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PLASTIC PARADISE: THE BROOKLYN BOULDERS - BROOKLYN, NY
  EnlargeDana Johns heel hookin’ the 45º. Photo by Stephen Spaeth / brooklynboulders.com
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THE INSIDER
And you are . . . ?
Stephen Spaeth, owner of Brooklyn Boulders
Where’s your gym?
575 Degraw Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Years in operation?
Zero (we just opened, but this gym was seven
years in the making)
Nearest crag?
Central Park [10 miles] and the Gunks [106
miles]
What’s in the gym?
We have bouldering, toproping, and lead walls — over 10,000 square feet of climbable surface, with walls up to 30-plus feet. There is no non-climbing-specific training equipment, but we do have one of the most extensive climbing training areas ever seen, featuring a 260-square-foot campus wall, inversion slings, slack lines, and various finger and system boards. We also have a café and a gear shop.
Standout Feature?
That would be either the 28-foot scale replica
tower of the Brooklyn Bridge or the 16-foot stalactite
hanging from the 24-foot lead roof.
Any comps?
With 18,000 square feet of space, we will undoubtedly
become a major player in the various
competition circuits.
Do you have a youth team?
Soon, we will have not only a youth team, but
an academy of youth climbers from all age
groups. We are also pursuing a mentorship
program, which will guide its members from
the basics to the Gunks.
Anything else we should know?
We have around 5,000 square feet
of southwest-facing windows, and
bay doors on opposite sides of our
block, so you can enjoy natural
lighting and breezes all day.
Hours: Sun-Thurs: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday 10 a.m. to midnight
Contact Info:
(347) 834-9066
info@brooklynboulders.com
brooklynboulders.com
 EnlargeGail Rothschild, crimping on the 35º. Photo by Stephen Spaeth / brooklynboulders.com
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THE LOCAL
Name: Vadim Vinokur [A little background: Vadim’s a world-level climber and old friend of the mag. He’ll still session with you in the gym, though. —Ed]
Age: 33
Years climbing: 29 or so . . .
What’s your favorite thing about the gym?
The expansive bouldering area, and the location
(a fi ve-minute bike ride from my house).
Who’s your favorite setter there?
Ivan Greene puts some up fun and
challenging problems and routes.
What’s your favorite wall?
I love the 45-degree wall — it’s tall
and wide. What else does one need
for a good training sesh?!
Beta for newcomers: Fifth Avenue, in Park Slope, is chock full of great food places. My favorite coffee shop is five minutes away — it’s called Gorilla Coffee, which suits any serious climbinggym dweller.
