More than 80 of New Zealand’s best youth and masters climbers are competing in Queenstown this weekend.
The Climbing New Zealand La Sportiva Youth and Masters Bouldering Championship is being held today and tomorrow at the Basecamp Adventures climbing centre in Remarkables Park.
Wanaka Cliffhangers president Chris Warburton said the event had five age categories for climbers aged under 20, as well as a masters category for over 35s.
A qualifier for the national youth development team, it was the first national-level event to be held in the South Island since 2016, Mr Warburton said.
‘‘It’s got climbers from pretty much every region except those in [Covid-19] Level 3 or 4.’’
Sport climbing was now an Olympic sport, he said.
‘‘It’s a real growth sport.
‘‘There’s lots of new competitors from new regions, because climbing walls are going up.’’
Unfortunately, Covid-19 restrictions meant there could be no spectators for this weekend’s event.
Bouldering is one of three disciplines in sport climbing, along with lead climbing and speed.
