Can Toddlers Rock Climb Blog Header
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Can Toddlers Rock Climb?

Have you ever witnessed a toddler who didn’t attempt to scale their crib rails or surprise their parents by climbing the living room furniture? Climbing is an inherent trait in a toddler’s DNA, so the real question isn’t whether they can climb but rather if they have the opportunity to explore this natural ability.

Multiple factors outside parental control can impact a toddler’s ability to rock climb.

The most common limitation is commercial gym insurance policies and corresponding gym rules. Most facilities have a minimum age and weight requirement. While it will vary by facility, the minimum age is generally 4 or 5 years. The weight requirement applies if a facility has auto-belay systems requiring a minimum weight for user safety.

There are exceptions. ABC Kids Climbing in Boulder, CO, offers climbing programs for kids as young as 2.5. While they were one of the first gyms to offer programs for toddlers, the sport’s growth has led to other climbing gym companies offering similar programs. Like most toddler sports programs, they often require adult participation or supervision. Offerings of unstructured climbing for toddlers are generally limited.

If you find a facility that allows your toddler to climb with your supervision or are an avid climber willing to venture outdoors with little ones, there are a few essential things to focus on. These can also apply to 4-and 5-year-old rock climbers once they are old enough to participate.

toddler girl climbing wall with dad

What to Know When You Take a Toddler Rock Climbing

Prioritize safety.

They’re kids. You can tell them the rules 100 times, and they’ll still forget them in seconds. To keep them and other climbers safe, always keep your eye on them, enforce the no running rule, and take the time to explain other safety rules (i.e., remind them to look and make sure no one is climbing above when walking under a climbing wall).

Additionally, always have them wear a helmet when climbing outdoors. Even if they sit near the rock while another person is climbing, have them keep their helmets on. There’s no need to risk a brain injury from falling rock pieces. This is just one example of the many safety measures that should be in place when climbing outdoors.

They are good at knowing their limits.

Respect their limits. Toddlers are incredibly intuitive and adept at expressing their needs. If a toddler indicates that they don’t want to climb further or higher, it’s crucial not to push them. Similarly, if they desire to climb more or higher, encourage their exploration (within reason). As long as you’re vigilant and can assist them in descending safely, it’s perfectly safe for them to climb to the top of the wall.

Keep it fun.

Toddlers have their whole lives ahead of them. If they want to pursue climbing at a competitive level as they grow up, that’s fine. When they are young and just starting, make sure they have fun. Don’t pressure them to stick to one color climb or a specific path if climbing outside. The odds are that they can’t reach all the holds anyway. Focusing on helping them use the holds they can reach and climbing only as high as they wish.

Don’t bother investing in climbing shoes.

While climbing shoes are an option, toddlers often find their sneakers more comfortable. Additionally, their feet grow rapidly. Climbing shoes can be expensive, so waiting until they’re older is advisable. If you believe climbing shoes would benefit them, consider purchasing a used pair or investing in regular shoes with grippy soles to save some money.

Use a kid’s full-body harness.

Toddlers are tiny humans. When climbing ropes, opt for a kid’s full-body harness. Most gyms have a few available to rent, or you can invest in your own. This harness type will fit their small frame and ensure their safety.

Cute little kid girl in sport equipment climbing

Toddlers are capable rock climbers. It’s just a matter of finding a facility that allows them to participate and ensuring you always supervise them. Rock climbing is a low-risk sport everyone can enjoy when you take appropriate safety measures, but it can be dangerous without adherence to safety protocols. When it’s time to take your toddler climbing, remember to trust that they know their limits and focus on keeping it fun. If you know of any climbing programs for toddlers near you, please share below to help others find opportunities for their toddler(s) to unleash their inner rock climber!

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Why You Should Get Your Belay Certification

Why You Should Get Your Belay Certification

Take the next step in your climbing journey and earn your belay certification! Venture beyond the bouldering mats and autobelays and master a new skill that will elevate your climbing sessions and fill you with pride and accomplishment.

