About Us

Tufas Boulder Lounge is a 12,700 sq/ft indoor rock climbing gym, created by Philly climbers, located in South Kensington.

We’re more than just an indoor rock climbing gym.

Tufas incorporates everything that we love about the sport and lifestyle of climbing. With over 5,500 sq/ft of climbing terrain, we are thrilled to provide Philadelphia with the best boulders around. Our routesetters strategically design climbs for all skill levels to help you grow stronger and more passionate about climbing. With a focus on community we aim to make climbing accessible for everyone. Check out our pricing for information on our sliding scale, as well as our group and class offerings!

  

GYM FEATURES

  • Climbing-specific fitness area
  • Ping-pong table
  • Spray wall
  • Kilterboard & Tension board
  • Studying / lounging areas
  • Gaming center

HOURS OF OPERATION

Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 6 AM — 9 AM / 12PM — 10 PM

Tuesday, Thursday: 9 AM — 10 PM

Saturday, Sunday: 10 AM — 8 PM


The Tufas Team

Andrew Deming

Andrew Deming

Co-Founder

💚

Rory Coughlin

Rory Coughlin

Director of Routesetting, Instructor, Co-Founder

I began climbing in 2002, shortly after moving to Philadelphia, where the existing community there took me under their wing and started me on the climbing path. My passion for climbing has taken me across the world, climbing in Thailand, Sardinia, Sicily, Northern Italy, South Africa, and Mexico. I hope to give back to the […]

Alexi Windler

Alexi Windler

Assistant Manager, Climbing Coach

I was first introduced to climbing at Tufas Boulder Lounge in August 2019. Having never been involved in sports in my adult life, I was surprised by how suddenly I began to fall in love with the sport. What started out as a hobby eventually became a passion, then a lifestyle and integral part of […]

Idaho Ketcham

Idaho Ketcham

Retail Manager, Welcome Desk Attendant

I grew up for the most part around Hockessin, Delaware but also New Hampshire and Maine as a teenager. I first got into climbing when I was 13, frequenting climbing crags in the White Mountains. In 2016, I moved to a small island in the Gulf of Thailand, where I worked as a climbing and […]

Roxy Taginya

Roxy Taginya

Community Programming Director

I started climbing 3 years ago when my sister purchased us an intro to belay class down in Maryland. Being terrified of heights made me reluctant to go but I was quickly bit by the climbing bug and have been climbing ever since (sans pandemia lockdown). I love cheering my fellow climbers on when I […]

Tim Carr

Tim Carr

Welcome Desk Attendant

I grew up wrestling and playing rugby. Weight training was always an integral part of those sports, however when I stopped competing I felt weight listing became a bit monotonous. Once I was introduced to climbing by a friend, I have been climbing ever since. I think the aspect I enjoy most about bouldering is […]

Satya Simpson

Satya Simpson

Communications Manager

I first learned what bouldering was in 2019 while I was at Florida State University and simply trying something new with friends. Climbing quickly became a passion of mine, and I found myself meeting new people, getting stronger, and improving my skills. I moved up to Philly in 2022 and I’m thrilled to be a […]

Ben Berger

Ben Berger

Youth Coach, Welcome Desk Attendant

I got back into climbing in the summer of 2019 with my friends in the Appalachian Mountains. It provided a great outlet during the pandemic that I’ve stuck with to this day. I believe that Tufas provides that relaxed, friendly, and inclusive environment that draws so many to the sport. Catch me at the front […]

Lili Chranko

Lili Chranko

Welcome Desk Attendant

I first started climbing Summer 2022 in my hometown of Baltimore. Climbing quickly became a passion of mine and has connected me with an amazing community. I wa obsessed, climbing every day for weeks and quickly learned the importance of taking rest days the hard way when I had to take a month’s rest from […]

Amanda Waller

Amanda Waller

Welcome Desk Attendant

I started climbing in 2022. I have a group of friends that are pretty active climbers and had been trying to get me to join them for years. Finally, I came to Tufas on a guest pass with one of them, and I was hooked! Climbing for me is a supplement to my main focuses […]

Pat Puzio

Pat Puzio

Routesetter

Andrew Izzo

Andrew Izzo

Routsetter

I grew up just outside Phoenixville, in the Northeast suburbs of Philly. In 2015, at the tender age of 18, I was introduced to climbing at my local gym. Despite an un-athletic background, I was hooked and have spent my time doing little else since then— even at the expense of my grades and social life. […]

Diana Chica

Diana Chica

Youth Programs Director

Hello, my name is Diana! I am the Youth Program Director and afterschool coach for your kiddos! I am so excited to see old faces and teach new ones how to climb. As a coach I am passionate about: teaching, getting kids to face their fears on the wall and achieving their climbing projects. A […]

Dan Shin

Dan Shin

Welcome Desk Attendant

I work at the Welcome Desk and I started climbing in 2021. I got into climbing for my mental health and developed a passion for it because of the community.

Matt Whiteman

Matt Whiteman

Routesetter

Joby O’Brien

Joby O’Brien

Welcome Desk Attendant

I first started climbing during my last years of high school. I started with mostly indoor climbing for a while, but eventually began climbing outside. I now often go to Haycock Mountain to go bouldering. The aspect of problem solving and meeting new people is what I enjoy most in climbing.  I’m excited to continue […]

Brandon Daniel

Brandon Daniel

Social Media Assistant, Welcome Desk Attendant

I started climbing in August of 2022 when a friend invited me to go bouldering with them. After that first trip outside, I wanted to boulder all the time so I became a member. I really loved the community here and developed a passion for climbing. My background is in film and media, so after […]

Tara Hartzell

Tara Hartzell

Welcome Desk Attendant

I was introduced to climbing in 2012 at a local gym in Montreal called Allez Up. It quickly became a big part of my life in college and once I graduated I was excited to see where this new activity could take me. Climbing has remained an active part of my life since those early […]

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Affiliations

American Alpine Club, Access Fund, American Mountain Guide Association, Climbing Wall Association, National Outdoor Leadership School, American Red Cross, University of Pennsylvania, Temple University, Love City Brewing, NovemFIT, and Drexel University.