04.11.26
Youth Climbing Squad Try Outs Dec 2026 | Bristol and Chippenham
Squad try outs are coming to Bristol and Chippenham this December. Climbers aged 8-16 can try out for The Chippenham Squad, The Bristol bouldering squad and The Bristol rope squad. Try outs will be held across The Arc, The Mothership and The Church.
WHAT IS THE YOUTH SQUAD?
The Climbing Academy Youth Squad is for children and young people who want to progress their climbing, often within the competition scene. It runs outside of our regular term time sessions, with each squad training for two 2-hour sessions a week. Squad members are also expected to climb regularly outside of these sessions. Most are already competent climbers who have climbed regularly at TCA or elsewhere before try outs. Squad climbers represent The Climbing Academy at local, national and international competitions, including events such as the BMC Youth Climbing Series, Blokfest and the Junior British Bouldering Championships.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE BRISTOL SQUAD
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE CHIPPENHAM SQUAD
TRY OUT DATES
- Fri 4 Dec: The Arc, Chippenham, 6.30-8:30pm
- Mon 7 Dec: The Church, Bristol, 6-8pm
- Wed 9 Dec: The Mothership, Bristol, 5-8pm
CHOOSE YOUR SQUAD
You can try out for the squad that suits you best. Climbers can try out for:
- The Chippenham Squad: Bouldering and roped climbing at The Arc.
- The Bristol Squad: train and compete in bouldering, roped climbing, or a combination of the two, at The Mothership and The Church.
- The Bristol and Chippenham squads.*
*Climbers are welcome to try out for both the Bristol and Chippenham squads. If successful they will only be chosen for one team, not both.
WHO CAN TRY OUT?
There are no prerequisites. Any climber aged 8-16 can attend squad selection, as long as they are within the age limit for YCS events. The squad year runs from 1 Jan to 31 Dec, and selection is held around the end of Nov or start of Dec each year.
The YCS age categories for 2026 are based on year of birth:
- U11: born 2017 or 2016
- U13: born 2015 or 2014
- U15: born 2013 or 2012
- U17: born 2011 or 2010
- U19: born 2009 or 2008
You can find the full details on the BMC Youth Climbing Series page.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT EACH TRY OUT
THE ARC, CHIPPENHAM
The try out at The Arc is a competition format session featuring bouldering and roped climbing. Climbers are encouraged to lead if they can. If not, top-ropes and auto belays will be available.
THE MOTHERSHIP, BRISTOL
The bouldering round at The Mothership features 15 blocs in a scramble format. Climbers get multiple attempts at each bloc, so they can show their ability and chase their best possible score.
THE CHURCH, BRISTOL
The roped round at The Church features two routes for lead climbers and two routes for top-rope climbers. Scores are based on how far climbers progress up each route, rewarding both climbing ability and performance.
