The Team

You'd be hard pressed to find a climbing store or gym in Brisbane that AJ hasn't been involved with in some way. He's been climbing for two decades and has worked in a variety of roles within the industry, from sales staff to height access technician, to eventually taking over ownership of Pinnacle Sports in 2008.

Since taking over Pinnacle Sports, AJ has pushed the business to new heights, establishing it as a premiere equipment, guiding, and inspection outlet. His passion for the business is fueled by his love of climbing in general. Over the years he has climbed in many different locations, including China and New Zealand, and has played a role in establishing climbing areas closer to home.

He still gets out for a climb when he can, but these days he is busy running around performing installations, inspections and maintenance of climbing walls all over South-East Queensland.

Oh, the places you’ll go… a very apt Dr Seuss quote! When Emily first started climbing in 1998 she never imagined that climbing would have such big impact in her life. Her climbing journey started by following a boy (he was a keeper) and climbing has shaped her travels, work, and personal life.

Emily was part of the committee that organised the inaugural Queensland State Titles Climbing in 2003, back in the days when entry forms were hand written, payment was cash on the day or cheque only and small children were gainfully employed by running competitor points back to the admin desk for data entry. Competition days ran very much in overtime. 

Emily has traveled to many of the world’s premier climbing destinations, with her favourites being Getu and Yangshuo in China and Castle Hill in New Zealand.

She turned to the bouldering arts once kids arrived (lazy walk ins, faster pump outs, and it doesn’t matter if you’re ‘that’ climbing partner that bails) and is an expert in not only packing climbing gear but also an armada of snack foods (carefully chosen by the length of time it takes a small child to consume), drink bottles and Thomas bags.

The climbing community is tight knit and is filled with encouraging, positive people. The industry is vibrant and the gear evolves constantly. It is a pleasure and a privilege to be part of. Jia You, Pinnacle Sports!

In 2013, Alex was riding his bike past Kangaroo Point for the first time and was in awe of the climbers there. After stopping to stare like a creep for a while, a random belayer turned around and asked him if he wanted a go... this was what sparked Alex's climbing journey. 

Over the next 3 years Alex went from bouldering barefoot in Toohey Forest with an old foam mattress, to embarking on big traditional climbing adventures in Tasmania. All the while through he's remained psyched on all aspects of climbing, whether it be scaling 400m cliffs or pebble-wrestling. Apart from furthering his own climbing, he enjoys sharing his knowledge and experiences with the kids in the Pinnacle Sports Kids Club, and relishes in the company of good friends. He strives to live by the mantra: "Wherever you are, be all there."

Jarred started climbing casually on plastic some time during his highschool days. It wasn’t until starting his studies at UQ and joining the Mountain Club that he found the world of ropes and rock that he has come to form a profound addiction to. After watching and learning from mentors and crushers, Jarred began spending his days and nights at Kangaroo Point and in the Glass House, building his strength and wisdom to be able to tackle bigger and harder challenges, stoked to teach and share all he has learned. Slowly climbing would become everything.

Having a career in software engineering, it was time to find a way to merge his passions for climbing and for complicated digital systems; he took up a position at Pinnacle, managing the technical backend. Now you’ll likely find him at the crag, working in-store, or having a gym boulder during his study breaks - always keen for a new adventure and to share his love of our sport.

Jonas is a climber with a passion for the arts & nature. Throughout his career as a young arts worker he has contributed to a number of cultural development projects in Queensland, Brazil and Colombia working with young people to develop confidence, self-esteem and cultural identity.

Since migrating to Australia in 2008 with a pair of climbing shoes, harness, new undies and books he has extended his practice further in fields such as marketing, event management, creative industries and outdoor adventure. Co-directing an arts organization called MARACCAS Jonas has participated in and performed in a number of events and festivals building on his techniques in clowning and physical theatre. Flicking the jokers coin, Jonas also has a serious face of a Rope Access dude with experience in maintenance, stage rigging, inspections, rescues and supervision of workers at heights.

He brings his diverse experience of work from other areas to his guiding and is always able to help people get the most out of their outdoor adventure and course. His easy-going nature and background helps to generate a fun and safe environment for his climbing and abseiling clients.

Josiah's passion for rock climbing began at Kangaroo Point in 2014 when he joined the QUT Cliffhangers Rock climbing club. Since then there has been few weekends where he hasn't been venturing up a rock face somewhere in SEQ or further abroad. Adventure is his climbing meal of choice. Wacky walk-ins, mega multipitches, and first ascents are the crucial ingredients. Good mates and playful banter bring plenty of flavour while runout slabs, fiddly placements and chossy faces add the spice. That being said, you will still find him dabbling in other cuisines in the caves or at the gyms. Josiah has enjoyed mentoring many Cliffhanger members over the past 7 years and has joined Team Pinnacle to share his knowledge and stoke with even more people. Whatever your next climbing adventure may be, he is keen to share it with you.

Luke began climbing in 2017 while studying and was immediately captivated by the sport. After learning a few skills from one of Adelaide’s climbing gurus, he moved back to Brisbane keen to both learn more and pay the favour forward to newer climbers.

Luke enjoys anything from short, punchy sport routes to long rambling adventure climbs; and even bouldering to a much lesser extent… but the relaxed, friendly attitude of the climbing community is his favourite part! Other than climbing, Luke enjoys cycling, running and photography.

Manny went on a date at this cool, hip climbing gym in West End. Within spending an hour at the gym Manny was hooked! He continued climbing forgetting he was there to meet a girl. His date came and left but fortunately, his passion for climbing stayed and it still drives his motivation to go out and explore the outdoors.

Over the year's, Manny decided to turn is passion into his career. His background in IT and multimedia allowed him to fill the gaps of content and marketing in the local climbing industry. You will often catch him tethered to a fixed line with a camera, telling climbers to "try and look less stressed" as he is documenting them on their sends on a project.

Peta has been an active member of the Queensland climbing community for over 20 years. A technical trad climber at heart, she has spent many seasons honing her crack skills and placements at Frog Buttress, Mt French, where she claimed the first female ascent of many of the harder routes. In recent years Peta has been hard at work sport climbing on the limestone tufa crags of Europe and Asia.

Peta was Operations Manager, Head Coach and Head Coursesetter at Urban Climb, back in the days when there was only the one location, before embarking on a year-long overseas climbing trip that got a bit out of hand.

Loving the traveling lifestyle a bit too much, Peta started working with Pinnacle Sports in 2013 and currently runs the overseas trips including Kalymnos (Greece), Getu (China), Yangshuo (China) and Cat Ba Island (Vietnam). As well as guiding on these trips, Peta also draws from her considerable coaching experience to give a huge edge in improving the skills of participants on these tours.

Peta is also the creator and manufacturer of Handjam (climbing hand cream for rockclimbers) and a contributor to the website thetravelingclimber.com

Rohan started climbing in 2016, gaining interest through climbing with his family. Invested in the sport, Rohan joined the Pinnacle Sports Kids Club, and has been climbing ever since. Although he has loved everywhere he’s climbed, his favoured mountain of choice is Mount Ninderry.

In addition to climbing Rohan loves the outdoors, enjoying activities such as: kayaking, fishing, hiking and camping. As well as being an avid reader, he loves woodwork, gardening and local flora, particularly native edibles.