The 2020 UIAA General Assembly (GA) was held on 23-24 October. Owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, the annual meeting took place online for the first time...
Since 2015 the UIAA has organised the annual UIAA Rock Climbing Festival Award. The awards is offered to climbing festival organisers in recognition for meeting the criteria of the UIAA Rock Climbing Working Group. Each year the focus of the Award switches to a different continent, to ensure the impact of the UIAA’s commitment to rock climbing is truly global.
During the assessment process for the Award, festivals are reviewed and a shortlist is drawn up of those which meet UIAA criteria and support the development of climbing in a particular region. It is an opportunity for the UIAA to offer support in the development of climbing and offer advice to organisers in terms of safety, sustainability and sport. It is also an opportunity to showcase diverse climbing styles and the points of the UIAA Climbers Manifesto.
Festival Selection
Each year the Award focuses on a special region, or continent, where nominees can apply via the UIAA online registration system. Owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2020 Award was postponed to 2021. However the application process is already open.
In 2021, the Award will target solely festivals in Oceania and Southeast Asia. The registration deadline is TBC, but is expected to be the summer of 2021.
As part of the application process, the following criteria applies:
The host events are published and promoted on the UIAA website at least two months in advance.
The festival must include a sustainable action plan with, at least, one of the following projects:
The fifth annual UIAA Rock Climbers’ Festival Award is open to events held in Asia. The UIAA Rock Climbing Festival Award Panel is currently assessing all candidates. Nominated festivals will be showcased below.
OVERALL WINNER:
Suru Boulder Fest (India)
CONFIRMED NOMINEE:
Almaty International Rock Climbing Festival (Kazakhstan)
CONFIRMED NOMINEE:
Trad Climbing Festival (Korea)
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Award Allocation
In addition to prize money being allocated, the benefits of winning these Awards are tangible, notably promotion within the UIAA’s international network (see testimonials below). The UIAA will contribute to other prizes at the festival/s in agreement with the organiser.
Prize money: Up to 2,500 CHF (TBC & maybe shared across different candidates)
For 2021, the UIAA welcomed applications from Oceania & Southeast festivals only. The Award winner(s) will be announced at the 2021 UIAA General Assembly (date and venue TBC).
Past Award Locations
2015: Africa – South Africa
2016: Europe
2017: North America
2018: Central/South America
2019: Asia
Upcoming Award Locations
2020/2021: Oceania & SE Asia
25 August – 7 September: Overall Winner:
Suru Boulder Fest (India)
20-21 October: Overall Winner:
Festival de Boulder de Mar del Plata (Argentina)
30 November – 2 December: Runner-Up:
Capixaba Climbing Festival (Brazil)
26-28 October: Development Prize:
BLOQUEando (Bolivia)
7-9 October
Kalymnos Climbing Festival (Greece)
7-9 October
Kalymnos Climbing Festival (Greece)
A former British climbing champion, international competitor and junior climbing team coach. Anne has been on expedition to many countries and is familiar with local climbing scenes. She is still a keen climber and runs an accommodation/outdoor activities business mainly in the French Pyrenees.