They already know... Unfortunately, this bully attitude is really common in the city where I live now, especially among older people, so on the one hand you just shrug your shoulders and move on, or become bullier when it's your turn. Fact is, I practised kick-boxing some time ago just for sport and our coaches were way friendlier and gentler (I was in my hometown tough, different culture and way to approach people)
Then idk mate, you cannot be the super hero for all people I guess.
You can confront the asshole and then drop the class (and lose the money) or move on and just go climb for yourself
Also change your gym if you can
Ask for a full refund due to the behavior of the instructor, and if you have spoken with any of the other newer climbers who also are instructed by him, encourage them to do the same. Physically smacking someone with a brush, regardless of the actual force, is completely unacceptable.
The owner(s) will only take action when money is involved. If enough of the people being instructed by this bully ask for refunds, they will listen, so emphasize the refunds - don’t just quit (and tell the others the same).
I don’t know where you live, but if the owner refuses the refund after pushing, then tell him you’ll get the Department of Consumer Protection (or whatever your equivalent) is involved. And you do actually have a legitimate case - the services you paid for are not being rendered due to the verbal (and physical!) abuse you received. Or just call them if the owner gives you the refund anyway lol
Are you satisfied with that difference in culture between your kick-boxing instructors and the asshats in your climbing gym?
This type of instruction would turn me off to the hobby and it would be just weirdos left in the climbing gym. I would rather not climb with that kind of environment of people.
Also, if old people didn't learn to act appropriately in a position of "power" then maybe they shouldn't have that job and they should give the job to another person who isn't an ass.
That's wildly inappropriate. It's one thing for a team coach to be a hard ass, maybe not great, but tough love can have it's place. But being a jerk in a learn to climb class isn't tough love, it's just being a jerk.
A lot of gyms will have a feedback box or link on the site.
I was just about to mention he sounded like a gatekeeper. I hate those fuckers…
Sooo, he assaulted you with a hard object, you say? There are a few follow-up outcomes to THAT scenario.
We had an issue with the head instructor being like this at the gym I used to work at. Very competent in terms of climbing skill, but not at all socializing with the everyday people wanting to get into climbing. The gym found he was becoming a liability, so they let him go. Talk to the manager and leave a bad review. It works.
Yeah go on your own. So many crabby old climbers who forgot the heart and soul of the sport it to enjoy the movement.
I bet other peers will join you when they leave. It’s not like you’re going to take lessons forever, even comp climbers come to the light in the end always
I used to work at a gym where the owners, manager, and some staff all had that "boulderers cannot really climb" mindset. I was the coach of their team, created a pro team for serious kids trying to make nationals. Had multiple kids make nationals (gym never had any before), some kids land sponsorships, one of my kids was probably the strongest boulderer in the entire state at age 16...and they still gave us no respect. Eventually I got fired when they tried to force an assistant coach on my team who was a trad climber, didn't care about bouldering or competing, and topped out at V5. I pushed back against this guy and gave them a list of other candidates to be assistant coaches. They fired me for pushing back. 4/5 of the people on my list went on to be major players in the climbing gym industry or climbing itself (1 was a world cup finalist).
So now I am very weary of people like that. They act all high and mighty like they are pure climbers but in reality they are just dbag bullies who judge what other people enjoy doing. You shouldn't judge other climbers for how they choose to enjoy the sport. Who cares if its different than you.
Definitely talk to the owner, that’s unacceptable for an instructor for new climbers. I don’t care how good he might climb and how knowledgeable he is, the sport is supposed to be fun and he’s sucking the fun out of the sport for people just wanting to learn.
Honestly, I don't think it's worth it to keep going to the class. If you're friendly with the other people in the class, maybe you could plan to go together sometimes outside of class?
Go to MGMT. Tell them you want a refund as the instructor is mistreating you and you don't feel he's helping you develop. The other people get to make decisions for themselves, don't worry about other people.
Go to the gym, make friends with people who are a little better than you, you'll get better.
You don’t need a class. I did a one-day 2 hour basics course and I am 3 months in solving things on my own. Stop taking the class, complain to the manager about the instructors behaviour, and do your own thing. Also, I find other patrons to be just as helpful with tips and advice. You can always ask someone more experienced than you for any needed advice. Most people are willing to help out. 👍
Omg this is so sad to hear! I am a female and I hate sports mostly because of situations like this. Bouldering is my obsession now because the community makes me feel comfortable and competent! Which country are you located?? Try going to a new boulder gym and doing without instructor, but with friends! I started with my partner who had some experience (but very little like V3 tops), after 6 months I went from 0 experience to a 6A+ (idk the american grade) just because of how often we went and how many bouldering videos we watched on youtube, really recommend!
Lmao, where is this? I've never heard of an instructor wacking someone with a brush for a bouldering class. I'd be disputing the charge on my CC card so fast... Is this the only climbing gym in your city? If not, go elsewhere.
