Welcome to the Summer of Strong.

People, this is big. You are getting big. You didn't know it before you read this sentence, but you started getting big the moment you came to this blog.

You will be SO big.

This summer was given to us for the purpose of getting strong. So that's what we're going to do.

"But Derek, summer's sooooo hot . . . !"

CAN IT. Yeah, sometimes on the Right Coast it seems like your body meat is being boiled when you walk to the supermarket or whatever you do in your daily life. Yeah, any day in July it's so humid it's like a swim meet when you're crossing the street. Forget that noise, because we're getting strong.


Here is the plan:

EVERYONE increases their climbing prowess by at least one V-grade, or NO ONE gets candy!

What does that mean? To me, it means that you have to climb at least one problem (outside, of course) that is at least one grade harder than the hardest problem you've climbed so far this year. For example: I've climbed two V8s this year, so I need to climb at least one V9 before summer ends.

"But Derek, I've never bouldered outside before!" If this is the case, then you need to get up ins. All I require from you is that you complete a boulder problem outside.

If I fail in my quest, no one gets candy. If you fail in your quest, no one gets candy. We get big as a team, we eat candy as a team. If everyone increases their might by one V-grade, I will hand-deliver candy to everyone. I pledge this.

Get big. Eat candy. Summer of Strong.