There is always a lot of talk about age in coverage of competition climbing, at least here in the US. The phrases “young gun,” veteran,” “youth climber,” “experienced,” etc are tossed about like confetti. Commentators always seem surprised that “kids” are crushing hard and winning comps, but seem equally surprised that older climbers (you know, the ancient ones that are 28 or 29) are still able to “keep up.” So it would seem that there must be a sweet spot. An age where you a no longer a “young gun coming up through the ranks and proving yourself,” but before you are “a veteran who has been around the block, has a few comps under their belt and little gas left in the tank.” Is this sweet spot different for male and female climbers? Weigh in below in this week’s polls:
Weekend Review: May 2 – 4
No full results yet from the comps this weekend.
Friday, May 2 and Saturday, May 3, 2014
Ring of Fire (Finals Round) – Central Rock Gym, Watertown, MA Results
Winners: Ashima Shiraishi and Kai Lightner
From Gkwan Photo: Open Quals Photos, Finals Photos
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Throwdown 10 – University of Delaware, Newark, DE
Winner: Tammy Opalka
Results, if posted, will be here.
Photos by Tanya Kang
Weekend Preview: May 2 – 4
Ring of Fire finals are here! And Throwdown at U Delaware!
Friday, May 2 and Saturday, May 3, 2014
Ring of Fire (Finals Round) – Central Rock Gym, Watertown, MA
Cost: $45 pre-registered, $50 day of
Climbing: Fri: Pro Quals 7:00pm – 9:00pm, Sat: Youth 9:00am – 12:00pm, Citizens 12:30pm – 3:30pm, Youth Finals 6:30pm, Pro Finals 7:30pm
Categories: Youth (11 & under, 12-13), Pro, Beg, Int, Adv
It is getting serious at the last Ring of Fire event of the season as the cash purse goes up to $10,000! Winners of rounds 1 and 2 get a bye into the finals of this third Ring of Fire. Youth and citizens can be part of the action, too, with tons of prizes in every category!
Throwdown 10 – University of Delaware, Newark, DE
Cost: $15 pre-registered, $20 day of
Climbing: 12:00pm – 6:00pm, Finals 6:30pm
Categories: Beg, Int, Adv
This is a bouldering comp open to all (students & non-students) on the newly renovated UDel wall with lots of prizes. Climbing time will be divided up based on registration and is TBA.
Chalk Dust 