What is it like to compete in Multiplayer Madness at Bruut Breda? In this competition review, I share my experience of this unique team event filled with creative bouldering challenges, teamwork, and plenty of surprises.
A unique team competition
Last week, I took part in what is probably the craziest bouldering competition of the year: Multiplayer Madness at Bruut Breda. It is a unique team competition where teams of three climbers take on a variety of creative challenges. I had participated a few years ago, so I had a rough idea of what to expect. Even so, Bruut had taken the creativity to an entirely new level this year. My team consisted of Ulf, Michiel, and myself, two strong climbers whom I know from my time climbing in Tilburg.
The event was very well organized. After checking in, each team received a schedule showing exactly when and where they needed to be for each challenge. Every challenge lasted fifteen minutes and was shared with another team. The number of attempts you needed affected the number of points you could earn.
We were excited to get started. After a short briefing, we headed straight to our first challenge. To begin, two climbers had to wedge themselves back-to-back to create the starting position. The third climber could then join in and continue towards the top. Ulf and Michiel needed a moment to get used to the concept, but we topped the boulder on our second attempt.
Creative challenges taken to the next level
I will not go through every challenge because there were simply too many. Instead, I will highlight a few personal favorites.
Some challenges were not particularly difficult but were incredibly fun. One of the early challenges required us to climb through a series of shipping containers. Other challenges were much more complex and demanded careful planning. Success often depended on figuring out the correct order of actions.
One memorable challenge featured holds mounted on movable wooden panels. While climbing, we had to slide these panels into designated slots to gradually create the actual boulder problem. Once a panel was locked into place, it could no longer be moved. A small mistake could make the rest of the climb significantly harder.
Not everything was about climbing
Not every challenge involved climbing. There was a photo challenge, a costume challenge where all three teammates had to remain balanced on a small volume, and a so-called prison challenge. The prison challenge was probably my least favorite. Three people had to squeeze into a small wooden box and wedge themselves as high as possible against the ceiling. It was not exactly comfortable.
Some challenges were all about speed. For example, we had to transport a banana from point A to point B, with each team member following a different route. The nice thing about these timed challenges was that you could make multiple attempts and keep improving your time.
Climbing in the dark
One of the biggest surprises was a challenge set entirely in the dark. When I first entered the gym, I had noticed a large curtain and assumed it was hiding the finals area. Instead, it concealed an entire challenge. Using only a blacklight, we had to navigate across different volumes and structures. The holds and volumes glowed in the darkness, making communication between teammates even more important than usual.
Teamwork is everything
My favorite challenges were the ones that involved actual climbing and close teamwork. Moving together across volumes, supporting one another, and literally keeping each other on the wall required trust and cooperation.
For every challenge, you were paired with another team. Officially, you were not competing directly against them, but that is certainly how it felt. Naturally, you wanted to outperform the team next to you. We were matched with a particularly strong team, and the competition between us was very close.
Missing out on the finals
Unfortunately, one challenge went completely wrong for us. Looking back, it probably cost us a place in the finals. In this challenge, all three climbers had to remain on the wall while repeatedly touching specific holds. It sounded simple, but the difficulty increased quickly. We completed the first two stages without much trouble. The third stage required us to jump onto a small volume. The first two climbers managed it without any issues, but every time the third climber joined, we lost our positions and fell off. It took several attempts before we finally completed the challenge.
Pizza, results, and the finals
After the competition, every participant received a pizza, which was included in the entry fee. Once again, the organization stood out. Everything was ready exactly when promised.
Then came the wait for the results. We were eager to find out whether we had qualified for the finals. Unfortunately, we finished in sixth place, while only the top five teams advanced. Although that was disappointing, it did allow us to relax and enjoy the finals as spectators. And the finals were spectacular. Bruut had truly gone all out. The finalists faced some of the most creative challenges imaginable. There were holds mounted on rotating discs, rings that had to be moved mid-climb, rotating beams, and many other bizarre obstacles. After each challenge, one team was eliminated until only two teams remained.
The eventual winners were the same team that had won previous editions. They secured victory with a spectacular finish that included a bathang. A well-deserved win.
I must admit I was a little jealous that we did not get the chance to try the final challenges ourselves. They looked incredibly fun. Between the final rounds, various sponsored prizes were thrown into the crowd. My own consolation prize ended up being a chalk bag that I managed to catch.
Conclusion: Multiplayer Madness Is highly recommended
Multiplayer Madness at Bruut Breda was once again a unique experience. The combination of creativity, teamwork, and bouldering makes it unlike any other competition I have attended. The organization was excellent, and every challenge felt original and well thought out.
I am already looking forward to the next edition.
