ClimbScotland FUN Competition (CSFC)

FORMERLY THE SCOTTISH SCHOOLS CLIMBING COMPETITION

This is the entry-level event for young climbers who would like to try a climbing competition, with the difficulty of the routes reflecting the novice level of the event. It is a roped-only competition (no bouldering).

The competition is designed to allow participants of all abilities across all ages from 8yr to 17yr to be able to take part in the qualifying round, where the competitor can choose to enter either the Bottom Rope or the Lead Climbing category. Competitors can compete as individuals or as part of a Team. There are Team trophies for the top scout, girl guiding, climbing club and squad as well as individual podium trophies. Climbers can take part either as part of an instructed session (organised by the climbing wall or school or youth group), or as an individual (possibly with a parent or guardian) at a participating wall.

Entry to the competition is free, however normal climbing centre entry and instructor fees are applicable.

The CSFC is run by ClimbScotland and hosted by up to 15 different climbing walls across mainland Scotland and the northern isles. Full details on the CSFC page.

Youth Climbing Series (YCS)

The Youth Climbing Series is a UK-wide event aimed at young climbers who are experienced indoor climbers and have perhaps done the CSFC or local climbing wall competitions. There is both roped climbing and bouldering and the grades reflect a higher standard from which the Scottish Youth Squad and Scottish Team are selected.
For the Scottish YCS run by ClimbScotland, Scotland is split into two regions (North and South), with each region having two rounds. Each round tests the climber’s skills on both boulders and roped climbing (younger age groups top-rope and older age groups must be able to lead climb). The competitors with the most ranking points in each category after all the rounds get invited to a Scottish Team Selection event and get to compete in the YCS British final against 8 other Teams. Full details on the YCS page.



The Series is a great way to test your climbing skills and is also a great way to meet lots of new friends. Climb Scotland Gold Members can book and pay online through the Membership Login Page. If you're not a Climb Scotland Gold Member become one here.

Scottish Youth Climbing Championship (SYCC)

The Scottish Youth Climbing Championship (SYCC) is open to all young climbers between the ages of 8yr and 19yr (Youth E, Youth D, Youth C, Youth B, Youth A and Junior). The competition is an 'Open' event and anyone from any country can take part and try and make the podium, and the highest placed Scottish climber in each category is crowned the Scottish champion. Results are used as part of the selection process for the GB Development Squad from which GB Team members are selected to compete at international competitions. As a result, the standrad of difficulty is higher then the YCS across the categories.

• The SYCC comprises a qualifier and a final, with a super final and duel if required.
• Older competitors will lead routes, while those in the younger age categories will top-rope the routes.
• The qualifier will consist of two routes for each category, with competitors having one attempt at each route.
• There is no isolation in the qualifier, which means competitors will be able to watch each other climb.
• The top climbers from the qualifier in each age category will go to a final.
• If this does not identify winners a super final will be held.

Scottish Youth Speed Championships (SYSC)

The Scottish Youth Speed Championships are held on the same day as the SYCC. Using the only specially designed International Standard Speed Wall at Edinburgh International Climbing Arena (EICA) at Ratho. Comprising two identical paralell routes, two climbers make their way up the wall as quickly as they can, timed against eachother, with the winner gaining the fastest time. Like the SYCC, the highest placed Scottish Climbers in each category are crowned the Scottish champions.

The SYSC starts with a qualifier round in one stage and a final of between one and three elimination stages. There are three age categories (under 12s, 12-15 and 16-19) depending on the number of entries in each age range. The under 12s compete on a specially designed ClimbScotland 'Mini Speed' wall.



If you wish to try speed climbing on a more regular basis, join the Scottish Speed Development Squad at EICA.

Scottish Youth Bouldering Championships (SYBC)

The SYBC is an open event for any young climber from beginner to elite competition team member. It includes age categories from 8yr to 19yr (Youth E, Youth D, Youth C, Youth B, Youth A and Junior). This is a fun event and, although you will be scored, the emphasis is on having an enjoyable day's excellent bouldering. The SYBC also identifies the Scottish champions in the different categories.



Format for the day and scoring:

• There is an open qualifying round where climbers will have three hours to complete a series of either 20 problems (Category D&E) or 15 problems (Categories Junior, A, B & C) in their own time. They are only allowed to attempt the problems five times each.
• After the qualification round each competitor participating will be ranked within their category using the following criteria:
• 1. In descending order, the number of successfully completed boulders ("TOPS”) in the current round;
• 2. In ascending order, the total number of attempts to complete these boulders;
• 3. In descending order, the total number of bonus points gained by the competitor in the current round;
• 4. In ascending order, the total number of attempts to achieve these bonus points.
• For categories C to Junior only, there then follows a final round of three problems climbed from isolation, and a possible super final if required. Both these will be scored using IFSC rules.

Junior British Bouldering Championships (JBBC) and Junior British Lead Climbing Championships (Junior BLCC)

The Junior Championships are competitions for the more experienced (elite) climber, run by the BMC (Gritish Mountaineering Council) in England. They are contested in separate IFSC youth categories A, b and C (roughly age 12yr to 17yr old) and the results of these competitions are part of the selection process for the GB Development Squad. The British Junior Lead Championships is held at the same time as the British Lead and Speed Championships (for adults). The categories are therefore: Youth C, Youth B, Youth A, Senior and Vets. Youth A competitors have the option to compete in the Senior category if they wish. The Junior British Bouldering Championships are usually held as a stand-alone event with IFSC youth categories Junior, A, B and C (roughly age 12yr to 18yr old). See the BMC website for details.

Youth Open Lead Competition and Youth Open Boulder Competition

These events are run by the BMC and held in England. They are for youth climbers from across the UK competing in the IFSC youth categories Junior, A, B and C (roughly age 12yr to 19yr old). The results of these competitions are part of the selection process for the GB Development Squad. The standard of difficulty is approximately the same as for the SYCC and SYBC. See the BMC website for details.