Just a few thoughts

The North American climbing industry is busy wrapping plans and packing bags for Salt Lake City. Bunch of good inspo for that below and tickets are still available. Going to the CWA Summit? Stop by the CBJ booth and say “hi” – if you’re a member, we’ll have a gift for you!

Community & Culture

• By Apr 29: Apply for Gear Distribution Program (Global Climbing Initiative)
• Podcast: Athletes, Training Centers & Road to LA28 – Marc Norman (Scott Rennak, CBJ)
• Gender, politics, and performance – climbing shatters the myth of testosterone (Marion Reymund, Vertige Media)
• The Silver Generation Is Discovering Climbing (Harness Consulting)
• March Gym Round Up (Euro Climbing News)

CBJ’s Summit Comprehensive

• 2026 CWA Summit Week A to Z
• A 72-Hour Field Guide to the CWA Summit
• From the Keynote to the Roundtable: Why the Conversations at the CWA Summit Are Worth the Trip
• A Practical Guide to Networking: What It Takes to Build Real Connections at the CWA Summit
• Making Sense of a Growing Industry: Why the CWA Summit Helps Leaders Navigate Complexity
• The Case for Showing Up in Person: The Power of Being in the Room at the CWA Summit and Why Presence Matters
• The Cognitive Science Behind Showing Up: In-Person Learning at the CWA Summit Builds Lasting Knowledge and Fights Fatigue
• Lessons in Communication: What Climbing Gym Operators Learn at the CWA Summit

Comp Scene

• Apr 25-26: NACS Bridgeport (USAC)
• May 15-17: Riverrock Boulder Bash (Riverrock)
• New Role – National Route Setter (Sport Climbing Australia)

Crag Scene

• May 2-3: Joe’s Valley Pump-A-Thon Returns (JVCC)
• Take Our 2026 Climber Survey (Access Fund)
• Meet Your 2026 Field Teams (Access Fund)
• Podcast: Drew Brodhead, SLCA Coordinator – Anchor Maintenance & Climbing Advocacy (The Climbing Majority)

For Managers

• CBJ Compensation Survey for Climbing Gym Employees 2026 (CBJ)
• New Recyclable Roped Flooring by Strati Climbing (CBJ)
• CLIMBMANAGER Launches Events Feature for Climbing Gyms (CBJ)
• Griptonite Launches “Spray,” a New Pro Feature for Movement Analysis (CBJ)
• Maverick Climbing’s Daily Gym Design Giveaway at the 2026 CWA Summit (CBJ)
• Video: Creating Climbing Communities with special guest, Chris Ryan (Maverick Climbing)

For Routesetters

• Apr 15-17: Para Routesetting Clinic in Reno NV (USAC)
• Apr 20-21: Level 1 Clinic in St Paul MN (USAC)
• May 18-19: Level 1 Clinic in Alexandria VA (USAC)
• Routesetting Demographic Survey (Vortex Routesetting)
• The Role of Color in Routesetting and Training (Atomik Climbing Holds)
• EP Climbing Introduces the Heritage Range, Inspired by the Original Hexagon Holds (CBJ)

For Routesetters

• Video: A Radical Shift in How You Take Holds (Hooper’s Beta)
• Podcast: Turning Gym Gains to Real Rock Performance – Bridging the Gap (Eric Hörst, PhysiVāntage)

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.

The post Climb Insider: the Summit comprehensive appeared first on Climbing Business Journal.

Just a few thoughts

It’s a perennial question for our industry – how much are people earning? Last year CBJ published a thorough compensation analysis of climbing gym workers, and we are now collecting this data for a fresh update. We conduct this research to help all parties learn more about compensation standards and foster more equitable workplaces. As a bonus, we have lined up over $1000 of giveaways, and the earlier you take the survey, the more chances you have to win. First up – $100 cash winner will be chosen Monday next week, so take the survey today!

