Youth climbing teams - Movement vs. Sportrock?

[Anonymous]

DD (11) has been top roping and bouldering for over a year and wants to try out for one of the intro/recreational youth climbing teams. She regularly takes classes and practices at Movement (Crystal City) and Sportrock (Alexandria) but we don't know any families with kids on the climbing teams. She isn't looking to compete yet (soccer is her main sport) but is open to it as she gets better. Does anyone have recommendations on either location in terms of the youth teams, i.e., program and coach quality?

[Anonymous]

Based on what you've said, I'd go with whichever gym is most convenient for you. Or, if she has expressed a preference for climbing at one versus the other, go with that. I don't think there is a material difference between the two programs for climbers at that level. We have experience with both teams and enjoyed both. If you eventually become more involved in competitive climbing, you will notice that some of the more serious elite level climbers gravitate toward Sportrock because they have more competition-style routesetting and have had professional-level coaching for the elite climbers. That is not to say that Movement doesn't have elite climbers - they absolutely do - I'm just saying generally. All this said, climbing team programs change and evolve over time, and things could be totally different 2-3 years from now in terms of which program is "better." Which brings me back to recommending that you choose the one most convenient or the one she has most fun at right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Based on what you've said, I'd go with whichever gym is most convenient for you. Or, if she has expressed a preference for climbing at one versus the other, go with that. I don't think there is a material difference between the two programs for climbers at that level. We have experience with both teams and enjoyed both. If you eventually become more involved in competitive climbing, you will notice that some of the more serious elite level climbers gravitate toward Sportrock because they have more competition-style routesetting and have had professional-level coaching for the elite climbers. That is not to say that Movement doesn't have elite climbers - they absolutely do - I'm just saying generally. All this said, climbing team programs change and evolve over time, and things could be totally different 2-3 years from now in terms of which program is "better." Which brings me back to recommending that you choose the one most convenient or the one she has most fun at right now.

Your response is really helpful and glad to know you had positive experience with both gyms. We will steer her towards the closer of the two to shave off 10 minutes of commuting time!