ARGAT, Austin Rock Gym Adult Team Options

[Twyman]

To all those 19 and older (men & women) I hope you take the time to check out this promo flyer and, if motivated, send me an email and let me know!
cheers & happy climbing,
Matt Twyman

tweakman@gmail.com
powermerchant@yahoo.com
troy@austinrockgym.com

 ARGAT_PROMO_FLYER.pdf ( 1.46MB ) Number of downloads: 10


 ARGAT_Promo_Flyer_3f.jpg ( 1.46MB ) Number of downloads: 9

[John Hogge]

This is a really fun idea. If I lived in town, I'd apply immediately. I'm still tempted.

I liked your flier but had some questions:

-what level of climbers are you considering.

-which gym(s)would you meet at. Climbers will consider convenience of the location and also whether they need to buy a dual-gym membership.

-team involvement (if any) in comps. Comps could turn away otherwise interested climbers--maybe the team can support both those interested and uninterested in comps.

--John

[Twyman]

-what level of climbers are you considering.

We're considering two properties.
1st & definitely most important: Level of psych & commitment must be high.
2nd & less important: We're aiming for ~V4/5.11+ onsight, >V6/5.12 in a sesh, & >v7/5.13- projecting.

-which gym(s)would you meet at. Climbers will consider convenience of the location and also whether they need to buy a dual-gym membership.

We'll probably follow the same schedule as Team ARG & USAC/ABS currently follows. Fall/Winter = Bouldering (NARG), Spring/Summer = Sport (SARG).
This is up for debate among the team members though. We want to create a community in which aspects of the team are flexible to the individual but to a point. If the overwhelming majority of members wanted it only at SARG then we'd go that route. Of if half the team needed to meet at NARG and the other half at SARG then we would discuss how to meet those needs. I fully understand the North/South division and will work to accomodate both. As I live no more than 10 minutes from SARG I'm partial to that but am more than willing to meet at NARG if we can all agree upon a good time, or split it among the season(s).

-team involvement (if any) in comps. Comps could turn away otherwise interested climbers--maybe the team can support both those interested and uninterested in comps.

I don't foresee the team being a wholly separate comp user group (if I'm getting your drift). No comp will turn away a climber no matter what age group or affiliation as that is more money for the gym. Currently, adult climbers who wish to foster the year round competition schedule and squeeze in w/ the USAC/ABS are relegated to a small majority or lack either the strict coaching that the youth teams offer or the sponsorship and fame status that attracts the typical ABS crews. This is a large discrepancy that can be bridged by having adult climbing teams. Just as each youth team competitor is climbing against other teams as well as their own team members, so to will adult team members.

I can imagine another branch of the sport developing in which teams compete against other teams and the individual only contributes to the team's total score, but that is probably a ways off and will likely encounter a lot of terroristic resistance from the general climbing community. Who knows though. In the end, I'm personally just looking for another branch to sprout and a niche to fill. What will be will be and I hope that the majority of climbers can take it all with a grain of salt. I fully understand the negativity expressed by some individuals to the idea of team competitions (I for one grew up loathing the idea of climbing being in the Olympics and becoming "popular" or open to the "goombas" of the world, but I have since turned 180), but to me that just means it's not for them... c'est la vie. As with everything, there are potential advantages as well as potential disadvantages. But that's all they are, potentials. The wonderful part of the whole gig is that we are at the beginning and so have the most influence of the possible future paths. There are many examples & lessons to head from other sports. I don't see why climbing can't be those but better in a way we define.

Well, I'll get off my soap box now.
I hope that explained your questions and then some.

Thanks for the enthusiasm and interests John.
Cheers,
matt

[Twyman]

We're considering two properties.
1st & definitely most important: Level of psych & commitment must be high.
2nd & less important: We're aiming for ~V4/5.11+ onsight, >V6/5.12 in a sesh, & >v7/5.13- projecting.

I'm very sorry... the above "aim" was intended for men. I think the aim for women would be more like ~V3/5.10 onsight, >V4/5.11 in a sesh, & V5/5.12 projecting.

my bad!!!!

matt

[azenari]

-team involvement (if any) in comps. Comps could turn away otherwise interested climbers--maybe the team can support both those interested and uninterested in comps.

To John: There already is an ATP (Adult training program) at ARG which pretty much has similar goals but no comps.


To Matt: Great idea! I hope you guys get many takers!

[Twyman]

Kit,
That's true. The ATP is run by Russel Mayes and he has done a great job increasing the level of difficulty and overall quality of all the climbers in his class. I highly respect Russel's work, but I am looking for something more, both personally and for the community. Eventually, this is thinking way out... I'd like to think that the ARGAT & ATP would join forces. ATP acting as more of a stepping stone. The ARGAT will serve more as a top caliber team. I will not stress competition among the team members, but will foster it if they are psyched. I think the ARGAT will offer greater depth and will push climbers to their absolute limit.

I'm psyched!
cheers,
matt

[Twyman]

For anyone who feels intimidated by the idea of tryouts or the "we're looking for 10men & 10women" thing or that they can not swing the anticipated $50/month...
PLEASE, if you are at all psyched about this then either email me or fill out a survey card, now at both ARGs, and include your comments as such.
What I'm really looking for is a solid feeling and count of people who are psyched by this. I'd hate it if people didn't let me know because of some wording on the promo flyer.
Remember, everything if flexible and this will be a team for the team members.
If there is a strong showing of committed people then John and I feel that we will be able to work something out... like an A/B Team split.

I'm looking into team sponsorships as well so that the team fees will lower across the board for everyone.
If you are interested in helping with this aspect, I will be most appreciative and we will work some kind of compensation out for you.

Thank you, cheers, and happy climbing.
matt