What Exactly is Slacklining?

You may have seen our slackline around the gym. Are you more curious as to what all the rage is about? Thanks to our friends at Gibbon Slacklines you can't get an introduction here. Read full article here or begin below. 

What Is Slacklining?

By: Gibbons Slacklines



Slacklining is the act of balancing along a narrow, flexible piece of webbing which is low to the ground and usually anchored between two trees. Originating in the climbing world, slacklining has evolved into a cross trainer, backyard activity and sport all of its own.

Slacklining can be traced back to climbing camps in Yosemite during the mid seventies. Climbers would stay there for weeks blazing new routes and in their time on the ground they starting rigging climbing rope to walk across. They found that the activity improved their core strength, balance and movement for climbing - and is was FUN.


Read full article here.

"Boulder Climbing Competition in Chatham Draws More Than 100 Climbers"

The Gravity Vault hosted the ABS Youth Local Competition at Chatham this past Saturday. Read the full article here or preview below. In the article James explains the rules of the competition and the rise of popularity for the sport amongst the youth. Also included are photos and videos from the event. This competition serves as one of two of the qualifiers for climbers to be able to compete in regional competitions and beyond.

“Boulder Climbing Competition in Chatham Draws More Than 100 Climbers”

 BY: The Independent Press

They were climbing walls, literally, in Chatham at the Gravity Vaulton Saturday.

The facility at 40 Watchung Ave. drew more than 120 youth climbers throughout the region to the American Bouldering Series competition. One reason is climbers who are members of USA Climbing and want to take part in the regional competitions and beyond, must have taken part in at least two local competitions.

James Harpster, the general manager of the facility, said this region incorporates New York, New Jersey and the western half of Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Read full article here.

NJ's 'Small Business Persons of the Year' Bringing Rock Wall to Mahwah Day

The Gravity Vault was featured on the Mahwah Patch on Thursday, September 26th, 2013 about Gravity Vault’s participation in the upcoming Mahwah Day celebrations and being named New Jersey’s Small Business Persons of the Year.

The article begins with a brief description of Mahwah Day. The article then goes on to highlight the accomplishment of Tim Walsh and Lucas Kovalcik being named New Jersey’s Small Business Persons of the Year and their commitment to the community. Tim Walsh is quoted about his efforts to give back to the community, their involvement each year with Mahwah Day and how it feels to be named New Jersey Small Business Persons of the Year. Preview the article below or begin here.

"NJ's 'Small Business Persons of the Year' Bringing Rock Wall to Mahwah Day"

BY: JESSICA MAZZOLA

Local business that has been a staple at Mahwah Day received the recognition from the Small Business Administration over the summer.

Saturday’s Mahwah Day promises to be an exciting one – the National Weather Service is predicting sunny skies and warm temperatures, new and returning vendors are set to line Commodore Perry Field, and shows, rides, entertainment, and fireworks are all on tap.

One Mahwah Day favorite is in the midst of celebrating a landmark accomplishment it made over the summer.

The owners of Gravity Vault, the Upper Saddle River rock climbing gym that has brought a rock-climbing wall to Mahwah Day for the past six years, were recently named the Small Business Administration’s 2013 New Jersey Small Business Persons of the Year.

Read the rest of the article here

Gravity Doesn’t Bring Kovalcik & Walsh Down

Lucas Kovalcik and Tim Walsh are featured on Eighteen Fifty-One Franchise Project. You can begin the article below or read full one here.

"Gravity Doesn't Bring Kovalcik & Walsh Down"

By: PATRICK LAUGHLIN





General hours for businesses are normally 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

But for Lucas Kovalcik and Tim Walsh, co-founders of Gravity Vault, that just isn’t enough time. 10- and 12-hour days are what these gentlemen put in to make sure their indoor rock climbing franchise is running on all cylinders.

Opening a rock climbing business has been a learning experience for both Kovalcik and Walsh from the very start. Early on, the two decided that they wanted to open a couple of gyms before signing their first franchisee, meaning that they spent many years and countless hours of planning to reach their goal.

Nine years later, the duo’s love for the sport has translated into ongoing success, including the successful launch of the franchise, the signing of their first franchisee, and being named New Jersey State Small Business People of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Click here for full article.

Small Business Digest Radio Interview

Check out blogtalkradio.com on the Small Business Digest featuring Tim Walsh and Lucas Kovalcik, founders of The Gravity Vault.

For the interview, Tim and Lucas discussed their backgrounds leading up to The Gravity Vault. They discussed their plans with The Gravity Vault and the success they have seen. Tim and Lucas tackle “three things they have learned” since starting their own business, and how they are able to work together so well. Tim and Lucas were also able to work in a shout out to Steve Beagelman of SMB Franchise Advisors.

The full segment can be found below. Tim and Lucas start at about 27 minutes and 45 seconds in and go until about the 44 minute and 35 second mark.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/smallbusinessdigest/2013/09/12/small-business-digest

Bergen County, New Jersey New Student Sendoff for Cornell University

The Gravity Vault will be hosting a sendoff for Bergen County graduates who will be headed to Cornell University this fall. The sendoff will be held at The Gravity Vault in Upper Saddle River on Sunday, August 4 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Owner Lucas Kovalcik is an alumna of Cornell '98.

Light refreshments
Casual attire
Parents are also welcome to attend.
Rock wall climbing available (but optional) for all guests.

Date: Sunday, August 4, 2013
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Location: 107 Pleasant Avenue at Route 17N, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
www.gravityvault.com | 201.934.ROCK (7625)

Students may register for the event by clicking HERE.

Event questions? Contact Claudia Meer '73 at cgm8@cornell.edu
Registration questions? Contact Ilana Carlin at ilana.carlin@cornell.edu / 212-351-7685

The Gravity Vault Featured on NJ.com

The Gravity Vault was recently featured on NJ.com in an article titled, "Rock climbing gym founded in Upper Saddle River grows with sport".

In the article, Lucas Kovalcik and Tim Walsh expand on their backgrounds, how they turned their passion for rock climbing into a business, and The Gravity Vault overall concept. They explain how they started franchising the brand, signed their first franchisee’s and how it has helped them grow their business. Tim an Lucas elaborated on how they were named New Jersey State Small Business People of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. They also discussed the future development plans for the area and state.

Click HERE for the full article or begin reading below:

Rock climbing gym founded in Upper Saddle River grows with sport

By: Myles Ma

UPPER SADDLE RIVER — Timothy Walsh and Lucas Kovalcik remember what it was like when they first opened the Gravity Vault in 2005

Parents, worried for their children's safety, would always stay for birthday parties at the Upper Saddle River indoor rock climbing gym.

Now, as the perception of the sport has changed, parents are less likely to stick around.

"Now people drop them off when they're 5 years old and they don't even look back," Kovalcik said.

Read full article here.