Learning to belay may seem daunting, but remember, you’re not alone in this journey. The climbing community is here to support you, just as they’ve supported countless others. If those camp kids can learn how to belay, so can you. You’ve got this!

This article aims to help you receive your top-rope belay certification. Lead climbing will have a similar structure, but you must first learn to top-rope belay!

 

How to Learn How to Belay

Although the internet is an excellent tool for learning new things, belaying is a hands-on skill requiring much practice. Use online videos for references, but don’t take your belay test if all you’ve done is watch others online do it.

Find somebody to teach you how to belay! Having a climbing partner who knows how to belay and is willing to teach you is the most accessible way to learn. Just make sure to buy them some chalk for their efforts!

Many gyms don’t allow non-staff to teach others how to belay, so know the rules beforehand. If your friend will teach you, you may have to learn outside of the gym!

Take a class at the climbing gym! Sign up for a “Learning How to Belay” class and receive expert instruction from a teacher. Even though your friend may know how to belay, instructors get paid to teach people how to do so correctly, so they likely know an extra thing.

 

What Gear is Required to Belay?

Belaying requires a host of new knowledge that is not used on the bouldering mats. You’ll need to learn how to tie a figure eight knot, properly load a belay device, and safely take in slack. Besides new knowledge, what gear will you need?

First things first, you’ll need a climbing harness! There are many harnesses to choose from, which can be overwhelming. Check out their retail shop and see their options if you want something to use at the gym.

You’ll also need a belay device. Many climbing gyms require you to use an assisted braking device, like a Petzl Gri Gri. These devices have a built-in function that automatically stops and

catches if too much rope runs through it too quickly. While assisted braking devices are a great way to help beginners learn how to belay, never assume that the device will always catch a climber, and never remove your brake hand from the rope.

That’s it! You already have the other gear: chalk and shoes! Although you can grab some gear to make the experience more enjoyable, such as belay gloves for your hands and glasses so you don’t need to bend your neck to look up at the wall the entire time, the last thing you need is somebody to belay!

 

How to Get Your Belay Certification at the Gym

Every gym is slightly different, but you must take a belay ‘test’ to receive your belay certification. Once you’ve learned to belay, ask a gym employee to take the test!

Some gyms require you to have a partner to take the test, so be ready with one, just in case! Others will have a rope and pully system to mimic belaying. The pully system belay test takes less time, but it can seem strange if you’re used to belaying.

Be wary of potential climbing partners if a gym doesn’t require you to take a belay test. Try to observe them with others before you allow them to catch you, and ask plenty of questions to confirm that they know what they’re doing!

 

What You Can Expect with Your Belay Certification

With your belay certification, you’ll unlock new climbing areas and routes in the gym that you may not have explored before. The thrill of discovering these new challenges will keep your climbing sessions exciting and adventurous.

Or, if you’ve been getting catches from your friends, you can finally return the favor! Proudly present your belay badge of honor so everyone knows you can also give anyone a catch on top rope!

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3 Ways to Train for Your Outdoor Project in the Gym

It’s almost sending season again, and you know what that means: the perfect conditions to hop back on the proj. When it’s too hot out, you can’t line up enough partners, or you just can’t get back out to the crag, you must figure out ways to train for your outdoor project in the gym.

As an outdoor climber, you know you won’t be able to replicate the exact climb inside. Even as a route setter, you can only come so close to creating the same sequence of moves on a rock. Sometimes, the holds aren’t quite right, or the angle of the wall isn’t replicable.

That shouldn’t stop you from training for your outdoor project in the gym, though. You can do so in a few ways, but you must buckle down and keep at it if you want to send your project this season. Check out these three ways below to train for your outdoor projects in the gym:

1. Analyze and memorize the climb

You must learn every sequence of complicated moves on your project. It would help if you memorized the exact beta for every hold; regardless, you should have the crux beta dialed.

