The JCC welcomes Tanner Coway and Rachel Whitsild as its new climbing wall instructors. Both Coway and Whitsild will offer classes and instruction for members of all ages on the JCC’s much anticipated and very popular new climbing wall.

Coway currently works for the New Haven Parks and Recreation Department as an expert rock wall and canoeing instructor. He has worked for the New Haven Parks and Recreation Department for more than six years and has been a rock wall instructor for more than three years. Coway enjoys teaching climbing to all ages, both in small and large groups. In his spare time, he loves the outdoors and climbs and hikes all over Connecticut.

Rachel Whitsild graduated from Southern Connecticut State University with a degree in recreation and leisure. She also works for the New Haven Park and Recreation Department, teaching climbing for the camp, afterschool programs and major events. Whitsild served as Camp Director this summer at the Sound School and also teaches canoeing. In her free time, she loves climbing, hiking, biking and canoeing and spending as much time outdoors as she can.

The JCC will offer Kids Climb classes for the new climbing wall on Sunday afternoons for children in grades 2-6 as well as Adult Climb classes on Monday mornings and Early Bird Climb classes on Thursday mornings for adults. In addition to fitness classes, climbing classes and open climb times, the area can also be utilized for birthday parties.

The 36-by 20-foot L-shaped wall includes three custom-built overhangs with a custom-built crack climb feature. It also boasts a 32-foot-by -8-foot area with a 10-degree slope children’s traverse wall with two ledges. The system also includes three perfect descent auto belays and four regular top rope relay systems and safety harnesses. Designed by Corporate Challenge, the wall was made possible by the Rothberg family’s generosity.