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Will Roderick began climbing at the age of 15 and has swiftly become one of the world’s best young competitive speed climbers. Roderick co-founded the Stanford Competitive Climbing Club during his freshman year, and he practices alongside his fellow classmates at the new, state-of-the-art climbing wall, located at the Arrillaga Outdoor Education and Recreation Center at Stanford University.
Competitive climbing as a sport still remains relatively unknown, but Roderick is optimistic about its future growth. Both formal climbing disciplines — bouldering and speed climbing — have submitted bids for the 2020 Summer Olympic games, and international competitions are growing in popularity.
Roderick is committed to both improving his own climbing ability as well as helping to teach and instill a commitment to excellence within the club as well. Later this year, the team will travel to Florida to compete at the national collegiate team trials, and Roderick believes that nearly all of the 20 to 25 members of the team will make the trip and compete. While the competition remains stiff (the speed climbing world record is as low as five to six seconds), Roderick continues to work to find time to stay in optimal climbing shape and to hone his skills. After finishing 20th at the World Championships held in Austria two years ago during his senior year in high school, look for Roderick to remain competitive and relevant in the short list of the world’s best climbers.
