Scotland will host its biggest ever Scottish Youth Climbing Championship on Saturday, as it prepares to welcome over 200 competitors from across the UK.
Edinburgh International Climbing Arena (EICA) Ratho is preparing for the event to more than double in size following a change in format.
The Scottish Para Climbing Championship – an inclusive event which launched the previous year– will also take place at EICA on Saturday, for the first time in association with the newly formed ClimbScotland.
The Scottish Youth Climbing Championship, held in partnership with the Mountaineering Council of Scotland and the British Mountaineering Council, has enjoyed five successful years and has grown in profile.
As the Mountaineering Council of Scotland’s (MCofS) national competition for young climbers, it was the first competition in the UK to include the speed discipline.
This year, in partnership with the British Mountaineering Council it is also included as a round of the British Junior Lead Cup. It is also the first competition of the new MCofS initiative ClimbScotland, which launches the same day with the aim of supporting young climbers in scotland.
Previously limited to participants living in Scotland, the move to open the event to climbers across the UK has proven popular, with over 60 entrants from as far afield as Devon, London and Swansea.
Climbers aged 8-19 from across the British Isles will head to Edinburgh to take part in the event at Europe’s largest indoor climbing area.
A total of six age groups will take part in competitions in Lead, Speed and Top Rope climbing at the adrenalin-fuelled event in the capital.
The Scottish Para Climbing Championship offers a total of nine categories for climbers aged 12 and over, firmly establishing the competitive event for para climbers on the sporting calendar.
The team at EICA, which is managed by Edinburgh Leisure on behalf of City of Edinburgh Council, has created a number of challenging new routes for the competitions which will remain in place for customers to enjoy.
Neill Busby, Lead Instructor at EICA, said: “There is going to be an amazing atmosphere in the climbing arena on Saturday with the combination of both the Scottish Championships and the second round of the British Youth Open series.”
Kevin Howett, Sport Development Officer for the MCofS said: “The Scottish National Championship has been growing in popularity year on year and is now part of the British Series which is used in talent identification for the GB Lead Team, with many team members taking part. But it is also all about having a good days climbing, especially for the younger climbers.
“Our ‘Mini-Speed’ competition for the 8-11 year old climbers using the international speed holds is also a first for the UK and we are holding our 2nd Paraclimbing competition at the same time with climbers from 13 to 40+ taking part so the arena will be buzzing”.
The Scottish Youth Climbing Championships and Scottish Para Climbing Championships both take place at Edinburgh International Climbing Arena tomorrow, Saturday 19th September.
For further information about the event or late registrations please visit www.eica-ratho.co.uk or call 0131 333 6333
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