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Let the altitude change your attitude

 

About Rock Climbing

Is there anything your kids won’t climb?

Kids of all ages naturally climb for fun. Climbing with a team or club keeps them active and engaged and provides a safe outlet for their innate desire to climb. In fact, not only is climbing gaining popularity in the US, but it is now an Olympic event.

Climbing is for everyone

Stone Summit offers competitive and recreational programs for climbers of all ages and ability levels and is a great way for families to spend time together, indoors and outdoors. Little equipment is required, and it is a comparatively safe, non-contact sport.

A full workout for body and mind

Climbing is one of the fastest growing sports worldwide and offers an exciting and challenging way to develop athleticism and focus while fostering respect and camaraderie. Physically, climbing builds strength, flexibility and endurance and helps with coordination, balance and stability.

Social and strategic

Beyond the physical benefits, athletes gain confidence, learn perseverance and the ability to stay calm and focus in challenging situations. Like other popular sports, climbing promotes a sense of community and teamwork. Coaches and teammates encourage each other in an environment that is competitive and constructive.

Climbing provides a structured atmosphere focused on individual performance strengthened by team community, developing athletes who believe in themselves and their abilities, on and off the wall.

 

Strength Confidence Teamwork

 

With teams tailored to suit all skill levels, from beginners to experienced competitors, Stone Summit Climbing Team’s experienced coaches provide challenging workouts that combine fun with focused instruction in an encouraging, supportive environment. Climbers learn self-discipline and perseverance while developing strength, flexibility, technique, and the ability to solve complex problems.

 

 

CLIMBING CLUBS

 
Recreational Clubs teach the fundamentals of climbing, with activities tailored to each individual’s ability. Classes focus on developing strength, balance, flexibility, strategy, and communication. Teammates support and learn from each other, building a sense of community while working to achieve individual goals.
 
 
 
Apex Club is an introductory club for our youngest climbers. Coaches teach foundational skills and introduce each type of climbing (rope climbing, bouldering, and speed climbing).
  • Ages: 4-7
  • Atlanta: Saturday 9:30am - 11:30am
  • Kennesaw: Saturday 9-11am
  • Cost: $180/month
  • Coach-Climber Ratio: 1:3
 
 
Peak Club is designed for beginner climbers or those who have aged out of Apex Club. Climbers learn foundational skills, how to belay, and how to overcome physical and mental challenges at their own pace.
  • Ages: 6-12
  • Atlanta: Monday 5-7pm, Wednesday 4pm-6pm, or Wednesday 6-8pm
  • Kennesaw: Monday 5-7pm or Wednesday 5-7pm
  • Cost: $180/month
  • Coach-Climber Ratio: 1:5
 
 
Ascent Club is perfect for older tweens who are new to climbing or younger tweens advancing from a beginner-level club where coaches introduce how to train to climb. Competitions are encouraged, but not required.
  • Ages: 9-13
  • Tuesday & Thursday 5-7pm (either location)
  • Cost: $260/month
  • Coach-Climber Ratio: 1:6
 
 
Cliff Clubs are ideal for climbers with a flexible learning schedule. Coaches come alongside climbers with the same goal of teaching basic skills while the gym is less crowded.
  • Ages: 6-16
  • Friday 1-3pm (Atlanta only)
  • Cost: $180/month
  • Coach-Climber Ratio: 1:5
 
 
Any teen will find a home here. Teens who are new to climbing learn foundational skills and experienced teens hone their skills without having to compete.
  • Ages: 13-18
  • Tuesday & Thursday 7-9pm (either location)
  • Cost: $260/month
  • Coach-Climber Ratio: 1:7
 
 
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Pinnacle offers instruction for kids and teens with special needs. Head Coach Scott Gross’ educational background with special needs gives climbers an inclusive program that encourages emotional development and builds social skills.
  • Ages: 6+
  • Monday 5-7pm or Thursday 5-7pm (Atlanta only)
  • Cost: $400/month
  • Coach-Climber Ratio: 2:1
 
 
 

 

CLIMBING TEAMS

 

Stone Summit’s Competitive Climbing Teams are the leading teams in Georgia and are consistently ranked among the top teams nationally, placing first in the 1st place 2017 Sport Climbing & Overall Team Championship, the 1st place 2018 Speed Climbing Team Championship, 1st place 2019 Bouldering, Speed & Overall Team Championships and 2nd place 2021 Bouldering, Speed & Overall Team Championships.

