Saturday, October 28, 2017
2017 Black Light Bouldering Competition + Party

ADULT RESULTS ←(click the link for ADULT RESULTS)
YOUTH RESULTS ←(click the link for YOUTH RESULTS)

Registration: $35 ($45 after 10/24) | EW Members: $25 ($35 after 10/24)

PRE-REGISTRATION: Now Closed!   |  VOLUNTEER INFO 
IN-PERSON day-of registration will open for SESSION 2 at 11:00am, Saturday – October 28.
Session 1 is FULL!  Contact us to be added to the waitlist. 253-564-4899

AWARDS – RAFFLE PRIZES – COSTUME CONTEST – MUSIC/DJ – FOOD TRUCK – AFTER PARTY

We say this every year but it’s true — each year is better than the last! 13 years of hard work and experience have gone into getting this thing dialed, yet we never stop looking for new or different ways to mix things up – from the route setting, props, decor, DJ, pre-registration bags, and awards – this comp delivers STOKE and FUN unlike any other climbing competition in our area! Open to ALL ages and abilities.

Click here to sign up for Volunteer Opportunities and be sure to check out the VIDEO from 2015!←(click the link to watch).
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COMPETITION DETAILS:
Saturday, October 28, 2017

Registration Includes:
•  BEST ROUTES of the year  •  Black light FUN  •  AWARDS  •  RAFFLE PRIZES (Adult & Youth)  •
•  COSTUME CONTEST  •  After PARTY (21+)  •
•  BLACK LIGHT Tee or Tank (add’l $15, must register by Oct. 10th)  •

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
* Competitors must register for the assigned session for their category; i.e. youth in Session 1, adults in Session 2.
* Youth under 18 who wish to compete in session 2 must sign up for OPEN categories; no youth under 16 allowed to compete in the Adult session.
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ADULT Categories: Male/Female
Recreation (v0 -v2) | Intermediate (v3-v4) | Advanced (v5-v6) | Open (v7+) | Masters (45+ yrs)

AWARDS and RAFFLE PRIZES:
Instead of cash prizes, we choose to invest that money into some pretty sweet swag that everyone has a chance to win! The top 3 competitors in each ADULT category are guaranteed to walk away with a prize. Beyond that, our raffle prize system ensures that every competitor has a chance to win something too. Competitors must be present to win. Raffle prizes will be given out after the Adult Awards (approx 7pm) and will include a sweet Grand Prize drawing!

COSTUME CONTEST – 6:30pm
Compete dressed as your favorite super hero, celebrity or animal; or just decorate yourself in the best glow imaginable and be entered to win a fun prize in our Costume Contest.

MUSIC/DJ (all day) and FOOD TRUCKS (11am-4pm)
Enjoy the musical stylings of DJ Johnny Devine and grab a bite from a food truck between sessions. There’s a lot going on, we want make sure you stay fueled and entertained.

FREE AFTER PARTY! 6PM – 8PM
Once the competition ends, everyone 21+ is invited to join us in the upstairs lounge for FREE beer/cider. Comp registration not required.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: 

Comp Format: Red point; no finals.

Prizes: 1st, 2nd and 3rd place competitors in all Adult Categories will receive a sweet product prize from one of our event sponsors.

USAC Credit and OPEN Category: Youth CANNOT get USAC credit for the comp if they compete in the OPEN Category. In the event that a youth participant wants to compete for BOTH USAC credit AND prizes they must register for and climb in both sessions. Yes, that means they have to pay twice.

Climbing Time: Climbers will be allowed EXACTLY 3 hours to climb. All climbing will end at the 3 hour mark.

USAC Membership/Number: All YOUTH competitors must have a current USAC membership or purchase a USAC Day-member pass to compete. Day passes must be purchased online the day before, or the day of the event; a USAC Day-member Pass is only good for 24 hours and cost $10.00.

Waivers: When in doubt, fill one out! All competitors must have a current waiver on file and any waivers completed for last year’s comp are now expired. Click here now!

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WALL and GYM CLOSURES:

Wedneday – Friday, October 25th – 27th:
Wall closures will begin as competition setting takes place.

