We asked a few dads some questions about fatherhood and climbing. Check it out below!
Happy Father's Day!
Jason Chang
Sender One Member Since 2013
It helps that I have a kid on the Sender One Climbing Team so I can bring him to practice and get a climbing workout in while he trains. But I also find that I need to have some kind of physical activity as an outlet so I usually make time for 2-3 sessions a week in order to maintain my sanity.
What are some of the biggest challenges of being a climber and father, or being a climber's parent?
Being old and frail. Just kidding. Probably the cost. It's not a cheap activity, especially if your kid travels for competitions. But also being old and frail.
Do you mainly climb with your kids, or do you have your own group of climbing friends?
I climbed with my kid when he was around my ability, but he has since eclipsed me in capability so we don't session together as much. I do enjoy taking him outdoors and supporting him as he works on projects. So, I have a small dad group that I climb with and there's a mom group that I sometimes get adopted by.
I started first and when my son started climbing it was very obvious that he found something that he was really into. He didn't enjoy mainstream sports when he was younger and then when he started climbing it was amazing to see the difference in passion and dedication to learning.
What is your favorite thing about being a climbing dad?
I love being a climbing dad. One of the best things is seeing your kid grow and develop as a human in the context of being a competitive climber. Being involved with the youth competition climbing community and having great friendships with the families both near and far. Earlier I mentioned the cost but there's also a great reward to having an activity that you share with a son or daughter that gets you active and outside.
Do you have any advice for other climber dads?
You can't force a kid to like something you like. But you can give them opportunities to explore and keep it fun so they're willing to try it and discover if they truly like it themselves.
Todd Presner
Sender One Member Since 2016
Now that Mateo is almost 13, it’s easy since he climbs with the Sender One training team and enjoys going on outdoor adventures with his dads, Todd and Jaime. It’s definitely important to have a supportive partner who, in our case, has his own sport (ocean swimming), which makes for good balance. Mateo is a lucky kid who has climbed all over the US and Canada, including Maple Canyon, Squamish, the New River Gorge in West Virginia, Red Rocks, and the Red River Gorge in Kentucky. He prefers climbing in places with “friendly animals and bugs” and enjoys being out in nature.
What are some of the biggest challenges of being a climber and father, or being a climber's parent?
The challenges were much greater when he was younger since sleep deprivation was a real thing. While I can’t just pick up and go climbing whenever and wherever I feel like it, I value my time climbing more and try to make several trips a year and make them count. Although I’m outside on real rock a lot less, I love gym climbing at Sender One – and it’s great to see the young climbers progressing so quickly through the grades!
It’s everything. I try to climb outdoors with Mateo when we can go on a trip, and I also have a number of climbing partners who are parents, too. This is great since we can climb together with our kids. I am also part of a queer climbing group called “Homoclimbastic” (it’s a real thing, you can google it!), a network of LGBTQ climbers, allies, and friends. We do a couple of trips each year and sometimes Mateo will tag along.
Did you start climbing before your child? If so, how was it introducing them to climbing?
I started climbing around 1999 or 2000 at Mission Cliffs in San Francisco and have pretty much been climbing for the last 21+ years. I took a break in 2008, when Mateo was born, but never fully stopped climbing. I think I brought Mateo to the climbing gym before he could really walk, and he started climbing as soon as he could pull himself up.
What is your favorite thing about being a climbing dad?
I love seeing the children of climbers excel at climbing. It’s great to see them grow and achieve so much in the sport.
Do you have any advice for other climber dads?
Patience. While everything may seem to take much longer, your priorities and appreciation of climbing (and the outdoors in general) will shift in countless positive ways. It’s not only about “the send,” but also the memories of being outside together, climbing on the same rock, and enjoying the beauty and movement of our sport with family and friends.
Rick Shar
Sender One Member Since 2018
How do you balance fatherhood and climbing?
It’s not too difficult to be a climbing dad because climbing is an activity we all can enjoy together. It helps that while my daughters are with their youth teams, I can climb too. In other sport/activities, I have to drop them off and pick them up, or just wait around.
What are some of the biggest challenges of being a climber and father, or being a climber's parent?
I wish my daughters can belay me, but they are too young and lightweight for now. Another challenge is having to constantly buy climbing shoes because they go through them so fast.
Do you mainly climb with your kids, or do you have your own group of climbing friends?
I climb with other parents when my girls have climbing practice.
Did you start climbing before your child? If so, how was it introducing them to climbing?
I had an Intro to Climbing class at Sender One LAX. My girls saw photos from the session and wanted to check it out. During winter break, I took them to Sender City on their first visit, then to the gym the next day. After that, I got them both a 5 punch card and they were hooked, climbing about 6+ hours on each of those punches. 2 weeks later, my oldest daughter, 8 years old at the time, tried out for the Comp Team and made it.
What is your favorite thing about being a climbing dad?
Seeing my girls challenge themselves is fulfilling. Watching my daughter climb 13s isn’t bad either.
Do you have any advice for other climber dads?
I used to want my girls to push harder grades and even lead climb more. Now I want to make sure they are enjoying it, and don’t get scared or frustrated. An important piece of advice: learn to give a soft catch when lead belaying your child if they are very light.
Charles Landis
Sender One Member Since 2013
How do you balance fatherhood and climbing?
Tough one! Climbing comes first!! (lol) No, seriously, being a father always comes first. But we do like to climb!
What are some of the biggest challenges of being a climber and father, or being a climber's parent?
I always wanted my kids to excel at whatever they were doing, whether it was climbing or anything else. But there's a fine line between inspiration and being overbearing. I try to find that line.
Do you mainly climb with your kids, or do you have your own group of climbing friends?
I mainly climb with my own friends but Emily and I still get to the gym occasionally. It's a great father/daughter experience.
Did you start climbing before your child? If so, how was it introducing them to climbing?
No, I started climbing at the same time they did. In fact, the kids' desire to climb was what got me into it.
What is your favorite thing about being a climbing dad?
The climbing community is a wonderfully healthy place for adults and kids. So I really enjoy the comradery and community. So does Emily.
Do you have any advice for other climber dads?
Just have fun!!