Led by Head Coach Claudiu Vidulescu, who has also been the Head Coach for both the U.S. Youth and Adult National Climbing Teams, Stone Summit has produced numerous Youth National Champions, Youth International Champions (including World Champions) and Elite (Adult) U.S. National Team Members, Elite (Adult) National Champions, Elite International Champions and the first ever Olympian in Speed Climbing.

 
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Vertical Team is the first level of our competitive teams and ideal for climbers who progress beyond the Ascent Club and desire to compete. Classes change to practices and climbers learn how to train for their first competitions.
  • Ages: 7-18
  • Atlanta: Tuesday & Friday 5-8pm
  • Kennesaw: Monday & Thursday 5-8pm
  • Cost: $300/month
  • Coach-Climber Ratio: 1:6
 
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Summit Team C/D is for climbers who develop past the Vertical Team and desire to compete at a higher level. These climbers may join the Summit Team to train for the Regional level, with the possibility of competing in Divisional and National Championships. Training is more intense to allow climbers to realize greater potential.
  • Ages: 7-12
  • Atlanta: Monday, Wednesday & Thursday 4-6pm
  • Kennesaw: Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 5-7pm
  • Cost: $300/month
  • Coach-Climber Ratio: 1:6
 
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Summit Team is for climbers who develop past the Vertical Team and desire to compete at a high level. Climbers aim to advance past the Regional level in hopes of qualifying for Divisional and National competitions.
  • Ages: 12-18
  • Atlanta: Monday, Wednesday & Thursday 5-8pm
  • Kennesaw: Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 5-8pm
  • Cost: $380/month
Elite is our highest-level team. Team members must have earned a place in either the Bouldering or Sport Climbing National Championships in the past year to be invited to this team. Practices are held five times each week between all Stone Summit facilities.
  • Invitation Only
 
 
 

 

Climbing Disciplines

Bouldering - Sport Climbing - Speed Climbing

 

Climbing is a physically and mentally demanding sport, one that often tests a climber's strength, endurance, agility and balance along with mental control. Knowledge of proper climbing techniques and usage of specialized climbing equipment is crucial for the safe completion of routes. Because of the wide range and variety of rock formations around the world, rock climbing has been separated into several different styles and sub-disciplines: Bouldering, Sport Climbing and Speed Climbing).


On August 3, 2016, Competition Climbing was added to the 2020 Summer Olympics program. The Stone Summit Team practices and competes in all three disciplines sanctioned by USA Climbing. Those disciplines are Bouldering, Sport Climbing and Speed Climbing. Our Competitive Teams compete at the local, regional, national and international levels. More information on each of the climbing disciplines is listed below.

 

READ MORE ABOUT THE DIFFERENT DISCIPLINES BELOW

 
 

Dynamic climbing without ropes on shorter walls over padded floors

Bouldering is a type of rock climbing without of ropes or harnesses, and typically use protective mats to prevent injuries from falls. Climbing routes are generally under 6 meters (20 ft.) tall. Bouldering competitions are held both indoors and outdoors. Boulderers train indoors in areas without natural boulders.
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Sport climbing emphasizes strength, endurance, flexibility and technique on tall walls with a rope for safety.

 
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Sport climbing emphasizes strength, endurance, flexibility and technique. It uses permanent anchors, harnesses and ropes for protection. Indoor sport climbing also uses hand and footholds fixed to the walls and offers a convenient way to learn and build technical skills required for climbing. Sport climbing can be done indoors or outdoors.

 

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Ready! Set! Go! Climb as fast as you can to get to the top!

 
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Speed climbing competitions are governed by the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) and are timed on certified 10m or 15m artificial walls. The competitor’s time is determined by striking a sensor at the top of the route. Speed climbing also uses permanent anchors, harnesses and ropes for protection.

Team Stone Summit was Speed National Team champion in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2023 and has multiple Speed Climbing Youth National Champions, Collegiate National Champions, Youth World Champions and Elite (Professional Level) US National Speed Climbing Champions, Elite PanAmerican Champion, Elite World Cup medalist and the first ever athlete to qualify for the Olympics in Speed Climbing.

 

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 Team Champions

The Stone Summit Climbing Team has produced numerous Youth National Champions, Youth International Champions (including World Champions), Elite (Professional level) U.S. National Team Members and Elite National & International Champions.

