Important information will be updated on the event page for this event.  Check it often to get the latest info.

The registration numbers for this competition are growing, which is excellent to see our sport growing!  We can't wait to see all the new ACA athletes on the walls!  Last season we had 48 athletes registered at this gym; the C&D + Tier 2 pilot last season had 75 athletes.  We're on track to have over 120 athletes registered for this competition!  However, this means that we have to re-balance the scheduled athlete classes and also consider measures to manage the gym for athletes, coaches, officials, and spectators.

• A & Jr category athletes (female & male) will be moved to the early morning round with the C category athletes. Check-in for this round begins at 8am.

• The field of play will be very busy for the qualifier rounds.  Only athletes, coaches, judges, and officials will be allowed on the field of play (where the problems are).  Coaches will need to have a valid ACA seasonal membership and check in to access the field of play (purchased on our old system member.albertaclimbing.org).  We're working with the gym to provide the best locations for spectators, while ensuring the best experience for athletes.  If you want a better view of your athletes, consider signing up to volunteer. As my friend Sylvain Vanier says, volunteer to get the best seats in the house.

• In consultation with the Head Routesetter, we have decided to adjust the qualifier format

• Maintaining full scramble format

• ~25 problems shared for all categories in the field of play; 

• 4 point starts for all problems (4 limbs established); no zones

• Tops are worth points per boulder; we will share the points per boulder calculations before the competition for your reference.  

• For example: Topping problem #1 in one attempt is worth 10 points, and fewer points for each attempt afterwards; Topping problem #25 in one attempt is worth 250 points, and fewer points for each attempt afterwards.

• The finals format was changed in two ways:

• Top 8 instead of top 6 from C&D female and male qualifiers moves onto finals.

• Format is now 5 on 5 off with isolation, 4 problems.  Previously advertised as flashed 5 on 5 off with no isolation.

• Adding 15 second transition to the 5 on 5 off clock.

• The ACA event organizer and jury president (same person for this competition, Jeremy Fidelack) has decided not to accept late registrations. Registration closes on November 30th. Register here on our new system, 2M.

• The ACA has a long tradition of including as many athletes that want to compete as possible, and we're proud to keep that opportunity for our C,D and tier 2 athletes for this competition.

• However, the large number of athletes has a direct impact on the logistics, particularly line ups for judging zones.

• We’d like to encourage the athletes and coaches to prepare for a busy field of play.

• We have scheduled each qualifier round to be 2.5 hours.  If the registration counts increase significantly before registration closes next weekend, we will consider extending the qualifier round length.  This has a cascading effect on the rest of the logistical planning; we just want everyone to be patient as we attempt to provide the absolute best experience for all athletes.

• Thank you to all of the volunteers that have signed up. We need over 45 volunteer positions to be filled to ensure the best possible competition for our athletes.  Given that this competition is targeted to our newest and youngest competitors, we can appreciate that some of our parents and guardians are relatively new to the sport and a bit hesitant to sign up to help.  The good news is that you will be fully supported and trained in your position!  You don't need to be a climber yourself, or have even been to a competition before to judge, or keep score, or help with finals isolation.  Mature athletes that are competing in one qualifier round can help judge in the other round. Please consider signing up to help here.

• The ACA is hosting a community crush event on Sunday at the gym after the comp.  Just pay for a day pass and try the finals problems with the help of a routesetter and coaches hired by the ACA.

• Parents, guardians: we’ll be hosting a meeting at the gym to answer questions after the start of each qualifier round.

We are looking forward to hosting an amazing competition with our partners at Trailhead!

Reach out to us if you have questions or comments communications@albertaclimbing.org

-Jeremy Fidelack