The New Paltz Climbing Co-OP
The New Paltz Climbing Co-Op creates a community as well as a training ground.
The Co-Op, on Route 32 in New Paltz, opened in December of 2011 through the efforts of Chad Foti, Johann and Angela Kunz, Mike and Julie Willis, and Don Spiro.
The idea was to create a community space so that anyone who is invested can train at any time, 24/7.
“We wanted a space that can support itself,” Foti said. “At first we thought we’d need 50 members to break-even. Right now we are just shy of 100”.
Different people bring different aspects to Co-Op making it a diverse community. Some people like to climb routs, some like to bolder. There are a lot of events: pot lucks, interval training on Wednesdays, and there will be a live music show on July 20th.
“This a place for people to connect. Climbing networking- this place is where it’s at. Need to find climbing partners? Here you have 100 partners,” Foti said.
There are four different sections of climbing wall, and foam floors that make it safe to fall from anywhere. The money made from events goes back into the Co-Op for improvements, and a bit is saved “to do rad things”.
Foti, who has climbed in Italy, Switzerland, Canada, Norway, and South Africa among other places, feels the Gunks are decent to a train for other climbing in other areas.
“Gunks climbing is a bit thugy. You pull really hard, then it lets up, you have kinda a fight. It defiantly trains power really well,” Foit said. “It’s great for general fitness. But, there is no vertical crack climbing”. Just head to the Co Op for that, they built a 15 foot adjustable ‘crack machine’ this winter.
New Paltz is a great home base for a travel climber. Its 10 minutes from the cliffs and it has a dynamic, diverse, and growing community. Most other crags are in the middle of nowhere.
Matt, a Co Op member, is a testimony to the gains that can be made by applying inside training on the rock. He was climbing 5-10 and through bouldering training in the gym he recently climbed Super’s Ready, a 5-12 d, trad, on sight.
In addition to the community events the New Paltz Climbing Co Op will be hosting lessons with Dawes Strckler, climbing instructor at West Point.
“I’ve been climbing for a long time,” Foti said “every time I’m with Dawes I learn something”.
Co-Op meetings are held on the first Thursday of the month
Tuesdays are community night, non-members are welcome.
A one year membership is $350.00, family and couple’s memberships are available. Membership is 18 and over only.
https://www.facebook.com/new.cooperative?fref=ts
...Peak Magazine
The Co-Op, on Route 32 in New Paltz, opened in December of 2011 through the efforts of Chad Foti, Johann and Angela Kunz, Mike and Julie Willis, and Don Spiro.
The idea was to create a community space so that anyone who is invested can train at any time, 24/7.
“We wanted a space that can support itself,” Foti said. “At first we thought we’d need 50 members to break-even. Right now we are just shy of 100”.
Different people bring different aspects to Co-Op making it a diverse community. Some people like to climb routs, some like to bolder. There are a lot of events: pot lucks, interval training on Wednesdays, and there will be a live music show on July 20th.
“This a place for people to connect. Climbing networking- this place is where it’s at. Need to find climbing partners? Here you have 100 partners,” Foti said.
There are four different sections of climbing wall, and foam floors that make it safe to fall from anywhere. The money made from events goes back into the Co-Op for improvements, and a bit is saved “to do rad things”.
Foti, who has climbed in Italy, Switzerland, Canada, Norway, and South Africa among other places, feels the Gunks are decent to a train for other climbing in other areas.
“Gunks climbing is a bit thugy. You pull really hard, then it lets up, you have kinda a fight. It defiantly trains power really well,” Foit said. “It’s great for general fitness. But, there is no vertical crack climbing”. Just head to the Co Op for that, they built a 15 foot adjustable ‘crack machine’ this winter.
New Paltz is a great home base for a travel climber. Its 10 minutes from the cliffs and it has a dynamic, diverse, and growing community. Most other crags are in the middle of nowhere.
Matt, a Co Op member, is a testimony to the gains that can be made by applying inside training on the rock. He was climbing 5-10 and through bouldering training in the gym he recently climbed Super’s Ready, a 5-12 d, trad, on sight.
In addition to the community events the New Paltz Climbing Co Op will be hosting lessons with Dawes Strckler, climbing instructor at West Point.
“I’ve been climbing for a long time,” Foti said “every time I’m with Dawes I learn something”.
Co-Op meetings are held on the first Thursday of the month
Tuesdays are community night, non-members are welcome.
A one year membership is $350.00, family and couple’s memberships are available. Membership is 18 and over only.
https://www.facebook.com/new.cooperative?fref=ts
...Peak Magazine
