2014 Canadian Youth National Climbing Team

 

2014 Youth Team Selection

Each year, Climbing Escalade Canada (CEC) selects a Youth National Climbing Team to compete in international competitions during the year. On May 19, at Allez Up Climbing Centre in Montréal, the CEC announced the largest youth national team in its history: 41 athletes from across the country in the lead and speed disciplines were named to the team. These climbers now have the opportunity to compete at the 2014 World Youth Championships in New Caledonia in September and the Pan American Championships in Mexico in November.

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Next Stop: The Worlds - Down Under

The IFSC World Youth Championships (WYCH) are put on annually, moving around to a different continent each year. Oceania is up for 2014 with Nouméa, New Caledonia hosting. The comp was originally scheduled for August, but in December their wall burned to the ground. A fast rebuild was organized and the event pushed back to late September.

The Magenta climbing wall in Noumea was destroyed by fire in December, 2013.

The Magenta climbing wall in Noumea was destroyed by fire in December, 2013.

The rebuilt wall, July 15, 2014.

The rebuilt wall, July 15, 2014.

The change in dates is a good news/bad news thing for the athletes as pressure that’s taken off training during final exams in June is replaced by travelling at the beginning of the next school term. Going to the Worlds can be a tough decision when it’s on your continent. When it’s half way around the globe during the school year, it’s that much harder.

Training Camp Canmore

Each summer the CEC organizes a National Training Camp to bring together a team that’s made up of young athletes from across the country. We work on becoming better climbers, getting stronger and getting to know each other. This year’s camp was held in Canmore, Alberta in early July.

Indoor training was held at the new gym at Elevation Place (conveniently featuring a Walltopia structure, built by the same company that built the Nouméa wall). Outdoor training was held at local crags, including Grassi Lakes. The team also benefited from sessions with sports psychologists and athletic therapists.

Grassi Lakes training session.

Grassi Lakes training session.

The team was put through the usual drills and competition scenarios, as well as tons of new material and something called acro yoga. A trip to Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in Calgary rounded out the camp. Everyone got better, stronger and had a blast.

Your climbing training includes acro yoga, right?.

Your climbing training includes acro yoga, right?.

Focus on the Worlds

After the amazing vibe of training camp, the main objective for most of the athletes now becomes Nouméa, starting with how to get there.

Competition climbing is not funded by Sport Canada or by sponsors with deep pockets. The CEC and the ACC support the team administratively but travel to events is the responsibility of the individual athletes. Some of the best young climbers in Canada won’t go simply due to the cost. The athletes that will make the trip will balance their training with working summer jobs and raising money any way they can. The 2014 WYCH is more expensive than most simply because of the distance from Canada, but our athletes are an inspired and dedicated bunch.

Champion the cause

If you would like to make a donation to the team, you can do so through the ACC by filling out a donation form. If you know one of these athletes, and you’d like to help them out specifically, check out the fundraising efforts they’ve got going on.

Make A Champ fundraisers:

Any support you can provide to helping the team continue their progression on the international scene would be appreciated.

This is our Canadian Youth National Climbing Team for 2014. Watch this space for team results, wish them luck and GO CANADA!

 
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