2024 YCS Information
This years rules and scoring explanation (Courtesy of the BMC) below:
RULE AMENDMENT
- 2.1.3 Each category has 2.5 hours to complete their attempts.
Due to the increase in the number of competitors this year and the nature of the venues and setting logistics the decision has been taken to allow for 2.5hrs of climbing time at the bouldering rounds of the YCS (instead of the 2hrs as originally laid out in the rules).
The ClimbScotland Youth Climbing Series (YCS) is the national youth competition bringing together young climbers from all over Scotland to compete.
The Scottish YCS is part of a wider series across the UK and Ireland. Each country organises its own series to select teams which then come together in a grand final. England has 7 ‘Regional Teams’, whilst Wales, Ireland and Scotland each have a single team. These teams come together for the final to find the best young climbers in the UK and Ireland in each category but also to find the strongest Team.
If you are relatively new to climbing (or a complete beginner) or have never done a competition before and feel this may be too difficult but would like to see what competitions are like, you may prefer to compete at our entry-level events where the standard is more appropriate such as the ClimbScotland Fun Roped Climbing Competition where competitors top-rope and the ClimbScotland Fun Boulder Competition.
However, if you want to have a go at the YCS, simply compete in your local round – especially useful for first-timers or if you would like to try the next step up from the Fun Roped or Fun Bouldering competitions.
How the YCS competition will work in Scotland for 2024
There are 4 rounds in total with 2 roped and 2 boulder rounds.
At the end of the regional series, each competitors best 3 ranking results shall be combined to give a series score. The top 3 series scores in categories D, C, B & A will then be invited to compete in the Grand Final, as part of the Scottish YCS Team.
Youth E are not eligible to attend the YCS Grand Final.
- Competitors must be resident full-time in Scotland
- Members of the Scotland Development Squad are eligible to compete in the YCS
- In line with last years procedures members of the Scotland National Squad will be eligible to compete in the YCS if it is considered appropriate. An application process will be followed in which 2023/24 competitions, training progression and engagement, and coach reports will be considered. Application forms can be obtained by contacting . For more information on how this decision was reached last year please refer to the ClimbScotland STS – YCS Eligibility Decision.
- GB Team members are not eligible to compete in the YCS
- Youth E climbers can compete in the rounds but are not eligible to compete in the Grand Final
Registrations and start times may have to be staggered. Details will follow once bookings close and we know how many competitors are attending.
As the Rules and Regulations for the YCS are changing we invite you to join a webinar being run by the BMC on 14 August where the changes will be explained. More information can be found on their site here.
If you are interested in joining this webinar please register here.
YCS Rules
Scoring explanation courtesy of the BMC
Event information for competitors
We will send up-to-date information to competitors prior to each round by email, but also post it here:
- Results: Live results for all rounds are posted on the results page.
Round 1 – Boulder – The Ledge, Inverness – 14 Sept 2024
Round 2 – Roped – Transition Extreme, Aberdeen – 28 Sept 2024
Round 3 – Boulder – Block 10, Dundee – 19 Oct 2024
Round 4 – Roped – Above Adventure, Kilmarnock – 2 Nov 2024
Grand Final – Depot, Leeds Armley & Big Depot, Leeds
- The Grand Final Registration Schedule will be posted on the BMC website.
- To volunteer at the event please register HERE.
What category am I in?
There are five youth categories which are based on your year of birth:
- Youth E & D – Top Roping
- Youth C, B & A – Lead climbing
NOTE: Youth E can attend the rounds but not the Grand Final
| Year of birth | Year of birth | Year of birth | Year of birth | Year of birth | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year of event | U11 | U13 | U15 | U17 | U19 |
| 2025 | 2016 2015 | 2014 2013 | 2012 2011 | 2010 2009 | 2008 2007 |
What are the timings for the day?
- Registration will generally open at 8:30am
- The competitions will start at 9:00am (*This time may change but will be no earlier)
- Bouldering Rounds will generally close at 1:00pm
- Roped Rounds will generally close at 5:00pm
Please note: Due to the nature of the competition format, the differing size and fire regulations of the host venues we may have to stagger start times for different age categories. More information will be available at the time. Even then, this may have to be changed at short notice.
Please be aware that this also means it may not be possible to accommodate all spectators (including parents and family members) at some venues. As a result we ask that only one adult parent / guardian accompanies each climber to each event. Two parents or guardians may attend if one volunteers at the event.
How much does it cost?
