Youth Competitive Teams

This program is recommended for climbers with at least some climbing experience. We generally recommend the “Rec Team” or “Rec Team +” for inexperienced climbers.

Yes! We offer a $25 “team tryout” for anyone that wants to attend a session before signing up for a full month commitment. If you would like to do a team tryout, please contact Coach Aakash at Aakash@cruxcc.com or Coach Elliot at Elliot@cruxcc.com to schedule a session.

We generally require younger participants (ages 7-11) to join the 4:30-6:30pm sessions, while the 6-8pm session is generally for older kids (ages 12-18). However, if your athlete is a highly experienced climber, exceptions to these rules can be made.

Follow the registration button below.

If you are unsure whether your athlete wants to join, please reach out to teamcrux@cruxcc.com to schedule a practice. You’ll pay for a day pass, and if you would like to join at the end of practice, the day pass fees will be used towards your first team dues.

Yes, and no. All additional costs are optional depending on how much your athlete would like to compete.

Additional Costs can include:

• Additional Crux practice shirts – $12+tax
• Team Crux Gear Pack – $59+tax
• USA Climbing membership $105
• Competition Registrations – $40-$60 for qualifying events and upwards to $200 for larger competitions.
• Outdoor Climbing Trips – $20-$60
• Coach fee for Divisionals and Nationals – $25-$50
• Any gear your kid would want to own themselves rather than using Crux’s.

Practices are always optional. We understand if the athletes need to miss sessions on occasion; however, we do strongly encourage athletes to come to as many sessions as possible and recommend team members go to at least 2-3 practices a week.

For all practices Sunday-Thurday, we ask that our team wears their Team Crux shirts, so that they are easily identified and to communicate to our other members that this climber knows climbing etiquette. By wearing the team shirt, we build a mutual respect between our members and the team athletes, instead of just another “kid in a playscape” mindset.

On Saturdays, team members can choose to wear whatever shirt they want.

We do have a “shirt-on” policy, meaning a shirt must be worn at all times during practices and competitions.

We are sponsored by La Sportiva, so if you need any shoes we can place an order at a discount.

Yes! We host outdoor day trips for Team Crux athletes throughout the year. Our outdoor climbing sessions take us to established climbing areas around the Austin area including Reimers Ranch, the Greenbelt, Enchanted Rock, McKinney Falls, Bull Creek, and Roger’s.

Look below for our next available option.

Yes! Any youth programs membership grants your child full access to either of our gyms (south or central location). Your athlete would be welcome to climb at the gym during our regular business hours if they are under adult supervision (or age 13+).

While it is not required, it is highly suggested the more competitive your athlete gets because you can purchase shoes with more advance features.

Crux provides all climbing gear for free as a part of their youth team membership. If your athlete wants to get their own gear, we do sell gear in our shop, but it is never mandatory for an athlete to have their own climbing gear. If they go to a competition, they will be able to rent gear from the hosting gym.

Typical gear needed: climbing shoes, harness, belay device, chalk bag and chalk. We have team crux gear packs for purchase that also work as a rope bag.

The ideal practice schedule is 3 times a week, though we understand that might not fit into every family’s schedule and recommend a flexible rate of 2-4 practices per week. For those that desire it, we are able to provide an additional practice at a time that works best for families via private lessons.

Once signing up, the athlete and their family will pick a “home” gym (either South Crux or Central Crux) for practices and primarily train there. They will get to experience the other gym during the Saturday practices.

Yes! Once joining the team, parents will be invited to our team group chat hosted on Slack, where parents can interact with each other as well as with the coaches. We will also post important team information and updates on Slack. If you do not choose to join our Slack page, updates will also be sent out on email.

To contact our coaching staff, please email teamcrux@cruxcc.com. Your email will be directed to the head coach, team coordinator, and our head of programs.

If your athlete is a preexisting team member, you can also use Slack.

Team Crux competes in the USA Climbing youth circuit with specific seasons for bouldering, sport, and speed. The athletes compete within their own age groups, of which there are 5. Bouldering and sport are judged on difficulty, while speed climbing is judged on time.

USA Climbing partners with various climbing gyms to host 3-6 Qualifying Events per season within the various designated regions across the United States. We are a part of Region 51, which includes most of Texas and Lousisana. Crux, for example, always hosts a Qualifying Event for our team’s convenience.

If your athlete ranks in the top 25 of their age group in the Regional Qualifying Events, then they move on to the Regional Championships. If your athlete places in the top 12 at Regionals, they will qualify for the Divisional Championships.

We are a part of Division 5, which is our Region plus Region 52 – made up of Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, the north side of Mississippi, a small part of Kansas, and the south tips of Illinois and Indiana. If your athlete places in the top 6 at Divisionals, they will then qualify for the National Championships.

Yes, in order to compete your athlete will need a competitor level membership with USA Climbing, costing $105.00. You can sign up for one here.