Meghan Connolly • May 18, 2020
Member Highlight: Ted Schatz
"As a movement nerd (Kinesiology major) climbing was always something that appealed to me. I simply did not know how to really get started. "
"I started really climbing essentially the week The Source opened. At the time I was working just across the road at Northwest Personal Training and was able to watch The Source be built. When you all opened, I came in got a membership and got started learning with a belay class.. The rest is history. I obsessed over getting better for quite a while as many of us do. I have a tendency to go all in when I get into something. From there some of my friends Melissa and Steve Demsky took me out to Ozone for my first outdoor experience. Next thing I knew I was helping Micheal start the Red Flag program that Jessica has taken to a new level. Took the Climbing Wall Association Instructor courses, and now I find myself teaching Climbing classes for both Clark College and Portland Community College as PE classes for students."
"My favorite outdoor climb is Carrots for Everyone at Ozone.. I wish I could say I have lots of outdoor climbing experience but it has been pretty limited due to... Life. Michael got me on that route a few years back and it is just fun. Lots of little sections that require different styles of climbing. My favorite climbing experience would be seeing my daughters climb outside and be brave. You just can’t beat that feeling of seeing your kids challenge themselves and overcome adversity. Climbing teaches so many lessons."
"Climbing for me is a mental escape. Very few things get me out of my head and just in the moment. It is actually something I struggle with a lot. When I climb my brain goes quiet. Things become simple. Place foot here, shift weight, place hand here and so on. Don’t get me wrong it is also chaos. However for me I guess I find zen in chaos.."
"If I was going to give one piece of advice for young climbers, it would be to be humble and ask questions. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice. It may take a little longer in the beginning to learn good technique when you are strong and you know you can crush all things. However it will pay off in the long run. Take lessons, hire a coach, climb with people better than you. Most importantly climb like a girl."
Our 1100 Block is scheduled to open fully complete in late November.
Block Party today / 12th & Main closed for 2 more weeks
Construction on our block starting Tuesday 7/29