Welcome to SLO Op!

Photo by Bryan Chen

What’s in SLO Op?

We feature about 4500 square feet of warehouse with an estimated 5000 linear feet of climbing wall space that goes from 16′ to 18′ feet with top out walls for most of it.

We’ve also got rings, a slack line, and a full weight room.

Who Runs This Joint?

SLO Op Climbing is run by two executive directors who literally built the place with their own hands: Yishai and Kristin Horowitz. They are joined by a number of awesome volunteers and head routesetter, Chris Bersbach.

Non Profit Status

Some people think because of SLO Op’s name that we’re a co-op and the members of the gym become part owners in it, like REI. In truth, it was never a true co-op, but the name stuck in the beginning and we think it would be a shame to change it.

What is SLO Op then?

SLO Op is a non-profit social club. A lot of people have a lot of funny ideas about what a “non-profit” entails:

• No, it’s not free to climb here.
• No, not everyone is a volunteer.
• No, we’re not saving baby seals.

A 501(c)7 non profit, as determined by the US government , means that our entire existence is to serve our stated community – the climbers at SLO Op. Members sign up to be a part of a club, and their dues go toward maintenance of the facility and other related exploits that relate directly to our mission statement.

What a “non-profit” really means is that at the end of the year, the profits left over from operations of the gym don’t go into the owners’ pockets, but are reinvested in the club. This might be through investments, staffing increases, increasing sponsorship activity, what have you.

Our Mission Statement:

• To strengthen the climbing community at both the micro and macro level
• Provide members use at Pad locations state wide with one membership
• Organizing a climbing community in California that will promote and support the sport – effectively be an advocate for the sport
• Provide members equipment discounts though climbing industry partnerships
• Provide local retailer discounts for members in the community
• Develop the website as a portal to related activities, events and links