The 8th of March 2025 was a date marked in bold on every climbers calendar – the bouldering segment of the Youth Qualifiers, hosted in partnership with SANCF, Friends & Allies, and Gauteng Climbing. This was an event that promised high energy, fierce competition, and a celebration of the climbing community and boy, did it deliver!
The Psych Was Real
From the moment the doors opened, the atmosphere was electric. Competitors arrived with one goal in mind: to send kak hard. The boulders, meticulously crafted by the setters, were designed to not just test physical strength but to challenge climbers’ mindsets, techniques, and problem-solving skills – and challenge they did. Some competitors walked in with confidence, only to be humbled by the complexity of the problems. Yet, despite the difficulty, the psych never wavered. Climbers kept pushing, falling, and getting back up, proof of their gees and passion for the sport.
For the spectators, the energy was contagious. Cheers, alé’s, gambas and try-hard vibes filled the venue as parents, friends, and fellow climbers rallied behind every competitor. Whether it was a first attempt or a final send, every move was met with encouragement and applause.
FA’s New Space: The Perfect Venue
FA’s new hosting space was the ideal backdrop for the event. It struck the perfect balance between a welcoming, homey feel and the intensity of a high-stakes competition. The spacious layout and community-oriented design allowed for meaningful interactions among attendees. Parents, in particular, appreciated the chance to cheer on their kids and connect with other families in a supportive environment.
FA is not a place, it is the people who occupy the space and they bring the perfect balance of homey chill vaaibs and competition. While the venue is larger than before, the hearts of the spectators and parents are bigger. There is so much connection that was built between the families and the athletes that will last a lifetime I am sure. While having a bigger space to move around and house people in is a great new positive for FA as a business. They have spent countless hours making the gym feel less like a business and more like a close friend’s home. Every person who was there to spectate will testify to this.
The respect and gratitude from the crowd toward the organisers, setters, and staff were palpable. Parents summed up the event in one sentence: a lekker place to see the climbing community in action and the perfect venue to bring psych for the climbers. The competitors were climbing hard, the energy was infectious, and the sense of community was undeniable.
A Celebration of Climbing and Community
The day was more than just a competition, it was a celebration of climbing and community. Competitors gave it their all, embracing every fall and every send with equal pride. Their determination and sportsmanship made for an exhilarating spectacle. The cheers from the crowd merged into a unified wave of support, highlighting the spirit of camaraderie that defines the climbing community.
While the day was competition-focused it was also a celebration of climbing as a sport and the community who have this sport in common. The athletes gave it their all, getting back on the wall with more determination after every fall and jumping off with radiant pride after a send. Watching the athletes embody this deep determination and sportsmanship made for amazing spectating. Every spectator was one with the athletes, feeling as if they should move with the athletes. The crowd did not disappoint in the cheer department. Giving physical embodiment to the spirit of the climbing community.
It was not just the competition that brought people together but the true celebration after the competition. Lekker music and a braai on the deck. The perfect space to share a beer with the tjoms and share the love for the people and the sport.
For those who missed out, let this serve as a reminder to mark your calendars for the next event. The FOMO is real, and the experience is one you won’t want to miss.
More Than Just a Competition
This event is a monumental stride for the progression of the sport in South Africa. As climbing is slowly taking the world by storm, a competition such as this gives every athlete a chance to showcase their passion and talents in this sport. For us as a country, it means we get to show the rest of the world the try-hard climbers who are hiding away in this country, but not for long. As more people get word of the sport and the opportunities available to them in climbing, the community grows and ultimately we get to share the love of climbing.
This event was a reminder of what makes the climbing community so special. It reinforced the importance of supporting one another, celebrating each other’s successes, and remembering that we’re all in this together. Whether you’re a competitor, a spectator, or a parent, there’s something to take away from the passion and unity that was on display.
So, let’s keep the spirit alive. Let’s have gees for our homies, celebrate every send no matter how small, and remember that climbing is about more than just the moves.
Climbing was enjoyed, hard send were made, and most importantly psych was planted for the next event.
Podiums
Male Boulder Results
Youth C Males
1st Caleb Wintermeyer
2nd Musa Mammon
3rd Ewan Floyd
Youth B Males
1st Axel Janata-Burns
2nd Ben Gibson-Taylor
3rd Pieter Vorster
Youth A Males
1st John Stucken
2nd Ferdinand Weich
3rd Roelf Van Der Merwe
Junior Males
1st Luke Westman
2nd Joe Johnson
3rd kai Samuelsson
Senior Males
1st Edward Harvey
2nd Tatenda Mangwanda
3rd Ethan Cook
Female Boulder Results
Youth C Females
1st Jessica Fitschen
2nd Aline Schloemann
3rd Leah Kooyman
Youth B Females
1st Tiffany Bouwer
2nd Lily Andela
3rd Annelien Le Roux
Youth A Females
1st IIke Pepler
2nd Maia Davies
3rd Caitlin Bouwer
Senior Females
1st Tegwen Oates
2nd Abigail Strange
3rd Justine Robbeson Bezuidenhout
