Adaptive Climbing
Adaptive Climbing at The Front’s mission is to empower, support and advance the adaptive climbing community along Utah’s Wasatch Front.
Follow Adaptive Climbing at The Front on Instagram
PARACLIMBING SUMMER FUNDRASIER
Paraclimbing is headed to the 2028 Paralympic Games, and Team Front athletes are racing to qualify this season! This summer, we're fundraising for athlete scholarships funding travel and competition at National and World Cup qualifying events in 2027. Ready to meet the team? See the quick stats to understand the Adaptive impact, scroll to hear from real athletes, or head here for the full schedule of events.
| 700+ | participants came to adaptive programming at The Front in the last 6 months |
|---|---|
| 300+ | hours of coaching in the 2026 season |
| 60 | free USAC Tier One gym memberships given to paraclimbing athletes this season |
| 59 | discounted USAC Tier Two gym memberships given to paraclimbing athletes this season |
| 54 | team practices in the 2026 season |
| 42 | participants in our paraclimbing mock competition in the past two years |
| 16 | athletes on our paraclimbing team currently |
| 10 | athletes competed in Paraclimbing Nationals for the first time through the last three seasons |
| 4 | additional accessible parking spaces added during practice times and days |
100% of funds raised goes towards athlete scholarships. Money raised goes directly into the athlete's hands. This could cover competition fees, travel support, training support, and registration costs for the 2026-27 season.
Monthly Meet-ups
Please register for each meetup before attending so we can best anticipate everyone's needs!
Adaptive Participants
Wherever you’re at in your climbing journey, we’ll meet you there! Trained staff can provide the systems and techniques to get you on, and up, the wall. Meet others in this inclusive adaptive space and find your own unique approach to the sport of climbing.
Non-Adaptive Volunteers
Are you a non-adaptive athlete passionate about making a positive impact in the adaptive climbing community? Volunteer your time during our adaptive meetups! Top-rope belayers encouraged - you will need to pass the Front's top rope belay test in order to belay.
Paraclimbing Practices
These practices are for any adaptive athletes 16+ that are stoked on climbing and want to work towards building strength and independence in and outside of the climbing gym. This is a great space for any athletes that want to compete in Paraclimbing Nationals or World-cup level events (but it is not a requirement). Athletes interested in attending practices should be able to climb with limited adaptive system support (a power belay is okay!).
| WEEKLY PRACTICE | Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30p-8:30pThe Front Salt Lake City |
|---|---|
| COST | Free for members, guests welcome with day pass |
Inquire Below
After submitting the form below, we will contact you to set up an introduction with our coaches.
Upcoming Clinics and Events
Tuesdays 6:30P - 8:30P // SLC
Summer Paraclimbing Team Practices
Free for members // Guests welcome with day pass
We will be having our Summer Paraclimbing Team Practices every Tuesday throughout the fundraiser. Come see what it is all about and cheer on our athletes!
First and Third Wednesdays, 12:00p - 1:30p // SLC
Up Ending Parkinsons Meet Ups
Free for members // Guests $16.50
Up Ending Parkinsons is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides guided rock climbing for people living with Parkinsons Disease. Up Ending Parkinsons works with local gyms around the country to provide spaces for people to climb together! Anyone living with Parkinsons is welcome to climb, and family members are welcome to join!
Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:30p - 5:00p // Ogden
Weekly Adaptive Climbing Sessions with Ogden Valley Adaptive Sports
Join our weekly adaptive climbing classes and climb as a group with OVAS staff and other members. You can learn and practice different skills and techniques while having fun with friends.
Contact alewis@ogdenvalleyadaptivesports.org to register with Ogden Valley Adaptive and join the club.
Tuesdays at South Main // Thursdays at Salt Lake
NAC Rock On! Climbing Programs
The National Ability Center hosts weekly Rock On! climbing sessions at The Front Climbing Club to provide a more central place for participants to experience climbing and community in adaptive spaces. Participants are paired off 1:1 with either a NAC staff member or volunteer. Sessions take place on Tuesdays at SOMA and Thursdays at SLC in coordination with the NAC's season calendar.
