This past Saturday Diablo Rock Gym hosted a local red point rope climbing competition as part of the USA Climbing Sport Climbing Series. It was a window into the future of climbing with most of the 60 competitors under the age of 19 and as young as 8 years old. To view results please visit the competition page and to see photos visit the online gallery. Wish them all luck for the duration of the season and at the upcoming Northern California Regional On-sight competition on May 17th at the Great Western Power Company.

Labels: comps, concord, kids

One advantage to Great Western Power Company's urban location is its proximity to a number of schools. It is not uncommon on weekdays to find a group of kids experiencing their first taste of climbing on the walls of GWPC. To further Touchstone's commitment to serving underprivileged kids, GWPC provides indoor climbing experiences to kids who otherwise would never know that such an activity exists. Often these kids walk away with a great sense of accomplishment and increased confidence in their ability to face a new challenge. And as this picture attests, the staff has a great time with the kids, too!

Labels: community, kids, oakland

Why aren’t there more parents with kids climbing at the cliff and at the gym? In Europe, climbing is a family affair. The whole clan packs up, heads to the cliff, and makes a day of it. But here, people are surprised to see mom or dad, not just belaying the kids in a birthday party, but actually climbing together with them. Kids are naturals for the activity, and with its safer and more convenient environment, the gym is the perfect place. So here’s the beta.

Number one mistake? Some adult trying to talk (or worse, yell) the kid through every move. But no one learns to climb by listening to the backseat climber on the ground, and no one enjoys it more because someone was blathering on about where your left hand needs to be and all. Net net: except for the occasional ‘great job!’ or ‘wow, look at you!’, ‘rents really must shut up.

Two, don’t push them too hard. Let them go as high as they want (or don’t want), and then let them down when they want down. They’ll warm up to it and develop more courage with familiarity and practice.

Three, make it into a game. Their favorite cartoon character is stranded at the top of the wall and needs to be rescued (Dora the Explorer and her friend Diego are perfect for this), or maybe you can put a prize on the top hold, or have them ring a bell suspended from the top.

Four, adapt, adapt, adapt. You won’t have the big blocks of uninterrupted workout time to yourself that you once did when the kids weren’t around. But if you give them their turns, and if you are prepared to scrap the outing on an occasional bad day, or take advantage of the opportunity when the kids are cooperating, you can still get all the workout you need albeit at a different rate and in a different format.

Five, when you’ve got kids to share it with, bouldering is nearly the perfect form of climbing. You’re close to the ground. You can supervise them closely. Attempts on your boulder problem only take a few seconds. They can easily jump in. And you’ll get sick finger power.

Labels: climbing, kids

Goat Rock isn't exactly the most alluring of names for an outdoor bouldering destination, but as a contingent of Teen Team members discovered, there's some good climbing on those rocks. Other than running afoul of a few patches of poison oak growing in the area, everyone enjoyed an idyllic day with great weather, beautiful vistas of the ocean, good company and fun bouldering.

Labels: climbing, concord, kids

It's almost a wrap for the USA Climbing season, so Concord members Evan Cronin, Gregor Peirce, Troy Gibb, Scott Cory, Gabe Matson and Wes Miraglio (not pictured) made the trek to Portland, Oregon for Divisionals. All did well in their categories, with Scott, Gabe, Gregor and Troy climbing well enough to be invited to Nationals taking place in Ann Arbor, Michigan on July 6-8. It's great to have this group of teens representing Touchstone! We want to with them the best of luck this weekend in Michigan.

Picture by Tom Cronin.

Labels: climbing, comps, concord, kids, members

Touchstone Concord is offering summer rock climbing camps for kids ages 6 to 14. Camp runs M-F from 9am to noon beginning the week of June 18.
Campers will learn how to climb and belay in a supportive, fun environment. They will also try their hand at rappelling, ascending, slack-lining and playing many climbing games. Rock climbing emphasizes life skills such as confidence-building, self-esteem and goal-setting and is a great way to get kids to be active. Safety and having fun are our top priorities. Sign your kids up today! Questions? Call the gym and our friendly front desk staff will be happy to assist you.

Labels: climbing, concord, kids

Two of Sacramento Pipeworks youngest members, brothers Gary (7 years) and Grant Johnson (9 yrs), have been climbing at Pipeworks for less than two years but have just recently begun participating in local climbing comps. They may be small in stature (Gary is 50” tall and 50 lbs, Grant 53” and 65 lbs) but they haven’t let their youth and relative inexperience prevent them from killing in the competitive climbing scene.

