The Final Summit at 10 Naaf
Get ready, maats! It’s that time of year again when Jozi’s climbing community comes together for the most anticipated bouldering event of the season: Tjoms in Arms 2024. But this year’s edition is not just another chapter in the climbing calendar. No, this is a special one. TIA 2024 will mark the final time we host the event at our beloved space on 10 Naaf Street, before we take things to a whole new level at the new Friends and Allies expansion!
But before we get into the details, let’s take you down memory lane, explain what makes TIA so special, and introduce you to the adventure that lies ahead.
The Birth of Tjoms in Arms:
TIA began as an ambitious idea, a wild experiment that turned into a cornerstone of the Friends and Allies climbing gym. When we hosted the first TIA event back in 2021, we didn’t just want a typical climbing competition. We wanted something that truly embodied the spirit of our community – a celebration of maats, climbing, and pushing personal limits. And so, Tjoms in Arms was born.
The unique format, where climbers pair up with a tjom to take on the challenges together, was a fresh take that transformed TIA into more than just a test of physical strength. It became a marathon of trust, teamwork, and collective energy followed by a wild party that everyone came to love. Over the years pairs of climbing partners have tackled countless problems side by side, supported each other through every attempt, every fall, and every victory and enjoyed the vibe of the FA community the entire time through the day.
Over the years, TIA has evolved from just another climbing comp into an event packed with psych, excitement, and unforgettable moments. The sound of cheers, the energy from the crowd, the gees of the competitors—it’s something that can only be experienced, not explained.
How Tjoms in Arms Works: The Team-Based Format
At its core, TIA is a team-based bouldering competition. Unlike traditional comps, where individual performance takes center stage, TIA is all about working with your tjom to send as many problems as possible. It’s not just about strength; it’s about strategy, communication, and trusting that your tjom will stick that move.
Let’s break it down: :
- Qualifying Rounds: The day kicks off with three rounds of qualifying sessions. Each team gets two hours to tackle 30 specially designed boulders. These aren’t just any problems; they’re limited edition, set just for the day, and once the session is over, they’re gone forever.
- Scoring: During the qualifiers, climbers submit their top 10 scores, which are combined with their tjom’s top 10 to create a team score. The goal is to rack up as many zones and tops as possible and secure a spot in the finals.
- The Finals: The energy amps up as the finalists take to the wall for a session-styled showdown. Teams from male, female, and mixed categories climb side by side, battling it out for the top spot. The finals are as much a spectator event as they are a climbing challenge, with crowds cheering, competitors pushing their limits, and the entire gym buzzing with excitement.
- The Afterparty: And of course, it wouldn’t be TIA without the legendary afterparty. Once the prize-giving is over and the thank yous have been said, the DJ cranks up the tunes, and the celebration begins. It’s the perfect way to cap off a day of pure gees.
The Legacy of 10 Naaf Street: The Final Chapter
As we prepare for TIA 2024, we can’t help but feel a bit nostalgic. This year’s event will be the last TIA hosted at our home on 10 Naaf Street. It’s bittersweet, but also exciting. For years, this space has been the heart of our community, the place where climbers of all abilities have come together to share their passion for the sport. It’s been a place of growth, challenges, and unforgettable memories.
But as we look toward the future, we’re thrilled to announce that TIA 2025 will be held at the new and larger Friends and Allies expansion. This move represents the next step in our journey, a bigger, better space that will allow us to host even more epic events and welcome more climbers into our community. While we’ll miss 10 Naaf, the future looks bright, and we’re ready to take the leap.
So watch this space in the coming weeks and months as we drip more information on when what and how we are working to take FA to new heights as a Climbing Gym in the heart of Jozi!
Mark Your Calendars: October 5th, 2024
So, what can you expect at TIA 2024? A day filled with wild sends, epic partnerships, and non-stop froth. Whether you’re competing in the finals or just hanging out to support your tjoms, there’s no better way to experience the power of the climbing community. With this being the last hurrah at 10 Naaf Street, you better believe we’re pulling out all the stops to make this a TIA to remember.
Ready to Join with Your Maat
Climbing isn’t just about reaching the top of the wall; it’s about the journey, the people you climb with, and the memories you create along the way. Tjoms in Arms 2024 is the perfect opportunity to celebrate all of that—and more. Whether you’re here for the competition, the vibes, or just the afterparty, TIA has something for everyone.
Head over to our events page, find your tjom, and register for your session. This is the last time we’ll gather at 10 Naaf Street – don’t miss your chance to be a part of this historic event!
When: October 5th, 2024
Where: 10 Naaf Street, Strydompark
See you on the walls, tjoms!
