Since opening in 2017, Bloc Yard bouldering gym has brought together some of Spokane’s best climbers to give the youth an opportunity to compete at a high level.
“My goal for our youth programs is to have a climber at every age on a podium in competition,” said George Hughbanks, a climbing coach at Bloc Yard.
Spokane has a wide range of climbing competitions like Flail Fest, King of the Bloc and NC3 Climbing Competition, which have all brought high-level climbers to Spokane.
“That is what makes Spokane climbing great, the level of competition is always high,” said Hughbanks.
Bloc Yard offers youth teams for athletes at different levels. They have both competitive and developmental teams.
“On our competitive team, we fluctuate in numbers — anywhere from 20 to 30 kids,” said Hughbanks. “Our youngest just turned 6 and our oldest is 17. On our development team, we have about 15 to 20 kids; our youngest just turned 6 and our oldest is 12.”
Bloc Yard also helps climbers go beyond Spokane to compete with USA climbing.
“USA Climbing hosts qualifying events around Washington every year,” said Hughbanks. “To get to regionals they must place at a certain number of events. If their numbers are high enough, they advance to divisionals and possibly even nationals. We would love to get kids to nationals, but it’s not necessarily the goal, it’s just a byproduct.”
Youth climber and multiple USA Climbing competition winner Ethan Anderson has been climbing for 10 years and considers Bloc Yard his home gym. As a member of its competitive team, he represents the gym in competitions.
“I like Bloc Yard because it’s powerful; there are a lot more physical boulders in here than you could find in any other gym,” said Anderson. “I can see how Bloc Yard builds climbers to go to the next level.”
Along with Hughbanks, owner Adam Healy started blockyard In 2017. Healy began his rock climbing career by working in gyms all over Idaho, Oregon and Colorado. His exposure to different gyms inspired him to create the current culture at Bloc Yard.
“Ive been working for the indoor climbing community since 2005, I always knew my end goal would be to open my own gym… My goal was to open a gym that brought people together,” said Healy.
Spokane is home to many different popular outdoor rock climbing areas including Minnehaha, Rocks of Sharon and Deep Creek. It’s not surprising that rock climbing in Spokane is a popular activity.
“I love to see the rock climbing community thrive in Spokane,” Healy said. “We’ve noticed that since we opened our doors, the community has really expanded. I see kids as young as 2 years old and members in their late 60s to early 70s coming to our gym. I believe we have created a very welcoming community. It is a comfortable place for all wanting to get into the sport, said Healy.”
Healy sets out to build a gym to bring people together using the sport he loves.
“What brings people to Bloc Yard is its community,” Anderson said. “It is a very comforting place. Even if I don’t want to climb, I like to come here and just hangout.”