Current Team Champions In alphabetical order

Callie Close

  • 2023 USAC Elite Speed National Team Member

  • 2022 USAC Elite Speed National Champion

  • Former US National FYA Speed Climbing Record Holder (15 meter wall)

  • 2022 USAC Female Junior Speed National Champion

  • 2022 USAC Elite Speed National Team Member

  • 2022 USAC Elite Team Trials Speed Champion

  • 2021 USAC Elite Speed National Champion

  • 2021 USAC Elite Speed Nation Team

  • 2021 USAC Youth A Speed National Champion

  • 2019 IFSC Youth B Speed World Champion

  • 2019 USAC Youth B Speed National Champion

Zach Galla

  • 2023 USAC Elite Combined (Boulder & Lead) National Team Member

  • 2022 USAC Elite Team Trials Boulder Champion

  • 2022 USAC Elite Bouldering National Team

  • 2020 USAC Elite Combined National Champion

  • 2020 USAC MJR Bouldering Champion

  • 2019 USAC Elite Combined National Team

  • 2019 USAC Elite Combined National Champion

  • 2018 USAC MJR Bouldering National Champion

Emma Hunt

  • Qualified Athlete for the 2024 Olympics - USA Speed Climbing Team

  • 2024 Pre-Qualified US Elite Speed National Team Member

  • US National & Pan-American Women’s Speed Climbing Record Holder (6.62 seconds 15 meter wall)

  • 2023 USAC Pre-Qualified Elite Speed National Team Member

  • 2022 World Games Women’s Speed Climbing Gold Medalist

  • 2022 USAC Elite Speed National Team Member

  • 2021 IFSC Pan-American Women’s Speed Champion

  • 2021 IFSC Women’s Speed World Cup Season 1st Place Ranking

  • 2021 USAC Elite Team Trials Speed Champion

  • 2021 USAC Elite Speed National Team

  • 2021 USAC FJR Combined National Champion (Boulder, Lead & Speed)

  • 2021 USAC FJR Speed National Champion

  • 2019 USAC Elite Speed National Team

  • 2019 USAC Elite Speed National Champion

  • 2019 IFSC Youth A Speed World Champion

  • 2019 USAC Youth A Speed National Champion

  • 2018 USAC Youth B Speed National Champion

Lily Nguyen

2023 USAC FYA Speed National Champion

2022 USAC FYB Speed National Champion

Helen Stephens

2021 USAC FJR Bouldering National Champion

 

Team Alumni Champions

Ben Hammer

2017 USAC Collegiate Speed National Champion

Amanda Wooten

  • 2017 USAC FJR Speed National Champion

  • 2018 USAC Collegiate Speed National Champ

Brad Weaver

  • 2015 USAC Elite Sport National Champion

  • 2015 USAC Elite Sport National Team

Bailey Dickerson

2012 USAC FYB Speed National Champion

Francesca Metcalf

2012 USAC Collegiate National Champion

Thomas Pitzel

  • 2018 USAC Collegiate National Champion

  • 2014 USAC MJR Speed National Champion

  • 2013 USAC MJR Speed National Champion

Zander Waller

  • 2022 USAC MJR Bouldering National Champion

  • 2021 USAC MJR Combined National Champion

  • 2021 USAC MJR Bouldering National Champion

  • 2020 USAC MYA Bouldering National Champion

  • 2019 Elite Sport National Team

  • 2017 IFSC MYB Combined Pan-American Champion

  • 2017 IFSC MYB Sport Pan-American Champion

Luke Tillery

  • 2019 USAC MYC Combined National Champion

  • 2019 USAC MYC Speed National Champion

  • 2018 USAC MYC Combined National Champion

  • 2017 USAC MYD Combined National Champion

  • 2017 USAC MYD Speed National Champion

  • 2017 USAC MYD Bouldering National Champion

  • 2015 USAC MYD Sport National Champion

 

 

Stone Summit Climbing Team Coaches

 
Claudiu Vidulescu Head Coach / Program Director

Claudiu Vidulescu
Stone Summit Climbing Team Owner and Head of Program Development

Claudiu Vidulescu (he/him) is Stone Summit Climbing Team’s owner and program developer. Claudiu is at the forefront of climbing training, development, and program management. He’s mentored both youth and professional climbers, including one of the world’s best female climbers, Sasha Digulian. His climbing and coaching experience have made the Stone Summit Climbing Team competitive on local, national, and global stages.

