CEC competitions follow the World Climbing (formerly IFSC) rules, with amendments for Canadian events approved by the CEC Board each season. This page explains the formats used at CEC events.
Competition rules
CEC adopts the World Climbing rules for all its sanctioned events, and may amend them for situations specific to Canadian competitions. The current World Climbing rules, CEC rules amendments, competition regulations and the CEC event uniform code are in Resources.
Boulder qualification: flash format
CEC uses the World Climbing flash format for boulder qualification rounds.
- Each category climbs 6 problems, split into two sets of 3. Half the field starts on problems 1–3 and the other half on 4–6, then they switch after a longer break.
- Athletes have 4 minutes per problem, with as many attempts as they need, followed by 4 minutes in the rest chair.
- There’s no isolation. The gym opens before the round for warm-up and observation, and beta videos are posted on the CEC YouTube channel before the round.
- Athletes who miss their turn at the start of a set can’t climb that set, but can still score on the other one, so check both start lists.
- No coaching or beta during the climbing period; communication is allowed during rest.
The 15-second rule and transition zone
- 15 seconds between climbers: in boulder qualification and finals, there’s a 15-second gap between one athlete and the next. It gives athletes time to leave the field of play and judges time to finish scoring. Athletes may not touch the wall or brush holds during this time.
- Transition zone (finals): between boulders, finalists wait in a screened area with rest chairs instead of in front of the wall. It matches World Climbing events, keeps athletes in the same place after each boulder, and keeps them isolated from coaches, parents and the public. Outside communication isn’t allowed there.
Speed climbing
Speed has been a standalone Olympic medal event since Paris 2024, and CEC is building a dedicated speed program to identify and support athletes. Canadian records, as of September 2026:
Senior records
- Female: 7.81 s, Avery MacDonald (World Climbing Series, Kraków, July 3, 2026)
- Male: 5.174 s, Ethan Pitcher (2026 World Speed Series, Chamonix)
- Female relay: 16.68 s, Aleya Morin and Avery MacDonald (2026 World Speed Series, Kraków)
- Male relay: 11.02 s, Ethan Pitcher and Dylan Le (2026 World Speed Series, Guiyang)
- Mixed relay: 13.40 s, Alexander Kovats and Avery MacDonald (2026 World Speed Series, Kraków)
Youth and junior records
- U21 male: 5.340 s, Alexander Kovats (2026 NACS, Bridgeport)
- U21 female: 8.063 s, Elise Villeneuve (2026 Speed Nationals, Saanichton)
- U19 male: 5.658 s, Bruce Kong (2026 Speed Nationals)
- U19 female: 7.827 s, Avery MacDonald (2026 Speed Nationals)
- U17 male: 6.379 s, Nicholas Hsu (2026 Speed Nationals)
- U17 female: 8.470 s, Avery MacDonald (2025 Youth World Championships, Helsinki)
How a record is recognized
- Event: Olympic or Pan American Games, a World Climbing–sanctioned competition, a continental event (such as Pan Am or NACS), a CEC-sanctioned event, or a selected world or multi-sport event.
- Athlete: must be a Canadian citizen.
- Wall: approved by a CEC, national or international federation representative; built to the World Climbing standard, with certified speed holds (not training holds) and an approved electronic timing system. The event lead or jury president submits the CEC speed wall certification form, which is in Resources.
Appeals and discipline
Appeal and disciplinary action forms are in Resources. Each event’s appeal deadline and fee are set out on its event page.
Questions
Email competitions@climbingcanada.ca, or speak to the technical delegate or jury president at the event.