Our First Arc’teryx Climb Academy in Squamish as Ibex Project
Back in September we officially launched as Ibex Project so this was the first Arc’teryx Climb Academy that Don and Jess attended under that umbrella. It was great to get the name out there and see all of the athletes, some for the first time face-to-face.
Squamish, BC was home to this year’s Arc’teryx Climb Academy from August 23-25 and we were honored to be included, hanging, assessing, treating, and partying with all of these amazing mountain athletes. We met old friends and made new ones during three days of diverse, and well-organized events.
The town of Squamish was an amazing host and the team at Arc’teryx put together a fantastic three-day lineup including clinics, educational seminars, Pavilion Park programming, and the Academy Music Series where the athletes got to let loose and dance the night away, and dance we did!
Day 1: Wednesday, August 21
Don and Jess met up in Squamish to join with the Arc’teryx athlete and sports marketing team for a Stewardship walk with a local representative of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), St'át'imc and Líl'wat nations at the Mamquam River where she shared stories of the local lands. It was a real honour to participate and be included in this.
Following the walk, we travelled to the Sp’akw’us Feather Park at the head of the Howe Sound where the athlete and sports marketing team gathered to eat dinner and re-connect after months apart. It was great seeing all of these like-minded and passionate mountain athletes all in one place. We met so many great people and got to see some of our virtual friends in person for the first time which was pretty awesome.
For those who were interested, the evening was capped off with a 30 minute drive out of town to experience the serenity of the Aika Spa in the rainforest down the Squamish Valley road. It was an opportunity to relax and decompress before kicking off a busy week for everyone. Don and Jess were happy to take full advantage of the opportunity and it delivered on what it promised to do. It was a great day to cap of the first day.
Day 2: Thursday, August 22
After a morning coffee and a hearty breakfast, Don and Jess dove into a full day of athlete sessions where the team was connecting and assessing them in person as opposed to the virtual sessions that the group was accustomed to. Once again, it was great to connect face-to-face and we were extremely appreciative of the athletes for taking the time out of their busy schedules as these sessions were not mandatory for them. For some of the twelve athletes we saw, this was our first time working together.
Jess managed to sneak out in the afternoon for a fantastic mid-day run up the iconic Stawamus Chief to take advantage of the coastal weather, meaning it was a little wet.
After a full and meaningful day, the evening was capped off with a celebration of the entire Arc’teryx family at the Brackendale Art Gallery. All Arc’teryx Academies kick off this way by having a day of athlete-led clinics for head office staff members, followed by a party with live music to celebrate all the people involved in making Arc’teryx the brand it is. And mountain athletes definitely know how to party and have a good time!
Day 3: Friday, August 23
The day kicked off the same way as day 2 with another full day of athlete sessions for Don and Jess, seeing another 11 athletes. And once again Jess was able to get out for another adventure, heading up to Elfin Lakes for an alpine ridge run. Check out the photos using that link as they are truly grogeous. Sadly, Don had to skip another run as he was still in recovery mode while healing from his calf tear. Instead, Don was able to check out the vendor village mid-day and connect with the various brands supporting the event including Midnight Lightning, CAMP, and Mountain Muskox. Definitely check them out!
The evening was capped off with feature films in the Squamish pavilion park, while a misty and moody Chief stood tall in the background. The films included Ground Up with Amity Warme, Passion with Jonathon Siegrist, and Keep It Real 2 with Ashima Shiraishi. The crowd was into and athletes mingled while taking it all in. It was a great night to be a part of!
Day 4: Saturday, August 25
The mornings and afternoons were starting to feel like a fantastic repeat of Groundhog Day! Don and Jess saw another 10 athletes today, working through various movements and assessments, dialling in the goals of their programs, and addressing any pressing needs in the moment.
It was also another evening of fine programming that included Balancing Acts and Andrea. The film was followed by music in the Pavilion Park with Hannah Cotrrel and the Loboz. We all then boarded buses that took everyone to the Brackendale Art Gallery for an epic after-party that was hosted by the electrifying Donna Dada and Canadian DJ Felix Cartel, and capped off with the Usual Suspects (Tony Richardson, Justin Sweeny, and Drew De Panicis). This is how you throw a party!!!
We just danced and chatted the night away with the athletes and the team from Arc’teryx. We are already looking forward to doingit all over again next year for the Arc’teryx Climb Academy. Music Series.
Saying goodbye after 4 days of good times and good people before heading on another adventure.
After a great few days that ended with a great night of music, dancing, and great people, it was time to call it a wrap. Jess was on her way home and Don was on his way to Revelstoke to meet with the Selkirk Tangiers Heli Skiing team. More on that in the future.
As mentioned, just getting to hang out with all of the athletes was amazing. We have so much appreciation for the athletes who took the time out of their busy schedules to come and see us to work on their physical health, both existing relationships and athletes we had never met before.
All that aside, a huge thank you goes out to the town of Squamish for hosting us and to the Arc’teryx Climb Academy for putting together such an amazing event and bringing all of us mountain athletes together. Arc’teryx knows how to throw a party! Thank you for letting us be a part of this.
“We acknowledge that this event took place on the unceded traditional territory of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation”
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