We’re excited to announce our upcoming event, Sun Bloc! We’ll be celebrating 9 years of Ground Up, with a 9-day boulder competition, and a big day-party. Read on for all the juicy details:
Competition Format
When?
The competition opens on 4th April at 4pm, and closes on 12th April. You can climb on the competition problems at any time during our open hours! Scorecards must be submitted by 2pm on the 12th for Open/ Finals competitors, and 4pm on the 12th for all other categories (Novice/ Youth/ Masters)
How is it scored?
You’ll be given a paper scorecard, and you mark how many attempts it took you to complete each climb. The aim is to climb as many climbs as possible, in as few attempts as possible!
Who can compete?
Anyone! The competition is open from complete beginners, to seasoned pros. Whether you’re in it to win it, or just starting your climbing journey, it’s a great opportunity to climb some fun problems! We have a bunch of categories to choose from:
- Open (V5+)
- Novice (V0 – V4)
- Youth (age 18 and under)
- Masters (age 45+)
Who goes into finals?
The top 6 climbers from the Open M and Open F categories will go through to a live finals at 6pm on 12th April. If you score a qualifying score in another category (e.g Youth), you’ll have the option to change into the Open category to enter finals.
How much does it cost?
Scorecards to the competition cost $10, and include access to all the activities available at the day party (sauna, plunge pool, free burger). Your scorecard does not include access to the climbing. You’ll need to be a member, punch pass holder, or buy a day pass to climb on the competition problems in the gym. Not a member already? Check out our 9-day Sun Bloc membership for only $80 (inc tax), which includes your scorecard!
If you qualify for finals, you do not have to pay entry to climb in the finals.
Day Party: 12th April
On the 12th April we’ll be culminating the competition with a day party! We’ve got events happening all day, including:
- LIVE BOULDER FINALS at 6pm.
- UNPARALLEL BOOT DEMO – test out their fleet of shoes!
- FREE on-site sauna sessions in a beautiful Secret Sauna Co sauna.
- FREE cold plunges provided by Plunge Wellness.
- FREE oat-based coffees and hot chocolates from Oatly.
- FREE protein energy drinks from GUD Drinks, to fuel your climbing.
- FREE Strait and Narrow cocktails for the evening wind-down.
- Everyone’s favourite Fox and Oak donuts.
and more yet to be announced!
Book your spot
Purchase your scorecard in advance, or go for a Sun Bloc membership! This includes 9 days of unlimited climbing, from open on 4th April 2025, until close on 12th April 2025. It’s only $80 (inc tax), and we’ll include the Sun Bloc scorecard for free!
SCORECARD ONLY
Already have a membership/ punch pass? Planning to tackle all the competition climbs in one session? This is the one for you!
MEMBERSHIP & SCORECARD
Go all-in: 9 days of membership to Ground Up, and a Sun Bloc scorecard. Use your membership to climb the competition climbs, train in the gym, or check out the rope climbing!
Our Sponsors
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to buy a day pass for the day party if I’m not climbing?
You can chat to the stalls and spectate the finals for free. If you with to take part in any activities, you will need to pay for a day pass, have an active membership, or be supervising a paying youth climber.
Is the climbing area open for normal climbing?
The ropes will be open all day as normal! The bouldering area will be accessible until 4pm. Please bear in mind, the gym will likely be busier than usual. We encourage you to take part in the festivities, even if you’re not competing!
Who qualifies for finals?
The top 6 climbers from the Open M and Open F categories will qualify for finals. If your score qualifies in another category (e.g youth), you will be given the option to change to the Open category to enter finals, or remain in your original category. If you are Non-Binary and score a finals-qualifying score, you have the option to compete alongside Open M/ Open F in the finals, or remain in the Open NB category (no finals).
How does scoring work?
You will be given a scorecard where you can track how many attempts each boulder took. You score 10 points for a flash (1 attempt), 7 points for 2nd attempt, and 4 points for 3+ attempts. This system is trust-based, and you don’t need anyone else to validate your scores.
You have from 4pm on the 4th April, until the 12th April to complete the climbs at your own pace. Open/ Finals competitors must hand in their scorecards by 2pm 12th April, and all other categories have until 4pm. Your scorecard must be handed in at the Front desk.
What format is the finals?
The finals will be a 4-minute walk on format with an observation period. If you’ve never entered a finals before – don’t worry! We’ll explain how everything works and support you on the day. Finals can seem scary, but they’re super fun!