Rock ’n Rope was the first climbing competition that the Rock Wall climbing gym has seen since hosting the Western Regional Championships in 2009, and some local climbers posted good results.
In the difficulty competition, 11 of the 19 Rock Wall Team members medalled, while in speed competition, every one of the 11 Rock Wall Team members medalled
In the girls 11 and under class, Anya Soon-Kozak and Chloe Conaghan placed second and third respectively. In the speed competition Soon-Kozak took first, and Lauren Larbalester was second.
In boys 12 and 13 Greg Brown and Will Antle were first and second, as they were in the speed climbing event.
For boys 14 and 15 Jacok Plamondon won, and in Youth A Jake Forsyth took second. Forsyth also won the speed climbing event.
In Youth A female Taylor Forsyth was second and Breanna Matheson third in both technical climbing and speed climbing.
Mike Wasend won the experienced men class, and Christy Spurrell was third in the open women’s event, and second in speed climbing.
In girls 12-13 speed climbing Elise Muller was second, and Sharon Szogi third.
Plamondon also won for speed climbing, and Jack Chisolm was second.
Since 2006, the Rock Wall has had many of its members go on to compete for national team worldwide. Last year, Spurrell won the Canadian Open Women’s title in difficulty and went on to compete for Canada in Belgium last September.
The 20-year-old Spurrell has competed for Canada all over the world since 2006, and is hoping to qualify again this season to represent Canada in another world cup as well as the Pan American Games in Peru this fall.
Many of the younger Rock Wall members are hoping to qualify for their first worlds, which will be held this year in the South Pacific island of New Caledonia, as well as Youth Pan-Ams held this fall in Mexico.
Provincial championships for difficulty and speed will be a two-day competition held on April 5 and 6 in Central Saanich.