We’re live streaming all youth provincial competitions!

The ACA is going to live stream all three youth provincial competitions on our YouTube channel. We’re still working out the details, but the intention is to stream the entirety of both bouldering and the rope provincials. Subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on notifications to stay updated. We’ll also post details on the event pages for each competition. Reach out to communications@albertaclimbing.org if you have questions or comments.

Updates for multiple competitions

We’re excited about hosting the final ropes locals for both the Jr/A/B and C/D categories. Registration closes soon, so head over to 2mev.com before registration closes. Both competitions have tentative schedules and volunteer sign up links active on the event pages (Jr/A/B and C/D + Tier 2). Please consider signing up to help if you can. We can’t run these competitions without your help.

We have also sent out invites to register for the Bouldering Provincials events, so look for those in your email. All ACA Provincial competitions this season are qualified events. If you have questions about qualification or registration, please contact jacquelynmitchell@albertaclimbing.org

Registration Reminder: rope locals, boulder provincials

Don’t forget to register for the upcoming lead and top rope local competitions to cap off the regular youth season! We’ll be posting details including schedule, volunteer sign-up, and more soon!

Bouldering provincials for both the Jr/A/B and C/D is now open as well. Provincials are now a qualified event, and all qualified athletes have been invited to register via email. Please contact jacquelynmitchell@albertaclimbing.org if you have questions about qualification or registration.

Keep an eye on the event pages for each competition at albertaclimbing.org and register at 2mev.com

Coach / Setter positions for upcoming ACA Camp & Clinic

Attention coaches and route setters: The ACA is seeking applications for paid coach and route setter positions at an upcoming ACA Youth Training Camp and Setting Clinic. See details below on behalf of Paige Boklaschuk:

Setting position applications (due March 10)

Details: Facilitated by IFSC setter Flannery Shay-Nemirow, this setting clinic will allow experienced competition setters to build competition setting leadership experience by mentoring new competition setters. Experienced setters will spend April 10th with Flannery, learning the logistics and leadership skills involved in leading a competition crew. On April 11th, each mentor each be paired with 2 mentee setters and will guide them in setting competition boulders for the ACA youth training camp will be set over 2 days. There will be ample time for discussion, collaboration, and sharing concrete advice on building a competition setting career. After the event, setters are invited to observe the ACA youth nationals training camp and provide insight to athletes on the boulders.

• Mentors (Experienced competition setters):

  • Ideal candidates have 3+ years experience setting competitions at the provincial and national level. Leadership experience (head setter at competitions, head setter at commercial gym, experience leading setting clinics) is a plus.

  • Interested in providing mentorship to new competition setters.

  • Compensation: $250/day for April 25, 26, and 27

  • Please send setting resume and optional cover letter to paigeboklaschuk@albertaclimbing.org

• Mentees (new competition setters):

  • Minimum one year commercial or local competition setting experience with aspirations to set at the provincial and national level.

  • Interest in taking part in a collaborative, mentorship-based setting clinic.

  • This position is unpaid as it is considered a development experience for mentees.

  • Please send setting resume and optional cover letter to paigeboklaschuk@albertaclimbing.org

Coaching position applications (Due March 10th)

Details: The ACA bouldering youth training camp is aimed towards ACA youth athletes who will be competing at youth bouldering regionals or nationals in 2025. Coaches will collaborate with the ACA to run a successful training camp and create a supportive learning environment. The training camp will consist of mock competitions, technical sessions on boulders, and potentially workshops with setters and/or coaches.

• Coaching application:

  • Ideal candidates have 3+ years of competitive coaching experience. Experience coaching or competing at a national or international level is an asset.

  • Compensation: $200/day for April 12th

  • Please indicate your training, education, and whether you have any specific expertise that you could share in a workshop with the athletes.

  • Please send setting resume and optional cover letter to paigeboklaschuk@albertaclimbing.org

Thank you Grip IT!

The Youth B, Youth A, and Jr. Bouldering Local just wrapped up at Grip IT Nelson in Saskatoon this morning!

