So to start off with, a little about how these boulder competitions work for those who don’t know…
We have different age groups from Under 7 to Open (over the age of 19). Each age group has an allocated time slot and 4 boulders that they need to climb. The competitors are kept in isolation (a curtained off area where athletes cannot watch the action but can warm up and wait for their time to shine). When it is their turn to climb, each age group gets approximately 2 minutes per boulder problem to “view” the boulder. This means, they can look at it, and try to figure out the beta and discuss it amongst themselves. Then, back to isolation, where they will each come out one at a time for 5 minute intervals of climbing, followed by 5 minutes of resting time until they have had a chance to try all 4. Ranking is based on attempts to a midway “zone” hold and attempts to the top hold.
Left Photo: Olivia Oberhofer Right Photo: Ireta Mbamu
Photo Credit: Catarina Monteiro
Photo above: Here we have Caden Miles, the one and only, under 9 male to finish their fourth and final boulder (and he flashed it!)
Photo below: Allistair Green making his way to the top of his first boulder of the day! Our youngest and smallest competitor at 1,17m tall!
Photo Credit: Tiffany Wells
Annelien le Roux, Under 13, taking a moment to size up the last section of the boulder
Photo Credit: Tiffany Wells
Ilke Pepler, our U15 female champion, balancing her way through a tricky slab. She was the only one who managed to do all of her age groups problems!
Photo Credit: Tiffany Wells
Rauen Krohn, an under 19, who won in her own category, as well as coming out on top in the Open category as well!
Photo Credit: Catarina Monteiro
Tash Smith, showing everyone how it’s done, by being the only Open female to send their fourth and final boulder problem!
Photo Credit: Catarina Monteiro
Jared Rodrigues making easy work of the U17 – open Men’s problem 2
Photo Credit: Catarina Monteiro
David Naude, the Open Male champion, and the only competitor to finish this formidable men’s final boulder (and he flashed it!)
Photo Credit: Catarina Monteiro
So as you can see, we had a whole day jam-packed with climbing, with competitors from ages 7 to 40 battling it out in their respective age groups for a spot on the Provincial Team. The top 5 athletes in each age category go through to the National Championships, which is right around the corner, and will be hosted at Bloc 11 Paarden Eiland on the 27th of March!
We would like to say a massive thank you to Western Cape Climbing for their hard work towards competitive climbing in South Africa! Haven’t heard about them before? Find the full results for the competition on their website: https://www.westerncapeclimbing.co.za/
We would also like to say thank you to all of the competitors who supported this event! It is so much fun to organise and set for such a big group of climbers and well done to everyone who took part!
Lastly, but certainly not least, we would like to congratulate the Western Cape Provincial team, and wish them all the luck for Nationals at the end of the month! Come through and support our Province’s finest! We will have drinks and food on sale and plenty of climbing for you to watch!
