Routesetting is the art of placing holds on the wall so they create a challenging, rewarding experience at a specific level of difficulty. In competition, good setting separates the field fairly, tests the skills each category should be tested on, and keeps athletes safe.
CEC National Routesetting Pathway
The CEC National Routesetting Pathway is CEC’s system for guiding, developing, and evaluating Canadian routesetters. It recognizes the experience of current CEC routesetters and gives new setters a clear path toward setting at national events.
The pathway assesses setters on three things:
- Experience: a setter’s history of competition setting, used to place them in a national level.
- Quality: an evaluation of routesetting skills, forerunning (testing) skills, teamwork, and professionalism.
- Education: workshops and certification that introduce new candidates to competition setting and refine the skills of experienced setters.
The pathway is aligned with the World Climbing routesetter levels system introduced in 2024.
Setting teams
Being placed in a level doesn’t guarantee a spot on a CEC setting team. Each event’s team is built from a balance of levels, matched to the needs of that event, while making room for new setters to join.
Setting team roles
Head Routesetter
The Head Routesetter organizes and leads the setting team, working with the Assistant Head Routesetter to deliver the highest level of competition for athletes.
Assistant Head Routesetter
The Assistant Head Routesetter helps lead the setting team under the direction of the Head Routesetter. At some events, the Assistant Head Routesetter acts as an educator or evaluator, giving new Head Routesetters the chance to lead while supporting them to deliver a high-quality event.
Routesetter
Routesetters propose and test the boulders and routes for CEC competitions and training events, under the direction of the Head and Assistant Head Routesetters. A good routesetter is hard-working, willing to learn, and happy to take direction.
Get involved
Job descriptions for each role, the World Climbing routesetting guidelines for Boulder, Lead, and para-climbing, and the CEC routesetting forms are available in Resources.
For questions about the pathway or setting at CEC events, contact the Routesetting Committee at routesetting@climbingcanada.ca.