What is Routesetting in climbing? Why is it so unique?
Routesetting is the art of putting holds on the wall in a specific manner so that they create a challenging yet rewarding participant experience and correspond to a specific difficulty level.
2024 Climbing Escalade Canada Certified Routesetters
Updated September 17, 2024
CEC National Routesetting Pathway
The CEC National Routesetting Pathway is a system that aims to guide, develop and evaluate Canadian routesetters.
Goals
- Create a system to acknowledge the experience of current CEC Routesetters, and create a framework, and pathway that allows new setters to develop towards the National Level
- Balance Experience (Phase 1), Quality (Phase 2), Education (Phase 3) in a comprehensive program
- Align closer to the new IFSC Levels system which has been introduced in 2024
- Progressive implementation that resped Historical data, while still providing an inclusive pathway to National events
Events Team Composition
Being renaked into a Level doesn’t garantee a position on a CEC Setting Team, but each event’s Setting Team will be determined using a balance of levels. The goal is to adapt the composition of the setting team to the requirements of the specific event, while ensuring opportunities for new setters to join the team.
Application
To participate in the First Intake of the Program, as well as to mention your interest in being part of a CEC Setting Team for the 2024-2025 Season, please fill out this form: CEC National Routesetting Pathway – Intake Application Form
For questions or comments on this new Program, please contact the Routesetting Committee at [email protected]
Phase 1 – 2024-2025 Season
All setters are invited to apply for evaluation of their EXPERIENCE, and to be ranked in a National Level. The final list of Qualified Setters will be posted publicly, and setters will have the opportunity to appeal their ranking should they believe a mistake was made. To sort out applicants in Levels, the Grandfathering Requirements* will be used as follows:
*the Grandfathering Requirements will expire in Phase 2, and be replaced by the Progression Requirements
Phase 2 – 2025-2026 Season
Once historical experience has been tabulated, we will introduce the evaluation of the QUALITY of the setters. A clear evaluation process will be pilotted in the 2024-2025 Season, and launched in the 2025-2026 Seaon. These subjectives criteria will include Routesetting Skills, Forerunning (Testing) Skills, Teamwork Aptitudes, Professionalism. The Progression Requirements will then be introduced:
Phase 3 – 2026-2027 Season
No pathway would be complete without an EDUCATION Program to introduce new candidates to the routesetting skills, and refine the knowledge of Canadian Competition Routesetters. This program will be developed in Phase 1, and piloted in Phase 2. It will include workshops and certification. More information to come shortly.
Who are the Routesetters and what are their roles?
Head Route Setter (H.R.S.)
- The Head Route Setter is the primary person responsible for organizing, and leading the team of Route Setters, in collaboration with the Assistant Head Route Setter, toward the common goal of providing the highest level climbing competition for our Athletes.
- Complete Job Decription
Assistant Head Routesetter (A.H.R.S.)
- The Assistant Head Route Setter (A.H.R.S.) is the secondary person responsible for organizing, and leading the team of Route Setters, under the leadership of the Head Route Setter (H.R.S.), toward the common goal of providing the highest level climbing competition for our Athletes.
For certain events the A.H.R.S. may be used as an educator, or evaluator to allow room for new, or first time Head Route Setters to have the opportunity to lead the team. In this case it is expected that the A.H.R.S. will provide unwavering support, and help to the H.R.S. to insure a high quality event, and the development of the entire Route Setting Team. - Complete Job Description
Routesetter
- The Route Setter is an integral member of the Route Setting team. Under the direction of the Head Route Setter (H.R.S.) and the Assistant Head Route Setter (A.H.R.S.) Their job is to propose and test boulders and routes for CEC competitions and training events. The Route Setter should be hard working, willing to learn, and happy to take direction from the leadership team. The Route Setter is to help the team move toward the common goal of providing the highest level climbing competition for our athletes.
- Complete Job Descriptions