Understanding the hardest sequence of moves will tell you what to focus on in your training. Is the crux crimpy, pinchy, compression-ey? Is the climb-on slab a dead vertical wall, or is it overhung? If it is overhung, how overhung is it? 30°, 35°, 40°? More!?

As far out as it sounds, you must understand the rock. Keep a journal of the moves and write them down after you’re lowered off the wall. Write out how each hold and move feels and include as much description as possible.

Writing out the beta will help solidify the moves in your mind. You may hate exams, but treat your project like an exam you must pass- study for it!

Man rock climbing

2. Replicate as best you can

For those with a home wall, you can recreate any climb sequences to practice. For those without a home wall, which may be most climbers, you’ll need to get a little creative with your training.

There are some incredible boards out there to train on, such as a Moonboard, a Kilterboard, and a systems board, which you may have access to at your gym. A spray wall is also a great tool to help you train for your outdoor project. While you may not get to replicate your project exactly, you can replicate what is needed to perform on it.

First, determine the angle of the wall that your project is on. Since you won’t be able to replicate your project exactly, you should train on a slightly more overhanging wall. This will force your body to get comfortable with an even harder angle than your project.

Next, choose what holds you must train on. If your project’s crux has crimps, train on crimps; if the crux has slopers, so on. Climbing on these holds at a steeper angle than your project will help you build the strength to get after it outside.

Lastly, think about the footholds! Since you’ll be training on a steeper angle, begin with whatever large footholds are available. Once you complete the sequences at a steeper angle, use worse feet. There are always worse feet.

man climbing wall

3. Stay consistent!

Any climber only sends harder by working hard and staying consistent. Schedule your week so you’re training for your project at least 2-3 times a week. On your off days, consider strength training to improve any weakness areas. Your core will thank you for the workouts if you’re climbing on a steep wall.

Staying psyched while training is no easy feat. Remember that if you truly want something to send at your limit, you must work for it if you can. Get out to your project between training sessions to keep your motivation high!

 

Progress isn’t linear, so try not to get down if you’re not performing well during a session or hitting a plateau. Instead, redefine what progress means to you and focus on the subtle differences in your training.

Instead of focusing on not sticking a move you’ve been struggling with, focus on minute details you have improved. Reached the hold with less effort? Hit it with three fingers instead of two? Held on for a millisecond longer than last time? Progress!

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Stories of a Collegiate Climber National Championships

Stories of a Collegiate Climber: National Championships

Pool together the top one hundred male and female collegiate climbers in the United States for a weekend of competition, and you end up with something between a house party, class reunion, and world-cup-style competition. But before I can explain how all three scenarios came under one roof, I must catch you up on how you make it to the USA Climbing Collegiate National Championships.

How To Qualify for National Championships

As a college student, you have four years of eligibility to compete in the USA Collegiate Series. This means you can participate in the series anytime during your four years of college. Although streamlined, the process will seem very similar if you were a former youth competitor. From November to March, eight divisions host collegiate qualification events (QE) in Boulder and Lead. New for the 2023-2024 season, athletes could pick whether they competed in the intermediate or advanced category for their gender. Upon completing one QE, the climber can compete in their division championship competition in April. It’s at this event where climbers receive tickets to Collegiate Nationals. Formerly, the top 13 advanced male and female athletes in boulder and lead would advance. With the addition of an intermediate category, the top five athletes in each category now qualify. However, like my story, where I qualified in the lead round at divisional championships, you can also compete in boulders and speed at nationals.

The Nationals Experience: Party meets Competition

Collegiate Nationals is a breath of fresh air, a departure from the intense competitions of the USA youth circuit. DJs set the mood with music, parents, and climbers mingle, laugh, and share pizzas, and strangers become friends, cheering you on or wishing you luck. It’s not just a competition; it’s a celebration. The atmosphere is more akin to a family barbecue than a cutthroat competition, and it’s wonderfully chaotic.

