (Garnet Moore, 4/27/2020)
• Better Together: Fundraising for Climbing Gym Staff (4/27/2020)
• When Can Rock Gyms Reopen? (Garnet Moore, 4/24/2020)
• Member Engagement Series: How to Start a Blog for Your Climbing Gym (Emma Walker, 4/23/2020)
• Uniting to Face the Challenges Ahead (Laura Allured, 4/17/2020)
• Tech Tools to Run Your Climbing Gym Virtually (Caleb Fitzgerald, 4/17/2020)
• Legal Challenges for Billing in the Fitness Industry (Garnet Moore, 4/16/2020)
• Member Engagement Series: Educational Content (Hilary Harris, 4/16/2020)
• Ways to Keep Your Climbing Gym Community Engaged (Hilary Harris, 4/3/2020)
• Insurance Update From Monument Sports Group (4/1/2020)
• Your Current SBA Loan Options (Garnet Moore, 3/30/2020)
• Membership Communications During Gym Closures (Laura Allured, 3/24/2020)
• Impact of “Families First Coronavirus Response Act” (Garnet Moore, 3/20/2020)
• My Gym Is Closed, Now What? (Garnet Moore, 3/20/2020)

NEWS, OPINION & RESOURCES FOR CLIMBING GYMS

• Climbing Gym Operators (FB group)
• Routesetters Anonymous (FB group)
• Legal Articles About COVID-19 For Small Businesses (Phelps Dunbar)
• Climbing Gym Battles $1 Million Lawsuit Over Auto Belay Accident (Owen Clarke, Gym Climber, 4/29/2021)
• CICC winds up activities without a clear win (CICC, 3/17/2021)
• Dr. Erica Pan – “I think indoor climbing is low risk.” (CICC, 3/4/2021)
• Statement: The Onus is on California Department of Public Health (CICC, 2/23/2021)
• Covid-19 future – More outdoor bouldering gyms and parks (8a.nu, 1/21/2021)
• Climbing Centers in WA Reopening (CICC, 1/12/2021)
• Can climbing be done safely during COVID? WA to find out with reopening of indoor gyms (Stacia Glenn, The News Tribune, 1/12/2021)
• U.K. Climbing Gyms Seek Government Support During Pandemic (Gripped, 1/12/2021)
• Ask a Lawyer: Can Gyms Require Vaccination? (Jason Pill, CBJ, 1/2/2021)
• New Colorado study claims no link between gym attendance and COVID-19 infections (John Meyer, The Denver Post, 12/23/2020)
• Ask a Lawyer: New COVID Standards for California Gyms (Jason Pill, CBJ, 12/18/2020)
• Statement on Business Operating in Defiance of State Orders (CICC, 12/5/2020)
• Ask A Lawyer: Consequences for Gyms That Stay Open (Jason Pill, CBJ, 11/27/2020)
• CWA Seeking Data to Influence Reopening Policies (CBJ, 11/20/2020)
• Climbing Gyms – Innovation in Recreation (Noah Walker, Gripped, 11/17/2020)
• The State of Climbing Gyms Nine Months into the Pandemic (Bennett Slavsky, Climbing Mag, 11/12/2020)
• How Climbing Centers Are Navigating Tiered Reopening in California (CBJ, 11/6/2020)
• Distance Learning Meets Climbing: Sender One’s COOL Camp (Joe Robinson, CBJ, 11/6/2020)
• The ‘Gym Rights’ Movement Flouting the UK’s Second Lockdown (Jim Greig, Vice, 11/6/2020)
• CICC Meets With CA State Public Health (CICC, 11/6/2020)
• The COVID-19 Pandemic and its Impact on Mountain Sports – A Study (Simon Richardson, UK Climbing, 10/28/2020)
