GEARING UP FOR FLAIlFEST ‘24
The second annual FlailFest Bouldering Competition on November 9th is fast approaching, and it's gearing up to be an unmissable event. Here’s everything you need to know about FlailFest ‘24!
Schedule
8:30am - 9:30am Registration, check-in, select category, welcome and rules overview
9:30am - 10am Rules overview
10am - 3pm Qualifying bouldering round, all contestants
12pm - 6pm Sushi Sensei on site for meal purchase at the front desk
3pm - 5pm Intermission
3pm - close Post Falls Brewery Beer ticket for sale and consumption ($5)
5pm - 5:15pm Finals round overview and competitor announcements
5:15 pm- 7:30pm Onsight finals
7:30pm - 8:30pm Finals awards and closing ceremony
Spectacular Sponsors
We are excited to present our outstanding lineup of sponsors, whose generous support is helping to make this event truly exceptional.
Our awesome food & beverage sponsors are:
Post Falls Brewing Company is generously providing pints of beer for the event, and 100% of the proceeds from beer sales will go to the CDA Thousand Mile Club. This organization helps raise funds for the Coeur d’Alene High School cross-country team, which is one of the best in the nation, yet lacks extra funds for attending larger out-of-state meets.
Our other amazing sponsors are:
CAMP
And a special shout out to Edelrid for their extremely generous donations!
The Prizes
The total prize value for FlailFest exceeds $3,000! What makes this event even more exciting is the number of climbers who will be going home with fantastic prizes. Here's a glimpse of what's up for grabs:
Gamma chalk buckets
Chunky chalk
Doma coffee
Red Chili shoe certificate
Evolv shoe certificate
Scarpa shoe certificate
Sportsman & Ski Haus gift cards
Timberline Adventures Zipline Zip Tours gift certificate
Kids’ chalk bags
EP and SoiLL hangboards
Petzl Belay Devices
Gift cards
And that’s not all of the items we have to give away!
Who Will Receive Prizes?
Prizes will be awarded to the top three winners in 12 and under, and then the top three male and female in every other category except the Open. The top 5 male and female in the Open category will get prizes after the finals in the evening. That’s a total of 43 prizes!
FAQs
How exactly will the event work?
Our dedicated route setters will set a variety of challenging boulder problems, with each assigned a clear point value.
On competition day, climbers can attempt any boulder problem within the set time frame.
We have allotted 5 hours so that participants can choose when to climb to maximize their time and avoid crowding. Most people need 2-3 hours.
Judges will be stationed at climbing areas to verify climbs, initial competitors’ cards, and track scores.
Points will be given for a flashed problem (completed on the first attempt). The judges will keep track of the attempts.
At the end of the ‘redpoint’ style first round, climbers will tally their highest five point-value climbs to calculate their final score. Judges will calculate the total points and participants only need to circle the values.
Competitors will submit their point tally cards, and judges will determine the top competitors.
The top male & female competitors in the above 12 categories of the 5 age/skill level categories will receive awards. The 12 and under category won't be broken up by gender. Additionally, the five highest-scoring male and female climbers (whether they are in the Open category or not) will advance to the ‘Modified Onsight’ finals round.
The intermission will provide time for climbers to relax, eat, and socialize. We will also have an exciting Dyno contest for the competitors with a special prize during the intermission. During this break, the final problems will be set for the top 5 finalists.
We’ll gather for a heart-pounding final as the competitors climb the three new boulder problems under the lights, with winners selected based on route completion or progress.
The five top male & female competitors will receive awards, with the largest awards going to the top finishers.
Will your gym be open on the day of this competition for any regular climbing?
No, as the event will take up the entire gym.
Can my kids climb upstairs while the comp is going on?
Yes, if they are supervised and are members. We won’t be selling any day passes on comp day.
Who are the judges and how do you get to be one?
Staff and volunteers will be the event judges. Their role is to verify that the climber makes it to the top of the route and uses only the specified colored holds. There are a few more rules to explain, but it could be done in about 10-15 minutes. If you are interested in being a judge, please reach out!
What is the difference between the ‘onsight’ final round and the ‘redpoint’ first round?
Onsight is a common climbing term that means the climber finishes the boulder problem without falling and with no prior knowledge, view, or comment about the problem. They do the route "on first sight".
This year we are running a ‘modified onsight’ round, allowing the competitors to come out together and view the problems without touching them for 5-10 minutes before the start of the 4-minute attempts. Competitors will be quarantined out of sight of the finals set after this viewing and called individually to attempt the problems for all the spectators to watch. They will not be able to see the other contestants climbing.
The rest of the competition is ‘redpoint’ style, meaning they can see, hear about, and watch others climb, and try the problems multiple times themselves.
Will you allow walk-in registrations on the day of the event?
Yes, but the registration fee will increase by $10 and it’s possible the comp slots will fill up. We encourage you to register EARLY, but at least by Wednesday, November 6th.
How do I know what category to register for in the 18-39 division?
Participants select the appropriate category to compete in based on their typical redpoint abilities. For example, if you can typically climb up to V5, you should select the Intermediate category. If you can typically climb up to V6, you may choose to be in the Intermediate or Advanced category.
Please do not “sandbag” your ability to place higher in a category by choosing to compete in a category that is lower than your typical ability. You risk disqualification or being bumped up a category if we notice this happening.
How do I know if I should compete in the OPEN division?
If you can typically climb V8 and higher, we recommend choosing the OPEN division.
Is there a fee to be a spectator?
NO! Please come to cheer the competitors on, and enjoy this special climbing camaraderie.
Can spectators climb during the intermission?
No. This day is reserved for event competitors. However, parents can let their (12 and under) children climb upstairs on the mezzanine if they are supervised and are already members with signed waivers. No day passes will be sold on competition day.
Do spectators have to sign waivers?
No, but they cannot climb or use any of the fitness equipment.
How will you know who is a competitor and who is a spectator?
We will use wristbands to identify competitors.
Gym Closures & Hours
Wed 11/6 Closing early at 7pm. Partial wall closure
Thurs 11/7 Open but partial wall closure
Fri 11/8 Closed
Sat 11/9 Closed to open climbing for the competition
Don’t Miss Out!
FlailFest offers a great chance to connect with climbers from the region, test your skills, gain insights, and learn from others. Don’t want to compete? Just plan to come and watch! Enjoying the event as a spectator will be an incredible experience as well!
Register by November 6th to ensure you get your FlailFest beanie!
