Breaking Barriers:  Young Climbers Step Up at Boulder Exe

On February 15th we hosted youth squads from across the South West for Boulder Exe’s first Youth Training Camp.  The day was structured to introduce young climbers to the formats they might face in national and international competitions.  Climbing is growing rapidly, fuelled by the success of athletes like Toby Roberts, who took Olympic gold last year. We want to ensure that young climbers in our region have as many opportunities to develop and train as those in areas with a wider selection of walls and training facilities.

The young athletes took on the legendary Titan Wall—an International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) accredited competition wall designed by EP Climbing. This wall has been featured in numerous World Cup competitions over the last year, including the Paris 2024 Games. With only a handful of Titan replicas in the UK, having one in the South West is a game-changer for climbers training for regional and national competitions.

The format of the camp echoed that of international semi-finals, with athletes given just five minutes to attempt each boulder. Even for experienced climbers, this kind of pressure can be intense. That’s why having the opportunity to experience it first—among friends, teammates, and coaches, without the added stress of scoring—was invaluable. It was brilliant to see these young climbers test themselves in a supportive, high-energy environment.

We were lucky to welcome a buzzing crowd from across the region: squads from The Climbing Hangar (both Plymouth and Exeter), The Quay Climbing Centre, The Barn, and The Project all made the journey to Boulder Exe. After the simulations wrapped up, the real magic happened—athletes working together, swapping beta, and moving between squads to try the boulders again. So much of climbing development comes from this kind of collaboration. Witnessing that spirit in action made the whole day worth it. We can’t wait to hold more events like this and bring in even more teams next time.

From the youngest Youth C climbers just stepping into the competition scene, to our seasoned GB athletes Fin Kerswell and Seren Wills, every participant gave it their all. Watching from the balcony, you wouldn’t have guessed this was an informal session—there was no prize money or podium spots at stake, but the determination was next level. Climbing is about more than just competition; it’s a community-driven sport. If you watch closely at major events, you’ll see that even at the highest level, athletes cheer each other on, share advice, and push each other forward.

GB climber Fin celebrated his 18th birthday in style—crushing V10s in a pink tutu while his peers cheered and sang around him, capturing the event’s unbeatable camaraderie. That moment illustrated everything we love about climbing—pushing limits, supporting each other, and, above all, having fun.

The event brought a record number of climbers through our doors and reinforced the sense that a new chapter for climbing in the South West is beginning.

“It was an amazing day and a super educational opportunity for the local youth climbers to understand the standard and requirements of competition climbing.  And about the tutu….fairies can fly can’t they!”  Fin Kerswell, GB Climber and member of Quay/Boulder Exe Squads

At Boulder Exe, providing these opportunities isn’t just something we do—it’s central to who we are. Supporting youth squads, shaping our own, and paving the way for a strong, psyched new generation of climbers is what drives us.  Check out our fantastic event video

We plan to run more of these events, so please reach out to Ollie at hello@boulderexe.co.uk, if you run or participate in a Youth Squad across the wider region and would like to be part of the next Youth Training Camp!

If you missed this event but want to get involved in competition climbing, don’t worry! Our Squad Trials are happening on Saturday, March 29th. The event is free and open to all young climbers looking to take the next step. More details and booking links can be found here.