Climbing Escalade Canada (CEC) is pleased to announce the launch of its Competition & Events Strategy Task Force and is inviting members of the Canadian climbing community to apply.
As our sport continues to evolve, CEC is undertaking a comprehensive review of the Canadian climbing competition system to help shape the future of competition in Canada. This initiative will examine how we can build a competition pathway that is athlete-centred, developmentally appropriate, accessible, sustainable and innovative.
Shaping the Future of Competition in Canada
Competition plays an important role in athlete development, from an athlete’s first local event to the international stage. The Task Force will look beyond individual events to consider how the entire competition system can better support athletes at every stage of their development.
The review will examine competition structures, formats, rules, qualification systems, routesetting, calendars and athlete progression. It will consider not only CEC-delivered competitions but also the broader Canadian climbing ecosystem, including events organized by Provincial and Territorial Sport Organizations (PTSOs), gyms, clubs, regions and other partners.
The goal is to develop recommendations for a coherent and progressive competition pathway aligned with CEC’s Long-Term Development framework, while considering the realities of Canada’s geography, organizational capacity and available resources.
Learn more bout the Task Force: 2026-2027 CEC Competition & Events Strategy Task Force
We Are Recruiting Task Force Members!
CEC is seeking approximately 9–11 members representing a diverse cross-section of the Canadian climbing community.
Who Are We Looking For?
- 1–2 Athletes
- 1–2 Coaches
- 1–2 PTSO Representatives
- 1–2 Gym Owners / Event Hosts
- 1 Routesetter
- 1 Technical Official
- 1 Long-Term Development / Athlete Development Expert
We encourage applications from individuals representing different regions, genders, climbing disciplines, athlete development stages, organizational sizes and levels of experience.
The Task Force will be chaired by CEC’s Executive Director, with additional CEC staff and subject-matter experts participating or being consulted as needed.
Timeline and Expected Outcomes
The Task Force will begin its work in Fall 2026 and present its initial recommendations to the CEC Board of Directors in June 2027.
Its work will take place in four phases:
- Fall 2026 — Foundation & System Analysis: Map the existing competition pathway, collect baseline data and establish guiding principles for the review.
- Winter 2026–2027 — Consultation & Competition Review: Engage stakeholders, assess the current competition system and explore alternative competition models.
- Spring 2027 — Recommendations: Develop recommendations for the future Canadian competition structure and present them to the CEC Board.
- Summer 2027 — Action & Implementation Plan: Following Board direction, develop a detailed three- to five-year Competition & Events Action Plan.
Interested in Joining the Task Force?
We invite individuals who are passionate about the future of Canadian climbing to contribute their experience, knowledge and perspectives to this important initiative.
Apply to Join
Help shape the future of climbing competitions in Canada.
Application deadline: October 19, 2026
Application form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeAwSu_NNq43oPj-gfWYJbqt-1ZVQyZe2uL73lc4rMLyuPNvA/viewform?usp=dialog
For questions about the Task Force, please contact CEC’s Executive Director at ed@climbingcanada.ca.
We look forward to working with the Canadian climbing community to build a competition system that supports athlete development and the long-term growth of our sport.
