Introduction
Hayley Schaefer is a Canadian climber whose passion for movement started on the ice and found a new home on the wall. From years of playing competitive hockey to becoming a provincial speed climbing champion, Hayley has embraced sports that demand grit, focus, and strength. She now works at her home gym, The Boulders Climbing Gym, where she helps others grow in the sport as a route setter, instructor, and desk staff. With national and international competitions under her belt — and a knack for adventure off the wall — Hayley is a rising force in the climbing world.
Quick Facts
- Name: Hayley Schaefer
- From: Victoria, B.C.
- Profession: Route setter, instructor, desk staff at The Boulders Climbing Gym
- Years Climbing: 8
- Specialty: Speed climbing
- Fastest Time: 10.1 seconds
- Notable Achievements: 2024 Provincial Champion; invited to represent Canada at Pan American Championships (Chile 2024, Colombia 2025)
- Past Sport: 15 years of hockey (rep league & South Island women’s team)
Climbing Journey
Q: What do you do for a living?
A: I work at my local climbing gym (The Boulders Climbing Gym) as a route setter, instructor, and desk staff.
Q: Where are you from?
A: Born and raised in Victoria, B.C.
Q: What is your home climbing gym?
A: The Boulders Climbing Gym.
Q: How long have you been climbing for?
A: I’ve been climbing for 8 years.
Q: How did you get into climbing?
A: Through an outdoor guide leader training program I took in 2017/18.
Speed Climbing
Q: What are some of your biggest climbing accomplishments? And why?
A: Becoming the 2024 provincial champion and being invited to compete for Canada at the Pan American Championships in Santiago (2024) and Colombia (2025).
Q: Why do you like speed climbing?
A: It’s a unique, powerful sport that requires not only technique training but also mental training.
Q: What is your fastest speed climb time?
A: My fastest official time is 10.1 seconds.
Q: What is a misconception of speed climbing that you disagree with? And why?
A: A lot of people think speed climbing “isn’t real climbing” or that speed climbers can’t boulder or climb hard. In reality, the strength and power training from speed climbing actually improves bouldering ability and often helps climbers send harder grades outdoors.
Q: Do you have any climbing projects? If so, where and what are they?
A: No projects at the moment, but I love climbing in Squamish and trying new climbs every year.
From Ice to Rock
Q: How long did you play hockey for? And what level did you get to?
A: I played hockey for 15 years. I played rep hockey for about 4 years as the only girl on my team in my home league. Later, I joined the South Island competitive women’s team and was even scouted for a hockey school in Shawnigan Lake, but I turned it down and stayed in Victoria.
Q: What is your favorite part about playing hockey?
A: The team bonding and the roughness of the game — going from enemies on the ice to friends after the game.
Life Beyond the Wall
Q: What do you like to do outside of climbing? And why?
A: I enjoy taking my Jeep off-road or riding my motorcycle. I’ve always been into cars and bikes and love working on them — my dad is a mechanic, so it runs in the family. (I also secretly collect Pokémon cards!)
Q: If you could guest star on any show, which one would it be? And why?
A: Wipeout! I loved watching it as a kid and always thought, “I could do that.”
Q: What is one song that describes your life? And why?
A: Hang Ten by Edwin, because I just like to enjoy the ride.
Q: What is your favorite dessert? And why?
A: Cheesecake. It’s always been my and my dad’s favorite.
Q: If you could climb with any celebrity dead or alive, who would it be? And why?
A: Ozzy Osbourne — I’d like to see how high he could really get.
Q: If you were a rock climbing hold, which one would you be? And why?
A: A crimp, because some people call me a bit edgy.
Connect with Hayley
Follow Hayley for climbing, adventures, and more:
- Instagram: @hayleyschaefer
- TikTok: @hayley.schaefer
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