Community & Culture

• The myth of the rebellious climber is dead (and that’s good news) (Matthew Amaré, Vertige Media)
• New Kilter Board App – Reclaim The Boulders You Created (CBJ)
• Video: Kilter Board App 2.0 – Walkthrough Video (Kilter Grips)

April 1st

• The first invisible climbing holds are here (Bluepill)
• California Nutrition Startup Launches New Protein Chalk for Climbing (Samantha Macilwaine, Climbing-dot-com)
• Introducing BrushScore: Clean Holds, Clean Community (8a.nu)
• Alexander Megos ends his climbing career – and plans to tackle the Seven Summits (Lacrux)
• The grades will be recalibrated – 7a becomes 6c (Laurence Guyon, La Fabrique Verticale)

Comp Scene

• May 8-10: Crackfest Festival 2026 (Boulderwelt)
• May 15-16: Salt Lake City To Host World’s Top Para Climbers for World Climbing Para Series (USAC)
• A Letter from the USA Climbing Athletes’ Commission In Support of the National Training Center (CBJ)
• The business of the Climbing World Cups – under the accounts of a sport in transition (Pierre-Gaël Pasquiou, Vertige Media)

For Managers

• CBJ Compensation Survey for Climbing Gym Employees 2026 (CBJ)
• 2026 CWA Summit Week A to Z (CBJ)
• 18 New Climbing Products and Services for Spring 2026 (CBJ)
• Sustaining Your Business Model Through Choppy Waters (Aitana Martinez, CWA)
• The Impact of Boutique Aesthetics on Member Retention (Elevate Climbing Walls)

For Routesetters

• Apr 10: Intro to Routesetting hosted by the Brown Girls Climb (The Boulder Garden)
• Podcast: Jackie Hueftle, Pro Climbing League Routesetting Director (That’s Not Real Climbing)
• Podcast: Welcome our next guest – Takashi (Another Setting Podcast)

Training Tips

• Video: Transitioning from Gym Training to Outdoor Performance Climbing (Eric Hörst, Training 4 Climbing)
• The Power of Pre-Climb Rituals – Preparing for Peak Performance (Lucie Hanes, Training 4 Climbing)
• Video: How the Best Climbers Make Up Boulders… (Paradigm Climbing)

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.

The post Climb Insider: compensation survey appeared first on Climbing Business Journal.

Just a few thoughts

Climbing wall have long been a feature at schools and rec centers. But is there a new era coming? A few perspectives below. Plus some routesetting conversations, another nice tactics video from Roy, and a homewall to envy.

Community & Culture

• An Electrical Accident Destroyed My Hands. Relearning How to Climb Was a Gift. (Melissa Strong, Climbing-dot-com)
• The Ascent Will be Televised (Andrew Bisharat, Evening Sends)
• Video: Board Climbing With a Hold-Making Legend (Wedge Climbing)

Comp Scene

• USA High School National Rankings 2026 (ASCL)
• Rab CWIF 2026 – Round-Up (the last one ever!) (Rob Greenwood, UK Climbing)
• GB Paraclimbing Team Announced for 2026 Season (BMC)
• World Climbing Welcomes ACF (World Climbing / IFSC)
• Video: 2026 Nationals at Flowstate Bouldering Philippines (Walltopia)

Industry Scene

• Strike at Climb Up – in Aubervilliers, the fight continues (Matthew Amaré, Vertige Media)
• Is this the end of the outdoor boom in the United States? (Matthew Amaré, Vertige Media)
• Dates Announced for 7th Edition (Salon de l’Escalade)

For Managers

• How Climbing Walls Build Inclusive Campus Communities (Elevate Climbing Walls)
• Why Climbing Walls Are Becoming a Cornerstone of Modern Recreation Facilities (Walltopia, Athletic Business)
• The opening of an indoor climbing gym – between the pleasure of climbing and commercial strategy (Laurence Guyon, La Fabrique Verticale)

For Routesetters

• Podcast: Creative Ego: The Good and The Bad – Zuoyi Phang (Holly Chen, CBJ)
• Podcast: Sweden is great! (Beta Routesetting)
• When does a climb stop being yours? (The Movement Routesetting)
• Video: The Tasteful Art of Routesetting – Changing Corners (Roy Quanstrom, Trango)

