What you need for a bouldering competition
A bouldering competition needs more than climbing walls and routes. You need a clear system for scoring, visible route markings, enough equipment for competitors and judges, and a practical setup for registration and refreshments. Plan quantities around your participant limit and add spares for items that get lost, damaged or run out during the day. This list covers the supplies to buy or bring, from bib numbers and score sheets to chalk, brushes, crash mats and prizes.
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Tablesqty 6
- Chairsqty 30
- High tablesqty 4
- Bar stoolsqty 8
- Clothes racksqty 2
- Bollardsqty 12
Tableware
- Reusable cupsqty 150
- Platesqty 100
- Cutlery setsqty 100
- Serving plattersqty 12
- Coffee cupsqty 50
Sports equipment
- Bib numbersqty 80
- Score sheetsqty 120
- Clipboardsqty 12
- Pensqty 40
- Route mapsqty 100
- Route arrowsqty 30
- Race tapeqty 12
- Climbing tapeqty 20
- Chalk ballsqty 30
- Chalk bucketsqty 12
- Brush setsqty 20
- Crash matsqty 4
- Stopwatchesqty 8
- Spare climbing holdsqty 30
- Prize trophiesqty 9
- Medalsqty 30
Equipment
- Laptopsqty 2
- Tabletsqty 4
- Printer
- Extension cordsqty 6
- Power stripsqty 6
- Speaker
- Microphone
- Timer display
Kitchen
- Coffee machinesqty 2
- Kettlesqty 2
- Coolersqty 4
- Thermos flasksqty 4
- Pliersqty 6
Decorations
- Competition postersqty 8
- Directional signsqty 12
- Tableclothsqty 8
- Name stickersqty 100
Cleaning
- Waste binsqty 8
- Dustpan and brushqty 3
- Mopsqty 3
- Bucketsqty 3
Lighting
- LED lampsqty 6
- String lightsqty 4
Catering
- Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Stir sticks - 200 pieces
- Still water - 8 bottles
- Sparkling water - 8 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Sports drink - 48 bottles
- Paper napkins - 300 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- White rolls - 80 pieces
- Whole wheat rolls - 40 pieces
- Cheese slices - 3 kilos
- Ham - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Cream cheese - 6 tubs
- Peanut butter - 3 jars
- Jam - 3 jars
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Bell peppers - 20 pieces
- Apples - 80 pieces
- Bananas - 60 pieces
- Grapes - 6 kilos
- Muesli bars - 100 pieces
- Nut bars - 60 pieces
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Pretzels - 6 bags
- Rice cakes - 6 packs
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles
Tips
- Prepare one bib number, score sheet and pen for every competitor, then add at least 10% extra for replacements and late changes. Keep the sheets on clipboards so judges can write while moving between problems.
- Mark every route with a route map, route arrows or climbing tape before competitors arrive. Bring spare tape and a few spare climbing holds so route builders can fix unclear or damaged problems on the day.
- Provide one chalk ball per competitor for a single round, or about two per competitor for a full-day event. Set out chalk buckets and brush sets at the climbing area, with extra brushes available for busy sections.
- Use one stopwatch for each active judging or start area, plus one spare. Keep race tape and bollards ready to separate queues and spectator areas without blocking access to the walls or crash mats.
- Order trophies or medals at least 2β3 weeks before the competition and match the quantity to your categories. Set up tables, chairs and any high tables before registration opens, and test the printer, laptops and tablets the day before.
Frequently asked questions
- How many score sheets and pens do I need for a bouldering competition?
- Prepare one score sheet and one pen per competitor, based on your final participant limit. Add 10β15% spare sheets and at least 10 extra pens so a lost or dry pen does not interrupt judging.
- How much chalk should I buy for a bouldering competition?
- Plan one chalk ball per competitor for a short competition and two per competitor for a full-day format. Also provide chalk buckets at the venue and keep roughly 10% extra chalk available for replacements.
- How many crash mats are needed for a bouldering competition?
- Use enough crash mats to cover every landing zone specified by the climbing gym, with no gaps around active problems. Confirm the required number with the venue at least 2 weeks before the event, since wall layout and existing mats determine the final quantity.
- When should I order medals and trophies for a bouldering competition?
- Order medals and trophies at least 2β3 weeks before competition day. This gives you time to check the category count, correct engraving or quantity errors, and arrange replacements if an item arrives damaged.
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