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Be inspired and learn from insiders of the climbing industry. We interview routesetters, coaches, managers of gyms and brands, and legendary figures from our sport.
Fundamentals of Paraclimbing and Parasetting – Mia DePaolis & Nat Vorel
Climbing Business Journal Podcasts
1 hour 10 minutes
2 months ago
Fundamentals of Paraclimbing and Parasetting – Mia DePaolis & Nat Vorel
On this expansive episode of The Impact Driver Podcast, host Holly Chen brings on two setters—Nat Vorel and Mia DePaolis—to talk about paraclimbing and parasetting, diving into fundamentals and tips that any setter can put into practice.
Nat Vorel is based in Oklahoma City and has been climbing for ten years, paraclimbing for around five of them. They are a four-time National Champion and have five World Cup podiums. Nat started setting five years ago and turned freelance recently. Nat has set for a variety of competitions, from local qualifiers and citizens comps to paraclimbing comps. They have a USAC L1 setting certification and an AMGA Single Pitch Instructor certification for guiding. Climbing and setting aside, Nat is a costume designer and would like to shout out their three tabby cats, whom they love dearly.
Mia DePaolis is the Head Routesetter at Central Rock Gym in Randolph, Massachusetts. She has been climbing for over twenty years and setting for ten of those years. After hearing from some local paraclimbers, Mia began to run an annual paraclimbing comp, the Randolph Rumble, at CRG. She is a USAC Level 3 routesetter with only one more national event to go before obtaining the next level. She is also a certified sports nutrition coach. Outside of climbing and setting, Mia worked as a beekeeper for many years and continues to love bees.
General Topics Covered
Who are paraclimbers and what are the competition categories?
Debunking common myths and assumptions about paraclimbers
Fundamentals of setting for paraclimbers
Are there distinctive tones or styles in para routes/boulders?
Paraclimbing introduces creative techniques and beta
Paraclimbing competition basics: safety, format, scoring, time, local to world stage
Building and educating a robust volunteer parabelay community
The future of paraclimbing and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games
Show Notes
Find Nat Vorel on Instagram
Find Mia DePaolis on Instagram
Central Rock Gym
USAC Paraclimbing and USAC Parasetting Clinics
IFSC Paraclimbing
Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes
Randolph Rumble, Central Rock Gym’s annual paraclimbing competition
Para Climbing Set to Make Paralympics Debut
Closing Notes
If you’d like to nominate someone as a next guest, have a topic you want to see us tackle or have questions, we’d love for you to reach out.
The Impact Driver podcast is a production of the Climbing Business Journal. Today’s episode is sponsored by EP Climbing and Trango. It was edited and produced by Holly Yu Tung Chen, Scott Rennak and the team at CBJ. Our theme music is by Devin Dabney.
Climbing Business Journal Podcasts
Be inspired and learn from insiders of the climbing industry. We interview routesetters, coaches, managers of gyms and brands, and legendary figures from our sport.