Dockmasters 2025 Bouldering Competition Review

My first big bouldering competition of the year is over - Dockmasters 2025! And what an experience it was. I attended on Saturday, and the event did not disappoint.

Arrival and First Impressions

Around 12:30 PM, we arrived at Energiehaven in Utrecht. After scanning our tickets and receiving our entry wristbands, we walked straight into the hall. We arrived early to catch part of the pro qualification rounds. The women were still battling their boulders, giving us a great preview of how tough some of the routes were.

While the qualifications continued, I took a walk around to check out the boulders set for the recreational category. A total of 60 boulders had been set up, and we had 3.5 hours to climb them. One thing that stood out immediately was how well-distributed the boulders were throughout the gym. There was plenty of space, preventing crowding and allowing everyone to climb freely.

The Competition Begins

At 2:30 PM, it was time to climb! My girlfriend kept track of my score and cheered me on as I flashed my first 10 boulders in quick succession. Flashing was crucial since a second attempt only awarded half the points. In the first hour, I managed to climb nearly 30 boulders, giving me enough time to focus on the harder problems later.

Outdoor Bouldering and Challenging Routes

Some boulders were set on the outdoor climbing wall. Luckily, the sun broke through in the afternoon, making it a fantastic experience to climb outside. Towels were available to clean and dry our climbing shoes. However, I made a mistake on a relatively easy boulder, costing me a flash attempt.

Inside, the toughest challenges awaited. Some of the pro qualification boulders were also included in the recreational routes, meaning we could truly feel the difficulty level. I managed to top some, but others were simply out of reach. One of the women's campus boulders seemed doable - until I actually felt the tiny holds. A completely different story!

The hardest problem for me was a red boulder with a dynamic rightward jump. The jump itself was fine, but I struggled to get my foot placement right. After more than 20 attempts, I finally stuck it and topped the boulder. Such a satisfying moment!

Special Boulders and Atmosphere

n addition to the regular boulders, there were two problems set on the Kilter Board, as well as a specialCrushClubboulder. This one was particularly creative—a table-shaped boulder requiring climbers to pass under it twice in a figure-eight motion. A fun and unique twist to the competition!

By 6:00 PM, I was completely exhausted. I finished with 55 topped boulders and a score of 852, and I was pretty happy with my performance. With so many participants and well-spread routes, I had no idea where I ranked compared to others.

Evening Program and Finals

After climbing, we enjoyed a delicious vegan chili con carne bowl with rice and guacamole. The food pickup was smooth and well-organized. Then, it was time for the pro semi-finals. Before the round started, some fantastic prizes were handed out, and the top 3 recreational climbers were announced. To my surprise, I placed third—an achievement I was absolutely thrilled about!

The semi-finals were spectacular. Twenty climbers had five minutes per boulder, and as the competition progressed, the energy in the venue intensified. Unfortunately, the Dutch competitors struggled against the strong international field. Want to watch the competition? Click here

Conclusion: An Unforgettable Experience

The competition setup, the chance to see elite climbers in action, and the incredible boulders made Dockmasters 2025 a fantastic experience. Besides taking home a great prize, I also walked away with some serious muscle soreness—the perfect souvenir from an amazing day!
Did you compete in Dockmasters? Share your experience in the comments!