Street Boulder Contest - Ponte di Legno - 9 August

Ready for the summer’s most “alternative” climbing? At Ponte di Legno, in the heart of the Alps, the third edition of Street Boulder will be held on Saturday 9 August, organised by the CAI Pezzo-Ponte di Legno.

Climbing Technology is the sponsor of this “vertical” event, which aims to put the most creative climbers to the test and make Street Bouldering better known.

What is Street Bouldering? It’s a recent discipline, an urban variant of bouldering, where you climb city walls, buildings and gates in safety, as if they were “boulders”, using the same techniques as bouldering. The maximum height of the problems is about 4 metres.

Until just a few years ago, Street Bouldering was considered illegal. The first participants met secretly to do it and share their techniques. In 2008, thanks to the tenacity of the most passionate enthusiasts and a long awareness-building campaign, this discipline was recognised with the first contest in Genoa.

For the third edition of Street Boulder, the streets in the centre of Ponte di Legno become urban walls to climb. Cornices and balconies are seen by the climbers as challenges for their physical and mental abilities.

Kids as well aged less than 14 can try their first climbing thanks to the Junior climbing area. An area equipped with “teaching boulders” for those who want to try climbing on vertical walls for the first time, in safety under the expert eye of qualified staff. What a great chance to get to know the world of climbing better! The event finishes with a big party to which everyone is invited and the awarding of the well-earned prizes.

So, fingers taped and chalk bag tied, get ready to go for it!