Sign up for that Climbing Competition

So you’re thinking about doing a climbing competition…… long story short: DO IT. But let me give you the long story anyways. I’ve been climbing a little over a year and I’ve done three outdoor bouldering competitions and one gym competition, so here’s my perspective on why you should sign up for that comp you’ve been eyeing.

The biggest concern that I had before signing up for a competition was that I was still a new climber and wasn’t good enough. Thankfully I had some awesome people around me to get me psyched to give it a shot anyway. Outdoor and indoor competitions alike will have different divisions, so if you're a new climber crushing those V0’s you wont be climbing against that hardcore boulder bro. My first competition was outdoors, a weekend after the first time I ever climbed outside, and it was amazing. No one cares how hard you climb, all they care about is that you’re out having fun and trying hard (and if you have snacks, they'll love you even more).

Competitions give you the opportunity to push yourself in a way that’s hard to do in your home gym when you're just hanging out and climbing with friends. Every competition I've done so far I've sent climbs that I didn’t think I could or had a breakthrough into a new grade, and the psych and support from everyone at the competition makes it even better.

Storm the fort 2019 picture by Tim Foote

Competitions, especially outdoor or fundraiser competitions, are much less intimidating than you’re imagining them to be. With outdoor competitions, the likelihood is high that someone will take you under their wing and you’ll climb with them for most, if not the whole day. My first competition was Storm the Fort, hosted by the Crashpad in Chattanooga, and it was my first time at Stone Fort ever. There was only about 10ish of us that entered and most of us created a giant group and spend the whole day climbing together. Since Liz and I were so new we had a solid crew to give us beta, loan us a guide book, and cheer us on.

More than anything, you may meet some of the coolest people. I’m writing this in Chatanooga on the weekend of the triple crown, and because of the storm the fort competition I got to meet up with friends I made back in the spring and hang out at yet another competition. I'm not kidding when I say that I didn't walk around for more than 5 minutes without running into people I've befriended at previous competitions. I’ve made friends that have taught me crazy amounts about climbing (shout out to Tim for taking Liz and I on our first sport climbing trip) and how to push myself further than I ever imagined.

My biggest takeaway from climbing competitions is that you have nothing to lose, but everything to gain.

---

Upcoming Climbing Competitions (in the southeast):

Triple Crown - Horse Pens 40 (Nov. 23 2019)

Storm the Fort- Stone fort (hosted by The Crashpad) Date TBA

Comment with your local competitions and I'll add them to this post!

Save the south 2019- picture by Jonh Rawley