Friday, October 27th: Gym closes at 8pm.

Saturday, October 28th:
The gym will be open to competitors only. All programs and fitness classes will be cancelled. Spectators are welcome!

The good news is the gym will reopen on Sunday, October 29 with a HUGE selection of brand new routes for you try!

Photos:
2016 BLB Comp + Party
2015 BLB Comp + Party
2014 BLB Comp + Party

VOLUNTEERS: We Need You!

It takes a lot of support from the entire Edgeworks community to pull off something as awesome as the Black Light Bouldering Comp – a climbing competition unlike any other in our area. If you have some time to spare and maybe some creative energy to boot, we’d love to have your help!

COMPETITION JUDGES:

The Job:  Help manage routes, competitor queues, scoring and spotting as needed.
No experience necessary! Must be 18 or older.
Date: Saturday, October 28, 2017 (Comp Day!)
Session 1: 10:15am-2:00pm  |  Session 2: 2:15pm-6:00pm  |  All Day: 10:15am-6:00pm
Single Session Volunteers: $25 EW Gift Card, FREE comp t-shirt & Karma points.
Double Session Volunteers: $50 EW Gift Card, FREE comp t-shirt, pizza & DOUBLE Karma points.
Sign Up Now!

ART DECOR VOLUNTEERS:

The Job:  Bring your creative energy and/or taping skills to the gym! No experience necessary. 
When: Wed 10/25: 5pm-10pm  |  Thurs 10/26: 12pm-5pm & 5pm-10pm  |
Fri 10/27: 12pm-5pm & 5pm-10pm  |

Rewards increase with your time!
2 hrs = Karma points and (1) FREE Day Pass
5 hrs = FREE Comp T-shirt (if you sign up by 10/10/17!)
8 hrs = $25 EW Gift Card
8+ hrs = Rock Star status and a swag bag!
Sign Up Now!

Bouldering Season!

Bouldering season is here! Check the Team Family Roster/Schedule for updates to our schedule. Some local Region 101 competitions coming up:

10/14 – Seattle Bouldering Project

10/21 – Seattle Stone Gardens

10/28 – Edgeworks Climbing Gym

Coaches will be at the SBP comp on October 14, and the Edgeworks Blacklight Comp on October 28; one more comp is yet to be determined.  For info about the Roster/Schedule, see your Team Handbook. For access to the Roster/Schedule email lisa@edgeworksclimbing.com for the link.

Team Potluck

Thank you to everyone who attended the Annual Beginning of Season Team Potluck! It was great to see everyone again after a long summer vacation. Coaches, climbers, and families all enjoyed an array of food (including some really awesome salsa; thanks Nic!), some slacklining, socializing, tree climbing, and a brief presentation by coaches.

GroupMe

GroupMe is a group messaging app that team families use to communicate with each other for a variety of reasons; planning events, arranging carpools, etc. If you would like to join the conversation email lisa@edgeworksclimbing.com with your cell phone number and I will pass on your information to Tiffany Andrews who will add you to the group. Remember to reply to the invitation right away to activate your membership in the group.

NEW!

We now have a Team Handbook that contains everything you need to know about who we are, our structure, tryouts, practices, competition, our community, the schedule, and how to contact us if you have any questions. They are available at the front desk.

Upcoming Events

September 1

USAC Annual Membership registration open

Social Media

Check the lobby bulletin board, Facebook, and Instagram for Team Edgeworks news and information.

Next PCA Meeting

No meeting in September. The October meeting will be held early to prepare for the Blacklight Bake Sale. October 9 at 6:45p in upstairs lounge.

Alex Nall

Member since 2016

How did you start climbing? 

Alex: I started climbing when I was a kid.  The most memorable summer of my life was after a hurricane hit my hometown in Alabama.  I  would visit my cousin and we would go into the woods and climb all the fallen trees.  Our parents probably would have killed us if  they knew how much fun we were-I mean-how dangerous it was.

Why do you climb at Edgeworks? 

