November 12, 2018
Two of the three South American festivals recognised as part of the annual UIAA Rock Climbing Festival Award recently held their 2018 editions. In thi...
UIAA Rock Climbing Awards
Rewarding the true spirit of rock climbing
Since 2015 the UIAA has offered two annual Rock Climbing honours – the UIAA Rock Climbers’ Award and the UIAA Rock Climbing Festival Award. These awards – awarded at the same event – are offered to climbing festival organisers, and participants in those festivals, in recognition for meeting the criteria of the UIAA Rock Climbing Working Group.
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. In 2018, the focus was dedicated to festivals in Central and South America. In 2019, the Award will target solely festivals in Asia.
- The festival is organized or approved by a national member federation of the UIAA. Development festival projects may also be recognised where there is no UIAA member federation present in the country.
- The festival is in accordance with the UIAA values.
- Contribution is made to sustainable development of rock climbing in their country and/or continent.
- Recognition of the efforts of climbers during the festival regarding notable ascents and other may be made.
- UIAA Safety label equipment must be used in any workshop held.
- Prominent climbers from that country or region participate.
The host events are published 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:
Promotion of Rock Climbing for All
- Rock Climbing for Youth
- Para-Rock Climbing or diversity in climbing
- Rock Climbing workshops and promoting safe practice in all styles of climbing appropriate to the region or venue
- Evidence of sustainable climbing initiatives
Preservation of the environment
- Environmental education around rock climbing
- Protection of the fauna and the flora
- Environmental sustainability and good practice
Contributing to economic development
- Creation or development of Rock Climbing community
- Promotion of climbing tourism in a sensitive manner
- Sustainable job creation, support for clubs or rescue organisations
2018 UIAA ROCK CLIMBING FESTIVAL AWARD – THE CANDIDATES & RESULTS
The fourth annual UIAA Rock Climbers’ Festival Award was open to events held in Central or South America. The following three events made the final shortlist and were awarded the following prizes.
OVERALL WINNER: Festival de Boulder de Mar del Plata (ARGENTINA)
Prize: 1000 USD
DEVELOPMENT PRIZE: BLOQUEando (Bolivia)
Prize: 1000 USD
RUNNER-UP: Capixaba Climbing Festival (Brazil)
Prize: 500 USD
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UIAA Rock Climbers’ Award Criteria
Within the framework of this festival, the Award also recognizes the commitment of climbers in the international rock climbing community in one or more of the following aspects: Safety, Sustainability, Sport. Climbers are recognised for their inspiring ascents or performances during the event and their contributions to the country, region or continent as ambassadors of the climbing community. In doing so meeting UIAA values and displaying a spirit of friendship and fair-play.
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
For 2018 the UIAA welcomed applications from Central and South American festivals only. The application deadline has now closed. Application for the 2019 Award – for festivals held in Asia – will open soon.
Past Award Locations
2015: Africa – South Africa
2016: Europe
2017: North America
Upcoming Award Locations
2018: Central/South America
2019: Asia
2018 UIAA ROCK CLIMBING FESTIVAL AWARD – PAST WINNERS
7-9 October Kalymnos Climbing Festival (Greece)
13-14 June Original Climbing Festival (South Africa)
14-16 August Aggtelek Climbing Festival, Hungary
Award Assessment Team
Anne Arran
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.
Peter Farkas
Peter comes from Hungary and is Vice President of the UIAA and a civil engineer. He began at the UIAA in 2002 as journal editor. He is an active rock climber and a former member of the Hungarian Youth National Team and was once President of the Hungarian Mountaineering and Sport Climbing Federation.
James ‘Marc’ Beverly
Marc is a member of the American Alpine Club and part of the UIAA Executive Board. He is an IFMGA Mountain Guide, DiMM, Physician Assistant, and is pursuing a PhD in Exercise Science. He is also a UIAA Ice Climbing World Cup competitor and sits on the International Commission of Alpine Rescue.