Competitive Climbing Team
HSCC Competitive Climbing Team is designed to prepare climbers, ages 8-18, to compete in the USA Climbing Youth Circuit.
The Comp Team practices are two hours, held twice a week.
Monday + Wednesday, 5:30-7:30pm.
Cost – $150 / month + tax
This program is billed monthly and includes membership. Already a member? Discounts apply.
For more information or to register for this program, please contact a coach at info@highsteppeclimbing.com to schedule a tryout.
Frequently Asked Questions
High Steppe Climbing Centers Competitive Climbing Team is organized to align with USA Climbing’s seasons, age groups, and formats. The following are some FAQ’s that may answer your questions about how we run out team.
Do kids ages 8-18 train together?
A climbing team is composed of kids of all ages, and a competition hosts kids of all different ages on the same day, and often at the same time. However, when it comes to scoring, competitors are subdivided into age categories of just two years. An 9-year-old will compete against 8- and 9-year-olds. A 17-year-old against 17- and 18-year-olds, and so on.
In practice, the entire climbing team will train together on the same day. Just like in competition, coaches will subdivide the team into smaller groups by age and by skill level. After warming up with the group, your child will have training partners who match their age and ability level, and they will receive individual instructions from their coach based on a personalized progression plan. The routes they climb and the workouts they do will be tailored to their age bracket.
When is the climbing season?
While highly-competitive climbers will need to train year-round to maintain a competitive edge, an athlete also has the option to choose to compete in climbing for just one season per year. There are 2 main disciplines that the HSCC team will compete in.
- USA Climbing Youth Bouldering Season is in the fall. Athletes who want to compete in bouldering will need to join the team no later than October 1st. How long the season lasts depends on how far your child goes. You can expect Regionals to occur in January, and Divisionals to occur in February.
- Lead Climbing/Top Rope Season is in the Spring. An athlete who wants to compete in lead or top rope will need to join the team no later than January 1st. Regionals will occur in April, and Divisionals will occur in May.
If your child progresses to Nationals in either discipline, they will compete in July.
How will practices prepare my child for competitions?
Most of practice time will be spent learning to climb, learning techniques and strategies for “solving” a climb. This time will also be spent developing the physical strength and stamina, and the mental fortitude required to compete.
As competitions approach, the team will spend time learning and practicing the specific format of the upcoming event. If the event will require competitors to attempt a route without seeing it ahead of time, or if they will only have one chance to climb each route, the routesetting team will set new routes before practice and coaches will simulate the event format during practice.
Can we just do the team, and not have a membership?
The HSCC team is designed for athletes who want to be competitive, and this goal will require more climbing than just 2 practices per week. An all-access membership is included with the team dues to allow your child to climb 3 or 4 day a week total. They will be encouraged to climb outside of practice, and may even receive an occasional “homework assignment”.
What other costs can I expect?
Aside from your membership dues and team fees, additional costs can include:
- Competition registration fees – which can range from $135 – $185 per event. This cost allows the host gym to pay staff, including routesetters, for a tremendous amount of work, as well as close their facility to the public to host the event.
- Travel costs – getting to and from the host gyms can involve hours of driving.
- Accommodations – gyms all around our region host comps. If you don’t plan to drive to Seattle and back in a day, you may choose to stay in a hotel.
- Gear – your athlete will need new shoes frequently, perhaps 3 times a year. Good shoes are a must for good climbing. A harness or belay equipment, on the other hand, can last for 10 years.
- Team gear – your athlete will be supplied with a team shirt to wear to practice and competitions. Additionally, optional gear, such as hoodies or team gym bags, may be available for purchase.