Staff

• Joe Hardy (Owner)

   

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  Joe Hardy started rock climbing in 2000 while in undergrad. During many internships in California, he got more and more interested in climbing gyms and outdoor climbing. After graduating and working as an engineer for a few years, Joe teamed up with his younger brother, Ed, to start Central Rock Gym in Worcester. He loves sharing his passion for the sport with new and veteran climbers alike. You can find him most days at one of the Central Rock locations. He loves nutella, driving his tiny car, and spending rainy days watching the history channel.

  

• Ed Hardy (Owner)

   

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  Ed Hardy is the "business guy" at Central Rock. He was introduced to the sport of climbing in Red Rock Canyon in NV and has loved the sport since. When he is not working at Central Rock, he can be found climbing, reading Inc. Magazine, snow boarding, cooking and traveling. Ed loves visiting different destinations around the country to climb and can't wait to get to the Dolomites in Italy. Ed has an ape index of +3 and loves skipping holds on climbs in his gyms to get the route setters riled-up!

  

• Andy Sunskis (General Manager)

   

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  Climbing, not just a great sport, its also a great lifestyle. I started climbing in 2001 after I graduated high school. Climbing was something that I just needed to do. I saved up, bought gear and a few books so I could be "safe". My friends and I would set up top ropes on any rock we could find. I realized that I not only love the sport of climbing but I love to teach people how to climb. I enrolled in The Outdoor Leadership Program at Greenfield Community College and graduated in 2008. After Graduating I started guiding for Eastern Mountain Sports Climbing School in North Conway, NH. I gained a lot of knowledge and experience in New Hampshire and I decided to take a climbing road trip across the U.S. I climbed in over 17 different states but still love the tucked away, home town feeling of Western Massachusetts crags. When I am not climbing I can be found kayaking, swinging tools at the local Ice crag or sampling a fine micro brew at a local music venue.

  

• Stephen Denette (Head Setter)

   

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  I am the head setter for CRG Hadley, and have been climbing, setting, instructing, and guiding for over seven years. I learned to climb at Unity College in Maine, where I studied Adventure Education Leadership. Once I started climbing I could not stop. I have climbed extensively in the Northeast, the New River George, and also in Yosemite California while guiding for Southern Yosemite Mountain Guides. Each year I travel to North Conway New Hampshire to guide Springfield College students on Multi-pitch granite routes, which are my favorite kind of climbs! I have two on-sight first ascents in the High Sierra in California (5.11a and 5.10d) as well as on-sight assents of numerous grade IV walls; I have also been on the Salathe’ and Triple Direct on El Capitan. In 2008 I moved back to Western Ma to get my Masters of Education, found a love for the small crags around Western Mass . This march I started working at CRG Hadley, where-in addition to my role as Head Setter, I enjoy setting for climbing competitions and make all those CRG Custom Volumes that you’ll see in both Hadley and Worcester.

  

• Josh Surette

   

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  Currently our head climbing coach and a core route setter, Josh has worked in the education and recreation industries for the past 14 years. In addition his work coaching youth climbers, Josh has also worked as a public school science teacher, and as a senior counselor at Morse Hill Outdoor Recreation Center. Holding a Master’s Degree in Resource Management and Conservation, Josh also enjoys full-time employment with the Appalachian Mountain Club as the Trail Planner for the New England National Scenic Trail.

  

• Justin Wright

   

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  Justin moved to Western Mass in 2004, and has been climbing since '07. He has spent those years exploring the many crags of New England, KY, WV, British Columbia, and WA. He has come to love the sport of climbing, the climbing community here in Western Mass, and of course… his +3 ape index. During the day, He teaches 4th and 5th grade. In the evening, He teaches people how to climb, and sets routes that make people think outside the box. If you want to climb one, just look for the penguin on the card. When he’s not teaching or climbing, you can find him camping, climbing trees with grappling hooks, or snowkiting with his parachutes.

  

• Hana Skirkey

   

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  Hello! My name is Hana and I started climbing when I joined the UMass Outing Club in 2008. The outdoors is one of my greatest passions. Aside from climbing, my other interests include traveling, kayaking, hiking, playing outside, reading and watching movies. There is nothing like reaching the top of a challenging climb or mountain, or finding yourself upright at the bottom of a rapid that you once thought was not attainable. Even better is helping another person realize that they can do the same. I look forward to meeting everyone who comes through the gym, helping to teach new climbers and welcoming them as members of our community!

  

• Alison Palmer

   

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  Hey I'm Alison, I grew up in Seattle Washington and started climbing when my friend, who I meet through Search and Rescue, took me on my first multi pitch route and I became addicted (Thanks Brianna!). In 2008 I moved out east to attend UMASS Amherst and love climbing at all the local crags. I am in currently a junior in Communication Disorders major and hope to work with children in my future. I love climbing and the community that surrounds it and can't wait to inspire more people get involved in the sport!

  

• Alex Julius

   

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  Alex moved from Los Angeles to Northampton to pursue a career in architecture at Smith College. Once she learned that her love for both rock climbing and plants could be combined, she quickly switched career paths. Currently, she is completing an M.S. in Urban Forestry and Arboriculture at UMass. When she is not climbing trees or rocks, you can usually find her biking, baking, crocheting, or competing for chainsaws. She looks forward to meeting all the new (and old) faces walking through the CRG doors.

  

• Jonah Meyer

   

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  Climbing has been an enormous part of my life for nearly 6 years. My younger cousin, Wyatt introduced me to climbing by bringing me into a local gym. I loved it so much that I came back the next day, and the day after and every day for the next week. I’ve been climbing - indoors and out - ever since. I was immediately welcomed in to the Western Mass climbing family and that community continues to support me as a climber and a person to this day. Climbing has brought me to California, Utah, Colorado and many other places across the East and West coasts - and I hope it will bring me to many more. When I’m not climbing you’ll likely find me getting outside as often as possible, heatedly discussing science and education, writing or attempting to cook. I look forward to welcoming new climbers into the climbing family that has supported me for so long.