The first in a series of three Para-Climbing competitions took place on 15th April at Climb Rochdale.

These competitions are in their 3rd year but previously only one event a year has been held.

With the London Olympics and IFSC World Rock Climbing/Para Climbing Championships taking place in Paris this year we really want to build up and maintain momentum.

The competitions provide an opportunity for disabled climbers to compete and for the BMC to talent spot potential competitors for both home grown and international competitions.

The event proved to be a tremendous success with 30 people competing and a wide range of different disabilities.

Each climber was placed into a disability group and had to climb three boulder problems and 3 routes. The routes set provided an opportunity for most entries to reach the top on the first problems, but the latter two will really start to separate people.

The events are run pretty much like any other comp with a point scoring system but other considerations have to  be made. For example, noise levels for sensory impaired climbers, and easy to follow route systems for learning disabled and autistic climbers. 

The event also included a timed rope ascending rig for people who have virtually or no use of their legs.

Graeme Hill from the BMC Equity Steering Group said that the atmosphere was brilliant. It is great to see the participants building their own pockets of competition within their disability group or against their friends. There was a tremendous amount of focus and determination shown by the competitors
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Prize giving was carried out by Rob Adie, BMC competition Office and Ian Dunn Junior GB Climbing Team Manager.

Full results can be found here.

Thanks were passed onto parents / families and carers who without their support events like this would not happen.

Two more competitions will take place culminating in a grand final. Dates are

• 27th May - Newcastle Climbing Centre
• 15th July - Castle Climbing Centre, London

Entry details here
 

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