Sport climbing is a variant of rock climbing which includes fixing of permanent anchors into the rocks for the safety of the participants.
Sport climbing is highly adventurous and an enduring sport which includes excellent climbing skills and tactics. This is achieved by attaching a rope to the climber's anchor to avoid any fall or misbalancing.
It involves various techniques such as lead climbing, solo deep water and free skills without using any protection.
Objective
The sole aim of the players is to ascend their climb till the top of the mountain. It features majorly 3 disciplines such as speed climbing, bouldering and lead climbing.
It brings two participants against each other during one match where both climbs a mountain or wall that is 12 meters long with a fixed route and whoever completes it first becomes the winner.
In the lead event, athletes are judged according to their strength to climb on a 12m wall within time-limits.
Sport climbing requires less equipment such as a robust rope, a quick draw which is a piece of climbing equipment, a belay device and a harness along with sturdy gripped shoes and a chalk bag.
History of Sport Climbing
Sport climbing began in both Europe and the U.S, during the 70s and the 90s. It was a recreational development of the regular rock climbing sport. In the U.S., it was created by the Oregonian climbers who have ascended the Smith Rock at that time.
In Verdon, the climbing began 1960. At first, it was ascended with an alpine-style using the cracks for protection.
Later in 1976, spacy bolts were placed 10 to 30 feet apart. This influenced the use of a protection board in the standard sports climbing matches and tournaments. The Smith rock situated in the U.S. is considered as the birthplace of sport climbing.
During the year of 1986, a group 'To Bolt or Not to Be' was sent by Jean Baptiste after which the Smith Rock became the hardest rock climbing spot present throughout in North America. Today this place is covered with total 1800 bolted routes.
Sport climbing is widely popular in Colorado, Utah and West Virginia.