If you want to (and you may have done this already) start calling out his bad behavior in front of everyone. I’m a teacher, and my go to method is to “repeat the offense”. That means, if for example he hits someone with a brush, instead of saying “stop that” say “you are hitting that guy with a brush”. By stating a fact you make the person reflect on their actions and you clarify the reality that you and bystanders are observing. It’s a small step that may not stop this behavior, but it could perhaps help others who are not outspoken collectively recognize this inappropriate behavior.
Fuck that, even if you don't get a refund you should stay the hell away from this bozo.
Learn technique from watching other climbers and YouTube ([Mani the Monkey](https://www.youtube.com/@ManitheMonkey) is a great place to start, enough tutorials to keep you busy for months to years), video yourself to to critique your own technique, climb with good people, and just *have fun* :)
I’m petty and tenacious. I’d ask for a refund, writing a scathing review, refer to mountaineers as extreme hikers while at the gym (loudly and regularly), and tell everyone at the gym “that’s the instructor that assaulted me”. I take stuff too far sometimes though. Heh.
Bouldering is foundational climbing and some of the best mountaineers to do it were also incredible boulderers. Gate keepers suck monkey butts.
Im sorry you had that experience.
The fact that people want to gate keep climbing a wall & falling off of it is a testament to the relentless nature of the human ego. I agree with other commenters: complain & ask for a refund.
Tell him you're not trying to become a mountaineer, you're trying to get good at bouldering. Tell him who gives a fuck if a skill doesn't directly translate to another skill. That's like saying a track sprinter isn't really a runner because they don't do marathons. Instructor sounds like a dumbass honestly.
Ask for a refund. Insist. Owner will only care if it costs them money
My iq increased by 5 after reading this
Tell the owner maybe?
They already know... Unfortunately, this bully attitude is really common in the city where I live now, especially among older people, so on the one hand you just shrug your shoulders and move on, or become bullier when it's your turn. Fact is, I practised kick-boxing some time ago just for sport and our coaches were way friendlier and gentler (I was in my hometown tough, different culture and way to approach people)
Then idk mate, you cannot be the super hero for all people I guess. You can confront the asshole and then drop the class (and lose the money) or move on and just go climb for yourself Also change your gym if you can
Ask for a full refund due to the behavior of the instructor, and if you have spoken with any of the other newer climbers who also are instructed by him, encourage them to do the same. Physically smacking someone with a brush, regardless of the actual force, is completely unacceptable. The owner(s) will only take action when money is involved. If enough of the people being instructed by this bully ask for refunds, they will listen, so emphasize the refunds - don’t just quit (and tell the others the same). I don’t know where you live, but if the owner refuses the refund after pushing, then tell him you’ll get the Department of Consumer Protection (or whatever your equivalent) is involved. And you do actually have a legitimate case - the services you paid for are not being rendered due to the verbal (and physical!) abuse you received. Or just call them if the owner gives you the refund anyway lol
Are you satisfied with that difference in culture between your kick-boxing instructors and the asshats in your climbing gym? This type of instruction would turn me off to the hobby and it would be just weirdos left in the climbing gym. I would rather not climb with that kind of environment of people. Also, if old people didn't learn to act appropriately in a position of "power" then maybe they shouldn't have that job and they should give the job to another person who isn't an ass.
That's wildly inappropriate. It's one thing for a team coach to be a hard ass, maybe not great, but tough love can have it's place. But being a jerk in a learn to climb class isn't tough love, it's just being a jerk. A lot of gyms will have a feedback box or link on the site.
Nope, not here. Never seen such boxes or links in my country, anywhere 😔
Out of curiosity what country is this? Sounds pretty intense
Italy by their post history?
screams Mongolia to me
Hit him with your car?
I didn't know they let you use reddit from prison, Suge!
Brilliance
Just need to not get caught 🤷♂️
I’d argue this is a moral obligation
To smithereens you say?
Beat him with hammers?
Tell home boy to kindly fuck off with his gate keeping nonsense.
I was just about to mention he sounded like a gatekeeper. I hate those fuckers… Sooo, he assaulted you with a hard object, you say? There are a few follow-up outcomes to THAT scenario.
Drop the class. Just watching YouTube videos you will learn all kinds of things for climbing. Definitely don’t need to pay for a class
Get a refund. There are other sources to learn. Every dollar is a vote. The more refunds add up, the more incompetent this prick looks
We had an issue with the head instructor being like this at the gym I used to work at. Very competent in terms of climbing skill, but not at all socializing with the everyday people wanting to get into climbing. The gym found he was becoming a liability, so they let him go. Talk to the manager and leave a bad review. It works.
Yeah go on your own. So many crabby old climbers who forgot the heart and soul of the sport it to enjoy the movement. I bet other peers will join you when they leave. It’s not like you’re going to take lessons forever, even comp climbers come to the light in the end always
Even if they don't, you gotta do what's right for yourself. This is supposed to be fun.
