Tough Love - Youth

Competition Format

Competition rules meeting will take place at 9:50 AM with the competition starting at 10:00 AM.

Boulder problems will be available on the wall, labeled as recreational, intermediate, and advanced level climbs. Competitors may try climbs from any category level!

A designated number of climbs will have additional adjustments to promote accessibility for our smallest and/or newest climbers.

Youth competitors will have any climbs completed recorded on a scorecard. Each climb will be designated points based on their climb number and category level.

Only a competitor's top 5 climbs will be included in their final score.

Youth competitors may have unlimited attempts to send (finish) any particular climb over the full 3 hours. We encourage competitors to take breaks, cheer on fellow competitors, eat snacks, and drink water throughout the event.

The top three competitors will be recognized and awarded a small prize at the end of the event.

Age Divisions

• Recreational Athlete Ages 8 and under
• Recreational Athlete Ages 11 and under
• Advanced Athlete Ages 11 and under
• Recreational Athlete Ages 12-13
• Advanced Athlete Ages 12-13

**Ages 14 and up are welcome to register for our Citizen's competition held the day before, May 9th!

Early Bird Pricing | April 9-April 24
*Includes a Tough Love tote bag!

• Member | $40
• Non-Member | $50
  
  

Standard Pricing | April 25-May 8

• Member | $50
• Non-Member | $60
  
  

Day of | May 9

• All | $65

Is this you or your child's first rock climbing competition? We welcome you!

Our goal is to provide a fun + supportive environment for all youth competitors to feel welcome. Whether your child is currently enrolled in our programs or not, our Youth Coaching Staff are here to support, encourage, and provide guidance to each youth competitor and their parent/guardian. Check out these commonly asked questions below and feel free to reach out before or during the event with any additional questions!

Q: My child just started climbing, is this competition right for them?

A: We suggest youth competitors be at least 6 years old and they must be aged 13 or under to compete. If this fits your child, then likely yes! While there will be approximately 36 total climbs available on the wall, remember that each competitor may only count their best 5 climbs. We'll do our best to support each competitor to go home with points on their scorecard.

Q: My child is younger than 6, is this competition right for them?

A: Due to your child's size, there may not be many/if any climbs that your child will be able to climb or finish. Climbs on the wall will be similar to climbs generally found within the facility. While we do our best to provide accessibility to our smallest climbers, particularly in the easiest climbs, these climbs will also be used for our adult competition with little to no modification.

Q: My child is older than 13, is this competition right for them?

A: The youth portion would not be the fit but the Citizen's competition Saturday would be!

Q: Will my child have fun?

A: We hope so! While climbing can be challenging or frusterating at times, the community found within our competition is supportive and encouraging. We love to celebrate the wins, no matter how big or small. Our coaches will be the first to offer high-fives, words of encouragement, and cheers of support throughout the night.

Q: Three hours is a long time! What do we do the whole time?

A: It is a long time and climbing is tiring! It's a good idea to talk through a game plan with your child before the competition. Competitors will be able to pick and choose climbs to try throughout the time and have unlimited attempts to complete any particular climb. Remember, these are climbs that no one has seen before, and most likely it will take a few practice runs to figure them out. Climbing is both a physical activity and a puzzle and it's normal to try a climb a few times and fail before you succeed.

It's normal for youth climbers to experience many emotions throughout the time. Encourage your child to take breaks, watch + cheer on their friends, eat snacks, and drink plenty of water. Celebrate each success, especially the ones that don't get recorded on a scorecard and remember to have fun!

Q: What should we bring? What should my child wear?

A: Bring a bottle of water and a few snacks to fuel your child's energy (concessions are also available for purchase in the shop). Your child should wear comfortable clothes they can move in. Climbing shoes are available to rent if your child is not currently in our programs or has their own.