Find out below what climbing competitions are available for young people:

BMC Youth Climbing Series

Perhaps the most popular competition for young people is the BMC Youth Climbing Series that is run in England and Wales.  This is a fun competition that is open to all within the age categories.  So, whether you're an experienced climber or a beginner, this could be just the competition for you.  There is a series of regional rounds then a Grand Final when the top 3 in each category in each region is invited to compete.  

Anyone else feel like they should do a bit more stretching after seeing this? Photo: Sam Pratt

The series is also run in Scotland and Ireland and, similarly, their top 3 competitors in each category are invited to the same Grand Final as mentioned above. Which means that young competitors from England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland get to compete against each other. 

Lead Climbing Competitions

Each year a number of Lead Climbing competitions are organised in England, Wales and Scotland with the British Lead Climbing Championship (BLCCs) taking place in October. Dates for these events are published here.

Photo: Ray Wood

Bouldering Competitions

As with Lead Climbing, a number of Bouldering Competitions are organised each year, including the Junior British Bouldering Championships (JBBCs). Dates for those are also here. Additionally you can also obtain the information via BMC Facebook and BMC Comps Twitter

 

 

 

 

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Nothing beats the feeling when you match the last hold on one of your competition blocs, right? 😁 - Here is 1 of over 200 junior competitors at the @lasportivauk Junior British Bouldering Championships held at @harrowall last weekend. - Be sure to tag us in your photos and videos to be featured on our feed! - 📷 - @samm_pratt - #competitionclimbing #indoorclimbing #lasportiva #gbclimbing #duco #futureofclimbing #strongyouth #JBBCs19

A post shared by GB Climbing (@gb_climbing) on Jun 24, 2019 at 9:45am PDT

GB National Development Squad

Climbers that do well in the above competitions may find themselves eligible to attend the annual selection event for the GB National Development Squad. To find out more about this please click here

GB National Development Squad member during the development weekend 2019. Photo: Laura Cutress 

National Ranking System

Those who take part in some of the above competitions, especially the Lead and Bouldering competitions, will be included in the BMC National Ranking System.  You can find out more about that here. 

Other competitions

Many climbing walls run their own competitions that are often open to young people.  To find out more about these competitions and any requirements that are specific to individual walls please contact the climbing walls direct. 

Further information

A Parent's Guide to Climbing

Youth Outdoor Climbing Courses

Whether you want to make the leap from indoor climbing into Sport or Trad climbing outdoors, we run many courses across the country and throughout the year that are specially for 11-17 year olds.

BOOK: Youth Trad Climbing Course

BOOK: Youth Sport Climbing Course

Subsidised Youth Course Places

There are a large number of free places on courses for families who may struggle to afford it. Any families who live in rented accommodation and who receive income support or universal credit may contact the instructor of a course or Alex West for a place.

U27 Membership 

From just £1.77 a month it's never been easier to join and support our work: 

JOIN TODAY: BMC Under 27 Membership

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