For competitors, the intensity of the weekend is what you make it. I competed in women’s advanced alongside ~100 other females in boulder and lead. However, only the top 20 for each discipline advanced to finals. With former youth champions and Team USA athletes like Nekaia Sanders among the competition, vying for a spot in the top 20 was an unrealistic goal for my skillset. Many others were in the same bost, as ending up in the top 20% when you only have one attempt per lead route and four minutes per boulder is challenging. For myself and others in the same boat, you can focus on taking down the greatest competition anyone can face: themselves. The party atmosphere and positive vibes from all parties make it a fantastic experience regardless of place. Enjoying the sets created by USA Climbing’s best setters, making new friends, or reuniting with old ones, and putting all of your training to the test culminates in an unforgettable weekend.

The Takeaways

If you have yet to gather it, I was not the strongest or most skilled competitor. In both disciplines, I placed in the bottom 40%. But did I have an exciting and fun two days? 100 percent! The journey to Nationals was long and took a lot of hard training, but at Nationals, I could focus on having fun. The routes and boulders had creative, challenging moves like funky press moves, coordination toe catches, and paddle dynos, leaving me smiling even when I fell. The energy in the gyms was electric, and the competitors, staff, and families cheering on their athletes were so kind and encouraging. One memorable light-hearted interaction occurred after my only flash of the competition. The older gentleman judging the boulder joked that he needed to confirm the number of attempts with me (it was one). I also met friends of friends, connecting over a sweatshirt I wore with the name of my home gym across the back.

If I had the chance, I’d return to Nationals in a heartbeat. I encourage you to do it if you’re considering challenging yourself to compete for a spot. You’ll gain more than just a competition experience. You’ll learn about your strengths, limits, and the power of the climbing community. College is the time to challenge yourself and have fun, so let climbing be a part of that narrative.

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Summer Training Tips
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Summer Training Tips: Beat the Heat

In most of the U.S., summer is synonymous with heat. Hot and humid days become more frequent. The sweat dial gets turned to ‘max.’ It can become challenging to avoid slogging through your workouts. Even the advent of air-conditioned indoor climbing facilities can’t always quell summer’s oppressive temperatures and dankness. Yet, as a sport without a proper off-season, climbing doesn’t stop for the heat. Whether grinding out fitness sessions in the gym or heading outdoors, climbers can battle the heat and walk away with gains and sends under their belts. To help shore up your armor against the scorching temperatures and stifling humidity, here are five summer training tips to beat the heat!

Spruce Up Your Water with Electrolytes

You hear it every summer season (likely in your mom’s voice): “Drink your water!” As obnoxious as it may seem to have every other person, news page, and social media post telling you to hydrate, it is essential. However, as an athlete undergoing hard training sessions and sweating buckets, you’ll want to spruce up your water with electrolytes. Thankfully, they are all the craze in 2024, with many brands offering electrolyte products. These products are not just a trend, they are a convenient way to enhance your hydration, recovery, and energy. Choose from various flavors, forms (powder, tablet, sparkling), and ingredients. Even if you aren’t the person dripping with sweat as they leave the gym, incorporating an electrolyte drink, at the minimum on your most challenging training days, will enhance your hydration, recovery, and energy. Not to mention, they taste delicious! See the list of popular brands.

  • Skratch Labs – Choice of The TraingBeta Podcast Host, Neely Quinn
  • Nuun – Known for their electrolyte tablets that add fizz
  • LMNT – Electrolyte Choice of American Neuroscientist and Huberman Lab podcast host Andrew Huberman
  • Other brands popular among consumers: DripDrop, LiquidIV, Gnarly Nutrition

 

Wear loose, lightweight clothing.

Choosing to enhance your hydration is helpful to sustain and recover from intense activity, but another way to beat the heat is by opting for lightweight and loose clothing. Moisture-wicking features like Nike’s Dri-Fit technology are fantastic, but high-quality cotton and linen work well too. It’s likely self-explanatory, but it is worth mentioning that tank tops and shorts will be your best friends. These loose, lightweight clothes will keep you comfortable and ready for your training. If you need to wear longer pants to protect your knees or harness them comfortably, look for linen or other lightweight materials. Many outdoor and climbing clothing companies have designed products with heat in mind, leaving you with plenty of stylish options.

