News
Important Communications Updates
The ACA has been busy preparing for the 2025-2026 season. We are constantly looking for ways to improve our communication, and have some big updates to share.
Communications page on albertaclimbing.org
We’ve added a dedicated section on our website navigation bar for Communications. We have outlined the different communication platforms we use, the purpose for each, and what you need to do to stay informed. Please take a look to stay informed.
Communications policy
We are working on formalizing our communications information into a formal policy. Stay tuned. In the meantime, member registration at 2mev.com will include a section for members to clearly understand the responsibilities for the ACA and themselves.
Discord
The ACA has been discussing how to incorporate an instant-messaging style platform into our communications for a while. Being 100% volunteer based, we’ve been careful to balance membership needs with the time commitment from our team. Our new Discord server is publicly available using this link. Feel free to download the mobile app, or use a web browser. The server will receive cross-posted announcements from the website (like this one). There are channels for each competition this season. You can enable or disable notifications for each channel. Members cannot create new posts or replies, but there is a contact section for the athlete reps and competition planning group. You can also direct message ACA managers.
We put together this short video to introduce the ACA Discord. The new Discord server augments our communications strategy, and it is important to keep your email profile up to date on 2mev.com for direct communications.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation! We expect a few growing pains and might not be able to respond to every request immediately. We’re excited to see you all at the gyms this season.
Jeremy Fidelack
ACA Communications Manager
communications@albertaclimbing.org
Mental Performance Session
Friday September 12th
https://mcgill.zoom.us/j/89669539440
5-6pm: Session for athlete and coaches
6-7pm: Session for parents
Description:
Join Natalie Doucette, Registered Psychologist and Certified Mental Performance Consultant supporting Team AB for the 2027 Canada Winter Games, for introductory mental performance sessions for parents and athletes. Both sessions will start with an introduction to Natalie, Mental Performance services and topics as well as self-reflection on participants' previous experiences with this type of performance service.
The parent session will encourage participants to engage in self-reflection in their roles as parents/supports for their children and Natalie will share some strategies and tools for applying mental performance tools in the family/home context. This will also be an opportunity for questions about the services available to Team AB athletes and mental performance services as a whole.
Athletes will meet with Natalie and learn about the primary domains that mental training skills and sessions can support and the ways in which they can utilize these services as they prepare for and compete at the Games. They will also learn about mental preparation for competition in addition to the mechanisms underlying performance pressure and choking under pressure, while leaving with some strategies to overcome these challenges.
ACA nutrition Event, 2027 Canada Winter Games update
As the 2025/2026 season approaches, we’re excited to share some updates.
We’ve added a section to the main navigation of our website for the 2027 Canada Winter Games. You’ll find the ACA selection criteria and the technical package for sport climbing. We’ll post updates there as they come in.
We are also excited to share an opportunity for everyone to join a virtual nutrition event (check out the event page here).
The board and our committees have been working throughout the summer to prepare for the upcoming season. The season schedule has been posted, new and updated policies are being drafted, route setter applications have been posted.
Route Setter applications are now open
The ACA has opened the applications for Route Setters for the 2025/2026 season. Click here to view the application form.
Selection process will be as follows:
ACA will be selecting the Head and Assistant setters. Theses positions will be contracted and paid by the ACA.
Apprentice setters are selected by the gym and the ACA, these are non paid positions.
Setters will be selected and paid by the gyms in collaboration with the head and assistant setters. This form will be sent to the gyms to see that you are interested. In the end, it is the gyms that will make the selection and pay for these positions.
Please follow the link below for the ACA Setter pathways and requirements for Head and Assistant Head Setters.
Deadline to apply is on September 15, 2025 @ 11:59 MST
2025-2026 Season Schedule
Our competition committee has been hard at work planning the 2025-2026 season. Head over to https://albertaclimbing.org/season-schedule to see all of the competitions planned for both the youth and open season.
Thank you to all of the gyms for supporting competitive climbing!
The schedule takes a lot of factors into account (gym availability, CEC schedule, ACA volunteer availability), and is a complex, but important task. We’ll be sure to notify throughout the season if any schedule changes occur.
We’re excited to see you all again!