Thank you Jay Holowach and the staff at Grip IT. Great to see the new facility!

Thanks Lily and the rest of the route setting crew!

Thank you also to the volunteers, athletes, and coaches. Many of you persevered through risky and adventurous driving conditions. It couldn’t have happened without you!

Thank you for another great competition @ Coulee

Our last boulder local competition for the C&D + Tier 2 categories wrapped up at Coulee Climbing in Lethbridge this weekend.

Thank you Randy, Alanna, and the staff at Coulee Climbing. Amazing hosts once again!

Thanks Matty and the rest of the route setting crew! Awesome boulders for our youngest athletes.

Thank you to the army of volunteers that ALWAYS show up. We can’t run these without you and greatly appreciate your help.

Last but not least, thank you to the athletes and their coaches. You put it all out there and we’re so impressed by your strength, athleticism, and skill this season!

The local season is nearing the end, so keep an eye on the event schedule for the Top Rope local at CCC Hanger in Calgary in February and provincials afterwards. Don’t forget to register at 2mev.com

Volunteers needed: 2025-JAN-25 Coulee Lethbridge

We’re excited for the C&D + Tier 2 competition at Coulee in Lethbridge this weekend. However, we’re very short on volunteers, especially judges for both qualifier rounds. If you’re able to, please consider signing up to volunteer. Newcomers are welcome and encouraged. You’ll be fully supported by experienced ACA officials, learn more about the sport, get the best seats in the gym, and support our athletes! Reach out to communications@albertaclimbing.org if you have questions or comments.

Youth B A Jr. Boulder Local - Grip It Nelson

February 1 + 2, 2025 in Saskatoon. Click here for Schedule, Registration, and Volunteer Info.

Let’s give the athletes the best experience possible. If you have not been a judge before please do not let that deter you from volunteering. We will make sure to adequately train you prior to the start of the round. It’s a great opportunity to be up close to the action and to be involved in these exciting events. If you have any questions about the various roles before signing up please reach out to communications@albertaclimbing.org.

Updates on multiple comps

The youth season is in full swing, and we have updates on several competitions to share:

Upcoming Events:

• Youth C/D and Tier 2 Boulder Local (event page recently updated)

• Coulee Climbing, January 25, 2025

• Registration closes on January 18, 2025

• Please consider signing up to volunteer if you are able to help.

• Youth B/A/Jr Boulder Local

• Grip It Nelson Road , February 1-2, 2025.

• Please note this is a 2 day event, with finals being held on February 2

• Registration closes on January 25, 2025

• Youth B/A/Jr Lead Local

• Bolder Elevated, February 22, 2025

• Registration is now OPEN

• Youth C/D/Tier 2 Top Rope Local

• Calgary Climbing Centre Hanger, February 23, 2025

• Registration is now OPEN

Thank you for a busy comp weekend!

All youth athlete age categories were on the walls this weekend! We had a packed schedule with the Jr/A/B categories at Elevation Place in Canmore and the C/D + Tier 2 at Bolder Elevated in Calgary.

Thank you to Jesse and the staff at Elevation Place and Regan, Josh, Sebastian, and all the staff at Bolder Elevated for hosting at your beautiful facilities.

Thank you to Zach and Tandy (Canmore) as well as Matty and Dahlia (Bolder) for putting together another amazing set of routes for our athletes!

Thank you to all the volunteers for once again supporting youth competition climbing. We can’t run these competitions without your help!

Last but not least, thank you to the athletes and their coaches. Your hard work training this season is on full display and we’re extremely proud of ALL of you. See you at the next competitions at Coulee in Lethbridge and Grip It in Saskatoon.

Registration Reminder

We have two competitions that will be closing registration soon, so don’t miss out!

Youth C/D Boulder Local + Tier 2 - 2025-JAN-25 (Coulee)

• Registration closes January 18th, 11:59 pm MST

• Volunteer link is active, please consider signing up to help

Youth B/A & Jr Boulder Local - 2025-FEB-01 to 2025-FEB-02 (Grip It)

• Registration closes January 25th, 11:59 pm MST

It’s not too late to sign up to volunteer for some slots at the Canmore Jr/A/B lead competition or the Bolder Elevated C/D + Tier 2 competition happening this weekend.

