Our mission
Our mission is to cultivate a thriving, welcoming, and inclusive climbing community that embodies integrity, fun, and equality. We are committed to providing an accessible, safe space where climbers of all abilities and backgrounds feel supported and can enjoy the sport. By fostering a quality and professional climbing facility that embodies these values, we aim to strengthen the climbing culture in the qathet Region while upholding principles of fiscal responsibility and sustainable growth for the long-term benefit of the facility.
Top Out is run by an elected volunteer board. Get to know the people helping the co-op thrive.
Derek Runions
Term ends Fall 2026
Derek recently relocated to qathet with his wife and young daughter in the summer of 2024. He’s been climbing for over 30 years and has been fortunate to climb all over the world and both compete and coach for Team BC. When making the decision to move to qathet, Derek was concerned that his climbing days were over, but he’s been pleasantly surprised by the passionate and inviting climbing community at the TOCC and is excited to explore all that qathet has to offer. Derek has served as a Board Member for Sport Climbing BC and is excited to help grow climbing in the TOCC and qathet.
Erica Cawley
Term ends Fall 2026
Erica was born and raised in the qathet Region and is passionate about the outdoors. She has a deep love for big trees and also enjoys many modes of backcountry exploration including kayaking, hiking, biking, skiing, and, more recently, climbing.
After graduating from Simon Fraser University in 2018, Erica began working at the Co-op in January 2019. She has been fortunate enough to get to know the emerging climbing community through the daily routine of the Co-op and continues to enjoy being a part of the positive and uplifting energy that represents the TOCC.
Mara Johnson-Groh
Term ends Fall 2026
Mara has been climbing for over a decade and was drawn to the qathet area because of its easy outdoor access, bountiful granite, and friendly community. As a general board member, Mara is excited to help grow the climbing community and is always open to chatting about new ideas you might have for the gym, ways to make the TOCC more inclusive, or just about how great slopers are.
James Townend
Term ends Fall 2027
James grew up in Scotland but has spent years living across four continents before finally settling in beautiful British Columbia. He chose qathet for its access to nature and its close-knit, welcoming community—exactly what he found at the Top Out Climbing Coop. When he’s not climbing, you’ll usually find him out kayaking, hiking, or exploring the coast.
James is committed to helping the TOCC thrive as a true “third space” for the community—one that introduces more people to the joy of climbing while strengthening our shared connection to the outdoors. He hopes the coop can continue to build community, inspire curiosity, and keep people close to the wild places that make this region special.
Brent Williams
Term ends Fall 2027
Brent is relatively new to the qathet Region, having been here for about two and a half years. He is also relatively new to climbing, signing up for the climbing gym late last year. In his free time, Brent tries to get out as much as possible to the lakes and woods that make our town so attractive.
As a Financial Planner, Brent is no stranger to raising funds, or hours of detail oriented paperwork filing. He believes that there is no better place in the qathet Region to get fit, meet incredible people, and, most importantly, learn the ins and outs of climbing than the TOCC!
Jorne Van Der Voorne
Term ends Fall 2027
Jorne grew up in the Dutch flatlands, and discovered rock climbing during a trip to Slovenia in his late twenties. After a few years living in Victoria he followed his now-wife to qathet, persuaded by the welcoming people and boundless outdoor possibilities.
Jorne sees TOCC as an essential hub for the local climbing community, fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment. As a board member at the co-op, Jorne wants to boost climbing accessibility and inclusivity, and enhance the space for year-round usage.
Anthony Fast
Term ends Fall 2026
A recent transplant to qathet, Anthony has been a member of the climbing co-op for almost as long as he’s been a resident—he and his wife relocated in February 2023 and have been loving life here ever since. Anthony enjoys how bouldering combines social, physical, and mental aspects, and the community at Top Out has been, well… top-notch! Anthony’s excited to get started working with the board for the next few years, and looks forward to hearing members’ ideas and suggestions. Say hi if you see him on the wall!