Biography:
Robyn Erbesfield-Raboutou (born 8 August 1963) is a renowned American rock climber and rock climbing coach. Her exceptional achievements in the sport, coupled with her dedication to coaching and developing young climbers, have cemented her legacy as a trailblazer in the world of climbing.
Erbesfield-Raboutou began her climbing career in the late 1980s and quickly rose to prominence. As a relatively unknown climber, she made a groundbreaking debut by winning the world’s first Climbing World Cup in Leeds in 1989. This victory propelled her into the international spotlight and earned her numerous sponsorships.
Her success continued to soar, and she embarked on a remarkable winning streak, capturing the overall title for four consecutive World Cups from 1992 to 1995. During this time, Erbesfield-Raboutou also etched her name in the history books as the third-ever woman to conquer a 5.14a (8b+) graded sport climbing route. Her extraordinary skills, resilience, and unwavering determination set her apart as one of the sport’s true icons.
Recognizing the importance of nurturing young talent, Erbesfield-Raboutou turned her attention to coaching. She founded the renowned climbing gym ABC Kids Climbing in Boulder, Colorado, which focuses on developing agility, balance, and coordination in young climbers. Under her guidance, the gym has produced a generation of exceptional climbers who have achieved remarkable feats.
The impact of Erbesfield-Raboutou’s coaching is evident in the achievements of her students. Notably, Megan Mascarenas, Margo Hayes, and her own daughter, Brooke Raboutou, have thrived under her mentorship, achieving remarkable success in national and international climbing competitions. In fact, two of the four American athletes who qualified for the 2020 Olympics in sport climbing, Brooke Raboutou and Colin Duffy, were members of Team ABC, further highlighting Erbesfield-Raboutou’s profound influence.
Beyond her individual accomplishments and coaching endeavors, Erbesfield-Raboutou continues to contribute to the climbing community. Her dedication to the sport earned her induction into the Boulder Sports Hall of Fame in 2018, recognizing her lasting impact and contributions to the climbing world.
Personal life:
In 1993, Erbesfield-Raboutou married French rock climber Didier Raboutou. Together, they have two children who have also excelled in the world of climbing, Brooke Raboutou and Shawn Raboutou. The family’s shared passion and commitment to the sport have created a unique and inspiring legacy within the climbing community.
Awards:
– 4-time World Cup champion (1992, 1993, 1994, 1995)
– Winner of the biennial World Championships in 1995