The 2026 NZAC National Indoor Bouldering Series kicked off in style at Faultline, Wellington on 22–23 May. This was the largest climbing event ever held in New Zealand, with over 400 entries surpassing the previous record set at the same venue in 2024.
The competition season is now in full swing, with the first Lead and Speed World Cup events of the year following on from Boulder. A strong New Zealand contingent also competed at the Australian Youth Nationals, with some great results.
If the grade sticks, bouldering has reached a new level: 9A+ or V18.
Competition climbing
NiBS rounds are the biggest indoor climbing events in the country, with over a thousand...
Oskar Wolff has made the first ascent of one of Flock Hill's most coveted projects...
George Sanders has made the first ascent of a new hard boulder in Turakirae Head's...
Climber on boulder at sunset.
Charlie Creese is an enigmatic figure for those of us who started climbing after the...
By this point I was completely wrecked. I was four days on and with the...
Visions is a new film about Kura Tāwhiti and the experience of climbing there. Check...
Sefton Priestley has been a major player in New Zealand rock climbing for several decades...
With the World Cup season all over, many dedicated competition climbers have been making the...