Training Tips

• Podcast: Tyler Nelson – Building Strong Shoulders, Doing The Right Amount Of Work, and The Problem With Prehab (The Testpiece)
• Podcast: Why Climbers Are So Anxious About Food –  And What to Do About It (Neely Quinn, TrainingBeta)
• A Smarter Way To Build Stronger Fingers – New Research On Tendon Training For Climbers (PhysiVāntage)
• Video: Ultimate A2 Pulley Injury Recovery Guide (Hooper’s Beta)

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.

The post Climb Insider: walls, comps, setting appeared first on Climbing Business Journal.

Just a few thoughts

Over the past year you may have noticed more shares of international news and commentary (just hit “translate” on your browser). In particular I’ll shout out Vertige Media of France, whose editors tackle some of the toughest topics in our industry. A nice variety from them below this week.

Community & Culture

• Podcast: Old School Gyms vs Mega Gyms, Which Is Better for Climbers? (The Struggle)
• Is the climbing gym a dopamine machine? (Pierre-Gaël Pasquiou, Vertige Media)
• Commercial climbing – when profitability erodes passion (Pierre-Gaël Pasquiou, Vertige Media)
• Annual Report 2025 (Global Climbing Initiative)
• Video: How Bad is that for your Rope? (Hard Is Easy)

Comp Scene

• USA Ice Climbing Forms as an Independent Organization (AAC)
• USA Climbing’s National Training Center construction project jumps quarter-million-dollar hurdle (Steven Chua, Gripped)
• USA Climbing faces opposition from private climbing gyms over its future national center (Pierre-Gaël Pasquiou, Vertige Media)
• New Australian Coaching Positions (Sport Climbing Australia)

Industry Scene

• Podcast: Profitability vs. People – REI Cuts Pay & Benefits (Rock Fight)
• Update – REI Cuts Pay and Benefits as Union Negotiations Break Down (Kate Robertson, Shop-Eat-Surf-Outdoor)
• Climb Up – CEO resigns amid unprecedented national strike (Matthew Amaré, Vertige Media)

For Managers

• Return on Investment in Certifying Staff, Part 2 (Heather Reynolds, CWA)
• Free and Inexpensive Marketing for Climbing Gyms (Carter Smith, CWA)
• A Structural Shift: Why Over 250 Climbing Gyms Have Chosen the Redpoint HQ Platform (CBJ)
• Video: AMGA-BLM Webinar on EXPLORE Act Title III Implementation (AMGA)

For Routesetters

• Apr 11-12: Pre-CWA Setting Workshop (Essential Climbing, CBJ)
• Video: New USAC x CWA Certification Integration (ft. Jeremy Ho)  (Vortex Routesetting, CBJ)
• Video: Bangkok Clutch 2025 – Bangkoks Biggest Bouldering competition (Beta Routesetting)
• Video: Inside the First-Ever U.S. Climbing Clinics with Movement Gyms x B-Pump (Movement Gyms)

Training Tips

• Podcast: Overtraining – The Causes and Consequences and How to Stop Doing It (TrainingBeta)
• Peakspan – The New Longevity Metric Every Athlete Should Care About (PhysiVāntage)
• Video: Journaling for Climbing and Training Webinar (Paradigm Climbing)

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.

The post Climb Insider: gyms, people & profits appeared first on Climbing Business Journal.

Just a few thoughts

The excitement is building for North American industry professionals – the storied CWA Summit is only a month away! For many, it’s the one time of year to catch up with old friends and coworkers, pick up new tips and tactics for running your business, and lay hands on the latest innovations. Get your tickets today – price goes up Monday!