Add this Calendar to your devices and Third-Party Calendars
One of these two links (provider dependent) will allow you to synchronize events with your own google calendar/outlook/etc:
Google / Gmail - To receive notifications, edit the “ACA Events” calendar options in Gmail on your device.
Competition Committee, AGM, Survey Results
Well that’s a wrap on our youth season! Congratulations to all athletes and coaches for putting in the hard work and representing the ACA proudly.
The competition committee is looking for applicants to join as a coaching representative member. Send your interest to communications@albertaclimbing.org for consideration.
The board hosted the annual general meeting on May 25th.
Grace Bowles stepped down as the female athlete representative. Thank you for your contributions Grace!
Maelle Snider and Evan Lau are joining the board as Female and Male athlete representatives. Thank you both for volunteering!
Dallas Mix is joining the board as the coach representative. Thank you for stepping up to represent your fellow coaches Dallas!
The following board members are returning for the upcoming season:
Mark Kozak - President
Nicole Poirier - Vice President
Paige Boklaschuk - Performance Chair
Matty Lucas - Setter Representative
Mark Derksen - Member at Large
Paul Tourigny - Member at Large
Joseph Lee Son - Treasurer
Jacquelyn Mitchell - Secretary / Team Manager
Werner Lau - Technical Chair
Jeremy Fidelack - Communications Chair
Thank you to everyone that responded to the season ending survey. We appreciate the feedback, and use the information to make the ACA better each season. Here are the summarized ratings (all out of 5):
Overall: 4.3
Communication: 4.2
Route Setting: 4.5
Athlete Representation: 4.3
Coach Representation: 4.4
Route Setter Representation: 4.2
Volunteer Experience: 4.2
Team Alberta Coordination: 4.5
Competition Format & Schedule: 4.1
Live Streaming on Youtube: 4.1
IT Systems: 4.1
We’ve got a busy summer planning the next season, and need a lot of help to put together the best athlete experience. If you are interested in volunteering in any capacity (competitions, planning, etc) reach out to communications@albertaclimbing.org
AGM, Season Survey, Canada Winter Games updates
As the 2024-2025 season wraps up, we want to share some work that has been happening at the ACA.
The 2025 Annual General Meeting is on Sunday May 25th. Athletes, parents / guardians, coaches, setters, gym and other interested people are welcome to join. Details are found here.
We also sent out a survey about how you feel the ACA managed the 2024-2025 season in various areas. Check your email and let us know what you think.
Finally, we have published the Athlete Selection Criteria and Appeals Process for the upcoming Canada Winter Games. This is an incredible opportunity for athletes to compete right here in our backyard. Reach out to paigeboklaschuk@albertaclimbing.org for more information.
2025 ACA Annual General Meeting - May 25th @ 7pm
Athletes, coaches, setters, parents / guardians, and other stakeholders are invited to join the 2025 ACA Annual General Meeting.
ACA - 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Sunday, May 25 · 7:00 – 8:30pm
Time zone: America/Edmonton
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/mks-iufe-ijg
Or dial: (CA) +1 587-786-5115 PIN: 740 592 754#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/mks-iufe-ijg?pin=9746629394529
File Attachments:
2025 ACA AGM Meeting Agenda
ACA Setting Clinic
The ACA was very grateful to have Flannery Shay-Nemirow share wisdom with our setters this past weekend. The setting clinic took place at Bolder Elevated in Calgary and the boulders were created for our young team Alberta athletes who will be attending regionals and nationals this spring. Go team Alberta!
Thank you: 2025 ropes provincials
We wrapped up the 2024/2025 top rope and lead season with our provincial championship this weekend. What an amazing display of talent from all the athletes!
Thank you to Simon and everyone at the CCC Rocky Mountain for hosting this weekend at your amazing facility.
Thank you to Matty and the route setting team. 3 rounds with 10 categories was a monumental task and the routes were amazing.
Thank you to the small army of volunteers that helped coordinate, judge, and everything else that we needed to pull off the competition.
Thank you to Chris and his team of belayers. Amazing work ensuring the safety of our athletes.
And finally, thank you to all the athletes and coaches for putting all your hard work onto the walls this competition and all season.
