How Much (and When) Should Kids be Training?
Climbing has significant social, physiological, and developmental benefits for children and young adults. But there are also things they should avoid. And things you should avoid as a parent or a coach.
Youth Climbing
Logan Zhang, 11, Onsights Three 5.13a’s in a Day, Later Redpoints 5.13d
The sixth-grader has previously won USA Bouldering Nationals, won a Ninja Warrior World Championship, and holds the six-year-old standing long jump world record.
Keegan Sullivan is a 9-Year-Old, V10 Crusher
Keegan, 9, has three V10s under his belt, an intense love for climbing, and a methodical mentality to match the pros.
Youth Competitions: How Young Is Too Young to Train and Compete?
As Olympic ambitions take root, it's worth examining the merits of having kids compete at a young age
The Kids Are All Right
An old-school former climber tours Boulder’s youth comp scene and learns why it might be the best thing happening in the sport.
Generation 5.16: Ashima Shiraishi
Age 17 / Queens, New York
Generation 5.16: Kai Lightner
Age 18 / Fayetteville, North Carolina
Generation 5.16: Shawn and Brooke Raboutou
Ages 19 & 16 / Boulder, Colorado
Generation 5.16: Drew Ruana
Age 18 / Redmond, Washington
Generation 5.16: Kara and Connor Herson
Ages 18 and 14 / Emerald Hills, California
Christoper Deuto and the New Wave of Kid Crushers Redefining Performance Climbing
At a point where young climbers are performing at elite levels before hitting puberty, we take a look at the life of one such kid in Colorado and the trend that is reshaping the climbing landscape.