Opt to Climb Early Morning or Later Evening

Generally, the coolest parts of summer days are the early morning or later evening. Avoid mid-day climbing sessions, especially if venturing outside. Humidity will be highest in the early morning, so if you’re climbing in an area with high heat and humidity, you may want to pencil in training for those later evening hours.

 

Consider antiperspirant for Hands and Feet.

Sweaty summer sessions mean extra sweaty hands and feet, which is not ideal for climbers. No one wants to chalk up only to touch the first hold, and it’s all gone, nor do they want to add to the funk of their climbing shoes. If you haven’t tried an antiperspirant product before, summer is the time to try. Rhino is the best-known brand in the climbing community, offering three sweat-stopping products: Performance, Dry, and Tip-Juice. They’ve bundled all three at a discounted price in the Rhino Sweat Block Bundle. However, it’s important to note that some climbers may have skin sensitivities or concerns about the impact on their climbing equipment, so it’s always best to test these products in a controlled environment before using them during a climb.

Another effective solution for sweaty hands is liquid chalk. This alternative tends to dry out hands faster than powdered chalk, providing a reliable grip. For even faster drying, consider liquid chalk with alcohol, a potent drying agent.

 

Hydrate All Day, Every Day

The final summer training tip to beat the heat loops back to our first tip under the hydration umbrella. Remembering to consume fluids when actively working out or thirsty is easy. But to prevent dehydration, heat stroke, lethargy, and poor performance, you should hydrate daily. Start your morning with water and make sure you’ve sufficiently hydrated before climbing sessions. Continue to hydrate after training, and don’t slack off on rest days! Although you may not need the electrolyte or sugary beverages on rest days, hydrating with water or seltzer will ensure you’re ready to go on climbing days.

Don’t let the heat win this summer. You have a toolkit of tips to give you a leg up. You can easily stay healthy and safe by incorporating electrolytes, wearing appropriate clothing, strategically timing your workouts, using antiperspirants or drying agents, and consistently hydrating. If there are any other summer training tips that you love, comment them below to help out fellow climbers.

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What to Wear for Your First Time Climbing

What do you wear for your first time climbing?

Climbing gyms have taken the world by storm, and what was once a not-so-popular activity is now competed for in the Olympics. Although climbing has changed, what climbers wear hasn’t.

You’ll see less lycra nowadays, but the core of climbing clothing choices has remained the same.

What NOT to wear is just as important as what to wear for your first time climbing. Check out that section to avoid wearing the wrong things and ensure you’re fully prepared for your climbing experience!

So, what DO you wear for your first time climbing?

Simply, anything that is comfortable and allows you to move your body freely. Climbing requires a lot of bending, reaching, twisting, and contorting, so you’ll want to wear clothing that doesn’t restrict your movement.

For footwear, a pair of snug-fitting climbing shoes is recommended. These shoes are designed to provide maximum grip and support for your feet during climbs. Avoid wearing regular sneakers or bulky shoes as they can hinder your performance and increase the risk of injury. Pants are the go-to option when you start, so you have a little barrier when you bump your knee on the wall. Climbers commonly wear T-shirts because you’ll warm up from pulling your body up the wall.

But if the gym is super warm, or since you’ll exert a lot of energy, it’s nice to have more airflow to the legs with a pair of shorts.

The fabric you choose is up to you. You can wear something sportier, like ‘workout clothes’ that help wick moisture away from your body, or you can proudly display your efforts with a cotton option. However, keep in mind that moisture-wicking fabrics can keep you dry and comfortable during your climbs, making them a popular choice among climbers.

What NOT to wear for your first time climbing

Deciding on the correct outfit to climb in may seem daunting, but choose something comfortable, and you’ll be just fine. More importantly, you should avoid wearing the following clothing when climbing.

