Southern Utah University students and community members joined SUU Outdoors for the 2024 Luck of the Climb bouldering competition on Saturday, March 23, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fifty-five registered participants competed to win prizes, awards and swag bags.
This year’s competition invited those from the general public to take part in the event, something that hadn’t been heavily promoted in the years before.
“I’m not a student, so it’s cool that the locals can join here at community events. It’s really fun,” shared Alejandro Ruiz, a Cedar City resident. “I also like the casual atmosphere of the competition — it’s not super hardcore. People are just cheering each other on, and it’s good vibes all around.”
Another difference this year was a limited number of contestants.
“This year we had to limit [the competition] to 55 participants,” explained Baylee Jenkins, SUU Outdoors Coordinator. “Last year we had like 65 or 70, and it was just too much for our wall to handle. People weren’t getting enough climbs that they wanted, so we limited it this year, and it seems to be doing a lot better.”
The way the competition worked was that it was split up based on gender identity and personal skill level ranking.
“We’ve got men’s and women’s categories, and then beginners, intermediate and advanced in each,” explained Jenkins. “Then there is a first, second and third placement in each beginner, intermediate and advanced level. So essentially, there’s 18 winners total.”
Winners had the opportunity to pick from a variety of prizes, ranging from crash pads and shoes to climbing ropes and carabiners. The best-scoring participants also qualified to compete at the Utah Collegiate Bouldering Competition taking place on April 13 at Utah Valley University.
Jenkins urges students interested in getting into bouldering or climbing to stop by the climbing wall located in the J.L. Sorenson Physical Education building anytime Monday through Friday from 5-10 p.m.
“Come and check it out one evening,” said Jenkins. “Our staff is super friendly, and they are very willing to help everyone out.”
Use of the climbing wall, including equipment such as shoes and rope, are free to use for students. If you have any questions, talk to an SUU Outdoors staff member located at the climbing wall or Basecamp, located in the Sharwan Smith Student Center.
For any additional information, including summer hours and scheduling, see the climbing tower page on the SUU website.
Author: Gentry Wolf
Photographer: Gentry Wolf
Editor: Lily Brunson
outdoors@suunews.net