Community & Culture

• International Women’s Day 2026 – Give To Gain (World Climbing / IFSC)
• An Indie Brand Goes Mainstream – Inside the Paradox of the Mellow Film Tour (Holly Yu Tung Chen, Climbing-dot-com)
• Safer Than Socks in Your Hat – A History of Climbing Helmets (AAC)
• Access Fund Announces 2025 Climbing Advocate Awardees (Access Fund)
• Just Send It – A Rock Climbing Card Game (Kickstarter)

Industry/Gym Scene

• For Sale: Climbing Gym For Sale In North Carolina (CBJ)
• Podcast: Building Gyms and a Career in Climbing – Brett Jessen (Scott Rennak, CBJ)
• The Roof climbing gyms – an investigation into a robust model (Matthew Amaré, Vertige Media)
• New strike at Climb’Up – employees in Angers denounce the deterioration of their working conditions (Martin Baudry, Grimper)

From the Trade Shows

• Apr 15-17: CWA Summit in Salt Lake City
• Apr 28-29: Asian Climbing Summit in Malaysia
• A 72-Hour Field Guide to the CWA Summit (CBJ)
• 2026 CWA Summit Keynote Speakers Announced (CBJ)
• Sponsorship packages now available for the 2026 ABC Conference (ABC Walls)

For Managers/Owners

• Mar 19: Industry Practices Update – Bouldering Operations (CWA)
• Apr 27: Gym Operations & Customer Experience Roundtable (CWA)
• A 72-Hour Field Guide to the CWA Summit (CBJ)

For Routesetters

• Video: New USAC x CWA Certification Integration (ft. Jeremy Ho) (Vortex Routesetting, CBJ)
• Podcast: Dan Yagmin – The Art of Hold Shaping (The Testpiece)
• Podcast: How many colors & levels does a gym need? (Beta Routesetting)
• Video: Boulder Bundesliga at Studio Bloc Wiesbaden (Beta Routesetting)
• Video: Connors back – Plus more new holds (Kilter Grips)

Comp Scene

• USA Climbing Names 2026 National Teams: Boulder – Lead – Speed (USAC)
• Iran war forces World Climbing (IFSC) to cancel in-person general assembly in Saudi Arabia (Steven Chua, Gripped)
• Confirmed – 2026 North American Cup Series Events in Québec and Alberta (Christiane Marceau, CEC)
• Calls for Event Lead Nominations (Christiane Marceau, CEC)

More PCL Talk

• Podcast: The Pro Climbing League, tactics and general chat (Careless Talk)
• The Pro Climbing League Gambled on a New Comp Format. Did It Work? (Steven Potter, Climbing-dot-com)
• Behind the Boards – Inside the Pro Climbing League’s Debut Event (Euro Climbing News)

Training Tips

• Podcast: 15 Quick (Powerful) Tips to Climb Your Best This Season (Eric Hörst, Training 4 Climbing)
• Tactics -Should You Try to Climb It Better? (Kris Hampton, The Power Company)
• Video: Frequency – How Often to Climb/Train (Paradigm Climbing)

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.

The post Climb Insider: comp and industry talk appeared first on Climbing Business Journal.

Just a few thoughts

In climbing, we often don’t like to talk about injuries and accidents. But they happen, and below are a couple stories of recovery and resilience. Also some recaps and reactions to the first PCL, new para champions, a celebration of inclusivity, controversy at the NTC, and a pledge for more unions.

Community & Culture

• Climbing Through – Hello, Old Friend (Melissa Strong, Evening Sends)
• A Team Sport – The Psychology of Caregiving After A Climbing Accident (AAC)
• Amassa Climb – a collective committed with humility to the challenge of inclusion (Salon de l’Escalade)
• Indonesia – Eight athletes accuse their coach of sexual harassment (Pierre-Gaël Pasquiou, Vertige Media)

Industry/Gym Scene

• Gyms Continue to Object to New National Training Center (John Burgman, CBJ)
• Keynote Speakers Announced for CWA Summit 2026 (CWA)
• Climbing Workers United – “We’re going to double the number of unionized climbing gyms in the United States” (Matthew Amaré, Vertige Media)
• February Gym Round Up (Euro Climbing News)