• Tier reducing capacity? Things to consider while we do our work (CICC, 10/27/2020)
• California moves “climbing walls” out of Family Entertainment (CA Indoor Climbing Coalition, 10/21/2020)
• Coronavirus – The Impact on Outdoor Centres, Guides and Instructors (Dan Bailey, UK Climbing, 10/16/2020)
• Ask a Lawyer: Hiring in the Age of COVID (Jason Pill, CBJ, 10/2/2020)
• Climbing Chalk and Covid-19 – Infectious Particles Reduced by Over 99% (Gripped, 9/9/2020)
• CWA July Survey Results Reveal New Insights Around Reopening (CBJ, 8/21/2020)
• Results from Canadian Climbing Survey About Gyms / COVID (Gripped, 8/14/2020)
• Lessons Learned from the COVID Crisis (Vol 2): We Are Better Together (John Burgman, CBJ, 8/7/2020)
• Lessons Learned from the COVID Crisis (Vol 1): Have a Growth Mindset (John Burgman, CBJ, 7/31/2020)
• UK Climbing Wall Reopening – Update and ABC Guidelines (Natalie Berry, UK Climbing, 7/20/2020)
• Navigating COVID-19 Guidelines: Know Your Agencies and What They Do (CBJ, 7/10/2020)
• Routesetting in a New Era: Behind the Wrench with Eddie Morillas (John Burgman, CBJ, 7/10/2020)
• Gyms in South America Are Adapting Too (John Burgman, CBJ, 7/3/2020)
• Chloé Legault on Reopening of Bloc Shop and Quebec Gyms (Noah Walker, Gripped, 7/2/2020)
• Navigating COVID-19 Guidance to Reopen Your Gym (Jason Pill, Phelps Dunbar, 6/29/2020)
• Should Gyms Give COVID-19 Orientations? (John Burgman, CBJ, 6/19/2020)
• Opinion: Why I Still Believe In Rock Gym Pro (Scott Rennak, CBJ, 6/18/2020)
• Andrew Coffey on Reopening The Hive Climbing Gym (Noah Walker, Gripped, 6/16/2020)
• The Future of Climbing Competitions in a COVID-19 World (John Burgman, CBJ, 6/9/2020)
• Although anxious to reopen gyms, climbing industry concedes there’s no way to keep walls disinfected (John Meyer, The Denver Post, 6/8/2020)
• Opinion: I Went to a Reopened Rock Gym During the Coronavirus Pandemic… and It Was Just Fine (Matt Samet, Climbing Mag, 6/7/2020)
• What It’s Like to Open a New Gym During a Pandemic (John Burgman, CBJ, 6/4/2020)
• Sign here first: US salons, gyms, offices require coronavirus waivers (Reuters, 6/1/2020)
• Canada’s First Reopened Climbing Gym: Closed (Noah Walker, Gripped, 6/1/2020)
• It’s a New World: Behind the Desk with Michael Feinberg (John Burgman, CBJ, 5/29/2020)
• Ask A Lawyer: COVID-19 and Liability (Jason Pill, CBJ, 5/27/2020)
• CWA Restructuring Its Leadership Team (CBJ, 5/27/2020)
• Restart Climbing Survey Full Results (Vertical-Life, 5/22/2020)
• A Custodian of Community: Behind the Closures with Jordan Mackay (John Burgman, CBJ, 5/22/2020)
• Video: How Will Your Climbing Gym Change When It Reopens? (Tyler Norton, Plastic Weekly, 5/20/2020)
• Andrew Coffey and the Future of Climbing Gyms (Noah Walker, Gripped, 5/17/2020)
• Chalk Business is Changing Too: Behind the Closures with Kevin Brown (John Burgman, CBJ, 5/12/2020)