Wear Layers!

Sometimes, climbing gyms can feel like stepping into a grocery store’s freezer. Keeping cool is helpful to gym-goers because you’re sure to heat up when exerting yourself climbing the funky-colored walls.

If keeping warm in a cool environment is challenging, consider wearing layers to the climbing gym. You can always remove a sweatshirt or switch to shorts when you get too warm!

Everybody has a different internal body temperature; what works for someone else may not work for you.

Restrictive clothing

Tight-fitting clothing that doesn’t stretch. Pants like skinny jeans may try to come back in style, but they should be left at home. You can also just bring other clothes to change into at the climbing gym.

Climbing requires plenty of hip mobility, and you don’t want to rip your favorite pair of jeans when trying to raise your foot high on the wall.

Tight-fitting clothing is okay to wear when climbing, but you must make sure it is stretchy!

Too loose of clothing

Yes, even super loose clothing can hinder your climbing. This doesn’t mean when your pants fall down your hips; that’s a separate issue that a belt can fix. However, they’re too loose when your pant leg is wide enough to step on.

Imagine stepping on a foothold only to be caught in the fabric. You won’t go anywhere with the other foot because you’ve anchored yourself to the wall!

While an oversized, flowy T-shirt may feel comfortable, the loose fabric could restrict your vision, blocking your view of the footholds below you. Although this isn’t a huge issue, it’s something to consider when picking your outfit.

Certain jewelry

Most jewelry should be removed when climbing. This includes rings, long necklaces, large dangly earrings—anything that could get caught on a rope or climbing hold if you fall.

Bring a bag to the climbing gym and keep your jewelry safe when you hop on the wall. If you’re adamant about wearing a ring when climbing, look for a silicon one that won’t cause any injuries if it gets caught!

Dress for Success

If you couldn’t tell, there is no standard to what to wear for your first time climbing. While you should include a few golden standards (like not wearing jewelry), the rest of your clothing options are personal preference. You have the option to choose what makes you feel comfortable and confident on the wall.

Skinny jeans may be your look, and you’ll climb in them regardless of what anybody says, and that’s fine! However, you may not be as flexible as you need to be for specific climbs.

Long pant legs might be your fashion, and that’s okay, too. But you might change after you get stuck because you stepped on your clothes.

Ultimately, the goal is to wear what feels comfortable for you. Try out a few different options, like bringing layers, and feel out what works. You can switch it up the second time you climb! Remember, comfort is key in climbing attire.

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6 Tips to Level Up Your Bouldering

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Hey Boulder Bros, Here’s Why You Should Try Rope Climbing

Hey, boulder bros! Are you tired of pumping out on your project? Rope climbing could be the solution you’re looking for. Not only does climbing on a rope help train endurance, but it’s even statistically less dangerous.

Can Rope Climbing Help Your Bouldering?

Bouldering was originally a way to train for larger mountain ascents. When bouldering took the world by storm, it quickly became the most accessible way to start climbing. The only gear you need is a pair of climbing shoes. Or if you’re anything like Barefoot Charles, you don’t even need shoes!

But can the two climbing disciplines help each other?

It’s well understood that bouldering can improve your power endurance, which can help you explode while climbing routes that require big moves. Bouldering is also known for being a way to rehearse movements and develop technique.

Did you know that rope climbing can offer unique benefits to boulderers? It’s not just about endurance and confidence but also about exploring new climbing areas. Rope climbing can take your bouldering game to new heights, quite literally!

Develop More Confidence with Rope Climbing

One of the key advantages of rope climbing is safety. When bouldering, falling at the top of the wall can be risky. However, with rope climbing, especially top roping, you can practice falling safely and build your confidence without the fear of serious injury.

Climbing on a rope without much fall consequence, especially if you’re top roping, will help you improve your confidence at the top of the bouldering wall. You can practice looking down and being comfortable being so far off the ground.

