What is USA Climbing?
The morning portion of our Thanksending comp is part of a USA Climbing sanctioned event. USA Climbing is the national governing body of the sport of competition climbing in the United States. As a 5013 non-profit, they promote three competition disciplines; bouldering, sport climbing, and speed.
Who can enter the Thanksending Comp?
Anyone not eligible for the USA Climbing sanctioned competition categories (17 yrs. old and above). All levels of skill and proficiency are welcome and competitions are usually great social venues for meeting new people and learning from others.
What happens at a climbing competition? It’s my first.
Registration is required either prior to the event (usually discounted) or day of. Once you check in, you will receive a score card or be given the web address of the digital scoring platform. You will get the scoring breakdown and the distribution of point values as well as the rules. Early arrival is encouraged for route preview to get the lay of the land. Climbing shoes are required, and we not only sell snacks and drinks, but also usually have a food truck selling coffee and killer eats.
OK.. So, how do I WIN?!
We run a redpoint classic format for our competition. This means that each problem has an assigned point value, and you have to send the route all the way to the finish to get the points. Our judging staff will watch you climb and log your scores. You can attempt the problem as many times as you want, just track how many times you fall (for tie breakers). A running tally of your points will be scrolling on the TV racked and stacked with the other competitors. At the end of the competition, your top five scored problems will be used for your total point value and the winners will be designated using those point values.
Which category should I enter?
Our categories are broken down using a range of difficulty levels and are as follows for both Men and Women separately:
Beginner (V0-V2)
Intermediate (V3-V5)
Advanced (V6+)
When signing up, realize that if you perform well above the category you selected, you will be bumped up to the next category based on point value (this prevents sandbagging). You will not; however, be bumped down if you perform poorly in the category you enrolled in.
I’m new and I just watch since I’m not that experienced.
There is nothing like a competition to feel the surge of adrenaline and drive you past your perceived limits. You never know who will sign up or get bumped out of the category, so just giving it a shot is worth it.
Are there cash and prizes for winners?
All of our winners (first, second, and third) in each category will receive cash or gift cards to Rock Out. Additional swag will be awarded to winners of different categories.
We also hold a raffle with a ton of great products from both local and national contributors to our event. Think: Crash Pad, Climbing Shoes, Approach Shoes, etc…
I’m still not sold on competing, I just wanna watch.
If you’re nursing an injury and can’t climb, or for whatever reason do not feel up to the competition, don’t worry. Spectators are FREE for our event, we just ask that you have a waiver on file. Additionally, we will have food and beverages for sale and donation. Cheering is encouraged, but please do not shout beta to people while they are climbing.
When can I climb if I’m not in the competition?
Our gym will be open for regular climbing after the competition, awards, and raffle have concluded. We will have half price day passes for after the comp, and all competitors are welcome to stay and keep working projects.
The Benefits of Climbing for Children
Children are natural climbers. Their curiosity draws them to climbing as it allows them to satisfy their thrill seeking, adventurous, problem solving minds. At Rock Out Climbing Gym, you will find a program designated for younger climbers, including routes designed with their size and strength in mind using top ropes to help overcome their challenges with height. Though most people might not think of climbing as a go-to activity for children, climbing has many advantages for children’s mental and physical development. The question becomes less of why should your children climb, but why shouldn’t they?
Climbing helps with children’s mental and physical development
According to luckyclimbers.com, a study from PlayCore “found evidence that climbing at a young age helps hone spatial and directional awareness, and also boosts physical skills such as balance, hand and foot coordination, and agility.” A 2015 study from University of North Florida’s psychologists found that “proprioceptively dynamic activities like climbing” can greatly improve core cognitive functions such as memory.
Dealing with various platform and inclines has been shown to help children with the ability to sense one’s own body position and movement.
