Setter Showdown ‘V2 and through...’ - 30th November
Another year, another showdown… that’s right the Setter Showdown is back, and marginally bigger than last year!
Here’s the concept: 6 top setters, 18 blocs, 1 winner (actually there will be a couple of categories, but that doesnt sound so dramatic…)
This isn’t your conventional comp, this is a setter showdown, where it’s all about celebrating high quality and accessible setting - top draw setting should be for all levels of climbing and not just the hard blocs!
Each setter will have a limited time to set and test a V1, V2 & V3, then you can start climbing and judging the blocs!
Once all the scores have been counted we will be crowning the winning bloc for each grade, and then crowing an overall champion setter!
This year we are expanding the event, so the setting will take place over both the ground floor and mezz climbing areas. We have an extra setter, 3 extra blocs and extra V0’s (not being judged). We are not increasing ticket numbers, so this should also mean a bit more space for everyone attending!
There will be climbing makers market from 1pm for you to peruse (think of it as an early Christmas Market). The market will be made up of small independent London based makers, so is a great opportunity to support local climbers making nice things.
The idea is to make a day of it, come down early to see the setting process in action, grab some lunch, and then start climbing and judging those comp standard V1s, 2s & 3s!
Don’t worry, we will also have a load of raffle prizes up for grabs for anyone who buys a ticket!
Okay now you know the jist, time for the key details:
When is it?
Saturday 30th November, 10am - 6pm
Running order?
10:30am until 12:30pm - setting the blocs
12:30pm until 2pm - tagging the blocs, clearing the mats, bit of extra time for wiggle room
1pm - makers market open for business
2pm until 5pm - climbing and judging
5pm until 6pm - counting the scores & raffle!
6pm - Winner announced - stay for beers?
P.s. we know we got the timings wrong last year… we have made some organisational changes to make sure we keep on track this time around (we promise)!
How much does it cost?
£15 - early bird (this includes entry and shoe hire if you need them!)
£20 - standard (this includes entry and shoe hire if you need them!)
£7.5 - member early bird
£12.5 - member
P.s. we realise it was a bit crowded last year, so to help with this we are setting over the ground and mezz climbing areas. We are not increasing the number of tickets, so this should help create a bit more space for everyone.
Can I come down and watch the setters in action?
Yes - if you would like to! Come and learn more about the setting process. See what holds the setters choose, how they use the wall angles, and the little tweaks they make to perfect the blocs.
How does the scoring work?
You will be asked to score each climb out of 10 (10 = you really liked it, 1 = not a fan at all), and give the climb a grade.
We will then count all the individual scores to get an average score for each climb. We will also work out the average grade and if this falls outside of the intended grade category, then the bloc will be disqualified.
The blocs with the highest average score in each grade category will be the winning blocs. E.g. there will be a best V1, V2 & V3.
Then we will add the averages together of setters three blocs, the setter with the highest combined score will be the overall champion.
The key will be setting three great blocs, which are all ‘on grade’, and completed within the given time - sounds easy right…?
Who are the setters?
We will be announcing the setters in the lead up to the event.
Don’t worry though, we have a pretty serious line up which incudes some familiar faces, and world cup setters!
Who is refereeing?
James ‘the Hips’ Skinner - Rise Head Setter, and reigning Setter Showdown champion (2023)
P.s. a referee is one of the organisational changes I was talking about so we can help keep the timings more on time…
Who is judging the blocs?
Everyone who comes down to try the blocs!
How do I win a prize?
The overall champion setter will win £300, with the best bloc in each grade category also worth £100 in prize money.
Don’t worry though, we will have a bunch of raffle prizes for everyone else. So you don’t have to be setting to get some goodies!
What stalls will there be?
TBC