Rope climbing will also help you plan to do any highballs. Developing confidence in trusting your feet or making precarious movements while on a rope will directly translate to bouldering at heights.

Rope Climbing Will Improve Your Endurance

Do you get pumped after ten moves? Do you want to try your project more than two times? Rope climbing can help.

Rope climbing involves being on the wall much longer than a boulder. By making two to three times the amount of moves on a rope climb, you’ll develop a newfound endurance that will let you boulder longer.

To improve your climbing rope endurance, simply spend as much time on the rope as possible. If you’re new to endurance training, the best way to improve is to keep climbing. Aim to climb 20 routes a week on a rope, whether top roping, lead climbing, or on an auto-belay.

Each climb doesn’t need to be at your limit; keep climbing, and endurance will come!

Explore New Places with Rope Climbing!

Climbing outside is a great way to explore the outdoors and see new things. If you keep climbing in the same bouldering area, even if it’s world-renowned, you’re missing out on what else is out there! Sure, you can take a trip to a new boulder field, but there might be classic rope climbing just around the corner.

Rope climbing can take you to new heights and climbing areas you have yet to consider! Even though there aren’t boulders, there are still thrilling places to explore. The sense of adventure in discovering these new areas can be incredibly exciting.

As human as it is to be a creature of comfort and revisit the same place, you can learn a lot by exploring new spots. Whether you learn about the land itself or what you can personally overcome, creating memories in new places is a fulfilling experience.

Learn New Skills!

It’s common to feel stagnant when you’ve learned all you can about something. Although there is always room for physical improvement, learning new technical skills can be rewarding.

Rope climbing requires a whole new level of techniques to learn. From mastering the figure eight knot to rope management to belaying, each new skill you acquire in rope climbing is a testament to your growth and dedication. This sense of accomplishment can be incredibly empowering.

Understanding the intricacies of safely climbing on a rope can also help when working on a highball! The knowledge needed to rope climb may seem overwhelming, but why not learn something new?

Just like when you were learning bouldering and needed many skills, such as spotting, pad management, and proper falling, rope climbing requires the same- just learning different skills!

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Title Card for Blog Post
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Climbing in the Olympics: What to Expect in 2024

The 2024 Paris Olympics are rapidly approaching, igniting a wave of anticipation and excitement among climbing enthusiasts. The opening ceremony, a grand spectacle, is set to captivate the world in just under two months, on July 26th. Climbing, a sport that has been steadily gaining popularity, is returning for its second time after a thrilling debut in the 2020 (2021) Tokyo Olympic Games. However, with this new stage comes some highly anticipated changes to the competition format and the opportunity for more athletes to take the stage, adding to the thrill and excitement of the event.

A Brief Recap of the Tokyo Olympics

In 2021, the Olympic Committee gave Sport Climbing two gold medals, meaning there could be one event for males and one for females where three athletes would podium. Typically, International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) competitions have three events athletes can medal in: Lead, boulder, and Speed. To remedy the situation, climbers had to qualify and compete in all three disciplines (lead, boulder, and speed) at the Tokyo Olympics. For those aware of the nuances in climbing, many athletes specialize in either boulder and lead or speed, as the training is very different for the latter. As exciting as it was to witness the inauguration of climbing at the Olympics, the format proved challenging for athletes who had to adopt new training plans to compete at a high level in all three disciplines.

Looking Ahead to Paris 2024

Fast forward to the approaching summer Olympics in Paris. The Olympic Committee, recognizing the immense talent and dedication of Sport Climbing athletes, has given the sport 12 medals, or four gold medal events, enabling a format change reflective of the IFSC competitions. This time, athletes have been able to compete to qualify for a spot in the Boulder & Lead or the Speed competition in Paris. This change not only creates a more familiar competition experience for the athletes but also opens up the opportunity for more climbers to represent their country on the biggest sports stage, a testament to their hard work and skill.

For those with more questions about the nitty-gritty details, we’ve answered some of the most common questions regarding climbing in the Olympics.