 

Olexiy Shulga

Summit & Elite Climbing Team Head Coach

Olexiy Shulga (he/him) is our Head Coach and has an extensive resume. He as been climbing since 1997 and coaching since 2010. Before joining Stone Summit team he coached the National Climbing Team of Ukraine where he primarily specialized in Speed Climbing. He personally competed from 1997 - 2012 in both youth and adult international events. Along with is climbing coaching achievements from 2008-2016 Olexiy was lecturer in the Ukraine at the State Institute of Physical Education and Sports and 2012 earned his Ph.D in Sport Science.

“Climbing is like surfing to me, intuitive flow. Once you do a first move - momentum builds from the ground to the top. shows a lot about one's char-acter & personality.”

 

Yaroslav Hontaryk

Head Speed Coach

Yaroslav Hontaryk (he/him) is our Head Speed Coach and joins us our team from the Ukraine. He has mastered his speed climbing and coaching skills over the last 22 years. A champion speed climber himself, Yaroslav won his first Youth European Cup in 2008. He is a four-time Ukraine Speed Champion, World Championship Silver medalist 2011 and Overall Speed World Cup 2012 Bronze Medalist. He love sharing his love of speed, competing, and climbing with others. He has coached at the National, Continental, and World level for the past 10 years.

John Heidbreder

Head Sport Climbing Coach

John Heidbreder (he/him) is the head of our Summit C/D Development team and manager of our Open Elite Team. He has been a climber for 10 years and has put his Degree in Exercise Science from Berry University to good use during his nearly 6 years of coaching and route setting. His love of climbing and experience extends to both real rock and plastic holds.

“I coach because of the fulfillment I receive when watching the youth climbers accomplish their personal goals, succeed in competition, & grow in the sport”.

Noah Hendrigsman

Head Bouldering Coach

Noah Hendrigsman (he/him) is our Head Bouldering Coach and loves outdoor bouldering throughout the Southeast and lower Midwest. He brings his enthusiasm for climbing and the climbing community to his energic coaching style. His appreciation of the outdoors goes beyond climbing as plans on earning a degree in Outdoor Recreation. “I love climbing and coaching because it continuously pushes me to improve in many ways”.

Augie Soder

Head Coach of Vertical and Summit C/D at SSK

is our Stone Summit Kennesaw Vertical Team Head Coach. He joins our team from Florida where he was a youth competition climber from 2008-2012. He rekindled his love of climbing roughly 3 years ago and coaches in Florida before joining our team.

Climbing is such a wonderful sport that has brought so much joy, discipline, and structure to my life. I wish to instill those same feelings in others”.

Kate Flach

Head Coach of Vertical and Summit C/D at SSA

She was a Stone Summit Team athlete for 4 years and has been climbing for 6. She has spent her last 3 summers coaching our Summer Camps. Kate will be attending Georgia Tech University in fall 2022.

“Over the years I have come to realize that climber is a very mental game. Whey you are a kid, it can be hard to overcome fears and push yourself without the guidance of coaches”.


Corey Ramos

Assistant Head Coach of Clubs at SSK

Corey started climbing over 12 years ago during his senior year of high school. The footprint climbing left on Corey led to numerous competitive accomplishments within the Paraclimbing space. Giving back to the community has always been the forefront of his priorities. With over 3 years of youth coaching experience, there is a natural love of helping new climbers become passionate and successful climbers! 

Otis McDaniel

Assistant Head Coach of Clubs at SSA

Otis McDaniel (he/him) is our Stone Summit Atlanta Club's Program Assistant Head Coach. His love of climbing started in 2019 and quickly went from being a hobby to being a fulfilling career. While majoring in theatre in college Otis found a passion for mentoring others through his experience as an educator working with younger artists to produce their own work. Coaching brings his two passions together naturally and he enjoys helping young athletes discover all that climbing has to offer. "I believe people should spend their lives doing what they love. I love climbing, and I love to teach, and I'm fortunate to have access to both. My only hope is that the kids I coach get to love this sport as much as I do!"

SCOTT GROSS

Pinnacle Team Head Coach

Scott’s background as a special education teacher and long-time climber combine to be an invaluable asset to the program. He’s passionate about creating an inclusive team that encourages emotional development and builds social skills.