Alex: What other gym helps you celebrate your first peeler?  The sense of community is fantastic, whether it’s the staff, regulars, or  people trying climbing for the first time; the encouragement and shared enthusiasm of this weird, beautiful, BA thing we do is as  inspiring as watching Meru (or The Sharp End) for the fifth time.  Also, the route-setting is baller. I’ve been to a few gyms, and I have  to say that the routes here are some of the most creative (and sometimes sadistic) I’ve encountered.  (Now hand over my five dollars.)

Where is your favorite place to climb outside? 

Alex: I’m new to falling outside, but I particularly like falling in North Bend due to its proximity to my bed.  Strip Clip was my first slab and  I still love it the most.  A Girl’s Best Friend is both aesthetically beautiful and wonderfully challenging; that’s the first climb I looked  back on and was like, “Oh, shit!  I did that!”

What do you do when you’re not climbing?

Alex:  When I’m not climbing, I’m probably thinking about climbing.  Or girls.  Or wizards.  Or inequality.  The order kind of changes  depending on the day.  I bartend at DOA and find myself in awe of the fact that I get paid to make craft cocktails and basically throw  parties.  I love reading/writing/watching fantasy, physics, and solving puzzles.  I always thought my number one love would be  running until climbing topped out over that priority center in my brain.  It seemingly uses every aspect of the body, and although  fleeting because I’m still a beginner, the sense of flow is unparalleled whenever I’m lucky enough to have it.

Which do you prefer: top rope, lead, or bouldering?

Alex: That’s kind of a personal question.  I like top-roping because I can go all out.  I like bouldering because it scares and challenges  me.  I would probably have to go with lead though; there’s a very real sense of danger and calculation.  I sort of like the masochistic  cycle of “YUSSSSS, I GOT TO THE QUICKDRAW!!!!” to “I’M ABOVE THE QUICK DRAW I’M GONNA DIE”.

What are some interesting facts that you’d like to share with the Edgeworks community?

Alex: Fact: I can beatbox the Super Mario theme like whoa.  I love music and was in a few bands in East Nashville (one of which had over  20 people in it, and no, it was not the Polyphonic Spree).  Fact: Our solar system contains one star.  There are 100,000 MILLION  stars in our Milky Way Galaxy alone.  Lastly there’s an estimable one hundred BILLION galaxies in the observable universe (which is  technically expanding faster than the speed of light).  How cool is that?

What’s your go-to route grade?

Alex: The one that shuts me down, at the very least, temporarily.  That could be a 10+, 11, 12-, V3 or V4.  Anything that forces me to  learn a move or see the wall differently makes me very satisfied.

Full weekend day at the crag.

$89 for members; $139 for everyone else!

Reserve your spot today!

Interested in spending a day outside, climbing real rocks in the beautiful Pacific Northwest and then relaxing and sharing stories from the day with new friends, great beer, and tasty food?

We are too! And, that’s why we’re bringing back Pitches and Pitchers. We’ll load up the Edgeworks van and head out to North Bend for a full day of climbing with our professional guides. Afterwards we’ll stop by a local watering hole for food and drinks AND the first drink is on us!

Dates:
– Saturday, June 24, 2017
– Sunday, July 16, 2017
– Saturday, August 19, 2017
– Sunday, September 17, 2017

Plan on leaving from Edgeworks at 7:00am and returning around 9:00pm. Bring a lunch, water, appropriate clothing, and an interest in climbing awesome routes.

Transportation is included but you can drive separately if you would like.
Sorry, 21+ ONLY!!!

Looking for other options to get outside this summer? Check out our full-day, guided trips to places like Mt. Erie, Leavenworth, Smith Rock, and even Red Rocks! Select from Intro/Sport Climbing or Trad & Multi Pitch.

Note: Signed liability waivers and outdoor program consent forms are required for all climbers before joining us at the crag. You can complete this on our website or in person at the gym.

Team Edgeworks at Nationals

Kohle Andrews and Ethan Riggle travelled all the way to Kennesaw, Georgia last month to compete in the USAC Youth National Sport and Speed Championship. We are proud to say that we have climbers who qualify to compete alongside such well known climbers as Kai Lightner and Ashima Shiraishi. They both climbed extremely well and can say they are the top 40/41 of all youth competitors in the USA! Way to go Team!

