BXL Boulder Battle is a series of bouldering competitions open to everyone! Climbers can try selected boulders at participating gyms during events and specific periods. In this season we will organize 3 single day events – Birthday party at Petite Ile, MOF at Le Camp de Base, BBB Finals at A Bloc and 4 ten-day periods in 4 different gyms – A Bloc, Petite Ile, Arkose and Le Camp de Base.

To join the battle, you’ll need to create an account on Etto Climbing, select the competition, and log your climbs before the round ends. The exact times are indicated in the system. You will not beallowed to log any climbs once the round time expires. We recommend logging boulders immediately after you climb them, so you don’t run out of time at the end of the round.

 

Scoring:

• Each round consists of at least 30 boulders of all levels indicated at the start of the boulder by numbers from 1 to 30.

• Each boulder is worth 1000 points, split among all climbers who climb it: 850 points are divided among all climbers who reach the top and 150 points are divided among the climbers who reach the zone. 

• A valid top requires starting with the designated holds and feet and climbing to the top hold, which must be controlled for 3 seconds.

• A valid zone means that you must establish control of the zone hold, which means you need to either hold it securely while making a move either with your feet or hands or maintain a stable position on it. Simply touching the zone hold is not enough to earn the zone, you have to use the hold effectively to progress through the problem.

 

Ranking:

Ranking will be established by using the ELO system. The ELO system is a dynamic method (already used in other sports such as chess) that ranks participants' skills according to their performance throughout the competition. Unlike a fixed ranking, the ELO score evolves, offering a more accurate assessment of each climber's abilities.

The more rounds you participate in, the higher your potential ELO score can become! This is because each round gives you an opportunity to improve your ranking based on your performance and the performance of others. Consistent participation increases your chances to climb the ranks.

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Example 1: Exceptional Performance

Now imagine you outperform yourself in a round, climbing more boulders than usual. Even though the other climbers' skill levels haven't changed much, your exceptional performance gives you a boost.

• Result: Your ELO would increase significantly because the system recognizes that you’ve performed beyond expectations. The improvement in your score will reflect the impressive nature of your performance, rewarding you for your climb.

 

Example 2: Performance as Expected, but Stronger Climbers Join

Let’s say you are a mid-ranked climber, and you maintain your usual performance, climbing the same number of boulders as you typically do. However, this time, several stronger climbers join the competition.

• Result: Your ELO might stay relatively stable or even increase slightly because, although your performance was average, you were competing against climbers with higher rankings. You held your own in a stronger field, and the ranking system reflects that by not penalizing you.

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Example 3: Consistent Performance Against Similar-Level Climbers

Imagine if you were consistently climbing in a competition where participants are close to your level. Each round would produce small shifts in your ranking, depending on whether you performed slightly better or worse. But if you outperform in a few rounds or compete against climbers much higher than your current rank, you have a greater opportunity to earn bigger score boosts. Conversely, poor performance against much lower-ranked climbers would see your score drop faster.

This system rewards consistency and improvement, ensuring that climbers who push themselves, get higher rankings. 

 

Finals:

• You need to participate at least 3 rounds to establish your official ELO which you will need to gain access to participate in Finals.

• Male and female climbers will compete together against participants in their ELO range. E.g.: ELOs from 1000 to 2000 compete against each other, ELOs from 2000 to 2500 compete against each other, ELOs from 2500 to 3000 compete against each other.

• Each ELO range will have its podium of winners.

• Only a limited number of participants per each ELO range will be able to participate in finals. The registration will be on a first come first serve basis.

 

Important Notes:

• Results will be published live on-site and at www.etto-climbing.com.

• Ranking will be updated after each round.

• Climbers are responsible for accurately entering their results on time. Any form of cheating will lead to immediate disqualification.