Grace

Gym Director

grace@planetgranite.com

about me

Grace started climbing in 2016 and quickly fell in love with the sport. When she is not trying a new problem in the bouldering rooms you can find her hiking, running, or adventuring with her dog Buddy.

skills

She enjoy long distance running and long traverses on the beach.

Courtney

Assistant Director

about me

I’m not an athlete, but I love athletic things! I studied sports medicine, biomechanics and sports psychology. In 2011, I found the perfect sport for me. I fell head over heel hooks at first V0 and couldn’t get up! Just kidding, I kept going back for more! I pretty much live on the quiet side of life, but am always willing to talk about the little things, habits, cats, and photographs. =]

skills

I’m a movement enthusiast; if you can’t find me bouldering at Belmont, I’m probably lead climbing at PG SF or lifting at PG SV.

Aaron

Assistant Director

about me

Aaron started climbing in high school to fulfill a P.E. requirement and quickly realized how much fun it was. He mostly climbs indoors, but his favorite outdoor destination is Bishop. When he is not climbing, Aaron likes to mountain bike and shoot photos.

skills

Bouldering on jugs, amateur Lucas impersonator, and photography

Ryan Dawson

Head Coach

about me

7+ years of experience climbing indoors and outdoors. My passion for bouldering led me to want to share my skill set and my thoughts on the sport with the younger generation. Coaching youth athletes was a perfect fit, I want to show them what it means to be a respectful member of this community as well as help them become the strongest version’s of themselves.

skills

Sharing knowledge with the younger generation to help them achieve their goals

Madeline

Marketing Coordinator | Front Desk and Instructor

about me

Maddie’s father took her to climb her first wall at Planet Granite Belmont in 2009, and she’s been coming back ever since! If you don’t see her working the desk, teaching classes, or crushing (herself) on boulders/lead, she’s probably resting at home with her pets.

skills

Climbing on crimps, Art, Writing, Yelling beta at climbers

Edder

Retail Coordinator | Front Desk and Instructor

about me

Bay Area homegrown and organic! “Aged Cheddar” began climbing in the summer of 2010. When not training you can still find him in the gym reading the finest books, that’s right..leather bound! He plays a mean game of chess if you ever fancy a challenge. The mental/physical challenges of climbing are why he still climbs today.

classes

Belay Lessons, Private Lessons, Intro to Lead

skills

Pays no attention to letters or numbers on the climbing grade..if it looks fun he’ll attempt it. He recommends that you should too!

Alan

Facilities Coordinator | Front Desk and Instructor

about me

Alan became fascinated with climbing in 2012 on an adventure soloing in the Philippines. He enjoys bouldering and is always working on improving his technique and balance. He feels with the right motivation and willpower, you can achieve anything, whether it be in the gym or outdoors.

classes

Belay Lessons, Private Lessons, BRC, Climbing Fundamentals

skills

Static with dynamic sparks

Cody Hanson

Routesetter

About me

Cody began climbing in Napa, California in 2011 and immediately became addicted to climbing. He soon started climbing outdoors every weekend at local crags and famous Californian climbing destinations. He started route setting in late 2015 and has been loving it ever since.

Skills

Bouldering, particularly steep dynamic climbing.

classes

In addition to routesetting, I work the front desk and teach BRC, Climbing Fundamentals, and Bouldering Fundamentals.

Height: 5’7″
APE Index: +0

What’s your favorite climb, problem, or area?

Fort Ross, Sonoma Coast

Setting style in three words

Your next project.

Josh Aguirre

Front Desk and Instructor

I joined the military right after High School and was recruited into the Navy Seabee’s during Basic Training. After my five years of Duty I got out and worked on my education. I just graduated from University of San Francisco with my masters in public administration and looking to change the world. On my off time I enjoy a number of different hobbies. I love working at Planet Granite because I enjoy the people and the sport.

Taylor

Retail Coordinator | Supervisor | Front Desk and Instructor

about me

I was born and raised in the Bay Area and am always active. I started climbing in 2015 after a soccer injury. My injury not only pushed me to climb more but also influenced my love for the human body. In 2019 I graduated from San José State University with a degree in kinesiology and an emphasis in Rehabilitation Sciences.

skills

Sarcasm, Black Belt Tae Kwon Do, Avoiding being an adult

Aria

Front Desk and Instructor | Coach

about me

Graduated after 3.5 years with an Applied Exercise Science degree, Aria hopes to become a Physician’s Assistant who focuses in pediatrics. She loves spending time outdoors doing any activity she can, or even just soaking in the sun, and loves her cute dog, Beta. Some of Aria’s favorite activities are snowboarding, climbing, running, weight lifting, hiking, wakeboarding, and more! When she is not working, she is usually hanging out with friends of playing with Beta.

skills

Lifetime learner, fitting into small spaces, and putting a smile on your face

Anna

Supervisor | Front Desk and Instructor

about me

I have lived in the Bay Area my whole life with a majority of it spent swimming at the beach or hiking local trails. I am currently an undergraduate student in Biology that has rediscovered my passion for climbing. Recent climbing in gyms and bouldering in northern California mountains has brought me back to the rock climbing community where I hope to broaden my skills and grow as an athlete.

Alessandra

Youth Programs Coordinator

about me

Alessandra began climbing at some point in time. When she’s not outside the gym, she’s inside the gym. You won’t see her in the bouldering room or in the fitness area, and you definitely won’t see her running.

skills

Handstands

Daniel

Coach

about me

Daniel started climbing at Planet Granite in 2017, off a Groupon and hasn’t left the gym since. After years of lifting weights, working out became boring and tedious. Once finding the passion for rock climbing it was clear that it became an addiction. He describes climbing to friends and family as “playing chess on a 60ft wall”, with the mix of problem solving and fitness it was love at first ascent. On his free time from double majoring in Civil Engineering/Construction Management, he partakes in various hobbies from surfing to mountain biking the beautiful trails around the bay.

skills

BIIG MOVES, Making great memories

Melissa

Front Desk and Instructor

about me

Melissa is originally from the flat Midwest, and moved to The Bay Area in 2014. After falling in love with the abundance of beautiful nature, she decided to stay. Though fairly new to rock climbing, she is excited to learn and grow with this wonderful community. When not at the gym, you can find Melissa hosting potlucks, attempting to grow things, or seeing live music.

skills

AcroYoga, Amateur djembe player, Contagious smiler

Emily Chow

Front Desk and Instructor

about me

I was born and raised in the Bay Area.

I started climbing in 2017 (mostly indoors). I enjoy hiking with friends, going to the beach, sunny weather, board games, watching movies, and badminton. I have a BS in Clinical Nutrition from UCD.

skills

I play the flute, piano, and some percussion instruments.

Dzung Nguyen

Front Desk and Instructor

about me

I started climbing in 2007 at a small gym right by SJSU. I mainly boulder because heights are scary, but somehow have gotten myself into sport climbing and fixed-rope climbing photography…yikes! I aim to keep pushing my limits with climbing and help others do so as well.

skills

Unnecessary high feet beta, snacking at the crag, taking photos of people in awkward positions

Megan Gustafson

Front Desk and Instructor

about me

Grown and raised in the Bay Area, I’ve always loved being active. I love riding my bike, gardening in my backyard and taking pictures of beautiful flowers and the outdoors. I also love everything geeky, you can catch me playing video games, watching Star Trek: TNG, or re-watching Gremlins for the 50th time in my time off!

skills

Baking pastries and bread, understanding everything my cat says to me