Gold Bar Service Event a Success!

On Sunday July 23rd some of the Team and Coach Josh headed to Gold Bar to participate in a trail building day sponsored by the Washington Climbers Coalition, and to do a little bouldering. The morning started off cool and grey, which was perfect for working along the new clearcut.

The team’s goal was to prevent erosion of the trail. We installed 10 log steps to prevent water from carving a channel in the trail and to preserve soil for the surrounding plants. We did everything from digging holes for the logs, to making natural stakes to hold them in place, and even did a Team log carry!!

After a few hours of trail work it was time for lunch, then we excitedly unpacked crash pads. Coach Josh gave the kids a lesson on pad placement as well as spotting before setting to work dispatching boulder problems.

The kids exceeded expectations by crushing every boulder that Coach Josh could throw at them. It was great to see the kids working so closely together, working out their beta and encouraging each other to the top of their climbs.

It was a successful day not only for the Team, but  for the climbing area that we are so lucky to have close to home. This was a great way to give back to the community and we couldn’t be more proud of the hard work our kids put in to make sure we have further access to those areas.

NEW!

During the week of August 21, parents and climbers will have the opportunity to speak with their coach one-on-one to review achievements, set goals, and to field questions and suggestions. It is optional. Sign up on the sheet on the bulletin board for a 15 minute time slot with your coach. This will be available for all parents of Club, Comp, and Advanced Team members. Once you have signed up Lisa will email a confirmation with the day, time, and specific location in the gym for your conference. The deadline to sign up is August 18.

Upcoming Events

August 21 – 24

Parent/Coach/Climber Conferences

August 23

Team Set Event

August 27

Beginning of the Season Potluck

Next PCA Meeting

The Team potluck will be held in lieu of this month’s PCA meeting.

Laura Jones

Member since 2016

How did you start climbing? 

Laura: I started climbing at the rec center gym while I was in college in Ohio. It was during that time that I started going on regular weekend missions to the Red River Gorge in Kentucky.

Why do you climb at Edgeworks? 

Laura: I really enjoy the variety of what I can do at Edgeworks from hanging out with great people bouldering or getting on the  ropes, to tuning out for a solo workout involving the hangboard/fitness room. Regardless, I always like to catch up with the strong community Edgeworks has created. Thanks!

Where is your favorite place to climb outside? 

Laura: Yosemite! Although that is a tough question as I have many more favorites than one. Granite cracks or overhanging limestone are my main haunts.

What do you do when you’re not climbing?

Laura: I also like to hit the ski touring scene, yoga, knitting, vegetable gardening…and I am an accountant, so I am most likely nose-deep in a spreadsheet during the day.

Which do you prefer: top rope, lead, or bouldering?

Laura: Leading 🙂

What are some interesting facts that you’d like to share with the Edgeworks community?

Laura: My husband and I are re-vamping a 1910 house on the East side of Tacoma at the moment, so right angles and level surfaces are a consistent crux. On the climbing side of things…in the alpine realm I have climbed the South and North peaks of Denali, with a ski descent of the Thunderbird Couloir from the North peak. Of rock interest, a gal pal and I did an ascent of the Nose on  El Cap last summer in a single push (we were very thirsty at the end).

What’s your go-to route grade?

Laura: I like to throw myself at things that are a grade harder than what  I can get up without too much trouble. I don’t mind logging some air time with a little try-hard.

50% OFF 30-Day Intro Pass

Limited time only! Just $44.50 (regularly $89)

Our 30-day intro pass is the perfect purchase to help sweeten your summer and fill your Instagram with adventuresome photos of rock climbing — #havingfun and #lovingit! While the Intro Pass is not a full membership, it does include some of the same awesome perks like full access to our climbing walls, fitness classes and our 101 & 102: Intro to Climbing courses.

The deal gets even sweeter with 50% OFF the start-up fee if you decide to sign up for an EFT membership before your pass expires!

Seriously, don’t miss out on this great deal!
– No coupons necessary!
– Offer valid July 15 – August 15, 2017.
– 30-days starts from date of purchase.