faqs

• how can I sign up?

  • Read through the categories, schedule, and rules. 
  • Register through the Redpoint event of the gym where you wish to compete.
  • Registration and scoring is per gym. You must pay for registration at each gym you wish to compete at.
  • You will recieve an email with details of how to sign up for the event in Kaya, where you will select your division and skill level.
  • Enroll into the event in Kaya with your access code to record your scores.
  • Look forward to being a part of one of the biggest boulder competitions in the DMV & receiving weekly communications from your game hosts!

  Important Note: Registration is set for the last day of the comp. Don’t worry, you are signing up for the correct competition from 6/22 to 7/26!

   

   

• which category is best for me?

  Category Breakdown:

  Competitors can compete in the male/non-binary or female/non-binary division. Each division has skill levels to compete within.

  Divisions & Skill Levels:

  • Female/Non-Binary
    • Novice: VIntro – V2
    • Intermediate: V3 – V5
    • Advanced/Open*: V6+
  • Male/Non-Binary
    • Novice: VIntro – V2
    • Intermediate: V3 – V5
    • Advanced: V6 – V7
    • Open: V8+

  Choose the division and skill level you’re most comfortable with. Your skill level should reflect the hardest grade you are able to complete after multiple attempts.

  Important Note: The top 4 competitors in each gym within their division, regardless of skill level chosen, will be invited to the finals event.

  *Note About Advanced/Open skill level for the Female/Non-Binary division: To allow for increased finalist participation and ensure a competitive category based on prior years’ performance and participation, the 2026 event will feature a single skill level.

   

   

   

   

• what are the rules?

  Redpoint Format Technicals

  • Each boulder problem with the Summer Smackdown tag will have a designated point value.
  • Competitors can attempt as many times as they like to complete each boulder problem.
  • Flashing* a climb gives you the full points for the boulder.
  • One point is deducted from the total value of the boulder if there is more than 1 attempt.
  • No more than one point will be deducted regardless of the amount of attempts (try 99 times, and it’ll still be -1).
  • All volume/natural features are able to be used as hands or feets.
  • Holds on volumes marked for different climbs, however, cannot be used.

  Definitions & Other Technicals

  • A successful attempt must include:
  • The boulder be started with both hands on the start hold(s) and foot off the ground in a controlled manner.
  • The boulder be finished with two hands on the final hold (or top rail of the wall when designated) with both hands, displaying control for at least two seconds.
  • The first attempt is defined as the first time both feet leave the ground.
  • The only exception is if a hold spins or breaks on the climber’s first attempt, which results in a technical incident. Notify a staff member immediately and all attempts on the climb will cease until corrected.
  • Once the climb is corrected, a competitor will have 1 additional opportunity to regain flash bonus.
  • *Full Flash points can only be achieved if you finish a boulder problem on your first attempt.

  Bumping Technicals

  • The competition referees will check for any outliers in each category and will bump anyone who should have been in a different skill category based on a predetermined threshold and/or incompatibilities with the rest of their category.
  • Bumping will happen after the wrap-up of the redpoint competition when the contenders for finals are being determined.

  Cheating Technicals

  Anyone found to be cheating will be immediately disqualified after a preliminary investigation where multiple testimony or hard evidence is received and/or discovered. Be honest, people will and do notice.

  • Cheating can include:
  • Counting the flash bonus when not applicable.
  • Logging a send when not applicable.
  • Not logging certain sends to stay in a skills category (sandbagging).
  • etc.

   

   

   

   

• what is the price?

  • Eary Bird Registration: $30
  • Regular Registration: $40
  • Registration and redpoint comp closes on July 26!

   

   

• what can I expect from the routesetting?

  The Summer Smackdown routesetting ethos:

  • At the end of the day we are all climbers with unique strengths and skill sets. Our setting team will do their best to allow each variety of climber to find challenge and success within their category.
  • Route setters will set climbs that reward the problem solvers, efficient movers, good sequencers, and courageous thinkers-outside-the-box; just as much as hand strength, coordination, and power. By creating a well-rounded challenge we hope the best climbers rise to the top through a fair and equitable field of play for every climber.

   

   

   

   

• how do I prepare for Summer Smackdown?

  • First time competing? Or not sure whether you should sign up? No problem – we’ve got some resources that will help you build your knowledge on comp climbing!
  • Check out Comp Climbing 101 to get the basics on types of competitions and commonly usederminology.
  • This guide will help you strategize at a modified redpoint competition! Start here to learn about tactics and decision-making skills to help you maximize your comp experience.

   

   

   

   

• what is the schedule?

  • Early Registration (with shirt presale): 5/4 to 5/31
  • Registration: 6/1- 7/26

  Competition (6/22 – 7/26)

  • Locations: Columbia, Crystal City, Hampden, Rockville, and Timonium
    • Each gym will be hosting an independent competition. If participants want to compete at more than 1 gym they must register and pay at each gym.
  • Dates: 6/22 to 7/26 (5 weeks)
    • New boulder problems associated with Summer Smackdown will be set every week starting on 6/23.
    • All Smackdown boulders will be available to be climbed and scored until the end of the redpoint competition (7/26).
    • As the weeks go on, there will be more & more Summer Smackdown boulders available to be scored.

  Finals Competition + Event Party (8/1)

  • Location: Columbia
  • Date: 8/1
  • Time: TBD

  • The top 4 competitors from each gym in each division in the Open categories will be throwing down for the crown!
  • There will be a redpoint preliminary round to get down to the top 6 competitors for each division, and a grand final iso round in the evening to crown our winners!
  • Join the biggest party of the year to watch spectacular performances on the wall, be a part of hundreds of dollars of raffle giveaways, a vendor village, and more.