Canberra climbers dominate regional championships as local talent scales new heights

Canberra's climbing community has delivered an impressive performance at the Southern Tablelands Extreme Sports Festival held near Goulburn this past weekend, with local athletes claiming multiple medals and setting new benchmarks for the region's growing adventure sport scene.

The three-day competition, which wrapped up Sunday evening, drew more than 180 competitors from across New South Wales and the ACT. Results from the outdoor rock climbing categories saw Canberra athletes secure first place in the men's sport climbing division, second in women's lead climbing, and a standout third-place finish in the mixed-team speed climbing relay.

"The standard has lifted considerably," said Andrew Melrose, director of the Climbing Canberra Association, which helped organize local entries. "We're seeing younger climbers pushing harder routes and the indoor facilities around Civic and Fyshwick are clearly paying dividends."

Participation data released this week reveals that climbing gym memberships across the ACT have surged 34 percent in the past two years, with facilities on Lonsdale Street and along the Symonston corridor reporting wait lists for peak-hour sessions. Entry-level courses now cost $89 per session, with membership packages ranging from $159 to $299 monthly.

Beyond the competition results, Thursday evening saw the official opening of a new outdoor climbing wall at Molonglo Valley—a 12-meter public-access facility funded partly through ACT Sport and Recreation grants. The wall features 24 routes across four difficulty grades and has already attracted steady foot traffic from both beginners and experienced climbers.

The festival results underscore Canberra's emergence as a serious hub for extreme sports. Mountain biking trails around Stromlo Forest Park continue to draw interstate visitors, while BASE jumping interest in the region—though contentious with authorities—remains elevated following last year's documentary coverage.

Local climbing schools report strong demand for winter season bookings, with guided expeditions to the Blue Mountains and beyond already 60 percent booked through August. Safety remains paramount; all accredited instructors in the ACT must now complete additional risk management training following industry updates in March.

The Climbing Canberra Association's next monthly meet is scheduled for July 18 at Tidbinbilla, with participants welcome to register online. Anyone interested in outdoor climbing can access introductory programs through Sports ACT's official partner network, with discounted rates available for ACT residents.

This article was compiled by AI from the sources linked above and screened before publishing. See our editorial standards.