All competitors are required to be a ClimbScotland or Mountaineering Scotland member in order to compete in our Youth Climbing Series. If you are not already a member, please register here before attempting to book on to the Competition.
The cost per round for the ClimbScotland Youth Climbing Series is as follows:
- Individual rounds: £35.00
- Booking all 4 Rounds at once: £140.00
- Grand Final: £TBC
Concessions: are applicable to climbers whose parents or guardians are on Income Support or Family Credit. Evidence must be provided in support of this. Please make your booking through the Mountaineering Scotland office on 01738 493 942.
BECOME A COMPETITION VOLUNTEER
Volunteers: Adult volunteers are vital to ensure the youth competitions happen. You can register for the following roles:
- Category Judge (we try to double-up any new judges with those more experienced)
- Top-rope Belayer (belaying Youth D and Youth E category competitors)
- Lead belayer (belaying Youth A, B and C category competitors)
- Marshall (Comp zone, warm-up supervision, chaperoning, and any other required general duty)
Volunteer Registration and Support:
- You can volunteer when booking a place for your child(ren) in the booking portal or via the following form here.
- Further information can be found here
- There are up to 30 volunteer places available at each event which will be offered on a first-come-first-served basis
- When you volunteer as a lead belayer you will be asked to read and confirm acceptance of a Volunteer Competency Form
- We offer free belay training sessions at local climbing walls throughout the year, which helps ensure belay safety at the competitions but is also a good refresher for any climber
- You will be asked to check-in and register on the morning of the competition
- There will be a belay and judge briefing before each competition starts
- Volunteers in any of the positions above get free hot drinks on the day
- Volunteers’ details will be kept on a central register
2024 Series Sponsors
This year the YCS is once again being supported by Highland Outdoor Adventures! Jim Miller founded Highland Outdoor Adventures to share his love and passion for the outdoors, and as such is offering the winners of Youth A, B, C, D and E a tailored outdoor climbing experience. Parents will be welcome and encouraged to come along and can either spectate/support or participate (although you won’t be required to do so).
Jim has spent the last 11 years working in outdoor pursuits in Scotland and has the privilege of being certified in a huge range of disciplines. He has taught thousands of individuals to climb and trained and assessed hundreds of climbing instructors over the years. He truly loves climbing and helping develop a passion for climbing within others and seeing them excel.
He holds the highest UK qualification for climbing – the WMCI and has previously climbed E7 trad routes, grade VIII winter routes, 7c+/8a sport routes and font 7c boulder problems as well as setting up a first ascent on a 1500m 45 pitch long climb. Highland Outdoor Adventures holds an AALA license meaning it can provide outdoor adventures to young people and has been approved and checked by inspectors on behalf of HSE to do so.
We are always looking for Scottish Youth Climbing Series sponsors – if you feel you can help get in touch with us at:
How to enter the Youth Climbing Series
- Bookings open on Monday 1st July
- All bookings close on Monday 19th August 23:00
- You can book either individual rounds, or all 4 rounds at once
Get your membership and book an event online on the Mountaineering Scotland web portal. Please note that a valid membership of Mountaineering Scotland (ClimbScotland Gold or Individual Youth) is required to enter this competition.
Non-members
- Non-members will need to join before booking onto an event.
- Log in to the portal via the ‘Join Us’ option, enter your details and follow on-screen instructions to become a member.
- Please note: it is the competitor who needs to be a member – please set up a profile and purchase a membership for each young climber attending.
- Family membership – To book for more than one member of the same family, please link your household as a family in the portal (you can be linked without having a family membership). This will save time if you have more than one child attending.
- New members will get their membership pack through the post in a week – find out what you get as a Mountaineering Scotland member.
- To book a place on the competitions go to the ‘Events & Courses’ tab in the portal, select the relevant YCS round or all four rounds ticket and complete your booking.
Existing members
- Existing members who are first time users of the portal will need to set up their login via the ‘first time access’ tab and follow on-screen instructions.
- You need to log-in via your child’s membership log-in to book their place, if you do not know or remember your child’s log-in details, contact us to get them.
- Family membership – To book for more than one member of the same family, please link your household as a family in the portal (you can be linked without having a family membership). This will save time if you have more than one child attending.
After booking
- You will receive a confirmation email straight away, and closer to the event, a reminder and more details about start times etc.
- Please note the closing date for booking is 23:00 on Monday 19 August 2024.
Help with your booking
If you need any assistance with a booking, please contact the Mountaineering Scotland team (Monday to Friday 10am-4pm) on 01738 493 942.