Becoming a Member
Sport Climbing Australia is run by our members for our members. The SCA works to encourage climbing at all levels from grassroots to elite athlete development. All those interested in the development of climbing as a sport are encouraged to become a Member of the SCA and participate in the organisation.
To find out how to become an SCA member please visit the Membership page.
Our History
Sport Climbing Australia Inc. formally came into being in January 2005 following the amalgamation of the Australian Sport Climbing Federation and the Australian Climbing Gyms Association. This was possible as both bodies were incorporated in New South Wales under the NSW Incorporated Associations Act. A third body the Indoor Rock Gyms of Australia, incorporated in Victoria, agreed to support the new peak body.
Today climbing in its broadest sense includes mountaineering, rock climbing, bouldering (on natural rock), and various disciplines for climbing on artificial surfaces. The advent of climbing on artificial surfaces facilitated development of the sport of climbing in urban areas and the development of various types of climbing facilities. There are various types of facilities including:
- Commercial climbing facilities which operate as for-profit businesses. Some occupy an entire building space whilst some others lease a particular area within a larger sport and recreation facility. There are approximately 30 commercial climbing facilities across Australia;
- Climbing walls operated by non-profit community based organisations. These generally operate within a broader purpose community based facility and have shorter opening hours than commercial facilities;
- Education provider facilities. A significant number of schools and tertiary education providers have some form of climbing facility. These often locate climbing within the broader educational objectives of the particular institution;
- Mobile facilities. These are generally operated as part of a business and provide an introductory climbing experience at a particular event. Competition climbing sometimes utilises temporary walls erected outdoors for that purpose.
Competition climbing, whilst sometimes held outdoors on natural rock, is largely conducted on such artificial walls constructed either indoors or outdoors.
Climbing Disciplines
There are currently three internationally recognised disciplines for competition climbing, namely:
- Lead (known in Australia as Difficulty)
- Bouldering
- Speed.
Levels of Competition
Competition climbing exists at a number of levels these being:
- International including world and continental championships for Opens and Youth.
- National
- State & Territory
- Local to regional
- Within particular facilities or schools.
Reflecting worldwide trends competition climbing developed in various Australian states during the 1990’s with annual national championships in both bouldering and technical disciplines since 2001. Four states (NSW/ACT, Qld and Tasmania) conduct annual series of 5-7 events whilst in others various specific events are held on a regular basis.Climbing has been growing as a recreational and leisure option in recent years. By the late 1990’s all capital cities in Australia, many regional centres and a growing number of school and community recreation facilities had installed climbing facilities. Whilst the size of the industry is not known precisely the popularity of ‘extreme’ leisure options ensures growth in the foreseeable future.
Australians have competed at World Cup events since the early 1990’s with youth competitors entering our first World Championships in Edinburgh, Scotland in 2004. In 2005 Australians Samantha Berry and James Kassay represented the Oceania Continental region at the World Games in Germany, the first time climbing was included in this elite program. The UIAA (Union Internationale Des Associations D’Alpinisme- International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation) through UIAA Climbing, has been actively pursuing inclusion in the Olympic program, with the current goal of 2012-2016 for realisation. In 2006 UIAA climbing will host an event in timing with the Winter Olympic Games at which Australia has been invited to field two representatives.
Australia has sent Youth teams to the World Youth Climbing Championship. Edinburgh, Scotland 2004, Beijing China 2005, Imst Austria 2006, Ibarra, Ecuador 2007.
In 2005 Libby Hall won Gold in speed climbing at World Youth Championship
More recently Sydney was the host of the 2008 World Youth Climbing Championships.This was a major achievment, being recognised as the biggest competition each year. Described by the President of IFSC as the best he has been too.
In 2009 Australia fielded a strong team at the World Youth Championships in Valence, France. The highlight this year was Axel Tritton's 21st placing in the Mens Youth A Difficulty.
Axel Tritton, semi-final climb, Valence (Aug 2009).
Our Australian Open competitors continue to represent us at International competitions.