Grants’ debut competition was January 28th in Davis where he took first place. He then moved on to a competition in Fremont where he again placed first in his age group while brother Gary took fourth. The diffident duo then traveled to Reno, NV where they placed first and second respectively. From there it was back to Davis for the boys to participate in their first USA Climbing sanctioned competition, with Grant placing first and Gary taking sixth. The boy’s second USAC comp was held at Touchstone Concord and again Grant and Gary did very well, placing both second and third overall and second and fourth in the speed climbing portion of the comp.

When asked about the brother’s meteoric rise on the competition scene, their father Tom said “They trained for 18 months before even considering competing. I finally found something that they LOVE – and I owe it all to this gym!”

Sacramento Pipeworks is happy to be the home gym of Gary and Grant and we expect that this won’t be the last we hear from these young rock stars of the future. We wish them the best of luck at the USAC Divisional competition in Tigard, OR on June 8th.

Labels: climbing, comps, kids, pipeworks

It was May 2005 and Touchstone Concord was hosting the USAC Regional Competition. The gym was abuzz with 81 competitors from 11 different teams and a large crowd of spectators watching the kids vie for an invitation to Nationals. Competition climbing looked to be on track to become the next Little League, gaining in popularity and participation.

Fast forward two years. Touchstone course setters have once again put up National-level routes in preparation for a strong field of junior competitors, but this year the crowds and excitement never materialized. A precipitous drop in the number of competitors, 30% fewer, begs the question: is there a future for competition rope climbing in the U.S.?

The answer is a resounding yes, if Scott Jenerik, Northern California Regional coordinator of USA Climbing has anything to say about it. Scott has immersed himself in many aspects of the competition scene. He coaches a highly successful youth team out of the Touchstone gyms, sets routes for Touchstone (including setting for the regionals), and of course volunteers much of his time coordinating for the national USAC organization. Given the energy expended by individuals like Scott and the support of gyms like Touchstone who put a considerable amount of time and money into hosting competitions, chances are good that this year's low turnout is a fluke and we'll see even more kids psyched about competition climbing in the coming years.

Although most of the Touchstone gyms did not send Teen Team members to this competition, kids affiliated with Touchstone gyms did incredibly well, taking first in six of the nine divisions. To see final comp results go to USA Climbing's web site. Of particular note were Concord members Gregor Peirce taking first in Male Youth B, Dakota Schwartz taking third in Female Youth C, and Scott Cory taking second in Male Youth A.

Labels: climbing, comps, concord, kids

On Saturday, May 12, Touchstone Concord is proud to host the USA Climbing Northern California Regionals. Everyone is welcome to compete, no pre-qualification necessary. (There is an entrance fee of $35 for USA Climbing members, $40 for non-members.) Doing well at this competition may qualify Juniors to attend the Divisional Championships in Tigard, Oregon in June.

The bouldering area will be closed during this event and there will be limited rope-climbing available since most of the gym will be in use for the competition. However, people are encouraged to come out as spectators to enjoy world-class climbing, a $3 lunch and an entertaining speed climbing event. Or, for anyone interested in lending a hand, volunteers are needed to run the isolation area and help in other ways. Call Touchstone Concord at 925-602-1000 to get more information and sign up!

Labels: climbing, comps, concord, kids

Parents with growing children will be excited to hear that Touchstone has added a new Forum to their website just for you.

Kids out grow their shoes at a phenomenal rate, but now you can post online to find, swap or buy shoes. Have a perfectly good pair of size 3 shoes, but junior needs a size 4 now? Now these shoes won’t go to waste, they can be recycled back into the kid shoe stream.

As more parents get involved, everyone can potentially save a lot and still keep their kids on the walls. Click here, to check out this new forum.

Labels: climbing, kids

On a recent Saturday night more than 20 members of the Sacramento Pipeworks youth climbing team, their friends, coaches and even some parents spent an entire night in the gym rock climbing and playing teambuilding games. The overnighter was dreamed up by team coaches Scott Kugler, Sean Wilkenfeld and Sadie Rex. “We just wanted something out of the ordinary and thought this would be a fun way for the kids to bond as a group. Everyone had a blast and got to know each other better” said coach Wilkenfeld. There were an array of teambuilding games, a potluck dinner, a dodge ball tournament, a zip line (the crowd favorite) and of course everyone climbed to exhaustion. Each person brought pajamas and a sleeping bag, with most kids eventually getting a few hours sleep while some managed to stay up all night. Thanks to an overwhelmingly positive reaction, our coaches say that overnighters such as this are destined to become an annual event for the team. To learn more about the youth climbing team, overnighters, teambuilding or other special programs at Sacramento Pipeworks call 916-341-0100.

