The final round of the 2013 BMC Paraclimbing Series was held at Manchester Climbing Centre on 12 May.

Four categories of disability were represented:  Physical Disability, Autism, Visual Impairment and Learning Disability. As with all the competitions each competitor had three routes and three boulder problems to complete: one attempt at the route and three attempts at each boulder problem. Because these events are relatively new we don’t operate isolation so people can have a good study and have plenty of options for warming up as long as it isn’t on the route!!!

The majority of the competitors have done the full series but we did have a number of new people come through for the Manchester event which was great to see. It was good to see how much climbing skills have developed amongst a number of the climbers including young Laurence Dare who has Autism. Laurence receives coaching at his local wall. It’s very encouraging to see a coach and wall using their skills to support a disabled climber.

The whole day developed into a brilliant atmosphere. All climbers completed the first climb and boulder problem but as the grades get harder it really separates the field, with one competitor, Duncan Booth,  reaching just two moves shy of the top on route 3.  Judith Hunter said that “it’s a great experience to have everybody including the competitors supporting each other”.

The selection of the GB Team has now been made and details should be published within the next few weeks. We have got a very busy calendar coming up including our first ever training day on the 6th June at Manchester Climbing Centre, and we hope soon to be able to confirm London as the venue for an IFSC international paraclimbing event later in the year.

The whole paraclimbing series has been a hugely enjoyable experience. As said before we haven’t had huge numbers entering but the people who have come through have shown an incredible amount of talent and drive to compete. The BMC will continue to run and support domestic competitions so there are still plenty of chances to come and show your talent or enjoy some competitive climbing.

Our thanks go out to the families and carers for supporting the competitors at the event, to the climbing walls that have supported the series and for the volunteer support at the events, in particular Derby University (Buxton Campus).

BMC Paraclimbing Series 2013 final results

Report on rounds 1 & 2

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The BMC Paraclimbing Series is organised by the Link4Life, OnThisRoc, Manchester Climbing Centre, Newcastle Climbing Centre and the Castle Climbing Centre

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