Comp Scene

• Mar 4-8: How To Watch the 2026 National Team Trials (USAC)
• Max Milne and Oriane Bertone become the inaugural Pro Climbing League Champions (Xa White, UK Climbing)
• 25 Para Climbing National Champions Crowned in Katy (USAC)
• 2026 Senior National Team Selection – Official Roster (Kraig Devlin, CEC)
• AUDE Joins World Climbing Family (World Climbing / IFSC)

For Managers/Owners

• Mar 19: Industry Practices Update – Bouldering Operations (CWA)
• How Space Shapes Community & Member Loyalty (Elevate Climbing Walls)
• How to Grow Your Guide Business – Profitably (AMGA)

For Routesetters

• New Climbing Holds and Volumes: March 2026 (CBJ)
• Video: Setting for a Youth Boulder Championship Training Camp (Sarah Bucknam)
• Video: Route setting at Beest Delft – Opening set Vlog (Beta Routesetting)
• Video: PCL Setting Recap (Impact Route Setting)

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.

The post Climb Insider: accidents, controversies, and the Summit coming soon appeared first on Climbing Business Journal.

Just a few thoughts

A bunch of hot button pieces this week. Industry growth is slipping? USAC National Training Center? Human waste, and crag advocacy? “Neutral” Russian athletes back in the comp circuit? Is climbing political? Hard to argue otherwise, but it’s nice when you can leave that behind and just go climbing.

Community & Culture

• The escalation is political. (Ariel-Britany Ward, Vertige Media)
• 20 Remarkable Moments in Black Climbing History, From 1889 Until Now (Samantha Macilwaine, Climbing-dot-com)
• Is GP1 the world’s stickiest climbing shoe rubber? We put it to the test (Steven Chua, Gripped)
• A history of the evolution of private climbing gyms (Rémi Lemettre and Augustin Rogeaux, Grimper)
• Survey: 50+ Climbing Gym Demographics & Utilization Survey (JoAnne Carilli Stevenson)

Comp Scene

• Feb 27-28: How to watch the Pro Climbing League (Red Bull)
• Feb 28-Mar 1: How to watch the 2026 USAC Para Climbing National Championships (USAC)
• British Lead Championships – Butterworth and McNeice Crowned 2026 Champions (BMC)
• USA Climbing project gets a pass and a pause at City Hall (Luke Garrott, Building Salt Lake)
• World Climbing Confirms Athletes’ Neutrality Rules While Reviewing Suspension of Russian and Belarus Federations (World Climbing / IFSC)
• World Climbing in Riyadh – Neutrality with Variable Geometry (Pierre-Gaël Pasquiou, Vertige Media)

Crag Scene

• Top 10 Climbing Advocacy Victories of 2025 (Access Fund)
• The Problem of Human Waste Management in the Wilderness (Hannah Provost, AAC)
• Black Diamond Brings Golden Carabiner Back to Colorado’s Front Range (OIA)

Industry Talk

• Video: You’re Building Your Climbing Walls All Wrong – A conversation with Jason Thomas, Founder of Redpoint Studio (Rise Above Consulting)
• Climbing gyms – a sector losing its balance? (Emma Delaunay, Grimper)
• Climb, sign, or give up? American industry faces liability waivers (Pierre-Gaël Pasquiou, Vertige Media)

For Routesetters

• Mar 10: New USAC x CWA Certification Integration (ft. Jeremy Ho) (Vortex Routesetting, CBJ)
• Podcast: Inside USA Climbing’s Routesetting Program – Jeremy Ho (Holly Chen, CBJ)
• A Long-Term Approach to Holds: The Details at Essential That Make a Great Hold Inventory (Essential Climbing, CBJ)

Training Tips

• Podcast: Board Climbing Pros, Cons, and Best Practices with Matt Pincus (Neely Quinn, TrainingBeta)
• Video: Shoulder Hypermobility – Stephen Kiraly (The Climbing Doctor)
• Video: Skin Webinar (Paradigm Climbing)

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.