Labels: climbing, kids, pipeworks

Due to popular demand, Class 5 is adding a new 4 week after-school camp from November 28 through December 19th.

Running Tuesdays only, this all ages camp will give kids who just can’t get enough climbing, ascending and fun to wait until January.

Instructors will be working with each individual child to insure they are building skills, confidence and strength will having a great time.

Winter 2006 Camp November 19, December 5, 12, 19 from 4-6pm
Cost $100

For more information call Class 5 at 415-485-6931

Labels: class 5, climbing, kids

Dakota Schwartz is one of Touchstone Concord's rising star youth climbers. Having recently taken first place in the Intermediate Category at the Concord Rope Competition in September, it should be no surprise to see her photo in the 2007 Kids of Climbing calendar. A great photo of Dakota bouldering in an area near Santa Barbara can be found by flipping to June. The quote from Dakota expresses how many of us feel about climbing: "Climbing is like a state of mind - where I am happy, focused and flowing right along doing what I love." It's a privilege for Touchstone Concord to be a place where kids and adults alike can discover their love for our awesome sport. And it's a huge pleasure to see our members take center stage as inspirations for the climbing community as a whole. Congratulations Dakota!

Labels: climbing, concord, kids

Sacramento Pipeworks Bike Club members Bruce and Tawni Parr are proud to introduce their newest addition to the Touchstone family: Madeline Olson Parr. Born August 8th and weighing in at 6 lbs 14 oz, daddy Bruce promises “We'll have her on a bike and leading club rides in no time.” Tawni, a long-time Sacramento Pipeworks cycling instructor adds: “Maddie is going to be disappointed that she can't join you on the All Club Ride - she's been looking forward to showing off her new Touchstone kit!”

Labels: cycling, kids, pipeworks

Nearly 200 competitors from California, the Pacific Northwest, Montana and some from as far away as Alaska gathered in Sacramento over two days, June 10th and 11th for the Youth Sport Climbing Divisional Championships. The top finishers moved on to compete in the National Championship to be held next month in Tigard Oregon. Competition was fierce on the first day as 200 climbers were slowly pared down to the strongest 100. The end of the second day featured a thrilling head to head tie breaking super-final route between Scott Cory and Simon Benkert. Cory, who climbed first, came off the 5.13A route only three holds from the finish. Benkert, climbing second, managed to flash the difficult route to cheers from the very large crowd. Check our online gallery for more photos from this contest.

Labels: climbing, comps, event, kids, pipeworks

Touchstone weekly summer camps are in full swing. In Concord, we have an energetic group of five novice climbers, who in their first 3 days of camp have learned to belay, rope climb, boulder, ascend and rappel as well as some hand and foot technique. Pretty impressive for never having rock climbed before Monday morning!

The Concord camp director, Tracy Tamura, has worked with kids for many years through her non-profit that teaches kids reading, math and life skills. She has brought her love of climbing and an emphasis on creating a safe, stimulating environment to the camp. The kids have learned to take risks, set goals and feel confident in their climbing abilities. Even though most of the kids didn't know each other before the first day of camp, you'd never be able to tell with all the cheering and encouragement this group gives each other.

All the Touchstone gyms offer camps throughout the summer. Most camps runs from 9am to noon, M-F, and are open to kids of all climbing abilities, ages 6 to 14+. Call your local gyms for more details.

Labels: climbing, concord, kids, touchstone

On June 10th and 11th, Sacramento Pipeworks will hold the Divison 1 Sport Climbing & Speed Divisonal Championship. This comp serves as a qualifier for Nationals in Oregon this July. This is a great chance to check out the future stars of climbing. To learn more about this comp or USA Climbing, check out the USAC website.

Labels: climbing, event, kids, pipeworks

On May 19th, Mission Cliffs hosted 29 5th graders from Guadalupe Elementary School for their class field trip. For most of the kids this was their first opportunity to try rock climbing and provided them with an opportunity they otherwise would not have. The trip was organized by their teacher, long time member and part time course setter, Kent Schmitz. Kent has over the last several years brought his classes from both Guadalupe and Treasure Island elementary schools for field trips to Mission Cliffs.


This trip was donated by Touchstone, as part of our effort to continually outreach into the community.

Labels: climbing, community, kids, mission cliffs

In addition to the Monday and Wednesday lunchtime childcare, Pipeworks will now offer childcare on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Let us keep your children entertained in a controlled environment while you work out, climb or take one of our spin or yoga classes. Best of all, this service is free for all members!

Labels: kids, pipeworks