Climbing Competitions

Climbing competitions are a relatively recent development; one which has seen the growth of one aspect of the recreation of climbing into a ‘sport’. Although competitions in the former USSR began in the 1940’s it all began in Britain in the late 1980’s when climbers began to adopt ideas of competition climbing along with the development of sport climbing. After a few initial attempts to hold competitions outdoors, the representative bodies for climbing (The BMC and MCofS) embraced the sport and recommended that competitions be held on artificial structures either at indoor climbing walls or on artificial outdoor structures.

There are now competitions across the UK either as fun local events organised by climbing centres, which can be enjoyed by beginners as well as elite climbers, or as an organised National Series leading to National Teams.

The only nation-wide competition in Scotland is the MCofS Youth Climbing Series (YCS) run by the MCofS. This is part of a British series with the BMC operating the same event in England and Wales and leading to a British final.

In addition in Scotland, there is a separate Scottish National Championship to find the Scottish Champions from the top five competitors from the two MCofS Youth Climbing Series Teams.

The BMC organise two British competitions: The British Bouldering Competition (BBC) and The British Lead Climbing Championships (BLCC).

Finally there is also a world federation organising a world series of competitions for adults and young climbers.

Click on the headings on the left to find out about these competitions and the events happening near you.