The BMC Youth Climbing Series offers fun climbing competitions for young people. The series is extremely popular and attracts hundreds of entrants across the country.
The competition is open to all young people so, whether you're new to climbing, or already have some experience, this could be just the competition for you.
There are three regional rounds in each of the BMC Areas followed by a Grand Final when the top 3 in each category from each of the BMC Areas, BMC Cymru/Wales, the two Areas from Scotland and Ireland take part (see below).
Wales/Cymru: BMC Cymru/Wales holds two rounds in each of their North and South areas and then hold an all BMC Cymru/Wales Final. The top 3 in each category from the BMC Cymru /Wales Final then go through to the Grand Final.
London & SE: The London & SE region holds two rounds in each of their North and South areas and then hold an all London & SE regional final. The top 3 in each category from the London & SE regional final then go through to the Grand Final.
Scotland: Mounteering Council of Scotland hold their own MC of S Youth Climbing Series. They have two areas: Scotland North and Scotland South. The top 3 in each category in each of the two areas in Scotland go through to the Grand Final.
Ireland: Mountaineering Ireland run their own MI Youth Climbing Series in Ireland and, like Wales, the top 3 in each category from their final go through to the Grand Final.
There are five categories, with separate girls and boys competitions, that follow the IFSC (International Federation of Sport Climbing) system based on year of birth. The categories are called Youth A, B, C, D and E.
In 2015 these are:
Youth A - those born in 1998 & 1999
Youth B – those born in 2000 & 2001
Youth C – those born in 2002 & 2003
Youth D – those born in 2004 & 2005
Youth E - those born in 2006 & 2007
As the categories are worked out on the year a young person is born - and these move on by one each year - the following table sets out how the categories work out until 2016.
|
Year
of
Event
|
Year of Birth
|
|
Youth E
|
Youth D
|
Youth C
|
Youth B
|
Youth A
|
|
2013
|
2005
|
2004
|
2003
|
2002
|
2001
|
2000
|
1999
|
1998
|
1997
|
1996
|
|
2014
|
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
2003
|
2002
|
2001
|
2000
|
1999
|
1998
|
1997
|
|
2015
|
2007
|
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
2003
|
2002
|
2001
|
2000
|
1999
|
1998
|
|
2016
|
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
2003
|
2002
|
2001
|
2000
|
1999
|
Each event comprises
3 routes and 3 boulder problems for each category. In categories A, B and C routes are led. In categories D and E they are top-roped. For an explanation of the difference between leading and top-roping a route, please see
A Parents Guide to Climbing
To be eligible for the Grand Final it is necessary to take part in at least two regional rounds in the Area that a climber lives. If a series is not organised in their region climbers may enter the series in the region nearest to them.
More information
The information given here changes slightly each year so even if you are already familair with this event it is still worth reading the updated information each year.
2015 information
Dates for 2015
Enter here
Please note that there will be no on the day entry in 2015, all entries must be completed online. Competitors who turn up on the day of the event without having entered will not be allowed to compete - without exception.
Download the Rough Guide to the BMC Youth Climbing Series
Download the full rules for the BMC Youth Climbing Series 2015
Full results of the 2015 regional rounds can be found here.
Download results of the 2014 grand final (pdf)
More competitions for young people
WATCH BMC TV: Youth Climbing Series 2014: The Final
WATCH BMC TV: Youth Climbing Series 2013: The Final
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