Tour de Bloc is Approaching!

As we put the finishing touches to our new gym over the next week or two, we are getting very excited about our big launch event: our first Tour de Bloc bouldering competition. If you're not familiar with the Tour de Bloc, check out their website, and you can catch up a bit on our earlier blog post about it.

Our comp, on Saturday March 27th, will be the eighth and final local competition of the season for the Central region (Ontario & Quebec). After that come the Regionals at Centre d'escalade Délire on April 9th & 10th, and the Nationals at Joe Rockhead's on May 22nd & 23rd.

Jody Miall will be the head setter for the comp, as usual, and he will be ably assisted by our own Dustin Curtis. We'll be giving them plenty of time to get ready, so expect some great problems, including a few on our stalactite! Can you climb upside-down?

Because this is the major launch event for our new gym within the climbing community, we are pulling out the stops to make it a great comp. I have decided to add the gym's share of the gate receipts to the cash prize pool, and have also secured a few other contributions. We have the usual comp box provided by the Tour, and have added to it with contributions from other partners. A nearly complete list of those who have donated cash for the prize pool or prizes to be raffled off includes (in alphabetical order):

• Asana Climbing (our flooring supplier)
  
• Beta Clothing
• Bluewater Ropes
• Blurr
• BS Productions
• Climbing Hold Review
• Climb-It Holds
• Delire
• Detroit Rock Climbing Company
• Eldorado Climbing Walls
• Evolv Sports
• Grand Prix Kartways
• HoopDome
• IM Boulderer
• Metolius Climbing
• Mountain Equipment Co-op
• Petzl
• Project Holds
• Revolution
• Rock Empire
• So Ill
• Toronto Roller Derby
• Toronto School of Circus Arts
• Tour de Bloc
• True North Climbing

In all, the cash pool and raffle prizes add up to over $5000 in prizes to be given out at this comp. There are over 70 raffle prizes, ranging from chalk balls and T shirts to ropes, shoes, a hangboard and a crash pad. And there are some great prizes from our local partners in the Downsview Park Sports Centre as well. We also have a half time show planned, to entertain you between the end of finals and the announcement of the winners.

This is looking to be a great comp. Registration is now open at https://www.tourdebloc.com/TDB7/registration1.php. Don't think you need to be an amazing climber to participate, as the recreational category is there for those who just love to climb. We invite you to join us as we launch our new gym.