New ACA Coach Requirements 2025

Coach memberships can now be purchased on 2mev.com. If you had a membership on the old registration system, it has now been imported into the new system. If you need to purchase a new one, it can be purchased at https://2mev.com/#!/memberships/alberta-climbing-association-memberships-2024

With the transition to the 2mev.com registration platform, the ACA is also enforcing new coaching requirements. This will align us with CEC coaching requirements and promote good coaching practice and accountability within the ACA. 

Coaches will be required to meet all requirements in order to enter isolation at ACA competitions. The requirements will be rolled out in a stepwise manner. See below for the list of requirements: 

• By January 15th, 2025 

• ACA Waiver (integrated in the 2mev.com coaching membership)

• ACA coaching membership (https://2mev.com/#!/memberships/alberta-climbing-association-memberships-2024)

• CAC Safe Sport Training (free- https://coach.ca/sport-safety/safe-sport-training)

• By March 10, 2025 

• CAC Mental Health in Sport (free- https://coach.ca/mental-health-hub/resources/mental-health-sport?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=mental-health-hub&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA4fi7BhC5ARIsAEV1YiawrfHPlRHVaYTz2MhuRfVngHZOERadoD04Flk0WJNFrSZHLOkT990aAj4nEALw_wcB)

• CAC understanding the rule of 2 (free- https://coach.ca/module/understanding-rule-two)

• NCCP making headway in sport (free- https://coach.ca/module/nccp-making-head-way-sport)

• September 1, 2025

• Criminal record check completed September, 2023 or later

• Making ethical decisions online live course ($45- https://albertasport.ca/coaching/nccp-multi-sport-coaching-modules/competition-introduction-modules/#MED)

• Making ethical decisions online evaluation (free- https://coach.ca/module/nccp-make-ethical-decisions)

• Anti-racism in coaching (free- https://coach.ca/module/anti-racism-coaching)

For the online training modules, the ACA will verify your completion through your NCCP locker code (which can be found on your locker.ca account). Please enter your NCCP locker code on your 2mev coaching account so we can verify your completion. 

Starting in September, we will also require criminal record checks completed September, 2023 or later. Please send your criminal record check to paigeboklaschuk@albertaclimbing.ca AND jacquelynmitchell@albertaclimbing.ca for verification. 

To verify whether you meet current coach tracking requirements, you can check your status on the following spreadsheet: 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1cFcDHDear1nofyZ9x_Ho1smWwm1Mi4NCeFnufJ7kLqA/edit?usp=sharing

If we add further coaching requirements in the future, we will inform all coaches with a current ACA membership and post updates on the ACA website. 

If you have any questions, please reach out to paigeboklaschuk@albertaclimbing.org and board@albertaclimbing.org. 

Thank you for your commitment!

Paige Boklaschuk

Volunteers needed for 3 upcoming comps

We have a busy comp schedule in January, and that means lots of opportunities to help our athletes! Thank you to everyone that has already signed up to volunteer; we can’t run these events without your help. There are dozens of volunteer slots for the EP Canmore Jr/A/B Lead event, and the Bolder Elevated C&D + Tier 2 Top Rope event this weekend.

We also added the volunteer sign up link and tentative schedule for the Coulee Lethbridge C&D + Tier 2 bouldering event on 2025-JAN-25. Check out the event page for details. Registration closes on January 18th.

Please consider signing up to help if you are able to. You’ll be fully supported by experienced ACA officials. You get the best view in the gym, learn a lot about the sport, and most importantly help our youth athletes get the best possible competition experience.

Competition updates & registration reminders

We hope everyone enjoyed the holiday season. We’ve been busy planning several upcoming competitions. Make sure to follow the details on our website to stay up to date.

• 2025-JAN-11 Jr/A/B Lead Local @ Elevation Place Canmore

  • Registration closes January 4th.

  • Volunteer sign up is active. We need 60+ slots filled; please consider signing up to help.