The post Climb Insider: hard topics and a new comp appeared first on Climbing Business Journal.

Just a few thoughts

Congrats to our newly crowned National Champions of the US and Canada! And to all those who supported the event and athletes! For those in the industry, below is a talk with the world’s top CEO, a French take on the US market, and Spain’s first trade show. Also below is a link to the first-ever open-enrollment for the new CWA PRS Provider certification. Those CWA certs are soon gonna be integrated with USAC levels, and below is a CBJ webinar coming up that will delve into that plan.

Community & Culture

• Podcast: Leading the World’s Largest Climbing Gym Chain – Anne-Worley Moelter (Scott Rennak, CBJ)
• Climbing gyms – the end of the American dream (Matthew Amaré, Vertige Media)
• Spain’s First National Gym Conference – Write Up (Euro Climbing News)
• Resetter Climbing by Andreas Trunz – bio-sourced holds (Laurence Guyon, La Fabrique Verticale)
• Climbing Beyond Cancer (Tom Vaessen-Walker, NICAS)

Comp Scene

• 2026 YETI National Championships: Grossman and Hoyer Win Boulder – Jennings and Curcio Win Speed  – Raboutou and Duffy Win Lead (USAC)
• Canada’s Lead Climbing National Champions Crowned in Calgary (Aaron Pardy, Gripped)
• Video: Post win chat with Cedar Pidgeon (BetaBreakerz, CEC)
• Video: Post win interview with Kindar McNamee (BetaBreakerz, CEC)

For Managers & Owners

• What Makes a Climbing Gym a Third Place (Carter Smith, CWA)
• Bouldering Padding System Maintenance – Your Bouldering Padding Is Talking to You (Jamey Sproull, CWA)
• Climbing Wall Design Ideas for Every Skill Level (Elevate Climbing Walls)

For Routesetters

• Mar 2-3: Routesetting Clinics with Tonde Katiyo and Amin Abbasi in Austin (Mesa Rim, CBJ)
• Mar 10: New USAC x CWA Certification Integration (ft. Jeremy Ho) (Vortex Routesetting, CBJ)
• Apr 9-23: PRS Provider Course in SLC (CWA)
• Inside B-Pump’s First-Ever U.S. Climbing Clinic with Movement Gyms (Movement Gyms)
• Video: Welcome To The Setting Room (EpicTV)

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.

The post Climb Insider: champions and certifications appeared first on Climbing Business Journal.

Just a few thoughts

First, best wishes to all of the US and Canadian competitors, routesetters, coaches, volunteers, and event organizers at Nationals this week!

Then, a huge shout-out to the CBJ team for delivering our best-ever report. Our 13th annual Gyms & Trends is a labor of love combining efforts from every one of our team, especially Joe Robinson who leads all of our data analysis projects. Thank you Joe, John, Naomi, and Megan!

Last, a thank you to all our subscribers. This is our 300th Climb Insider! Over the years I’ve curated over 6000 links to share, and I do it for you. Reply anytime, I always love to hear from you! -Scott

Community & Culture

• Gyms and Trends 2025 (CBJ)
• Podcast: Talking with a climbing CEO, Ged from the Hangar (Careless Talk)
• Climbing gyms – some analysis of French market (Laurence Guyon, La Fabrique Verticale)
• Video: The Controversy Of Alex Honnold’s Taipei 101 Free Solo (Hannah Morris)
• Podcast: Enter the Dragon – Taipei 101 Recap (Alex Honnold, Climbing Gold)

Comp Scene

• Feb 21: Tennessee State Championship (ASCL)
• Feb 28: Colorado State Championship (ASCL)
• How To Watch the 2026 YETI National Championships (USAC)
• 2025–2026 Senior National Championships Kick Off This Week in Calgary (Christiane Marceau, CEC)
• The Return of the Specialists (Rory Potter, Inside Climbing)

For Managers & Owners

• Gyms and Trends 2025 (CBJ)
• More CWA Summit Sessions Announced (CWA)
• A Practical Guide to Networking: What It Takes to Build Real Connections at the CWA Summit (CWA, CBJ)
• Sep 16-17: Change of Date – ABC Conference 2026 (ABC Walls)

