Some of you don’t know me. Many of you have never seen me climb. Most of you don’t know that I am working for the climbing gym even when I’m not there. All of you are a part of the community we have created, and I am thankful for each and every one of you.
I am the owner of Rock Out Climbing Gym and I have worked with our team over the last four years to bring the sport of climbing to the area. You may or may not have heard me say “Open a climbing gym they said… You’ll get to climb all the time they said…”. In reality, opening a climbing gym revoked my ticket to the outdoor climbing send train; it had been four years since I touched a real rock. It has not been just owning and operating the gym keeping me from going out, it has also been my commitments to growing my beautiful family, and continuing to serve in the United States Air Force Reserve that have kept me from the crag; although, it was both my family and the Air Force that got me back gripping nature’s playground recently. On an October Air Force trip to El Paso, TX, I had the opportunity to visit Hueco Tanks State Park and crush for a few hours. My flying schedule was grueling, and I had very little down time; however, my wife Samantha told me “you need to find a way to go climb…”. I found a way. It was amazing. I felt a rejuvenation of my passion for climbing and an inspiration that hopefully showed through when we set for Thanksending this year.
It has been a struggle over the past four years and that struggle continues, but I am thankful for all that I have. My beautiful family, amazing staff, dedicated community, and finally having a place to climb. It may be another four years until I touch rock again (hopefully not!), but that’s ok because the rock will still be there, and thanks to all of you, this community will still be thriving as well. So, get out there while you can and climb either in the outdoors, or here at Rock Out Climbing Gym. Whether you currently climb at Rock Out, have climbed here in the past, or will be coming here in the future, thank you. Keep climbing wherever you find yourself and never forget we’re here for you. Happy Thanksgiving.
-Ken Sheyka
