As the weather warms and climbers eagerly anticipate the shifting seasons, the distinction between bouldering and sport climbing becomes paramount in competitive climbing circles. Each discipline has its dedicated season, with bouldering season typically falling in the cooler months and sport climbing dominating the warmer ones.
If you or your kids are interested in climbing, you have probably been to an indoor gym or two, especially if you live in a metropolitan area. Maybe your kids are just starting to learn rock climbing basics or have been hitting the gym for a while. Regardless of experience level, youth climbing teams are an excellent way for children to get involved with their local climbing community and build on their skills.
Here are three reasons why your child should consider joining a climbing team.
- Competitive Climbing Teams Encourage Growth in Skill
The competitive climbing environment is a different experience for each child, but generally, this is a climbing environment that fosters growth on and off the wall. Kids who join youth climbing teams have access to professional-level coaching. Proper mentorship is invaluable, especially if the goal is to make it to the Olympics for climbing.
Supportive coaches and teammates foster a sense of healthy competition. It can be an incredible experience having the opportunity to advance climbing techniques alongside peers and work together to crack the beta. Joining competitive climbing teams can be a motivating factor for kids to excel at the sport.
- Youth Climbers Who Stick with the Sport Are Strong Climbers
Children are the future of climbing. Climbers who start young and dedicate themselves to the sport tend to become solid climbers as adults. You may have heard of professional climbers like Tommy Caldwell, Chris Sharma, Margo Hayes, Ashima Shiraishi, and Kai Lightner. Hayes was the first woman to climb 5.15, repeating Biography (Sharma’s first ascent), and Shiraishi became the first female to send the grade of V15 at just 14 years old (Horizon in Japan).
All of the aforementioned climbers are accomplished, world-renowned climbers who have pushed the limits of the sport and started climbing at young ages. Much evidence supports that climbers who start climbing in their youth and stick with it excel in the sport (this is true of many sports).
- The Climbing Community
The climbing community is a positive environment. Go into any climbing gym, and you will feel community. The social and psychological benefits of belonging to a community that promotes healthy habits cannot be overstated.
Climbing is usually a communal activity. Roped climbers rely on their belay partners to keep them safe, and conversely, boulderers are typically more comfortable with spotters than climbing solo over their crash pads. You will often see boulderers in the gym working on problems together, sharing beta, and building relationships with people through common interests. From a personal perspective, the level of support and camaraderie that this writer has found within the climbing community is unparalleled.
In and around the Tysons Corner and Manassas area, climbers are fortunate to have Vertical Rock as their go-to destination for both bouldering and roped climbing training facilities. Offering a unique blend of challenges, Vertical Rock stands as the sole gym in the vicinity providing comprehensive resources for both types of climbing.
Notably, nestled in the heart of Tysons Corner, Vertical Rock boasts a high-level advanced bouldering-only training facility, catering to the most dedicated athletes. With a rich legacy spanning 12 years, Vertical Rock has been instrumental in nurturing and honing the skills of competitive climbers, setting a standard of excellence within the climbing community. Are you local to Northern Virginia and the greater Tysons Corner/ Manassas area and are looking to get your kids involved in competitive youth climbing? Contact us or drop by one of our gyms. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff can give you the lay of the land, tell you more about our coaches, and answer any questions you may have about competitive youth climbing.
