Sport Climbing is the all-inclusive name given to competitive climbing. This includes outdoor bolted routes and climbing on artificial walls. Sport climbing in Australia encompasses 3 separate disciplines: Boulder, Lead and Speed.

SCWA-run competitions follow Sport Climbing Australia’s competition policies, which in turn follow World Climbing Federation’s rules and regulations.

BOULDER

POWER AND TECHNIQUE

An explosive performance on routes (problems) with a maximum height of 4 metres and safety mats below. The athlete who solves the most problems in the lowest number of attempts wins.

LEAD

HEIGHT, ENDURANCE AND STRATEGY

Athletes climb secured by a rope, one at a time, on an overhanging 15m route with a 6-minute time limit. The athlete who reaches the highest point wins.

SPEED

15 METRES IN JUST A FEW SECONDS (Male world record is 4.64 seconds, Female world record is 6.03 seconds)!

Secured from above, climbers run up standardised parallel routes. The fastest climber wins.

There is currently no officially recognised speed wall in Western Australia. There is a 13-metre version at Urban Jungle. Thus, at this time, speed climbing is not included in SCWA’s event list