The Bouldering Series is an exciting, annual climbing competition thrown exclusively for Climb So iLL’s community members and guests! Members and guests must collaborate to create teams of four in order to compete over the course of five weeks. After the scores are tallied, the top six teams, along with one wildcard team (7 total teams), will compete at the live, Onsight Finals to battle for ultimate victory. First place winners will receive a prize, along with their team name updated on the Bouldering Series plaque!

Throughout the five weeks of competition (Mar 23rd – Apr 26th), participants will log their sends in the KAYA app. Their top 5 sends each week will count toward their team score. Teams may consist of any combination of experience levels, as points are awarded on a relative basis according to the max grade reported by the participant at registration. The top six teams, and one wildcard team (7 total teams) will be invited to compete in a live Onsight Finals Event on May 2nd.

Teams must consist of exactly four climbers. Scoring is relative to each climber’s current ability, so teams can include any combination of beginner to advanced climbers. Teams are allowed one permanent climber substitution (at equal or lesser ability) for any reason, be it injury, illness, vacation, or something else. The original, replaced climber will be ineligible to rejoin the team. Please note: All team names must be appropriate for all audiences. Organizers reserve the right to request a name change if necessary.

Yes! Individuals may sign up as a “Free Agent” and have the opportunity to be placed in a team prior to the competition beginning. During the registration process you’ll be asked what your team name is, simply put “Free Agent” as your answer. Please note that being placed in a team is not guaranteed, as it will depend on the number of individuals that register as free agents.

Registration to compete is $39 per person. Non-members have the option to purchase a pre-paid membership for $50, that spans the length of the competition (March 23rd – May 2nd), in addition to the $39 registration fee. The pre-paid membership does not include climbing equipment. At the time of registration, participants will also have the option to add-on a Bouldering Series t-shirt for $20.

All Climb So iLL members can simply sign up online (only), on our website until registration closes on March 16th. Non-members wishing to compete will have the option to add-on and purchase a pre-paid membership that spans the length of the competition (March 23rd – May 2nd), at the time of registration! (Membership does not include climbing equipment.)

Along with general competitor details, at the time of registration you will be asked to provide: (1.) your climbing team’s name (individuals signing up without a team must enter “Free Agent”) (2.) your college team name (if applicable) (3.) college team’s school affiliation (if your team is affiliated with an official CSI school climbing club) (4.) your youth team name (if applicable) (5.) your max climbing grade (6. t-shirt size (if applicable) (7.) payment information.

Yes, having an official team name is required to complete your registration. College Club Teams may also register using both their official team name and their affiliated ‘College Club’ name. Youth Teams may also register using both their official team name and their chosen ‘Youth Team’ name. Please note: All team names must be appropriate for all audiences. Organizers reserve the right to request a name change if necessary.

College Club Teams will compete against all teams in addition to other competing college clubs, with rankings provided for both categories. Additionally, the top-performing college club team will be honored with a trophy!

A new category introduced this year! Climbers ages 17 and younger may form youth teams to compete in a sub-competition of youth-only teams, as well as compete against all other teams participating to make it to Finals, with rankings provided for both categories (similar to college club teams). Additionally, the top-performing youth team will be honored with a trophy!  Teams must be comprised of four participants in the age range of 17 and younger in order to be considered a Youth Team and compete in this sub-category. Participants do not however have to be on an official Climb So iLL youth/development team in order to sign up to compete.

Climbers should choose their max grade based on the difficulty of climb they can typically send within a single session (3-5 attempts).

The Bouldering Series will use relative scoring. Points for each climb are assigned based on each climber’s max grade reported during registration. Boulders will be eligible for scoring 7 days (Monday – Sunday) after they are set and visible in the KAYA app. Each individual’s top 5 sends each week will count toward their team’s cumulative score. Climbers must join The Bouldering Series 2026 KAYA challenge prior to logging any sends. Climbers are responsible for joining the KAYA challenge and logging their own scores. There is no alternate method of scorekeeping for this event. A Team Leaderboard will be live on KAYA (calculated and updated on a weekly basis.
• Climbers will earn 100 points for sending their max grade.
• Climbers will be awarded an additional 10 points for a grade above.
• Climbers will be awarded 20 points fewer for a grade below.

New boulders will be set on Mondays at alternating gyms each week, starting at the Power Plant. Competitors will have from Monday to Sunday after the set to complete new boulders.

Once climbers complete registration they will receive a confirmation email with these details and instructions. Also, once registration has been closed and all participating teams have been confirmed, climbers will receive a welcome email that includes all of the information you’ll need to kick-off the competition!

Rad! Once registration has officially closed and all participating teams have been confirmed, climbers will receive a welcome email from Chris Shultes that includes all of the information you’ll need to kick-off the competition.