Fun climbing competition

Young people are being encouraged to try out their skills on climbing walls. A new fun climbing competition gives them a flavour of the thrills of competition climbing without all the stress.

Climbing walls across Scotland are taking part in the ClimbScotland Fun Climbing Competition this autumn, which focuses on young climbers who are just starting out in competitions.

It offers young people a great way to have a go at competition climbing, perhaps for the first time ever, and compete against their friends, whether they are from school, a youth group or a climbing club.

Until recently, beginners could enter the Youth Climbing Series, but changes to bring that competition more in line with the international event format means that the YCS is no longer an easy entry to competition for young climbers in Scotland.

The new ClimbScotland Fun Climbing Competition allows people to enter as individuals or as teams, with the qualification rounds at times to suit themselves before progressing to a grand final in Aberdeen in November.

Kevin Howett, Sport Development Officer with Mountaineering Scotland’s ClimbScotland project, said indoor climbing is becoming increasingly popular with young people and there’s a very active competition scene – but competitions have come into line with international standards we felt there was a need for a less formal competition which could be enjoyed by young people no matter what grade or style they climb, or looking to get a fun introduction to the competition scene.”

Anyone interested in the ClimbScotland Fun Climbing Competition can find more details at http://www.climbscotland.net/move-on-up/competitions/climbscotland-fun-competition or visit their nearest participating climbing wall.

Alien Rock (Alien One), Edinburgh

Alford Community Campus

Avertical World, Dundee

Gairloch Leisure Centre

Glasgow Climbing Centre

Inverness Leisure

Lochbroom Leisure Centre, Ullapool

Perth College Climbing Wall

Pickaquoy Leisure Centre, Orkney

St Andrews University

TCA The Prop Store, Glasgow

The Ice Factor, Kinlochleven

Transition Extreme, Aberdeen

The Peak, Stirling

Three Wise Monkeys, Fort William