2026 WA Lead State Titles FAQ

1. Why do I seem way too young for the category description?
   As this is a selection event for the 2027 climbing season, age categories are based on birth years and the age that climbers will be at the end of 2027 (e.g. climbers eligible for U15 will be 13 or 14 years old on 31 December 2027). All youth categories are a 2-year age window of your peers.

2. Which Category should I register for?
   If you are born in 2015 or after, you can only register for the U13 (top rope) category and your competition will consist of 4 age-specific climbs across the full range of abilities in a fun competition format.
   
   The Youth U15 (Born 2014 or 2013), U17 (born 2012 or 2011) and U19 (born 2010 or 2009) categories are selection events for the state team to represent WA at the 2027 Youth National Championships in lead climbing. These categories will have two qualification climbs aiming to provide climbs across all age-specific abilities and be fun for everyone. While the finals round will challenge our elite climbers. You need to be a competent Lead-certified climber to register in these categories.
   
   More information on lead climbing certifications in the coming weeks.
   
   Open A category is the selection event for the WA open lead team and is open to anyone born 2010 and earlier. It will have challenging World Series format climbs across qualification and finals rounds.
   
   If you are 18 and above and just want to have a go and have fun, then the U21 (born 2008 or 2007), Open B (adult Intermediate) and Masters (Over 40yrs) categories will provide category-appropriate climbs in World Series format and feature a qualification and finals rounds.
   
   All formats are per rules and scoring in World Climbing Competition Rules.

3. What if I think the scoring is wrong?
   Sometimes mistakes do get made. Firstly, get someone to take a video of you climbing so you can use it when discussing your score. Talk to the jury president if you have a question about scoring. At the end of each climbing session, there will be an appeals period for all potential issues or queries to be made. After this period closes, the scores will be final, so ensure you raise any potential issues early. If you're not sure, ask any official and they'll point you in the right direction.