Daniel Poggi
Owner
As a very young child I was always an adventurer and loved to explore. I would leave home in the morning and return sometime after dark. Climbing has been an extension of my childhood allowing me to explore the world from a unique perspective. After 24 years of climbing I continue to be more passionate than ever about the sport that has given me so much including my heath, friendships, and my family. As the owner of Climb Base5 I am motivated to give back to the community that has provided me with so much. I am committed to sharing the best possible climbing experience my love for health and fitness and the opportunity for continual personal growth.
Kyle Rurak
Manager (Coq) / Coach / Setter
I took my introductory course at Climb Base5 in 2009, and have been addicted to rock climbing ever since. I knew right away that I wanted to be involved within the climbing community and Climb Base5; not only was I getting in a great physical and mental workout, I was meeting great people and having fun! Base5 is like a second home to me, the atmosphere of the gym and the people who climb and work here is contagious, which is why I enjoy spending many hours here each week with these incredible people who I consider to be a part of my extended family.
Andrew Wilson
Head Coach / Setter
I learned to climb with my stepdad in 1985 but never really got hooked until I was in University. While studying exercise science, I took what I was learning and started experimenting with training methods. My climbing journey has taken me all over the world and introduced me to my best friends. Climbing is one of the ways I get a mental break from life. I love how mentally engaged one has to be to be successful. This focus energizes and relaxes me at the same time. Does that make any sense? ? I have been working at Climb Base5 for 5 years and the number 1 thing I love about this place is the people.
Charlotte Boardman
Manager (N.Van)
Ever wanted to visit the UK but didn't have enough money? Well come get your little bit of London here at the Edge. Charlie our local Brit will fill you with joy with her delightful accent and love of good tea. Since moving to Canada in 2011 and becoming a part of the famous McColl family she has developed a love of climbing and she can often be found at North Vancouver (and sometimes outside) working on her climbing technique.
Ally Mandley
Desk Staff
They say do what makes you happy, so I climb. I first started climbing back in 2003 on the Junior Team at Climb Base5. However a short while after I stopped climbing for 8 years to pursue a more competitive level of soccer BUT I found my way back to Climb Base5 and have since made it my second home. Working at the gym is such an easy decision when the environment provides me with nothing but laughs and continually introduces me to great people who are just as passionate about climbing as I am.
Chloé Earle
Coach / Setter / Desk
I started climbing when I was 7 years old and instantly got hooked. For the past 11 years this gym has been my home away from home. All the staff, climbers, and competitive team have become my second family. I've always loved climbing and I don't think I will ever stop. I love everything about it - from the community to the training and mental challenge of the sport. I'm eager to work at Climb Base5 because it's a place that I grew up in.
Drew Latta
Desk / Coach
I spend most of my time in the mountains doing multi-pitch trad because it is my favourite style of climbing and it is always an adventure with a higher chance of getting an epic. It is how I enjoy challenging myself within in a comfortable place for me, isolated on a cliff side with my trusty belay, some birds and bugs. I started working at Climb Base5 as belay staff in 2014. It's pretty special to be able to work so closely to a sport that makes me so happy. I enjoy working at Climb Base5 because I've met the most rad people through my work, including my trad-father, my lucky belay and my favourite spotter! What more does a man need?
Hannah Block
Desk Staff
I took an instant liking to climbing after attending a friend's birthday party, ironically, at this gym. Fast forward to today and I have been climbing for almost seven years; competitively for five. Climbing is a passion I can confidently say I will never lose - the uniqueness of the sport and its supportive community is unparalleled. I have had the pleasure of working at Base5 for over four years with a community of climbers that has become my best friends.
Hayden Jones
Coach / Setter
I started climbing in 2007 at Climb Base5. Comp climbing has always been my main focus. Climbing is my passion, and has also allowed me to make life long friends. I started working here as a belayer and setter in 2014, then became a coach in 2016. I love working here because it gives me an outlet to connect with the climbing community through coaching and sharing my knowledge, or expressing my creativity through setting.
Jordan Kok
Position
I started climbing after watching a short film presented at an old workplace, I quickly fell in love with not just the sport but the community and although I've taken small breaks from the sport it keeps drawing me back in time and time again. One of my favorite climbing activities is hoisting coffee up the wall after the climb in a chalk bag, sitting back and loving the view from the top of the cliff with good friends.
Keith Nelson
Coach
I started climbing in 2003, but didn?t stick with it. I returned to the sport in 2012 and have been climbing ever since. I love climbing for the physical challenge, the technical difficulty, and the mental discipline required to succeed. I have been working at the gym for about 3 years and, I enjoy helping other people achieve success in their efforts to become a better climber. The team at Base5 is amazing - everyone brings something special to the community and it makes working here very enjoyable.
