Swarm team
Youth who show enthusiasm for competitive climbing, dedication to regular training, and are supportive team members may be invited to join the The Swarm – our highest level competitive youth team.
hornets | rec team
The Hornets Recreational Climbing Team expands on The Hive’s Youth Recreational Programs to take kids to the next level! Hornets Rec is a program for youth aged 10-16, who have already taken a recreational program and have a strong drive to improve their climbing, with a positive attitude towards training. This team will meet twice a week for climbing & conditioning sessions.
Athletes will have the option to participate in local competitions if they wish, though it is not required for this program.
hornets | Rec Team details
Hornets practice being a supportive teammate while working on early stage personal athletic development, exploring training for climbing, spending time on the wall, projecting, and goal setting.
Requirements
- Participants must be able to commit to two sessions per week.
- Participants should be familiar with basic to intermediate climbing skills and language.
- Participants must have completed a minimum of one Youth Recreational Program at The Hive or similar at another facility.
- Applications must be submitted online; in-person climbing assessment is required prior to intake.
space & schedule
- Hornets Rec Teams run at each facility individually; climbers will commit to one home facility per term
- Spaces are limited and registration is subject to availability
- This program follows our typical Youth Recreational Program calendar. Terms run from September to December, January to March, and April to June. Prices will fluctuate based on the length of each term.
- Assessment dates are coordinated with the facility’s Education Coordinator following application.
Further questions? Feel free to contact us.
hornets | comp team
The Hornets Competitive Team is an introduction to a competition-focused climbing team. Hornets Competitive is for youth ages 10-16, with a strong drive to improve their climbing and a curiosity for competition. Focal points include exploring training for climbing, introduction to competition, projecting and goal setting.
Athletes are required to participate in two local competitions per term.
hornets | comp team
Hornets practice being a supportive teammate while exploring competition climbing & training, spending time on the wall, personal projecting, and goal setting.
requirements
- Participants in the Hornets Competitive Team must be able to commit to three sessions per week; climbers will commit to one home facility per term
- Participants must have completed a minimum of one Hive Youth Recreational Program or similar prior to intake
- Participants should be climbing at an intermediate level
- Applications must be submitted online; in-person climbing assessment is required prior to intake
space & applications
- Spaces are limited and registration is subject to availability
- Terms run from September to December, January to March, and April to June. Prices will fluctuate based on the length of each term
- Upon completing the application form and expect to hear from your facility’s Education Coordinator for assessment dates
swarm competitive
Sample Practice Schedule:
Monday: Hsur, 5-8pm
Tuesday: HVAN, 5-8pm
Thursday: HVAN/HNS-8pm
Saturday: HNS 8:30am-11Am
Sample Practice Schedule | International
Tuesday: HNS, 5-8pm
Wednesday: HNS, 5-8pm
Thursday: HNS 5-8pm
Saturday: HNS 9:30am-1pm
SWARM TEAM TRYOUT APPLICATION PROCESS
The Swarm has an annual intake for athletes; the applications open on April 15 and the deadline for submissions is May 31, 2025
Overview: Tryouts will be divided by team tier. Please review the details below to ensure you attend the correct session(s).
Swarm Tier 1 (Youth C/D, Ages 10-14)
- 3x per week training (mandatory for Youth D, optional for Youth C).
- Focus on advanced skill-building, competition prep, and teamwork.
- Mandatory participation in 1 local bouldering competition, 1 local difficulty competition, and provincials.
Swarm Tier 2 (Youth A/B, Ages 15-18)
- 4x per week training (mandatory for Youth A, optional for Youth B).
- Higher intensity, focused on competition strategy and national-level preparation.
- Encouraged participation in local, provincial, and national competitions.
Application Period:
Opens: April 15th
Closes: May 31st
Team Selection:
- Final Team Selection will be announced no later than June 21st.
- Invitation or Decline letters will follow.
Application Process:
- Complete the Application Form
- All applicants must fill out the online application form available on our website.
- Review Process
- Applications will be reviewed by our coaching staff.
- Current Hornets Comp athletes will receive an automatic invitation to tryouts.
- External applicants and those from recreational programs will be evaluated before receiving an invitation.
- Invitation to Tryouts
- Selected applicants will be contacted and provided with details about their assigned tryout sessions.
Important Notes:
- Athletes who fail to attend their designated tryout day must inform Ricardo, Head Coach. If tryout spots are filled, they may not have another opportunity to participate.
- Athletes should arrive prepared with appropriate climbing gear and water.
- Final team selections will be announced following the completion of tryouts
MEET THE SWARM COACHES
Christian was born and raised in Savona, Italy. He has spent 24 years as a member of the Italian National Team, where he won numerous Italian Championships, four Italian Cups, two World Cups, and was the Bouldering World Champion in 2003, just to name a few of his incredible achievements.
On top of being an immensely driven athlete, he is also a highly skilled climbing trainer, and coached the Italian Youth National Team for over 2 years.
Christian balances his love for training with climbing outdoors. He has established new boulders all over Italy including his most notable first ascent “Gioia” (rated V16/8C+) located in Varazze, Italy.
Looking to contact Christian? Drop him a line at christian@hiveclimbing.com
Ricardo was born and raised on the sunny beaches of Brazil, where he developed a deep passion for movement and competition. Growing up, he played competitive soccer and excelled in arm wrestling, later channeling his love for sport into coaching both disciplines for several years.
With a degree in Geology, Ricardo’s journey eventually brought him to Canada, where he found a new home in the climbing community. Since joining The Hive in 2019 as a route setter, he has played a key role in shaping both the gym’s walls and its athletes. His dedication to coaching led him to work with the Hornets youth team before stepping into his current role as the Head of the Competitive Department. Now, as the Head Coach of The Hive High Performance team, The Swarm, Ricardo is committed to developing high-performance climbers and fostering a culture of excellence.
Jeff comes to the Hive with an extensive background in high performance sport, more specifically Gymnastics. He was a very active coach producing several national champions while coaching both in private clubs as well as the Head Coach for the UBC Men and Women’s varsity gymnastics teams. In addition to coaching, he was a also a Lecturer in the School of Human Kinetics, teaching Movement Education, Developmental Gymnastics and Qualitative Analysis of Individual Sport and Dance.
While working at UBC Jeff was exposed to climbing on a small outdoor wall and was immediately hooked. He has now been involved in climbing for over 27 years and is known mostly for his work developing new climbs in Squamish where he and his friend Glenn Payan developed hundreds of new climbs for others to enjoy. Doing things in the opposite direction to most, he then gravitated towards indoor climbing and it wasn’t long before he was approached to work with competitive climbers, specifically in the areas of strength and flexibility development.
Jeff is very excited to be working with The Hive in the development of a happy, healthy, holistic competitive climbing program where all participants feel supported in striving to achieve their goals.
Looking to contact Jeff? Drop him a line at jeff@hiveclimbing.com
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