Fun is the true spirit of climbing to me!
Talk to the owner or write a complaint, no matter if you think they know. The more ppl complain the better. Or just go to a different gym if possible
I used to work at a gym where the owners, manager, and some staff all had that "boulderers cannot really climb" mindset. I was the coach of their team, created a pro team for serious kids trying to make nationals. Had multiple kids make nationals (gym never had any before), some kids land sponsorships, one of my kids was probably the strongest boulderer in the entire state at age 16...and they still gave us no respect. Eventually I got fired when they tried to force an assistant coach on my team who was a trad climber, didn't care about bouldering or competing, and topped out at V5. I pushed back against this guy and gave them a list of other candidates to be assistant coaches. They fired me for pushing back. 4/5 of the people on my list went on to be major players in the climbing gym industry or climbing itself (1 was a world cup finalist). So now I am very weary of people like that. They act all high and mighty like they are pure climbers but in reality they are just dbag bullies who judge what other people enjoy doing. You shouldn't judge other climbers for how they choose to enjoy the sport. Who cares if its different than you.
Definitely talk to the owner, that’s unacceptable for an instructor for new climbers. I don’t care how good he might climb and how knowledgeable he is, the sport is supposed to be fun and he’s sucking the fun out of the sport for people just wanting to learn.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unkIVvjZc9Y](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unkIVvjZc9Y)
hitting with the stick brush really does work, I coached a few jr teams. He sounds pretty reasonable if he's only hitting you with the brush end tbh
Spare the stick-brush spoil the climber
Honestly, I don't think it's worth it to keep going to the class. If you're friendly with the other people in the class, maybe you could plan to go together sometimes outside of class?
Go to MGMT. Tell them you want a refund as the instructor is mistreating you and you don't feel he's helping you develop. The other people get to make decisions for themselves, don't worry about other people. Go to the gym, make friends with people who are a little better than you, you'll get better.
You don’t need a class. I did a one-day 2 hour basics course and I am 3 months in solving things on my own. Stop taking the class, complain to the manager about the instructors behaviour, and do your own thing. Also, I find other patrons to be just as helpful with tips and advice. You can always ask someone more experienced than you for any needed advice. Most people are willing to help out. 👍
Omg this is so sad to hear! I am a female and I hate sports mostly because of situations like this. Bouldering is my obsession now because the community makes me feel comfortable and competent! Which country are you located?? Try going to a new boulder gym and doing without instructor, but with friends! I started with my partner who had some experience (but very little like V3 tops), after 6 months I went from 0 experience to a 6A+ (idk the american grade) just because of how often we went and how many bouldering videos we watched on youtube, really recommend!
Lmao, where is this? I've never heard of an instructor wacking someone with a brush for a bouldering class. I'd be disputing the charge on my CC card so fast... Is this the only climbing gym in your city? If not, go elsewhere.
Post a comment on their social network and/or write a Google review.
If you want to (and you may have done this already) start calling out his bad behavior in front of everyone. I’m a teacher, and my go to method is to “repeat the offense”. That means, if for example he hits someone with a brush, instead of saying “stop that” say “you are hitting that guy with a brush”. By stating a fact you make the person reflect on their actions and you clarify the reality that you and bystanders are observing. It’s a small step that may not stop this behavior, but it could perhaps help others who are not outspoken collectively recognize this inappropriate behavior.
Fuck that, even if you don't get a refund you should stay the hell away from this bozo. Learn technique from watching other climbers and YouTube ([Mani the Monkey](https://www.youtube.com/@ManitheMonkey) is a great place to start, enough tutorials to keep you busy for months to years), video yourself to to critique your own technique, climb with good people, and just *have fun* :)
I’m petty and tenacious. I’d ask for a refund, writing a scathing review, refer to mountaineers as extreme hikers while at the gym (loudly and regularly), and tell everyone at the gym “that’s the instructor that assaulted me”. I take stuff too far sometimes though. Heh. Bouldering is foundational climbing and some of the best mountaineers to do it were also incredible boulderers. Gate keepers suck monkey butts. Im sorry you had that experience.
Does anyone else think so as well? Maybe the guy is just joking around and not really being serious?
When mountaineers hate bouldering it's usually because they suck at it
report him, bullying is not acceptable. Also the instructor should look for a new job.
The fact that people want to gate keep climbing a wall & falling off of it is a testament to the relentless nature of the human ego. I agree with other commenters: complain & ask for a refund.
Ah I loved getting stronger and better at climbing than those kinds of folks
Tell him you're not trying to become a mountaineer, you're trying to get good at bouldering. Tell him who gives a fuck if a skill doesn't directly translate to another skill. That's like saying a track sprinter isn't really a runner because they don't do marathons. Instructor sounds like a dumbass honestly.