Kia Kaspian
Position
Kia is a born and raised Vancouverite that has developed a love for coaching people of all ages and abilities in anything that has to do with movement. At North Vancouver, you will find him teaching kids aged 9 - 12 in our very own Spiders program, guiding teens in the Climb Club, running Intro to Indoor Climbing and Beyond the Basics courses, and working on technique with beginner and intermediate climbers in the Climb Clinic. His teaching doesn't stop at North Vancouver - you might just spot him teaching skiing, karate, tennis, or archery somewhere in the city! He is particularly keen on working with children and teens facing challenges, whether that has to do with a fear of heights or falling, anxiety, or guiding children with special needs!
Lukas Dapkus
Desk / Coach
My first experience with climbing was through a tech class at Base 5 when I was 16. Pretty soon after, I started working at the gym, which made sense considering how much time I was spending there anyway. What I love about climbing is the mental and physical challenge that comes with it. I feel most motivated when I'm climbing at my limit and pushing what I'm capable of. Starting out as a belay staff I have risen the ranks up to desk staff and one of the youth coaches. In the couple years that I've worked for Climb Base 5 I've found many new friends and have had nothing but good times so far. The espresso machine here is also a major bonus.
Mark Fowler
Coach
I started climbing in April 2016 and have been working at Climb Base 5 since June 2016. I love working here because of the people that make up the climbing community. It's an absolute privilege to coach young climbers and watch them develop into great athletes and become even more fantastic young adults. Giving back to the community through my coaching seems like the right thing to do.
Matt Insley
Desk / Setter
I started climbing in November 2010 after I was given a Climb Time Session. Ever since that day I was inspired to climb and share it with others. I wanted to started working here it was because I wanted to be part of the community. The staff were always stoked and I wanted that as well. I've worked at Climb Base5 for 8 years, I started by belaying and working birthday parties. I now manage our maintenance program and get to build rad fixtures in the gym such as the squat/hangboard station, as well route setting and occasionally working the front desk. To this day I still love it! I get to be creative as a setter, work with my hands when I build things, and talk to climbers all the time.
Megan Markowski
Desk / Coach
I started climbing at the age of 10 at one of Climb Base5's summer camps. I have now climbed for 15 years and worked at the gym for 10. Climbing was not something I was naturally good at, but that’s the great thing about it... It doesn’t matter your age or ability level there is always something for everyone! Climbing has given me confidence and friendships that are going to last a lifetime.
Michelle Linhart
Program Director
Michelle is tea-loving, book-reading, cat-loving person who's been working for North Vancouver since 2009. As a coach she's a merciless stickler for proper footwork. As a team manager she's obsessively organized; everything is labelled, she has lists for her lists, and boy does she like colour-coding! As a person, Michelle is sunny, outgoing and just a little bit silly. But only just a little.
Nicole Lim
Instructor
Nicole is an instructor at the gym. She first fell in love with climbing at North Vancouver, however her love of the sport blossomed when she discovered that she could not only be climbing, but also frolicking outdoors in the sunshine. When Nicole is not attempting to scale local crags, you can find her collecting bad puns and even worse dance moves at the gym. So come stop by for a cheesy joke off. It's gouda be great.
Nikki Ho
Desk Staff / Instructor
I started climbing in my early 20s after a friend suggested to try out top roping and I instantly fell in love with it. I started working at Climb Base5 shortly after starting climbing in 2012. The best aspect of working at Climb Base5 is how inclusive we are. No matter what level you are at, beginner or expert, you will be cheered on from staff, friends, and random people in the gym. I am so happy whenever I am surrounded by these people. I love climbing due to the continual challenge that it provides as you increase in grades or try a totally new style like trad climbing. It is a sport I hope to be doing for the rest of my life.
Ninke Kruger
Desk Staff
I started climbing in 2015. I‘ve always been passionate about fitness and I fell in love with indoor bouldering immediately after being introduced to it. Climbing is hard not to love. The sport brings out the best parts of you and gives you a platform to work through your weaknesses. With a community of grounded and beautiful people, Climb Base5 feels like a second home to me. They are a big part of the reason that climbing transitioned from being my sport into being my lifestyle.
Trevor Kobayashi
Position
I started climbing back in 2013. I'm passionate about climbing because it creates a fun environment where no matter your skill people are always willing to help out. I climb as a way to have fun, hang with friends and get great exercise. I have worked at Climb Base5 for just over 2 years. I love working here because its a fun work environment where I can be myself.
Todd Hansen
Coach / Instructor
I really enjoy climbing because it gives me another reason to get outside. I also get to hang out with people, exercise and it really pushes me mentally and physically.
Vincent Fung
Communications / Marketing
I first tried climbing while in Thailand in 2007 and have been climbing off and on ever since. The perks of joining the gym in May 2016 is that I get to climb more regularly and try out bouldering. I've realized that climbing is a lot of fun while learning about what your mind and body can (or can't do). Working here is great - people are friendly, inviting and like to share a good laugh.