2. Climbing has been shown to improve academic performance
A 2008 study observed the physical education (P.E.) department at a junior high school in Naperville, Illinois. They redesigned their gym curriculum to focus more on climbing. Immediately they began to see the results, with major academic improvement throughout the school. This was credited to the student’s enhancement in mood, focus, and memory. This is not the only school that has found climbing to help curriculum. A western Pennsylvania school saw their standardized tests go from below average to 18 percent above after integrating climbing into their P.E. curriculum.
Even if your child isn’t enrolled in school yet, it is never too young to find activities that help improve your child’s mental development.
3. Climbing helps children learn problem solving skills
Climbing is an intensive problem-solving sport. Climbers must analyze each route and find the most efficient method to reach the top (routes are called “problems” for a reason). The same part of your brain that is used for puzzles is activated when climbing.
Climbing at an early age encourages planning, goal-setting, and creativity. Children also learn how to quickly adapt to new environments.
4. Climbing is a Social Activity
Although the child is the only one climbing on the wall, they are rarely alone in their efforts. Instructors, peers and parents play a large role in developing a child’s climbing ability. Children are often the first to encourage others while climbing and benefit greatly from the supportive environment most climbing gyms offer. Learning to fall and get back up is better when there is a social support network in place.
Clearly children's innate attraction to climbing goes beyond solely excitement and adventure. Climbing is greatly helpful in cognitive and physical development. Luckily, at Rock Out, we not only have specific routes set for younger children, but a “Kinder Klimb” program as well. Check out more information here. (insert link to Kinder Klimb program)
Reference: https://www.luckeyclimbers.com/blog/4-ways-climbing-boosts-kids-development
Collegiate Climbing
Climbing is a great alternative to traditional sports in college. It’s adrenaline-fueled and interactive- the perfect sport for many college students. Not many schools offer scholarships for climbing, but if you’re thinking of taking climbing to the collegiate level, there are many colleges that offer competitive teams and first class climbing gyms.
There are tons of colleges in the Pacific Northwest with competitive teams that travel around the PNW. University of Washington, U of Oregon, and U of Idaho all have walls and teams.
Colorado University in Boulder obviously has great climbing culture due to the location. Boulder has a great community of climbers and the campus has no shortage of gyms and walls. “The Rec” features 7,000 square feet of toprope, lead, and bouldering. In addition, CU Boulder offers classes on rock climbing.
University of Arkansas’ climbing gym boasts bouldering, toproping, lead climbing, and two autobelays for solo sessions. They offer classes and have a multitude of events including blacklight bouldering and ladies night.
University of Alaska Fairbanks features an Ice Wall for climbers adventurous enough to tackle climbing the outdoor ice tower.
Stanford boasts two high end climbing gyms on campus and more square footage of climbing gym than any other college in the country. The gyms are also home to the Stanford Climbing Gym which took third place in the 2017 USA National Climbing Championships.
Cornell, Dartmouth, and the University of North Texas all also feature high end climbing gyms with various options for any climbing experience.
Although no schools offer scholarships for climbing, USA Climbing is awarding $3,000 in scholarships to climbers chosen by the panel of individuals active in the Collegiate Climbing Community. Check out more information on the scholarship here.
If you decide to take climbing to the collegiate level there are tons of options. While these colleges are known for their climbing gyms, many large universities include a climbing or bouldering wall in their gyms. Climbing is a sport that can be done all throughout one’s life and college is the perfect time to embark or continue your journey.
Floating and Why It's a Good Compliment to Climbing
Combat the Rainy-Day Blues
Combat the Rainy-Day Blues
Rainy days are very common along Florida’s Emerald Coast. Rock Out Climbing Gym is the perfect place to escape the bad weather. Whether you are on a beach vacation or are a local that needs to get the kids out of the house, we have climbing options for everyone. Don’t let a little rain ruin the day. Come experience a unique and memorable adventure at the finest climbing gym on the Emerald Coast.
Escape the Hot Weather
It’s no secret that Florida summers are hot and humid. While many people love Florida’s Emerald Coast because it is the perfect place to soak up the sun, we all need a break from the heat. Look at the sweltering days as the perfect opportunity to escape to your local air-conditioned climbing gym to get a good workout in! Forget about waiting for a tube at the waterpark or in line for a go cart standing in the heat, come inside and climb!