For Routesetters

• Video: Routesetting for Paraclimbers (ft. Nohl Haeckel) (Vortex Routesetting, CBJ)
• Video: The Art of Tasteful Redirects (Trango)
• Podcast: Boulder Bundesliga & other things (Another Setting Podcast)

Training Tips

• Podcast: The Great Nutrition Reset – Unlocking the New Real Food Pyramid (Eric Hörst, Training 4 Climbing)
• Better Climbing Tactics – Beta > Macrobeta > Microbeta (Kris Hampton, The Power Company)

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.

The post Climb Insider: nationals, annual report, #300 appeared first on Climbing Business Journal.

Just a few thoughts

After a few lighter weeks there’s plenty happening below today. Insights and tips for owners and managers. Stories from non-traditional gyms. Commentaries on data, gender, and Honnold. Preserving crags and boulders. Olympics qualification. Activism. New holds.

Community & Culture

• Podcast: Rachel Carr, Team GB Coach (That’s Not Real Climbing)
• Alex Honnold on Netflix: “It’s not climbing, it’s a circus.” (Matthew Amaré, Vertige Media)
• Can 3D printing preserve a potentially eroding V17 boulder? Or a stolen beloved mini-problem? (Steven Chua, Gripped)
• The Middle Man (Taylor Mckenzie Gerlach, Access Fund)

Activism in Climbing

• Climbing Businesses Show Solidarity With Immigrants and Protesters (CBJ)
• Climbing Companies Halt Operations for National Shutdown Against ICE (Maya Silver, Climbing-dot-com)
• In the United States, the difficult positioning of escalation in relation to government violence (Martin Baudry, Grimper)
• Municipal elections 2026 and antifascism – the FSGT comes out of the woodwork (Pierre-Gaël Pasquiou, Vertige Media)

Comp Scene

• Feb 21-22: Ice Climbing World Cup & Festival in Colorado (Climbing Collective)
• Records Fall as New Champions Rise at the 2025–2026 Speed National Championships (Christiane Marceau, CEC)
• Qualification System for LA28 Released (World Climbing / IFSC)
• Frankenjura – World Cup feeling in Europe’s largest bouldering hall (Lacrux)
• Aleksandra Miroslaw to Retire At The End Of The 2026 Season (World Climbing / IFSC)

Gym & Industry Stories

• Video: Building a Sustainable Climbing Business – The Story Behind Clip ’n Climb & Quay Climbing (EP Climbing)
• Climbing together – the world’s first fully co-managed climbing gym (Matthew Amaré, Vertige Media)
• Sports disengagement – climbing is losing its teenage girls (Matthew Amaré, Vertige Media)
• Climbing Observatory – Figures and Illusions (Pierre-Gaël Pasquiou, Vertige Media)

For Managers & Owners

• Tips for a Successful Climbing Gym in 2026 (Gavin Heverly, Rise Above Consulting)
• How to Actually Write a WAH Plan (Foxman McCarthy-James, CWA)
• Advocating for Routesetting Budgets (Ashley Routson, CWA)
• How Wall Layout Shapes Culture (Elevate Climbing Walls)
• Video: Budgeting for Flooring, Holds and Equipment with special guest Mike Palmer (Maverick Climbing)

For Routesetters

• New Climbing Holds and Volumes: February 2026 (CBJ)
• Routesetting Demographic Survey (Vortex Routesetting)
• Video: Breakdown of complex extended dynamic sequence (Impact Route Setting)

Training Tips

• Podcast: Dr. Tyler Nelson – Stronger Wrists, Stronger Climbing (The Struggle)
• Podcast: A Kind Approach to Overcoming Fear of Falling (Emma McAdam, TrainingBeta)
• Podcast: Board Talk #8 (The Testpiece)

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.

The post Climb Insider: a week full of insights appeared first on Climbing Business Journal.