This year’s Olympic bouldering and speed climbing competitions drew an incredible audience of 6,000 people in attendance.
Thanks to the growing access to an indoor climbing wall, the plastic holds have found their way into the heart of the mainstream. This year’s Olympic bouldering and speed climbing competitions have seen a full 6 k audience, and that could be easily doubled. Our teammates- Haley and Ryan were there to watch speed records and well-rounded athletes tested on endurance, slabs, dynos, and their technique. This year had also strong female presence and bigger than ever media attention. The popularity of the sport brought money and solidified climbing careers which in return will help athletes excel at a higher level quicker and push more. Gone are the days of hoping for a dentist salary- being Olympian in Canada also means AAP founding and school paid. And if that still seems out of reach for many- the new era of dirtbagging has come- engineering job while hanging at the crag- that’s where it’s at.
Author: Karolina Krakowiak, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
Haley and Ryan at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
Located in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, the Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival is a globally recognized event and tour celebrating the beauty, adventure, and culture of mountains globally. The nine-day festival will be held from October 26 through to November 3 this year and features over 70 events, bringing films and stories of adventure and exploration from around the world to Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity in Banff, Alberta. The festival showcases live events with adventurers, authors, photographers, and filmmakers sharing their inspiring stories.
Online films are available in Canada and the United States from November 6 to 13.
Please visit banffcentre.ca/film-fest for more information.
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