Climbing in the Olympics: What to Expect in 2024 Q&A

  • How many climbers will be in Paris?

Sixty-eight climbers will have the opportunity to compete in Paris. Twenty athletes per gender will compete in the Combined Boulder and lead discipline. The remaining 28 spots, divided into 14 men and 14 women, will go to speed climbers.

  • How many countries will be represented in climbing in Paris?

Each National Olympic Committee, representing a diverse range of countries, can have a maximum of two men and two women qualify for each event (Boulder & Lead, Speed). The official number of countries represented in Sport Climbing will be live at the end of June 2024. The final quotas are awaiting assignment after the conclusion of the Olympic Qualifier Series Part II: Budapest. This global representation in the event not only showcases the universality of climbing but also fosters a sense of connection and engagement among climbing fans worldwide.

  • What will the competitions look like?

Check out this short and simple video the official Olympic Committee published explaining how the climbing competitions will work in Paris and how they will determine a winner.

  • What are the dates for watching Climbing?

The Sport Climbing portion of the Olympic Games will take place over six days, starting Monday, August 5th, and ending Saturday, August 10th.

Times are listed as UTC+2:00

  • Monday, 5 August – 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Men’s Semi-final Boulder, Women’s Speed Seeding and Elimination Rounds

  • Tuesday, 6 August – 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Women’s Boulder Semi-final,
Men’s Speed Seeding and Elimination Rounds

  • Wednesday, 7 August – 10:00 AM to 1:15 PM

Men’s Semi-Final Lead, Women’s Speed Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Finals

  • Thursday, 8 August – 10:00 AM to 1:15 PM

Women’s Semi-final Lead, Men’s Speed Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Finals

  • Friday, 9 August – 10:15 AM to 1:20 PM

Men’s Boulder Final, Men’s Lead Final

  • Saturday, 10 August – 10:15 AM to 1:20 PM

Women’s Boulder Final, Women’s Lead Final

  • Who is representing the US in Paris?

US Speed Climbers Emma Hunt, Piper Kelly, and Samuel Watson have qualified. In Boulder, lead athletes Natalia Grossman, Jesse Grupper, and Colin Duffy have qualified. These athletes qualified in 2023 at either the FSC World Championship Bern 2023 or the Pan American Games 2023.

  • How many athletes can still qualify for the US and globally?
    [as of June 23, all spots have been claimed with the final spots going to Brooke Raboutou and Zach Hammer]

One quota spot remains for US females in the Boulder and Lead discipline. The four females competing for that spot are Brooke Raboutou (2020 Olympic Climber), Anastasia “Annie” Sanders, Kyra Condie (2020 Olympic Climber), and Kylie Cullen.

One quota spot remains for US males in the Speed competition. Three men, John Brosler, Zach Hammer, and Noah Bratschi, are competing in the Olympic Qualifier Series set to wrap up on June 23rd for the final spot.

Overall, 16 out of 40 athletes, eight from each gender, have qualified for Boulder and Lead. Seven men and seven women, out of 14 for each gender, have qualified for Speed.

Get ready because the 2024 Paris Olympics will be here before you know it, and 68 climbers, 40 in boulder and lead and 28 in Speed, will take the floor at the Le Bourget Climbing Venue just outside Paris, France, and fight for gold. The Le Bourget Climbing Venue is a state-of-the-art facility designed specifically for sport climbing, making it the perfect stage for the world’s best climbers to showcase their skills. With Speed separated from boulder and lead, you’ll witness the fastest climbers from around the globe go head to head. Boulder and lead athletes will vie to solve problems faster and climb higher than their competitors, aiming to score up to 200 points across both disciplines. Check out the IFSC Climbing Instagram for pictures of the venue, and read the pinned posts for more information on the Olympic qualification process, speed format guide, and boulder & lead format guide. The countdown is on, and it’s time to get excited to cheer on the climbers as they display incredible strength and athleticism!

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July Newsletter (2024)

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