Alpkit's fun climbing competition, appearing at Keswick Mountain Festival and Cliffhanger
Children love to climb. There is little fear and the cry of "look at me!" can often bring a shock to on-looking parents when they see their child somewhere they really shouldn't be.
Alpkids on the Blocs is the fun bouldering competition first seen as part of the Cliffhanger festival in 2009. It is aimed at children under 8 years old and their parents. Bouldering does not use any ropes and some say it is the ultimate expression of climbing. Don't worry if you have not tried climbing before; our blocs are no more than 8ft high and there will be some expert guidance from UptoSummit.com to show you how to climb smoothly and safely together, who knows we could nurture the next generation of mini mountaineers!
How the competition works
There will be 10 boulder problems or routes to try. Any problem completed on the first attempt will be rewarded with 20 points. The points received will decrease the more attempts the child has on the route.
1st attempt = 20 points
2nd attempt = 15 points
3rd attempt = 10 points
4th attempt = 5 points
All children will receive 1 point for attempting any climb.
The accompanying adult must stay with the child at all times, helping and encouraging them as well spotting them incase they slip, fall or need a helping hand at any point. The guys from UptoSummit will show parents and guardians how to spot their child before they set off round the blocs. The climbs will be challenging and will make children think how to climb them, but all the holds will be large so as not to put excess strain on a child's body. No special footwear or equipment is needed to take part but close fitting clothing is recommended.
To take part all you have to do is turn up on the day.
Categories
Boys aged 6-8
Girls aged 6-8
Boys aged 4-5
Girls aged 4-5
Just like any other sport bouldering has it's own world of funny words and terminologies. Don't worry if you don't know any.. you will by the end of the weekend! Here are just a few so you can sound like a pro on the day..
- Bloc
- French for boulder or large rock. There are no natural blocs in Millhouses Park so we have had to build our own!
- Holds
- These are what you climb on. There is a huge variety of shapes and sizes available to make your climbs fun and interesting.
- Route or Problem
- This is the sequence of holds you follow. On man made blocs these routes are often marked by similar coloured holds or marked with coloured tape or numbers.
- Boulder mat or Crash Pad
- A portable foam mattress that a climber places under his route.
- Spotter
- A trustworthy friend who will stand behind the climber as he tries his route. The job of the spotter is to point out hidden holds and to make sure that the climber lands safely on his boulder mat.
- Chalk
- Fine chalk dust is used to dry the climbers hand when they start to sweat. This is often carried in a small bag tied around the climbers waist. Chalk is also available in a compact ball.
- Rock shoes
- Specialised shoes with a sticky rubber sole. These shoes will help you stand on small or sloping foot holds.
- Tooth brush
- Normally used for cleaning your teeth, but climbers have also found that they are very effective at cleaning chalk and dust from small grips.
- Flash
- This is when you climb your route first time without practice. It is a great feeling and shows you are at the top of your game ;-)
About Keswick Mountain Festival and Cliffhanger
Keswick Mountain Festival runs from the 19th to the 23rd May 2010 and is held in and around Keswick. The festival will see the very best selection of outdoor activities, sporting competitions and great speakers. There will be an Adventure Base on the shores of Derwentwater with themed areas from biking and climbing through to hiking, paddling and triathlon. This is where you will be able to pick up hints and find out about the latest gear from outdoor brands. There will also be plenty of inspirational speakers and lots of opportunities to try out new activities.
Cliffhanger takes place on the 3rd and 4th July at Millhouses Park in Sheffield. The aim of the event is to Inspire & Involve. Featuring competitions or demonstrations in rock climbing, orienteering, kayaking, mountain biking, running, skiing & snowboarding, skateboarding, free running, adventure racing and more, visitors will be able to watch elite sports-people of all ages competing or demonstrating, and then take part in the sports they have just been inspired by. There will also be scuba diving, angling, kite flying, assault courses, caving, a massive bargain area, music, plenty of children’s rides and other activities, food stalls, a market, and much, much more...
For more information about Keswick Mountain Festival check out the official website and for Cliffhanger check out their official website or watch the promo video
UptoSummit
Up to Summit offer courses in the Peak district and North Wales, whether you are wanting to go out bouldering, lead climbing, multi pitch climbing or need coaching courses.
Alpkid T Shirts
We also have a small range of kids t-shirts and hoodies. They are available online.
Once you have had a go yourself make sure to check out the IFSC Bouldering World Cup. This takes place on the much larger Cliffhanger climbing wall and attracts some of the best climbers in the world. It is a great opportunity to learn their techniques before busting out your own funky moves.
Hooked? Find out more..
If you would like to find out how to get more involved in climbing look no further than the BMC's website.