Plastic Weekly Indoor Climbing Podcast

After quitting my job and spending the summer avoiding everything related to climbing,  I'm back and ready to make Plastic Weekly a real thing! To get me back up to speed, Malek Taleb (Manager of the Canadian Bouldering Team and owner of Boiler Room Climbing) briefs me on the World Cup circuit, the new Innsbruck gym, and whatever else I missed.  

In our most exhilarating taping yet, we dodge sprinklers and water bottle spills to record a group conversation with Malek Taleb (Manager for the Canadian Open Team), Matt Johnson (Head Coach at Bloc Shop), and Kaleb Thomas (Chief Setter at Canadian Difficulty Nationals 2017) Alannah Yip's first finals, Sean McColl's lacklustre season so far, a Chief Routesetter's debrief from nationals, and whether or not Montreal is Canada's best place to train. All recorded outside the brand new Bloc Shop 2 in Montreal. www.plasticweekly.com

In the first instalment of the Making Better Setters series, I talk to Canadian pro routesetter Dustin Curtis about becoming better teachers, learning something from everyone around you, and bothering the people at USA Climbing until they let you come to one of their clinics. #setterlife Additional resources are available at www.plasticweekly.com.

As youth climbing grows, so does the need for competitions that cater to different skill levels. In this episode, I compare notes with Canon Huse on how we've developed new competition ideas in Ontario and Texas. Additional resources can be found at www.plasticweekly.com  

How does one of the world's best gyms get built in an unknown rural Canadian town? Chair of The Boulders Climbing Gym Society Kimanda Jarzebiak tells us the story of this not-for-profit, community-driven supergym in Central Saanich, British Columbia. Additional resources can be found at www.plasticweekly.com

Tour de Bloc has been Canada's favourite bouldering series for 14 years, and countries around the world are looking to it as an example of a national series that brings together recreational and pro athletes of all ages. Tour founder Luigi Montilla talks about the creation and continued operation of the TdB, and he touches on what the future may hold. Additional resources can be found at www.plasticweekly.com

Eddie Fowke (The Circuit Climbing Magazine), Ángel Palacio (OnBouldering) and Graeme Alderson (The Climbing Works) contribute to an episode about the growing pains associated with a sport that has more athletes, wants more viewers, and needs more money. All interviews were recorded in Meiringen, Switzerland at the Haslital Mountain Festival and Boulder World Cup on April 8-9, 2017. Additional music provided by BIT. http://blocsonic.com/artist/bit Additional resources can be found at www.plasticweekly.com

I've decided to make Plastic Weekly my top priority, so I've sorted out some changes to my work life to make more time for it. In a few weeks, I'll be back with better episodes than ever and a consistent focus on bringing you interesting content from the smartest people in the industry. Talk to you soon.

Life is a little busy right now, and unfortunately the pod is taking a hit. Plastic Weekly will be back soon.

The 2017 IFSC Plenary Assembly just wrapped up in Quebec City, and Plastic Weekly was there to ask the big questions. We cover the big 5 topics that matter to Canada and the USA: new elected officials, Olympic formats and qualifications, new events announced, HUGE CHANGES to bouldering, lead, and speed, plus your chance to CHANGE BOULDERING FOREVER! Clickbait-y enough for you guys? Additional resources at www.plasticweekly.com

Canadian National Team Manager Malek Taleb gives a recap of Canadian Open Bouldering Nationals, American Speed Champion John Brosler updates us on the state of speed climbing in the USA, and IFSC Executive Board member Maria Izquierdo gives us a sneak peek into the goings on at this weekend's IFSC Plenary Assembly in Quebec City (spoiler alert: she tells you how you can qualify for the Olympics, probably!) Filler music by Mirth Naarc.

Plastic Weekly is a real thing! I talk to Chris Neve about being the Head Coach of Canada's Youth Climbing Team, and how he thinks Canada and the USA can work together to create Olympic contenders. Plus I sit down with Liz Maffett, Max Robertson and Nathan Lewis to chat about this week's most talked about issues- including predictions for this weekend's Canadian Open Bouldering Nationals- in a round of 5 On/5 Off. Special thanks to Mark Brosens: check out his work on The Agenda with Steve Paikin. Theme music is Tryouts by Javelin. Additional music by Tyler Twombly. www.tylertwombly.com www.plasticweekly.com@plasticweekly

Plastic Weekly is coming this March! Subscribe now on iTunes, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Music by Tyler Twombly. www.tylertwombly.com