Gym Hopping: Bend Endurance Academy

 

As I have said in previous posts, Brendan and I have traveled to many gyms across the country. Some for competitions and some for exposure to high-level competition route setting. My point with this post is for new climbing parents to think about visiting as many gyms and outdoor settings as possible. Climbers, as I have learned, are like libraries. They store information through what they have seen and experienced. They must be exposed to new challenging settings to continue to show them what is possible in their growth.

We decided to pay the Bend Endurance Academy (BEA) a visit this spring break. It is only the 2nd gym in the country just for kids. As mentioned in a previous post, we visited Team ABC in Boulder, Colorado about 6 years ago. (I would love to see gyms like this all over the country!) BEA's mission is to promote healthy living through active, outdoor experiences while promoting teamwork, personal growth, and community responsibility. They host programs in Climbing,  Cycling, and Nordic Skiing. They also promote inclusion by making all of their programs accessible to those who may not be able to attend without financial assistance. Check out BEA HERE for more information.

What makes these gyms so amazing is the complete freedom they have to cater to only children. BEA has kinder Fridays where 6 kindergarteners get to have their own time to climb and learn basic moves through game play and obstacle courses. At the older group level, like in Brendan's case, competition routes are waiting for them at every practice. No need to worry about the general public hurting themselves on a difficult route. The adults are conspicuously missing. Think about what youth climbers could achieve if they had that level of catering all the time! Even just a visit to these types of special programs does a young climber good.

I am calling this climbing mom/parent hack 'gym hopping'. It is something every climbing mom needs to sprinkle into the mix of their climber's experiences. Once their eyes are opened to the endless possibilities out there, there is no going back! They will want to visit more gyms and, ultimately, outdoor spaces. Our job is to provide as many resources as possible to enrich our climber's experiences. And have fun doing it! (And of course, the climbing mom gets to go climbing! 😆)

                CLIMB ON!

The CCM! Climbing Moms learn to Climb!

 

When Brendan first started climbing, I put him in a class. Every week, I would drop him off at the gym. To minimize my trips, I brought along papers to grade while I waited for him. Well, one of my teacher colleagues at the time said, "Janeen! Why are you working?". I said, "What else would I be doing?" She said, climbing! Well, long story short, she taught me how to climb and accepted all of my squeals and complaints - Thank you, Sasha! Now, this has been the best thing for me to be able to connect with our son.

But Sasha went off and had a baby and moved away, (Yes, Sasha, I still miss you!). So after having the idea of getting some climbing moms together to wear a climbing mom shirt for our next comp, the Coalition of Climbing Moms (CCM) was born! And then I thought, wouldn't it be great to climb together? I still haven't found a belay buddy even after all these years. 

For a while, Brendan and I were waiting for him to be old enough so we could belay each other, then...COVID hit. And all climbing stopped. Then, he got so good I felt silly climbing with him. Now, we have made a complete circle and he is asking for me to belay him all the time. I did not think I would become part of the training plan! We have had such a good time while I belay him during his workouts. Honestly, it is the most I've been able to talk with him besides being on a climbing trip. 

For parents whose climbers are getting close to college age, this is the perfect time to get some mother/guardian/son time in with your child. They will laugh at you but that's OK. I'll take that and the conversations any time! 🥰💛

The Alaskan CCM! Great job, ladies!