How To Participate: Climbing Canada Youth Speed Nationals Virtual Qualifying

The Virtual Qualifying for Climbing Canada's Youth Speed Nationals is a form of talent discovery that the sport has never seen before. For the first time ever, youth climbers from across Canada are able to upload film of speed climbing runs and submit them as a qualification for the country's National Championships in May.

Rock climbing is a sport built upon its roots in film. When the world's most versatile and daring athletes reach the literal pinnacles of our earth, for the mere mortals left at the surface can only believe the accomplishment with video evidence.

And as great adventure climbing films gain popularity, the sport is becoming more local and more accessible. Climbing gyms are popping up in coastal towns and featureless midwest suburbs, where the sport once felt like a road trip away. And climbing competitions built on GMTM are offering huge exposure to athletes in every corner of the world.

Climbing Escalade Canada, the nation's governing body for the new Olympic sport, is leveraging athletes' ability to record and upload their best speed runs with GMTM. Last month, CEC launched a Virtual Qualifying Event for their Youth Speed Nationals Competition in the Spring of 2022.

The Virtual Event, which is free for all participants, allows Canadian athletes ages 14 to 19 can upload a video of a full speed run and be reviewed by CEC's national team coaches and event organizers.

Videos can be recorded and upload videos from their local gym and the top performing athletes from those events will qualify to compete in the Youth National Championships from May 19-23, 2022.

How do the Climbing Canada Youth Nationals work?

After submissions to the Virtual Qualification are reviewed, the top athletes will earn an invite to compete in person in the Youth Speed National Championships.

Both male and female athletes from a variety of age categories are eligible to submit a qualifying video to Climbing Canada. The age categories for each gender include:

Youth B (ages 14-15)
Youth A (ages 16-17)
Junior (ages 18-19)

The Youth Speed National Championships will also include two disciplines for each category: Boulder and Lead.

Climbing Canada is expecting to select around 200 athletes to compete in the National Championships.

How can I qualify for the Youth Speed National Championships?

Qualifying for Climbing Canada Youth Speed Championships is simpler and more accessible than ever before through GMTM. Through an online video submission form open until March 27th, youth climbers from anywhere can upload their informations and their best speed runs at no cost.