Para-climbing

Para-climbing makes its debut at the LA 2028 Paralympic Games.

Para-climbing is open to athletes with a physical or vision impairment.

For more information on Para-climbing Eligibility and How to Get Involved please see the Para-climbing Information Sheet  (PDF)

An accessible Word version can be found here: Para-climbing Information Sheet  (Word)

Events and Disciplines

Para-climbing athletes compete in men’s and women’s individual competitions.

Classification

Para-climbing is open to athletes with a physical or vision impairment. Athletes are required to submit medical reports and meet the minimum impairment criteria in order to compete. Eligibility is determined by trained Classifiers.

For more information on Eligible Impairments and Classification please see the Para-climbing Information Sheet (PDF)

An accessible Word version can be found here: Para-climbing Information Sheet  (Word)

Rules and Equipment

In Para-climbing, there are three climbing formats: lead, speed, and boulder. Lead is the dominant format represented at international competitions.

In competitions, ranking is based on the furthest height an athlete reaches while climbing. Competitors try unknown routes until they fall. If heights of two athletes are the same, previous round results or time of the climb is used to rank the athletes.

Competitors may use a variety of equipment to assist them to climb including prosthetics and specialised harnesses. Competitors with a vision impairment use a sighted guide to assist with their navigation on the climbing wall.

This is a basic summary of the Rules and Equipment for Para-climbing. For more information, please refer to the IFSC Rules provided by International Federation Sport Climbing.

CONTACTS

We encourage those wishing to explore Para-climbing to contact the National organisation in the first instance. The link below provides information on the national high-performance program leading to competing internationally and at the Paralympic Games.

Contact: [email protected] or visit the Sport Climbing Australia website.