ABC Origins: A Youth Bouldering Competition

ABC ORIGINS: YOUTH BOULDERING COMPETITION

ABC is proud to be hosting a unique youth climbing competition designed for both aspiring and competitive climbers! With two distinct experiences to choose from, participants can choose what best aligns with their goals—whether that’s testing their skills in a competitive round or exploring new challenges in an arcade-style format!

Recreational Experience

Designed for youth climbers who want to engage with the sport in a fun and challenging way. This category focuses on exploration, problem-solving, and skill development without the pressure of scoring. Climbers will work through a variety of bouldering challenges and stations, tracking their progress with a bingo-style card that can be redeemed for prizes! Ideal for introductory to intermediate climbers looking for a unique, once in a lifetime experience!

Competitive Experience

A competition that loosely follows the format of USA Climbing youth events. The qualifier round follows a modified redpoint format, incorporating unique skill-based challenges for additional points! Competitors in the Open category will have the opportunity to advance to finals, where the top 6 will compete in an exciting 3 boulder, World Cup-style onsight round. This category is best suited for intermediate to elite climbers who want to put their skills to the test against Colorado’s best youth climbers!

Categories

Choosing your experience & category

See below for general category reccommendations based on experience level. We encourage you to reach out for guidance in determining what option is best for you. We will also accept a day-of category changes!

Recreational

• ABC Kids Class & Club climbers ages 4-14
• Climbers ages 6-14 with open gym or camp experience looking for a fun challenge!

Intermediate (V2-4)

• Ages 18 & under
• Team ABC Super Stars, Rock Stars, and All Stars
• USAC U13 and younger (U11) Qualifying Event level climbers
• Climbers on a youth team who have not yet tried a competition

Advanced (V4-7)

• Ages 18 & under
• Team ABC Select D, Junior Varsity, Varsity, some Select C
• USAC U13-19 & Regional to Divisional level climbers

Open (V7-12+)

• Ages 18 & under
• Team ABC Select C and Select BAJR
• USAC U15-19 Divisional to International level climbers

More Information

Routesetting

ABC Origins is an event where creative and innovative routesetting will shine! Our talented in-house crew, led by Head Routesetter Matt King, will be joined by guest routesetters Garrett Gregor and T.J Kelly. You can expect to see everything from traditional boulders to new-age cordo. Additionally, the setters will be cooking up awesome "challenge" stations for the Recreational experience and as bonus-point opportunities for the Competition experience!

About Matt

Matt King has been the Head Setter at ABC for the past decade, bringing a wealth of experience and creativity to route setting. His dedication to crafting thoughtful, challenging, and engaging climbs has played a significant role in shaping ABC's climbing culture and community.

About Garrett

Garrett Gregor is an accomplished routesetter who served as Head Routesetter for bouldering at the 2024 Olympics and was part of the pioneering routesetting team at the Tokyo Olympics. As former COO and Head Coach of Team ABC, he guided athletes like two-time Olympians Brooke Raboutou and Colin Duffy while leading the team to over seven national titles. With experience as Director of Setting at Bouldering Project and founder of Complex Climbing, Garrett has implemented national routesetting programs that elevated industry standards and created professional development pathways for routesetters across the country.

About TJ

T.J. has been routesetting around the front range and across the country for over 15 years and most recently spent almost 10 years managing the routesetting program at the Denver Bouldering Club. T.J. spends most of his time helping out with Decoy Climbing Holds and joins the ABC setting crew from time to time for lunch and comic relief.

Prizes & Raffle

All registered climbers who sign up before 4/18 will get an event t-shirt & goodie bag!

Recreational climbers will accululate points for completing boulders & challenge stations which can be redeemed for small prizes!

Competitive round climbers will receive a raffle ticket, and the top 3 Competitive Open Finalists will be awarded a cash prize as follows:

1st - $300

2nd - $150

3rd - $75

Volunteers

We are seeking volunteers to help this event run smoothly! Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C054CA8AC2CAAFAC16-55982149-abcorigins

WHY "ORIGINS"?

At ABC, we don't just teach climbing--we shape the future of the sport. Home to Team ABC, one of the most successful youth climbing teams in the nation, our walls have seen the rise of champions, the grit of young crushers, and the passion of a community that lives to climb.

ABC Origins is more than just a competition: its a proving ground. A showcase of the next generation of climbers pushing limits, testing their skills, and writing the next chapter of youth climbing in America. From the youngest boulderers making their first dynos to seasoned national competitors, every move is a step toward something greater. This is where it all begins. This is ABC Origins.