Edmonton hosts North American climbing competition for first time

Rock climbers are competing in Edmonton's river valley in the North American Cup, a first for the city. CTV News Edmonton's Marek Tkach reports.

Rock climbers across North America are gathering in Edmonton for a weekend of competition.

The 2025 North American Cup Series is being held in the city for the first time at Louise McKinney Park.

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Adam Luciuk, one of the event organizers for the competition, told CTV News Edmonton how the competition could open doors for more sporting events to come to Canada.

“We’re excited to be able to help build the sport in Canada and in North America,” said Luciuk on Friday.

“With it being the first year, we wanted to showcase everything that Edmonton has to offer and give a good experience for the athletes, as well as the people who are traveling from all over to come here and compete.”

According to Luciuk, there are around 75 competitors and more than 100 volunteers and staff at this year’s event.

He said organizers are hoping the competition and various activities on the grounds, including climbing demonstrations and films, will hook some hopeful climbers into the sport.

“We want to try and get more people outdoors and (involved) with the sport … we’re happy to be able to have a great atmosphere for athletes, for the public to come and watch, and for people to interact with international athletes,” he added.

Hannah Breen, a young climber from Colorado, said Edmonton’s set up made for “a really cool climb.”

“I did a bunch of technical things and some heel hooks. A lot of the holes are pretty good, better than I expected and the last move was fun to jump,” Breen told CTV News Edmonton on Friday.

Friday and Saturday’s competition will consist of lead climbing, which is a technique used to anchor the climber as they ascend, and Sunday’s event will be made up of speed climbing.

The event concludes on Sunday.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Marek Tkach