The North Face Launches Initiative with Paradox Sports to Enhance Climbing Accessibility
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ALAMEDA, Calif. — Mar. 22, 2017— The North Face, the global leader in outdoor apparel, equipment and footwear, officially announces their national sponsorship of Paradox Sports’ Adaptive Climbing Initiative. With a goal of making climbing gyms across the U.S. accessible to people with physical disabilities, Paradox will provide gyms with instructor training and adaptive equipment. Currently, if a gym is not equipped with adaptive equipment and knowledge participants with adaptive needs will be unable to participate in the sport. Providing these trainings will allow for greater participation among climbers of all abilities.
“We’re proud to sponsor Paradox Sports on a first of its kind movement to make climbing gyms across the U.S. accessible to people with physical disabilities. As climbing has recently grown in popularity throughout the United States, we want the sport to be accessible to people of all abilities. Paradox’s gym trainings include strategies and methods that were developed over many years working with adaptive climbers, and supported with information collected from dozens of professional climbers, instructors and mountain guides.” said Senior Director of Brand Communications and Outdoor Exploration at The North Face, Ann Krcik.
The nation’s premier adaptive climbing organization since 2007, Paradox Sports is committed to making the sport accessible to all by organizing climbing outings and clinics to help athletes realize their capabilities. First exposure to the sport of climbing is typically through a climbing gym. After that first indoor climb, adaptive climbing can take people to many wild, outdoor places. Paradox Sports and The North Face want to ensure that the sport is accessible to all.
“The North Face has been an absolute game-changer for our organization. Paradox Sports is fortunate to have a partner that is a genuine believer in our mission and will help provide us with the support we need to turn our vision into a movement. We now have the support we need to make climbing gyms, recreation centers and university climbing areas accessible nationwide.” said Executive Director of Paradox Sports, Mike Neustedter.
About the Trainings
Anyone who climbs – no matter the experience level – can learn new skills and help empower others to climb from the weekend-long intensive course. Climbing inherently presents crux scenarios that call for presence of mind and body – whether using a prosthesis, coping with the shifts of multiple sclerosis (MS), or overcoming the effect of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The trainings are an invitation to all of people – adaptive athletes, recreational climbers, climbing gym staff, and volunteers – to rethink what is possible.
Adaptive climbing courses include a mix of classroom education, open discussions and on-the-wall training and facilitation over a two-day period. After completing the course, the participants and gym will have the knowledge, resources and equipment to launch an adaptive climbing program at their gym.
Gyms can contact Paradox Sports to receive the training and equipment they need to become adaptive certified.
Upcoming Trainings
Earth Treks – Crystal City, VIRGINIA – (May 5-6, 2017)
University of Maryland – College Park, MARYLAND – (May 8, 2017)
Diablo Rock Gym – Concord, CALIFORNIA – (June 2-3, 2017)
First Ascent – Chicago, ILLINOIS – (August 12-13, 2017)
Planet Granite – San Francisco, CALIFORNIA (Dates TBA)
Central Rock Gym – Watertown, MASSACHUSETTS (Dates TBA)
Currently Trained by Paradox
Earth Treks – Golden, COLORADO
Boulder Rock Club – Boulder, COLORADO
The Rock Spot – South Boston, MASSACHUSSETTS
EVO Rock – Concord, NEW HAMPSHIRE
EVO Rock – Indianapolis, INDIANA
Climb Iowa – Grimes, IOWA
About Paradox Sports
Paradox Sports is a nonprofit organization in Boulder, Colorado that provides youth, adults and military veterans with physical disabilities the opportunity to get outside. Paradox strives to make parks and open spaces more accessible by providing adaptive rock climbing programs at iconic climbing locations across the United States. The organization also published the first ever-adaptive climbing manual and hosts adaptive climbing courses at gyms, universities and recreation centers nationwide. Through its adaptive climbing programs, participants gain the self-confidence, skills and independence to engage in the outdoors, access the beautiful places they love, and belong to a community that provides camaraderie, support and overall well-being. Learn more about Paradox Sports at www.paradoxsports.org.
About The North Face®
The North Face, a division of VF Outdoor, Inc., was founded in 1966 with the goal of preparing outdoor athletes for the rigors of their next adventure. Today we are the world’s leading outdoor brand, creating athlete-tested, expedition-proven products that help people explore and test the limits of human potential. We protect our outdoor playgrounds and minimize our impact on the planet through programs that encourage sustainability. The North Face products are available at premium and specialty retail sporting goods stores globally and we are headquartered in California on a LEED Platinum-certified campus. For more information, please visit www.thenorthface.com.
Media Contacts
The North Face
Michaela Hardy
Public Relations Coordinator
510.814.3109
Paradox Sports
Mike Neustedter
Executive Director
720.638.5593
mike@paradoxsports.org
