Here it is, ladies and gentlemen. The moment all you pebble wrestlers have been waiting for… The Grand Finale of the 2014 Touchstone Climbing Series Bouldering Division! It’s been nine months in the making, and over 1000 boulderers from across the state have competed in comps at Berkeley Ironworks, The Studio Climbing, or La Boulders. Saturday will see the same fun-filled competition structure that you’ve come to know and love, along with a high intensity on-sight finale with the top climbers from the days competition.
Nervous? Never fear! Here is a handy 3 step guide to your Saturday.
1. Get Psyched.
FUN! Seriously. While some people might hear the word ‘competition’ and get S.A.T. nerves, tranquillo amigo! Putting on Touchstone Comps is our way of saying thank to our members for being awesome. This is a FREE event for Touchstone members. Guests pay ONLY $10. (Which is a screamin’ deal) The party, er, we mean open comp, starts at noon and ends at 5pm. You can stop in any time and we’ll welcome you with open arms.
Competitors get a score card in beginner, intermediate or advanced categories, and self-score their climbs as the day goes on. Sure, you need a witness, but that’s what your spotter is for!
Once you’ve climbed your brains out, the REAL party starts. Everyone in attendance gets an awesome T-shirt, pizza, and beer from our friends at Triple Voodoo. (21+, duh) There will be raffle prizes, music, photos and all your favorite people.
From 5pm-6pm we’ll let the Touchstone Climbing Routesetters work their magic and they hustle to transform the gym into a thunder dome for the on-sight finale. While they are hard at work, we shall be eating and drinking.. and getting psyched!
At 6pm, On-sight finals begin! We will select the top 3 advanced climbers from the series’ bouldering comps, and the top 3 climbers from that DAY, to go head-to-head in the finals. There are three finals problems and the top 6 male and female finalists will have 5 minutes for each of them. There is a cash purse of $1,000 for the 1st place man and woman. $600 for 2nd place, and $350 for third. That’s no chump change!
Prizes will also be awarded to the overall winner in all categories. So the more comps you competed in, the better your chances of reaching the podium!
2. Come prepared
Don’t worry. It’s not that hard. If you ignore this step and skip right to #3, we’ll still be psyched to see you…. we’ll just send you to the back of the line.
To get a score card, you need a 3 letter Touchstone Comp Code. To get a Touchstone Comp Code, you need to register. You can do that here. It’s going to look like this:
If you’ve been to ANY Touchstone Climbing Comp in the past 2 years, then you’re already registered! Click ‘Lookup’ to find your 3 letter code. If this is your first time, don’t worry. We’ll be gentle. Click on ‘Register’ and it will be over before you know it. Now’s the tricky part. You’ve got to remember the code, or all this was for naught. If only there was a piece of paper that you needed to bring to the comp anyways that you could write the code on, as to not forget it……
Thank goodness for the waiver. Print it here. Fill is out. Write that code somewhere we can find it and BAM! You’re ready to go.
3. Invite all your friends
Seriously, how bummed are your buddies gonna be when they see their feed blowing up with photos of you having the time of your life and you didn’t invite them. It’s an awkward and avoidable conversation to have. Let the people know! RSVP to the event on the ‘book. Post a photo. Hashtag #TCS2014. Call them on the telephone. Do whatever it takes.
