About Grodzki
Grodzki grew up in Boston, Massachusetts. His roots in climbing and route setting go hand-in-hand, having started both seven years ago at his hometown gym, Carabiner’s Climbing & Fitness in New Bedford, Massachusetts. From there, he transitioned to work for MetroRock Climbing Centers, moving to the Scenic City a year ago. Today, he manages route setting for both the downtown and riverside locations of High Point, as well as runs the route setting website ticktapetighten.com.
Ever wonder who installs those thousands of ever-changing climbing holds at the gym? So did we. So we caught up with Cody Grodzki, director of High Point Climbing and Fitness' route setting team, to talk about all things route setting. Here's what he said:
Get Out: What brought you to Chattanooga?
Cody Grodzki: The climbing area around here, as I'm sure you've heard from a lot of people, is arguably the best on the East Coast, depending on the style of climbing you want to do and the lifestyle you want to live.
GO: We definitely agree. Tell us about your job at High Point.
CG: Each gym has its own way of doing things. A smaller gym, it might be the gym owner [setting routes]. As you scale up, the more complicated you get, and you start hiring route setters to do that specific task. We have a really small crew right now [made up of four team members], which means every person needs to be super-technically dialed in, extremely fit and extremely motivated.
GO: So, how often do you change the holds?
CG: We change routes every day between the two locations, transitioning out the oldest routes and boulders.
GO: Whoa, that's a lot of work! How do come up with so many different routes?
CG: There's no map, no equation. You can borderline call it kinesthetic artwork, but it's more than art; it's serving a purpose. We do discuss grades and difficulties and styles, but there is a limitless potential for ideas. [For our route setters,] it's imperative they have a really high level of route setting knowledge and experience. That individual needs to perform all the tasks at a high degree on their own.
GO: What advice do you have for beginner route setters with hopes of becoming professional?
CG: Start with your home wall. With every single hold, you have all these millions of possibilities. Allow your mind to start thinking more outside of the box. Then they can start making up their own moves. From there, depending on setting programs, there may be other gyms who take on intern positions. Making yourself known in the community is huge. USA Climbing also offers a certification program. Their first level is a really good place to start.
GO: And finally, what's your favorite thing about the job?
CG: You see people in there; kids who get super-stoked and grandmas watching from the bottom. All the sudden, they learn something, they figure something out and it clicks for them. I don't ever wake up and feel like I have to go to "work."