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.

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 here at Belmont’s Planet Granite in 2009, and she’s been coming back ever since! If you don’t see her working the desk, belaying kids, or crushing (herself) in the bouldering rooms, 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!

Tyler

Front Desk and Instructor

about me

Tyler is a Bay Area native who is currently going to school for Broadcasting and Marketing. He likes to consider himself a true outdoorsman. From snowboarding, to backpacking, and everything in between. Chances are you’ll find Tyler outside in nature. He has spent months in the Montana wilderness as well as spending his youth taking trips to the Sierra’s. He’s always down for an adventure!

skills

Adventuring, comic relief, being LOUD, amateur dog whisperer.

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.

Travis

Front Desk and Instructor

about me

I grew up in the SF bay area and I love and enjoy the outdoors. I’m an eagle scout and believe that pushing yourself to the limit really tests who you are and what you are made of. I love to surf, snowboard, DH mountain bike, and rock climb. Backpacking is also a passion because you get to see the world and all its beauty. Live and love – that’s what it comes down to; learn from your mistakes, try hard and accept failure because if you’re not failing everyday you’re not trying hard enough. Failure may kill some dreams but you learn from them. Doubt and fear of failure will get you nowhere.

skills

I love to do a number of outdoor activities and have a AS degree in psychology. I enjoy teaching because you get to see how excited people get when experiencing something exciting and new. See you around the gym.

Aaron

Youth Programs Coordinator | Front Desk and Instructor

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

Christopher

Coach

about me

Chris started climbing in 2009 on the PG Belmont climbing team when he was 14 years old, and has been climbing ever since. He loves to sport climb and loves Owens River Gorge, but you can often find him in the bouldering rooms as well. If he isn’t climbing in the gym you can find him climbing outdoors, biking, or skateboarding.

Taylor

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

about me

Aria started her climbing career at Planet Granite Belmont in 2014. Although she is afraid of falling and heights, she loves to challenge herself with new heights and types of climbing. Aria loves outdoors activities including: snowboarding, hiking, running, wake-boarding, Ultimate Frisbee, and more. With a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Exercise Science, she has learned to love and appreciate the endless capabilities of the human body. She aspires to be a physical therapist who not only focuses on the climbing population, but also continues to be an advocate for exercise as preventative medicine. If she is not in the gym, she is usually outdoors, eating, or finding exciting new ways to further her knowledge about the exercise science field.

skills

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

Anna

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.

Kelby

Coach

about me

I got introduced to climbing in the Midwest while in college in 2013. Once I moved back to the Bay Area it was easy to keep the stoke going and train more since the Belmont gym is so close to home. I prefer training on ropes but you will see me spontaneously climbing on boulders a couple times a week. I also enjoying running, mainly in the skyline area, especially in the summer time.

skills

Soccer, spontaneous mimicking, and crimps!

Alessandra

Retail Coordinator | Front Desk and Instructor

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.

Alex Yiu

Front Desk and Instructor

about me

When not looking at, or thinking about trees, Alex can be found bouldering or climbing in the least crowded parts of the gym. Although he may appear grumpy or awkward at first, he is friendly and enjoys talking with people, while still being awkward. Alex has been climbing for over ten years and is excited to be part of the PG Belmont gym. Come say hello to Alex and learn about California’s forests and climate change mitigation programs!

skills

Bouldering, top rope and lead climbing

Will Korsh

Front Desk and Instructor

about me

After falling in love with climbing on a school trip to Tahoe four years ago, I’ve been pushing myself to improve ever since. I love boulder problems (especially dynamic ones!) and climbs that really make you think. When I’m not climbing I’m usually producing electronic music or biking.

skills

Bouldering with incorrect beta, learning strange new skills

Haden Bricker

Front Desk and Instructor

about me

Haden is originally from Virginia and has been climbing since 2010. She enjoys traveling and checking out new crags whenever possible. In the past few years she has visited all 50 states and climbed in over half of them, including spending 2 summers in Alaska where she and her friends would climb until the light of the midnight sun faded or the mosquitoes got too bad.

skills

Road Tripping

Brewing the perfect cup of tea

Slab Climbing

Ashley Kennedy

Front Desk and Instructor

about me

Ashley started climbing in 2018 and instantly found a love for the sport! She grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains and being outdoors is where she’s most comfortable. When she’s not at the gym you can find her trying to pet stray cats!

skills

Folding the perfect burrito and trying anything once

Diego Perez

Front Desk and Instructor

about me

After stepping foot into a climbing gym 5 years ago, Diego fell in love with climbing. Since then he mostly boulders indoor and outdoor, and top ropes when he isn’t afraid of heights too much during that session. During outdoor climbing festivities he brings his trustee guitar or uke to play in between climbs. Keep those calluses fresh! P.S. He loves buffalo wild wings. Come say hi!

skills

Guitar, Ukelele, Piano, Dog Training, Trying not to break anyone as I boulder

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

Sophia Leon

Front Desk and Instructor

about me

A lover of ballet and yoga, Sophia wants to mix things up and challenge different muscle-groups through climbing.

Having struggled with Chronic Lyme Disease for 15 years, she has had to take diligent care of her body from a young age, and exercising is the most immediate way she’s found to detox her body and reset her mental state.

When not working out, you can find her nerding out over foreign films, drinking tea, or dancing while forgetting what’s in the oven 🙂

skills

Learning new languages and taming cats

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