Challenge Yourself
Families are always looking for something new to do with the children when summer rolls around. Because we’re the very first indoor rock climbing gym in the area, chances are you aren’t familiar with our offerings. We allow locals and visitors to get out of their comfort zone and experience a challenging new adventure. If you are already an experienced climber, we’ve still got you covered with our challenging terrain and routes! We have a variety of offerings based on difficulty levels and we change our climbing courses weekly.
Be Social
Our climbing gym is the ultimate place for those looking to join an active community. In addition to our everyday social atmosphere, we offer ongoing events to help foster relationships between like-minded individuals. For example, we offer an adult bouldering league and monthly meet-ups for a women’s climbing circle. If you’re looking to make a few new friends this summer, joining our climbing community is a great place to start.
Exercise - No Excuses
Climbing is not only a fun experience, it’s a great, unique way to exercise! Developing a consistent workout routine while dodging the hot and rainy Florida summer days can be a challenge. Our indoor facilities are the perfect location for you to work out regularly no matter the external conditions. We offer 750 sq. ft. of fitness area with a range of machines and weights all included with your day pass.
Why Climbing With Other Women Can Help You Reach New Heights
Climbing is arguably one of the only sports where gender does not matter. Men and women, though different, each have their own skills and strengths that make them adept climbers. Climbing with men and women is great, however finding a community of women can be an uplifting and irreplaceable experience.
Rock Out Member Boulder League (R.O.M.B.L.)
Why You Should Join Rock Out’s Adult Bouldering League
Climbing is more than a physical activity, it builds a community. People of all ages, skill-sets, and backgrounds can come together to learn and grow from each other. That being said, Rock Out offers an Adult Bouldering League. Below is a list of why this league might just be the perfect fit for you.
Reigning Mens Champ, Chris Panagacos in Hueco
Photo Credit @ Appleman 2017
A climbing gym can be an overwhelming experience. Ripped people climbing sixteen foot walls can be daunting to enter alone. Joining a league provides an easy way to connect with others in the gym, and find that those skilled climbers are not as intimidating as they may seem.
While climbing is an independent sport, sharing and learning from others is an enriching experience. This sport becomes infinitely better the more people you share it with. Furthermore, support and encouragement in the gym often translates to all aspects of life.
If you are a new climber, this whole world is a lot to learn on your own. All climbers know what it’s like to be new and inexperienced, so joining a league gives you a place to start with a community who understands what it’s like to be in your (climbing) shoes.
Joining a league ultimately breaks down the walls we create between each other. If you want to take climbing to the next level, we highly encourage you check out our six week long Adult Bouldering League! (Check out more information on how to get plugged in.)
Rock Out Youth Program
Benefits of Joining the Youth Program
Climbing can be an exciting way for kids to expel energy and connect with each other. Climbing builds muscle and mental focus, both great things to teach from a young age. Listed below is why we think our Youth Program is beneficial for any kid aged 9 to 17.
Innagural Class, Fall 2017 !!!
Studies show that kids need a healthy form of physical activity. Climbing is a unique way for kids to be active and is an enjoyable exercise they will look forward to every week.
Since we have two groups (9-12 and 13-17), our Youth Program can help kids connect with others in their age group. This program is not through a school, so kids can befriend others they might never have encountered. Coming together with a common interest as awesome as climbing is sure to create supportive and fun friendships.
It can be a great alternative for kids who don’t prefer traditional team sports. Climbing is an individual sport, but our program allows like-minded kids to work together to reach their individual goals.
Learning this skill at a young age might spark an interest to last a lifetime since a passion for climbing is not hindered by age. On top of that, they can look up to adults for inspiration on where the sport can take them.
When push comes to shove, climbing is just plain fun! Who wouldn’t want to climb rocks with a group of friends? If interested, check out our events page to sign up!