On Request // SLC
Intro to Adaptive Climbing
The Intro to Adaptive Class is exactly how it sounds; an introduction to all things “adaptive program”. The goal of this class is two-fold: provide a learn-first, teach-second environment and give athletes an opportunity to experience climbing through the lens of their personal priorities. Intro to Adaptive Climbing includes an Adaptive System Orientation, Basic Movement Instruction, Top-Rope Lesson, Bouldering Orientation, and Autobelay Orientation.
This class is not a 'one size fits all' and will be formatted around the participants' needs. If a person is not able to climb independently of adaptive systems, we will spend more time working with the systems versus teaching bouldering skills.
Email mckenna.mandsager@thefrontclimbingclub.com to schedule.
FAQs
What is adaptive climbing?
Adaptive climbing makes climbing accessible to anyone with a disability. We change the sport to fit the individual instead of changing the person to fit inside a box of “typical” climbing.
Paraclimbing is competitive adaptive climbing. Paraclimbers will often compete in World Cup level competitions.
What are the main paraclimbing climbing categories?
According to the IFSC, there are 4 umbrella categories and within each of those are 2-3 subcategories: RP (reduced power), AL (amputee lower), AU (amputee upper), and B (blind/visually impaired).
- AL1: the “seated category”; athletes are unable to use their legs to climb
- AL2: lower leg amputation either below the knee (bk) or above the knee (ak); athletes may choose whether or not to utilize a prosthetic
- AU1: upper limb difference in the form of a shoulder amputation; athletes will most often have 3 points of contact on the wall
- AU2: upper limb difference below the elbow; athletes will generally have the ability to make a hook shape with their arm to climb
- AU3: upper limb difference below the wrist; athleteswill generally have the ability to make a hook shape with their arm to climb
- RP1/RP2/RP3: a reduction in power/dexterity/mobility through any number of limbs or parts of the body; category is split up depending on the severity of one’s condition in terms of how much strength/power is able to be recruited; category accommodates a wide breadth of disabilities
- B1: completely blind; will often wear an eye mask and a headset which helps them communicate with their caller; callers assists them as they navigate the terrain on the wall by calling out the position and orientation of holds
- B2/B3: limited visual acuity or visual field; athletes will sometimes have a caller/headset with them and other times they will opt to climb without one while training
If you would like to learn more information about the IFSC classification system, check out this article:
It is important to note that this is most definitely not a perfect system and can fail to properly accommodate everyone. Please be considerate and empathetic to paraclimbers who identify as being a part of the disability community but their personal condition does not fall within a category set by the IFSC classification guidelines.
If an athlete uses a mobility aid/device (I.e. wheelchair, prosthetic, crutches, walker, etc.) please be considerate of the space it occupies on the floor while they are climbing. Ask the athlete directly if they would like help moving it before assuming that they need assistance. Do not touch another’s belongings without consent.
How is The Front contributing to the adaptive climbing community?
The Front is on the forefront of adaptive climbing. We strive to provide accommodations for any body anywhere inside our gyms and out in the community. Our goal is to integrate adaptive climbing fully while still providing specialized programs for adaptive athletes to get the support they need to rock it on the wall.
Do I have to pay to participate?
You do not need to pay anything extra to participate in Adaptive Climbing at The Front. If you are a current Front member, you may join for free. Guests may attend for a discounted day pass rate.
Can my child participate?
We have a variety of youth programming options including adaptive camps, NAC sessions, and large groups! View our programming above the FAQs on this page for all current offerings.
What about large groups?
For large group inquiries, contact Adaptive program coordinator McKenna Mandsager at mckenna.mandsager@thefrontclimbingclub.com to book your group.
Please submit requests at least one month in advance.
In your inquiry, please provide information on the size of the group, a selection of preferred dates and times, and any accommodation needs you can foresee.
Can I make accommodation requests?
Absolutely! We want to help accommodate your needs to make our classes work for you. We will need a minimum of 48 hours to provide reasonable accommodation. One full week of prior notice to the class is preferred for larger requests.
Examples include earplugs or altered light/music levels for light and noise sensitivity, assisted physical support systems, priority classroom placement, minor class instruction adjustments, an interpreter or caller, etc.
You can fill out your accommodation form here.
Tell Us What You Think!
Have you participated in the Adaptive program at The Front before? Fill out this feedback form to help improve our services to the community!
Meet The Staff
Adaptive Program & Partnerships Manager
Adaptive Comp Team Coach
Adaptive Comp Team Coach
Adaptive Instructor
