Ep 33: Niki & Jake - Routesetting + Hold HOT TAKES

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Niklas Wiechmann and Jake Mason are routesetters from "Another Setting Podcast" but you may already be familiar with them because Niki was my FIRST ever podcast guest and you are probably familiar with Jake from the Bouldering Bobats. In this episode, we absolutely TRASH US gym hold selection and setting, they give their opinions on worldwide setting styles, comp formats, and moves to LEAVE BEHIND in 2024, and we discuss freelance vs world cup routesetter pay.

Guest links:
“Another Setting Podcast” (open.spotify.com/show/0jqzBvUTjRHTm76Lytc9qg)
Niki’s Youtube (youtube.com/@BetaRoutesetting/videos)
Jake’s Youtube (youtube.com/@BoulderingBobat)
Niki’s Instagram (instagram.com/schniklas)
Jake’s Instagram (instagram.com/jakermason)

Reference links:
The hold that doesn’t need to exist (pusher.world/shop/opus/opus-021-dual-texture)
Routesetting workshops through Frankenjura Academy (frankenjura-academy.com)
Dockmasters 2025 - January (boulderhalenergiehaven.nl/dockmasters)
Studiobloc masters 2025 - March (darmstadt.studiobloc.de/events/sbm)
Quarryman (youtube.com/watch?v=_UA0AfWatEI)

Thank you Mad Rock for sponsoring this episode! Use code 'notrealclimber' for 10% off your ENTIRE order, even if you're a returning customer! madrock.com

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Timestamps of discussion topics
0:00 - Intro
1:33 - Mad Rock Shoutout!!
2:29 - Stretching!
5:36 - The bromance + getting into setting
10:23 - Settings trends in each country
15:10 - TRASHING hold selection in US gyms
24:54 - Lack of style in world cups
32:26 - Setting for Brawl on the Wall
42:28 - Fun experimental comp formats
48:08 - Niki's setting future + Frankenjura academy
52:58 - How will setting innovate?
57:12 - STOP setting these moves and START setting these!
1:01:41 - World Cup setter dreams or freelancing + pay
1:09:04 - Another Setting Podcast
1:11:57 - Discord Q: Why is it rare to find footwork-intensive climbs in gyms?
1:14:53 - Discord Q: How important is hold selection in order to force a move?
1:19:27 - Discord Q: What is the "jug ladder" of parkour routes?
1:23:47 - Words of widsom + Where to find Niki and Jake