Notice: Finals scheduled moved forward 30 mins
The schedule for the finals round of the provincial ropes competition has been moved forward 30 minutes from the previously posted times. Check out the event page for updates. Note that the semifinals schedule has not changed.
2025 Lead & Top Rope Provincials Updates
Volunteer sign up link posted! Sign up to help our athletes. We need over 75 volunteers to support the qualifier round on Saturday April 05.
Tentative schedule posted!
YouTube streaming links posted!
And more!
Head over to the event page to stay up to date.
Thank you: Jr/A/B provincial bouldering
We wrapped up the Jr/A/B bouldering season at Niche in Edmonton with the provincial championship last weekend.
Thank you to Jess, Ty, and everyone at Niche for hosting an amazing competition.
Thank you to Jon and the rest of the route setting team for an amazing set.
Thank you to the army of volunteers that helped our athletes experience the best possible competition.
And finally, thank you to the athletes and coaches for putting on an amazing display of talent and strength! We’re looking forward to seeing you all at the upcoming lead provincials, then off to regionals and nationals!
Volunteers needed: Finals @ Jr/A/B bouldering provincials
We’re looking for more judges, scorekeepers, and isolation coordinators for the Jr/A/B finals round this afternoon at Niche in Edmonton. Sign up here if you are available.
Volunteers needed: semifinals & finals @ Jr/A/B boulder provincials
We had an amazing day of qualifiers at Niche for Jr/A/B bouldering provincials today. Semifinals and Finals are tomorrow, and we need your help to give our athletes the best possible competition experience. Please sign up here if you are able to help! You’ll be fully supported by experienced ACA officials.
Reminder: Live streaming Jr/A/B boulder provincials
We’re excited to live stream the upcoming youth bouldering provincials for the Jr/A/B categories this weekend. All rounds of this event will be live streamed on the ACA Youtube channel.
Thank you: C&D Bouldering Provincials
The C&D bouldering season wrapped up with the provincial championship at Bolder Elevated yesterday. We had an amazing competition, and couldn’t be more proud of our youngest athlete categories!
Thank you to Regan, Josh, Sebastian and the rest of the staff at Bolder Elevated.
Thank you to Juan and the rest of the route setting crew for an amazing set of problems.
Thank you to dozens and dozens of volunteers that helped judge, coordinate, and much more.
Last but not least, thank you to the athletes and coaches for an amazing competition and season.
Reminder: Live Streaming ACA Youth Provincials
Can’t make it to Boulder Elevated today to watch our C&D bouldering provincials? Head over to our YouTube channel to catch all of the action! We’ll also be streaming the Jr&A&B bouldering provincials and rope provincials too!
Volunteers needed: C&D Bouldering Provincials
We’re looking for more volunteers to help our youngest athletes experience the best possible provincial bouldering competition. We can’t run these events without your help. You’ll be fully supported in your role by experienced ACA officials.
ACA Paid Coach Position: 2025 Youth Nationals
The ACA is hiring a Youth Nationals Coach to support athletes at the upcoming national Championships in Vancouver, May 15-20. Please send a resume and cover letter to Paige Boklaschuk (paigeboklaschuk@albertaclimbing.org) before April 8th to apply.
Responsibilities:
With support from Paige Boklaschuk (ACA Performance chair), identify and connect with ACA athletes who are travelling to nationals without support from their personal coach.
Support these ACA athletes at the event; including but not limited to warm-up, sequencing, mental support, appeals and result management.
Be present at the competition venue for all days of the event, as long as there is an Albertan athlete competing.
At rounds where ACA athletes without a coach aren't competing, offer support to other ACA teams and/or team manager.
Support the communications manager by taking videos and photos where possible.
Ideal candidates
Have experience coaching and/or competing at a national or international level.
Feel confident building rapport with young athletes quickly.
Have all CEC coach requirements (https://climbingcanada.ca/coaches-volunteers-requirements/).
Ideal candidates are those without a current affiliation with a gym; all applicants are encouraged to apply.
Compensation
$200 day rate
$50 per diem for each day in Vancouver plus $25 for travel days.
Flight, accomodation, and travel expenses covered.
