The new year has barely begun, and the calendar is already packed with exciting bouldering competitions. Last weekend, we traveled to Nijmegen to participate in the Alien Head competition at Grip NijmegenThis local event was all about the joy of bouldering, and the atmosphere truly reflected that!
A Revamped Grip Nijmegen
Grip Nijmegen underwent major renovations last year. The gym is now significantly larger, offering more space for climbing and training. A detailed review of this upgraded bouldering gym is coming soon, but for now, let’s focus on the competition.
The Alien Head event featured 25 boulders spread across the facility. Boulder 1 was the easiest, while Boulder 25 posed the toughest challenge. Each boulder was worth 1,000 points divided by the number of climbers who completed it. Flashing a boulder earned you an additional 10% bonus points.
Bustling and Vibrant Atmosphere
The competition attracted a large crowd of climbers, creating a lively and energetic vibe. While most boulders were well-distributed, there were a couple of spots where queues formed. This was slightly frustrating given the gym's size, as it could have been easily avoided.
I managed to complete the first 15 boulders fairly quickly. Unfortunately, I slipped on Boulder 12, ruining my flash attempt. However, I redeemed myself with a flash on Boulder 13, which included a challenging dyno to a pinch hold.
Technique and Perseverance
As the competition progressed, I steadily ticked off more boulders in Toplogger, leaving only two black-level problems.
The first black boulder was set on a vertical wall and demanded a high level of technique. Although my climb wasn’t the most graceful, I topped it within a few attempts, which gave me a huge confidence boost!
The final boulder required me to dig deep. The route began with a long throw to a rounded sloper, followed by a high heel hook into a tough shoulder press. After several failed attempts, I decided to take a break and focus on other boulders. Toward the end of the competition, watching other climbers make progress inspired me to give it another shot. With patience and incremental adjustments, I finally cracked the sequence. A little extra encouragement from my girlfriend helped me top the boulder, completing all 25 problems!
Sloper Challenge and Awards Ceremony
In addition to the main competition, there was a side challenge: hanging from a sloper for as long as possible. My time of 1 minute and 24 seconds was respectable, but not enough to secure a win.
After an intense day of climbing, it was time for the awards ceremony. To my delight, I finished in first place! My prize? A stylish Grip bag filled with essentials like a chalk bag, magnesium, and a brush - perfect for future climbing adventures.
Looking Ahead: Triggerfinger in Tilburg
Reflecting on the first competition of the year, I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out. In the coming weeks, my focus shifts to lead climbing as I prepare for the Triggerfinger competition at Neoliet Tilburg. Stay tuned for more updates!
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