USA Climbing recently adopted a number of changes and alterations pertaining to its youth series of competitions. The changes were the result of feedback and focus group conversations, including those of a Youth Series Task Force and a joint Competition Advisory Committee of USA Climbing and the Climbing Wall Association.
Among the changes for the 2025-2026 season are no minimum age restriction for the U11 category, an increase in the age (by one year) of the U13 category, and an overall shift to a combined-discipline (Boulder, Lead/Top Rope and Speed) qualifying schedule, in addition to Youth Nationals being tentatively scheduled for late June/early July, 2026—essentially extending the season.
The changes were heavily influenced and informed by the American Development Model, a renowned five-stage plan that links athletic rigor with various age ranges.
“These changes are important for the continued growth of our sport,” stated Marc Norman, CEO of USA Climbing. “They were developed in collaboration with USA Climbing’s Youth Series Task Force and the Competition Advisory Committee to make sure that our gym partners were included. The conversation began earlier this year with two listening sessions for gym partners, as well as listening sessions for coaches, regional coordinators, and other stakeholders. We then met with gym partners and collected feedback through a dedicated Youth Series presentation at the CWA Summit. The Competition Advisory Committee is a joint initiative with the CWA that meets monthly to discuss potential changes even further with gym partners.”
Michael Lary, owner of Source Climbing Center and a member of the aforementioned joint Competition Advisory Committee, told CBJ in an email that most gym owners and managers have reacted positively to the schedule changes and the operational/program flexibility that a longer youth season allows.
Lary acknowledged that some gym operators, though, have expressed pushback with the rollout of the changes. “I have spoken to operators that have felt blindsided and others that see change as a constant from USA Climbing,” Lary said. “We, as gym operators, are trying to monitor so many different channels of information. Our committee discussed in the last meeting some ways that USA Climbing might focus their communication. Personally, I am hoping USA Climbing will consider publishing a more consistent timeline for decision making and clarify when Regional Coordinators can start scheduling events.”
Lary also said he would like to see the establishment of a more predictable “meeting rhythm” for gym operators and USA Climbing; logical options for future meetings could be the CWA Summit or USA Climbing’s National Championships, for instance.
Garnet Moore, Executive Director at the CWA, said, “This joint committee is brand new and a work in progress, but I’m encouraged that the two primary non-profit portions of our industry are increasing the collaborative efforts with each other and with the for-profit sector. I’m looking forward to finding even more ways to improve the information flow to and from climbing gym operators in the future.”
A full list of the Youth Series changes, which were sent in a USA Climbing email on July 14, are as follows:
U11 Category
Goal: Introduce climbing as a fun sport with an engaging community and a recreational focus.
- The U11 category will have no minimum age restriction.
- This category is geared toward 9- and 10-year-olds, but younger children may also participate.
- U11 athletes will participate through Regionals.
- The U11 category might climb and be ranked as a single, mixed-gender category at Qualifying Events and Regional Championships.
U13 Category
Goal: Provide opportunity for maturing athletes to experience higher levels of competition.
- U13 athletes will participate through Divisionals.
- U13 is now a year older than the previous Youth C category. As such, USA Climbing believes it is appropriate, and in alignment with the ADM, for this category to advance one championship event further.
U20 Category
Goal: Ensure a competitive option throughout athletes’ youth climbing careers.
- The U20 category will be open to any 18- or 19-year-old based on birthdate, as classified in the USA Climbing Rulebook, regardless of high school enrollment.
- The U20 category will skip Regionals and advance directly to Divisionals from Qualifying Events.
Season Schedule
Goal: Provide hosts and athletes with more access and opportunities to participate and align with IFSC models.
- The Youth Series is shifting to a combined-discipline qualifying schedule. Boulder, Lead/Top Rope, and Speed events will run from October through February.
- Youth Regional Championships for Boulder and Lead/Top Rope will take place in March, followed by Divisional Championships in April and May.
- The Youth National Championship will take place in late June or early July.
- Please see the 2025-2026 Youth Season Schedule in the Youth Resources section on the website for detailed information.
