Gather a group of children and ensure they fight each other in a race. Likewise, if you take a group of kids for rock climbing, it won’t take long for someone to say, “I’ll definitely take you to the top!” So it’s no wonder that one of the many climbing styles is speed climbing, as adults also want to reach the top. To know about rock climbing, check out this article.
Table of Contents
What is speed climbing?
Speed Climbing is a type of indoor climbing in which athletes compete in the fastest time to reach the top of rock climbing. Competitions are held on standardized climbing walls and the same holds and routes are used each time for consistency throughout the competition. There are athletes who train specifically for these competitions and for international speed climbing competitions. That’s all you can watch and imitate speed climbing competitions, but beyond that, there’s a lot more to speed climbing than it needs to be. Here are the basics you need to know to keep up with speed climbing.
How much high is the speed wall?
The convention wall has two climbing paths, each 15 meters (49 feet) high and 3 meters (10 feet) wide. The climbing wall is 10 meters (33 feet) high, but there is no international record of how fast it can climb. The wall must protrude exactly 5 degrees and the surface of the wall must have a certain texture. The climb route itself is always the same with the same hold from a certified manufacturer. Timing systems and belay methods have also been standardized.
Why is everything standardized?
The International Sports Climbing Federation (IFSC) is an organization that regulates and promotes climbing competitions around the world. The IFSC sets standards for speed climbing and other types of climbing competitions and determines which competitions are accepted when world records are attempted.
If the competition is approved, a climber can compare their speed climbing performances worldwide over time. These approved competitions offer climbers the opportunity to challenge existing world records. In the past, high-speed climbing was carried out along a route that changed for each competition, but the winner could achieve the best record in only one competition. There were no world records, not even personal records, as each route was unique. There is as such no official rating for the standard speed climbing route, but it is a rating between 5.10a and 5.10c. This bias is less significant when the participant climbs as fast as possible. Elite climbers seem to fly over walls rather than climb them without touching all the leads. They practiced this path over and over, so that they remember every single action and perform it as a reflex rather than a conscious action.
Is Rock Climbing in Olympics?
Participants compete in three different competitions in three different climbing styles: sport climbing, bouldering and speed climbing. The climber with the highest overall score in these three disciplines will receive a climbing gold medal. When climbing was announced as a new sport by Tokyo Games, there was a lot of excitement, but professional climbers have various opinions about the format, from excitement to disappointment. The three climbing styles are very different and the fact that elite climbers almost always focus on one area is mixed. It’s rare to find climbers currently training all three. Of course, a shimmer of gold can change the way young climbers and gyms think about climbing, training and three styles.
The Future of Speed Climbing and Training
According to the Climbing Business Journal, speed climbing is the fastest growing segment of indoor climbing. This means new gyms, including speed walls, are being built every year. Existing gyms will also create speed walls in existing spaces. This is due to the growing popularity of the sport and an increase in the number of youth teams. This youth team trains and competes in speed climbing.
Head Rush Technologies has developed a new version of the TRUBLUE Auto Belay to meet the growing demand for high-speed climbing auto belays. This TRUBLUE Speed Auto Belay offers the same reliability and reputation as TRUBLUE, but with increased speed. The TRUBLUE Speed uses the same downhill magnetic brakes that climbers know and love. This makes it an ideal auto belay for speed climbing training and competition.
Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQs)
How do you speed climb?
To know how to speed climb, check out this video.
How do speed climbing competitions work?
Speed climbing is a form of indoor climbing in which athletes climb walls in the fastest time possible. Competitions take place on standardized climbing walls and the same holds and routes are used each time for consistency throughout the competition.
Is speed climbing real?
Speed climbing competitions held on artificially standardized rock walls are the basic form of speed climbing. However, there are other speed climbing options that take place outdoors.
Are speed climbers pulled up the wall?
There are no official estimates for standard speed climbing routes, but they are estimated to be between 5.10a and 5.10c. This incline means less as the participant climbs as fast as possible. Elite climbers seem to fly over walls rather than climb them without touching all the leads.
Will the speed climbing wall ever change?
We have been using the same path since 2007 to ensure consistency and fairness. They always use the same specific holds and specially approved walls. Therefore, the change in time can only be explained by the skill of the climber and not by the smallest difference in the wall.