  • Tentative Schedule, format, scoring, and other details added.

• 2025-JAN-12 C&D + Tier 2 Top Rope Local @ Bolder Elevated Calgary

  • Registration closes January 5th.

  • Volunteer sign up is active. We need 65+ slots filled; please consider signing up to help.

  • Tentative Schedule, format, scoring, and other details added.

• 2025-JAN-25 C&D + Tier 2 Bouldering Local @ Coulee Lethbridge

  • Registration closes January 18th.

• 2025-FEB-01 to 02 Jr/A/B Bouldering Local @ Grip It Nelson Saskatoon

  • Registration closes January 25th.

  • Event changed to 2 days. Qualifiers on Saturday; Finals on Sunday.

We’re also migrating Coach memberships to our new registration system, 2mev.com. We’ll share more details over the next few weeks. In the meantime, contact us communications@albertaclimbing.org if you have questions.

B/A/Jr bouldering local @ Grip It Nelson Saskatoon

We’ve got another competition registration opened up: B/A/Jr bouldering local at Grip It Nelson in Saskatoon SK. Check out the event page here for all the updates. The event was recently changed from a 1 day event to a 2 day event. The qualifier round will take place on Saturday Feb 01, and the finals will be hosted on Sunday Feb 02 in the morning.

Don’t forget to register for the other active competitions before they close:

• B/A/Jr lead @ EP Canmore

  • Registration closes January 4th 2025

• C/D + Tier 2 top rope @ Bolder Elevated Calgary

  • Registration closes January 5th 2025

• C/D + Tier 2 bouldering @ Coulee Lethbridge

  • Registration closes January 18th 2025

We’ll be opening up volunteer sign ups for these competitions soon, so look out for opportunities to help. We can’t run these competitions without your help. Reach out to communications@albertaclimbing.org with questions or concerns.

Registration Open: Youth C/D Boulder Local + Tier 2 @ Coulee Lethbridge

We’ve got another competition open for registration! Head over to the event page on our website for all the details about the Youth C&D boulder local + tier 2 hosted at Coulee Climbing in Lethbridge on 2025-JAN-25.

Don’t forget to register for the other competitions that are currently open as well:

• Youth B/A and Junior Lead Local - Elevation Place - Canmore

• Youth C/D Top Rope Local + Tier 2 - Bolder Elevated - Calgary

We hope everyone enjoys the holiday season. Reach out to us if you have any questions communications@albertaclimbing.org

Blocs: Volunteers Needed

We’re looking for volunteers for our Jr/A/B local bouldering competition at Blocs. Sign up here if you are able to help. We can’t run these competitions without volunteer support.

Competitions, competitions, and more competitions!

Speed provincials and the Trailhead Youth C&D + Tier 2 are in the books, and we’re ready for the Jr/A/B bouldering competition at Blocs in Edmonton this weekend. Keep an eye on the event page for updates. We’re looking for more volunteers, so please consider signing up to help.

We also have a busy weekend in January with registration for two competitions just opened up.

Jr/A/B lead local in Canmore - check for details on the event page.

C&D + Tier 2 top rope local at Boulder Elevated in Calgary: check for details on the event page.

Volunteers Needed at BLOCS Saturday

The Youth B/A and Jr. Boulder Local is coming up fast on December 14th! We have a lot of volunteer positions to be filled to ensure the best possible competition for our athletes. The good news is that you will be fully supported and trained in your position!  Mature athletes that are competing in one qualifier round can help judge in the other round. Please consider signing up to help here.

Thank you for a great comp @ Trailhead!

Our first C&D + Tier 2 competition of the season is in the books.

Thank you to Kurtis and the staff at Trailhead for hosting another amazing event.

Thank you to Juan, Jordan and the entire route setting team for putting up an amazing set of boulders.

Thank you to the dozens of volunteers that helped us with the competition. We couldn’t do this without you.

Last but not least, thank you to the athletes and their coaches for bringing your best to the competition floor this time and every time. The season is young, but we are seeing amazing talent at all levels.

See you at the next one!