[New post] Beast Fingers Brings Inclusivity to Rock Climbing
Christen Aldridge posted: " Beast Fingers is the first and only Black-owned indoor climbing gym in Colorado and the third Black-owned indoor climbing gym in the nation. Beast Fingers is more than a climbing gym, it is a space that helps youth with mental health and stress relief. A" Bucket List Community Cafe
Beast Fingers is the first and only Black-owned indoor climbing gym in Colorado and the third Black-owned indoor climbing gym in the nation. Beast Fingers is more than a climbing gym, it is a space that helps youth with mental health and stress relief. Aman Anderson is the owner of the Globeville gym and hopes it will make rock climbing more diverse and inclusive.
"I love the Globeville community," Aman says. "The reason why I chose Beast Fingers to be in this particular community is that it is diverse. I knew I would be doing a great service for students and families in the community by introducing them to rock climbing."
Aman Anderson is from Orlando, Florida and was introduced to rock climbing in his early twenties while working in Washington D.C. as a product designer. He fell in love with the sport instantly and he would later devote his life to rock climbing.
"A buddy of mine introduced me to rock climbing one day and I have been hooked ever since". Anderson said.
In 2015, Anderson relocated to Colorado and got certified through the USA Climbing Association as a rock climbing coach for adults and kids. He opened the Beast Finger gym in 2019 and has worked with many community members, especially kids of color.
"We have a diverse group of kids in our program. From kids experiencing homelessness, anxiety, and behavioral issues, to kids not familiar with the sport, to kids who are big climbing fans. It is also nice to see Black and Brown kids taking up the sport". Anderson said.
"Beast Fingers gym serves kids from three years old to 18 years of age. There is a recreational track and competitive track kids can join." Aman explained. "Many of my students have made it to state and national competitions." Anderson smiles proudly.
Anderson's focus on mental health and wellness is what makes Beast Fingers like no other climbing gym. Beast Fingers has a sports psychologist on staff that helps students with any anxiety or stress. "Students at Beast Fingers use an app called Mightier," Anderson said "This digital program helps kids analyze their emotions and feelings and helps with stress and anxiety. Students also participate in brain breaks and mental games to relieve stress and anxiety. Parents will tell me that their child's behavior has improved once being on the Beast Fingers Kids climbing team.
This makes me very proud of what I do" Anderson expressed.
Aman credits his father as the reason why he is such a great coach. "My father was a baseball coach and I watched how close he was with his players. He cared for them like they were his own kids. I hope to have the same care for my young rock climbers," Anderson says. "I ask my students about their future, goals, and ambition. Our students really enjoy that attention and care and their behavior improves."
Beast Fingers and Aman have been making noise in the rock climbing world. USA Climbing has even talked to Aman about how to diversify the sport.
"Exposing the sport to people of different classes and races will diversify the sport. Places like Beast Fingers are a good start."
Beast Fingers serves as a safe space for BIPOC climbers as well. From playing hip hop during competitions and having cultural food vendors, Beast Fingers merges Black culture and heritage with rock climbing. "We recently hosted a competition and Lil baby was playing on the radio and there was an African food vendor out front. It was incredible." Anderson laughs.
As an African-American climber, Anderson doesn't see other climbers who look like him. But his presence alone has brought Black students to the Beast Fingers gym and to the sport of rock climbing.
"I have noticed my skin color as a rock climbing coach has comforted people in the Globeville community. I am not looked at as someone who is here to gentrify the community or even play the white-savior trope to my students of color. I am seen as a representation, someone my students can feel comfortable around because they see someone who looks like them."
Beast Fingers students' success speaks to the amazing impact Anderson has on his kids. He has one student that is 5th in the state and many national champions. Students who have graduated from the program have gone to college and even pursued careers in psychology.
"A former student was inspired to be a psychologist due to the mental strategies he learned here at Beast Fingers."
Beast Fingers exposes kids to the sport of rock climbing while helping kids become aware of their challenges and learn how to overcome them. Check out Beast Fingers website Beast Fingers Climbing for adult and kid programs
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