Vertical World
Vertical World - America's First Climbing Gym was the first indoor climbing gym in North America. [1] It is two rock climbing gyms in the Greater Seattle area. There are two gyms, located in Seattle, and Redmond, Washington,United States.
About the Gym
Vertical World was established by Rich Johnston and Dan Cauthorn in 1987 on Elliott Ave in Seattle, Washington. The gym was originally called the Vertical Club. The name was changed in 1994 because of trademark issues due to Bally Total Fitness owning the rights to the name Vertical Club.
Vertical World was opened with just rocks glued to painted plywood panels and cinder block walls. Hand-holds were not available in the U.S at that time. Vertical World currently has three gyms in Washington: Seattle, Redmond and Everett.
Vertical World Climbing Team
The Vertical World Climbing Team, also established in 1987, consists of many of the nation's strongest youth climbers. Its colors are Red and White. Its key symbol/logo is a shield featuring Seattle's icon - the Space Needle with the words reading: Vertical World Climbing Team est. 1987. For the past 15 years, Vertical World Climbing Team has consistently placed in the Top 3 at both the ABS and SCS National Championships.
Team Championship History
Team Vertical World has participated in many National Championships across the U.S. the last few years, placing first four times, and also second on two occasions. Vertical World has also had members of their team go to both the IFSC Climbing Youth and Adult World Championships.
Vertical World Climbing Team has sent more kids to international competitions than any other team in the United States behind Team Texas.
Coaching
Tyson Schoene is the current head coach of the Vertical World Climbing Team.
Ross Halverson was a Redmond coach until his untimely end on 09/07/14 in a climbing accident.