Maggie McDermut is a former USA Climbing coach and climbing gym instructor having worked at Santa Barbara Climbing Gym. She taught a range of classes from basic top rope belay classes, climbing technique, all the way to custom fitness programs designed to propel her students’ climbing abilities. But her favorite part of the job was coaching the youth climbing team, and she even had a few climbers reach USA Climbing Youth Nationals.
Maggie, also an avid horse back rider, found climbing after a horse back riding accident. It was the first major physical activity she partook in after her accident and it didn’t take her long to discover how therapeutic the movement was for her body and mind.
“I focused on bouldering at first as a harness laid right across my still achy back,” said Maggie McDermut. “What I only realized after the fact was, that bouldering and downclimbing everything really propelled my technique, footwork, and power training, and in 6 months time I found myself working as a climbing coach, doing one of my favorite things, sharing a passion of mine with excited youthful faces.”
Maggie will teach a Climbing Techniques Clinic at Outside Adventure Expo Friday and Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and on Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
The climbing fundamentals clinic will cover the following topics like how to properly inspect and put on a harness and proper communication between climber and belayer to safely communicate with movement, or breaks.
No prior knowledge of rock climbing is required. All equipment necessary will be provided on-site. Clinics will be limited to 12 people per session and are first come, first serve. Kids are welcome! Sign up on site to participate.
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