Youth climbers gather in S’pore for rock climbing championship

SINGAPORE: An unusual sight on Sentosa Island, but for the next four days an impressive climbing wall on Siloso beach will play host to the world’s best rock climbers across three categories aged 14—19.

Measuring 24 metres in length and 16 metres high, it’s the largest climbing wall Singapore has ever seen.

With the opening ceremony just hours away, the organisers are racing against time and the elements to get the wall ready for competition.

The World Youth Climbing Championship has two events — the Speed Competition and the Lead Competition.

The Speed Competition is a straight race in knock—out format, with the fastest to the top progressing.

The Lead Competition is more technical with time becoming a factor for a split decision.

Joanne Soo, technical director, World Youth Climbing Championship, said: "You need to have very strong power, muscular power. On top of that you need to have endurance because the route is really long. The next thing that is more important is mental strength."

In addition to those qualities, the climbers will have belts to keep them safe and rubber shoes that will help them cling onto the wall and climb up as quickly as possible.

Chief route setter Laurent Laporte and his team have spent 12 days constructing the S$120,000 wall.

This year’s World Youth Championship is especially significant as it is set against the backdrop of an upcoming bid in 2013 for Sport Climbing to be included in the Olympic Games in 2020.

— CNA/cc