That's Not Real Climbing
That's Not Real Climbing
Jinni Xia
Ty Hardaway - The World's HIGHEST MILEAGE Belayer
1 hour 18 minutes Posted Jun 30, 2025 at 4:00 pm.
Thank you Mad Rock for sponsoring this episode! Use code 'notrealclimber' for 10% off your ENTIRE order, even if you're a returning customer! https://madrock.com/Learn more about the podcast at www.thatsnotrealclimbingpodcast.comFollow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thatsnotrealclimbingpodcastJoin the FREE community in Discord! https://discord.gg/QTa668g8zpJoin Patreon for a welcome gift, deleted scenes, and question priority: www.patreon.com/thatsnotrealclimbingpodcastTimestamps of discussion topics0:00 Intro1:20 - Mad Rock Shoutout!!2:08 - Coaching and belaying at USA youth nationals7:36 - Getting into volunteer judging/belaying11:35 - Good belaying vs bad belaying15:40 - You need to train your neck!!18:03 - Dangerous belay practices23:49 - The pressure of belaying at world cups29:29 - Athletes with specific belay requests31:54 - Athletes who are hard to belay for34:32 - Routesetting that makes belaying hard37:28 - Being a speed starter43:57 - Birmingham world games 202247:41 - HOT TAKE: Women are better belayers than men?!51:25 - Paraclimbing belaying54:28 - Manual speed climbing belaying?!57:02 - Extra considerations for para belaying59:37 - Changes in the sport - Olympics desperation1:04:40 - The toxic youth scene1:09:31 - Discord Q: Do belayers get a rundown of the route from setters?1:10:24 - DISCORD Q: Have you ever seen an athlete or coach object to a belayer?1:11:15 - DISCORD Q: Process for removing belayers mid comp?1:13:28 - Ice climbing belaying?!?1:16:03 - Where to find Ty
Intro
Mad Rock Shoutout!!
Coaching and belaying at USA youth nationals
Getting into volunteer judging/belaying
Good belaying vs bad belaying
You need to train your neck!!
Dangerous belay practices
The pressure of belaying at world cups
Athletes with specific belay requests
Athletes who are hard to belay for
Routesetting that makes belaying hard
Being a speed starter
Birmingham world games 2022
HOT TAKE: Women are better belayers than men?!
Paraclimbing belaying
Manual speed climbing belaying?!
Extra considerations for para belaying
Changes in the sport - Olympics desperation
The toxic youth scene
Discord Q: Do belayers get a rundown of the route from setters?
DISCORD Q: Have you ever seen an athlete or coach object to a belayer?
DISCORD Q: Process for removing belayers mid comp?
Ice climbing belaying?!?
Where to find Ty
0:00
1:18:08
Download MP3
Show notes
Ty has done it all: He’s been competition belaying, judging, and coaching for over 10 years, and he started the belay programs at USA climbing and the IFSC. In this episode, we’ll learn about all things belaying, get behind the scenes insight, and hear about how the scene has changed since the Olympics came into play, leading to some toxic parents.Guest links:Ty’s InstagramReference links:Noah Makaiwi InterviewReel Rock Speed Mishap @10:25Thank you Mad Rock for sponsoring this episode! Use code 'notrealclimber' for 10% off your ENTIRE order, even if you're a returning customer! https://madrock.com/Learn more about the podcast at www.thatsnotrealclimbingpodcast.comFollow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thatsnotrealclimbingpodcastJoin the FREE community in Discord! https://discord.gg/QTa668g8zpJoin Patreon for a welcome gift, deleted scenes, and question priority: www.patreon.com/thatsnotrealclimbingpodcastTimestamps of discussion topics0:00 - Intro1:20 - Mad Rock Shoutout!!2:08 - Coaching and belaying at USA youth nationals7:36 - Getting into volunteer judging/belaying11:35 - Good belaying vs bad belaying15:40 - You need to train your neck!!18:03 - Dangerous belay practices23:49 - The pressure of belaying at world cups29:29 - Athletes with specific belay requests31:54 - Athletes who are hard to belay for34:32 - Routesetting that makes belaying hard37:28 - Being a speed starter43:57 - Birmingham world games 202247:41 - HOT TAKE: Women are better belayers than men?!51:25 - Paraclimbing belaying54:28 - Manual speed climbing belaying?!57:02 - Extra considerations for para belaying59:37 - Changes in the sport - Olympics desperation1:04:40 - The toxic youth scene1:09:31 - Discord Q: Do belayers get a rundown of the route from setters?1:10:24 - DISCORD Q: Have you ever seen an athlete or coach object to a belayer?1:11:15 - DISCORD Q: Process for removing belayers mid comp?1:13:28 - Ice climbing belaying?!?1:16:03 - Where to find Ty