• Using Hierarchy of Hazard Controls to Guide Your COVID-19 Operations (Black Gallina, 5/12/2020)
• How Climbing Gyms Are Reopening (John Burgman, CBJ, 5/9/2020)
• Can Liquid Chalk Protect Climbers From Coronavirus as Gyms Begin to Reopen? (Andrew Abeleira, Gym Climber, 5/8/2020)
• Now Is the Time to Come Together: Behind the Closures with Andy Nelson (John Burgman, CBJ, 5/8/2020)
• Overview of RGP COVID-19 Reopening Tools (RGP, 5/7/2020)
• Restart Climbing Survey (Vertical-Life, 5/7/2020)
• Reopening and Financial Plans (Kristin Horowitz, Ascent Ventures, 5/4/2020)
• 5 Ways Autobelays Can Help You Reopen With Success (TRUBLUE, 5/4/2020)
• Behind the Closures: Andrea Charest from Petra Cliffs (John Burgman, CBJ, 5/1/2020)
• Key Staff Members Depart from Rock Gym Pro (CBJ, 4/28/2020)
• Climbing Gyms – Getting Started Again (Head Rush email, 4/23/2020)
• With Lobbying Push, Gyms Get On Phase One of Trump’s Reopening Plan (CNN, 4/23/2020)
• Georgia Climbing Gyms Given Permission to Reopen (John Burgman, CBJ, 4/22/2020)
• Behind the Closures: Hannah Mosier from Climb Tulsa (John Burgman, CBJ, 4/22/2020)
• Reopening Climbing Gyms – Software Tools Are Ready to Help (Vertical-Life, 4/22/2020)
• Learning From Latitude: Navigating the Coronavirus (Kaleigh Malinowski, Vertical Solutions, 4/20/2020)
• Gyms Rank Among The First To Be Allowed To Re-Open (SGB Media, 4/19/2020)
• Strategy Outline for COVID-19 Risk Mitigation in Climbing Gyms (Vertical-Life, 4/17/2020)
• Joe Anderson Interview on Gym Ownership During a Pandemic (Beckett Aizeki, Gym Climber, 4/16/2020)
• Coronavirus Loan Options + Management (Kristin Horowitz, Ascent Ventures, 4/15/2020)
• Behind the Closures: Don Campbell from Gemstone (John Burgman, CBJ, 4/8/2020)
• How Climbing Gyms Can Identify Their Key Business Questions (Black Gallina, 4/5/2020)
• Sweden Keeps Climbing Gyms Open During Pandemic (Gripped, 4/3/2020)
• Behind the Closures: Jesse Waldorf from Strait Up (John Burgman, CBJ, 4/1/2020)
• Breaking Down the Record $2.2 Trillion Coronavirus Relief Act (Phelps Dunbar, 3/31/2020)
• The 4 Phases of Climbing Gym Crisis Management (Christian Popien, Vertical-Life, 3/31/2020)
• How to Clean and Disinfect Climbing Walls, Holds, Flooring, Ropes & Autobelays (Eldo, 3/30/2020)
• Does Your Gym Need Funding? Or Want To Invest? (CBJ, 3/28/2020)
• Things To Consider While Your Gym Is Closed (Kristin Horowitz, Ascent Ventures, 3/27/2020)
• Disinfectants For Use Against COVID-19 (EPA, 3/19/2020)
• Steps Gyms Can Take When Suspending Operations (RGP, 3/16/2020)
• Protecting & Disinfecting Your Devices (Head Rush Tech email, 3/13/2020)
• Ask A Lawyer: Can Gyms Ask Sick Customers to Leave? (CBJ, 3/4/2020)
• What Can My Climbing Gym Do About COVID-19? (CBJ, 3/4/2020)
• Climbing Gym Operators (Facebook group)
• Routesetters Anonymous (Facebook group)
• Graphics to understand social distancing (The Washington Post, 3/14/2020)

NEWS & EVENTS FROM CLIMBING ORGANIZATIONS

• Since September 2020 these links have been in our Insider News
• USA Climbing Releases New Rulebook (CBJ, 9/7/2020)
• IFSC Presents It’s 2021 Competition Calendar (IFSC, 9/3/2020)
• Climbing During COVID-19 Working Group (IFSC)
• IFSC World Cups in Salt Lake City and Seoul Cancelled (IFSC, 9/1/2020)
• USAC Announces Bid Process for 2021 National Cup Series Events (USA Climbing, 8/31/2020)
• The First IFSC World Cup During the Pandemic (John Burgman, Climbing Mag, 8/24/2020)
• First 2020 IFSC World Cup Will Take Place This Weekend In Briançon (Gym Climber, 8/19/2020)
• USAC Announces Significant Changes to 20-21 Season (USA Climbing, 8/12/2020)
• First Ever IFSC Connected Speed Knockout to Take Place on August 2 (IFSC, 7/23/2020)
• USA Climbing Announces Women in Climbing Summit Sept 21-26 (USAC, 7/15/2020)
• IFSC Cancels Three World Cups In China, Following Decision of the Chinese Government (IFSC, Gym Climber, 7/15/2020)
• New Member Joins USAC’s Board of Directors (CBJ, 7/8/2020)
• USAC Realigns Regions for Youth and Collegiate Series (CBJ, 7/8/2020)
• World Indoor Climbing Summit Postponed to 2021 (Gym Climber, 7/7/2020)
• IFSC Releases Provisional 2020 World Cup Schedule (Gym Climber, 6/29/2020)
• AAC Announces Next CEO – Mitsu Iwasaki (AAC, 6/22/2020)
• Host Venues for 2021 Competitions Will Be Determined by Bid Process (John Burgman, CBJ, 6/18/2020)
• COVID-19 Reaches USA Climbing National Team Training Center (CBJ, 6/14/2020)
• Cancellation of Most National Championships (USAC, 5/20/2020)
• USAC Seeks to Fill New Volunteer Positions (CBJ, 5/15/2020)
• IFSC Releases Its 2019 Annual Report (CBJ, 5/7/2020)
• USA Climbing Cancels Youth Sport & Speed Regionals and Divisionals (USAC, 5/2/2020)
• Practical Beta on Climbing in the COVID Era (AAC, 5/1/2020)
• Climbing During the Coronavirus Pandemic (Access Fund, 4/28/2020)
• USA Climbing Rulebook Version Four Now Available (USAC, 4/27/2020)
• Recipients of 2020 Collegiate Climbing Ambassador Scholarship (USAC, 4/24/2020)
• Restructuring Announcement From the CWA Board (CWA, 4/22/2020)
• Parks Canada Closed Until At Least May 31 (Gripped, 4/15/2020)
• USAC Delays Decisions for Remainder of Youth Season (USAC, 4/10,2020)
• IFSC Announces Action Plan for 2020 Comp Season (Gym Climber, 4/6/2020)
• June O.R. Trade Show Cancelled (Outdoor Retailer, 4/2/2020)
• Dates for Postponed Tokyo Olympics Confirmed (IFSC, 3/31/2020)
• GoPro Mountain Games Postponed To Aug 20-23 (Vail Valley Foundation, 3/30/2020)
• State & Federal Policy Updates During COVID-19 (OIA, 3/29/2020)
• Stress and Resilience for Coronavirus (AMGA)
• Climbing Area Closures and Restrictions Due to COVID-19 (Access Fund, 3/27/2020)
• Tokyo 2020 Olympics Postponed Until 2021 (Olympic.org, 3/24/2020)
• Access Fund COVID-19 Resources for Climbers (AF, 3/23,2020)
• Team Canada Will Not Send Athletes to Summer 2020 Games (COC, 3/22/2020)
• CWA Summit Cancelled (CWA, 3/17/2020)
• USAC Update About Championship Events (USAC, 3/17/2020)
• Climbers: Take Action Against Coronavirus (AAC, 3/17/2020)
• AAC Lodging Coronavirus Update (AAC, 3/17/2020)
• Update on IFSC Competitions (ISFC, 3/16/2020)
• Access Fund and COVID-19 (AF, 3/13/2020)
• UIAA Cancels Spring Meetings (UIAA, 3/13/2020)
• USA Climbing Suspending Season Through April (USAC, 3/12/2020)
• USA Climbing Board Votes To Postpone Events (USAC, 3/10/2020
• AAC Annual Benefit Dinner Coronavirus Update (AAC, 3/5/2020)
• USA Climbing Statement Regarding Coronavirus (USAC, 3/5/2020)
• IOC Approves New T20 Qualification System (IFSC, 3/3/2020)
• IFSC Board Decides to Postpone T20 Qualification Events (IFSC, 2/12/2020)

ADDITIONAL CLIMBING NEWS & OPINIONS

This virus is affecting our entire community and industry. At CBJ we have decided to build this page as a resource for news and opinions for those who manage climbing gyms or associated entities. The links above lead to sources that we know to be reliable, and opinions we think should be heard. Our goal is to inform and connect our industry, and our only opinion is to minimize risk to businesses and individuals. We are focusing on North America and English-language media, but we know this is worldwide and hope other geographies and language-speakers do not feel excluded, we have to focus our limited resources. Please contact us with additions/corrections/etc and we will add to these pages if appropriate. Thank you for patience with our updates.

 

Climbing Business Journal

Climbing Business Journal is an independent news outlet dedicated to covering the indoor climbing industry. Here you will find the latest coverage of climbing industry news, gym developments, industry best practices, risk management, climbing competitions, youth coaching and routesetting. Have an article idea? CBJ loves to hear from readers like you!