FAQ

• gender & skill categories

  Category Breakdown:

  Competitors can compete in male, female, or non-binary categories at each skill level:

  • Novice: VIntro – V2
  • Intermediate: V3 – V5
  • Advanced: V6 – V7
  • Open: V8+

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

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  Important Note: For a gender and skill category to compete in semi-finals, there must be at least 10 competitors within that category across the DMV. If a gender category does not have enough participants to create a bracket, dependant on their perfomance, they may be invited to compete in another category.

• schedule & progression

  Registration: 5/16 to 7/27

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  Redpoint Competition (6/23 – 7/27)

  • 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: 6/23 to 7/27 (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 (7/27).
    • As the weeks go on, there will be more & more Summer Smackdown boulders available to be scored.

  Semi-Finals Competition (8/2)

  • Location: Hampden
    • The top 2 competitors from each gym in each category will be invited to a regional semi-finals competition.
  • Date: 8/2
    • Novice & Intermediate category finalist competitors will conclude their competition with semis.
    • Top 6 competitors from Advanced & Open categories from semis will be invited to compete in finals.
  • Time: To be announced on website (movementgyms.com/summer-smackdown)

  Finals Competition + Event Party (8/9)

  • Location: Columbia
    • The top 6 competitors regionally in the Advanced & Open categories will be throwing down for head honcho!
    • Join the biggest party of the year to watch spectacular performances on the wall, be a part of hundreds of dollars of raffle giveaways, and more.
  • Date: 8/9
  • Time: To be announced on website (movementgyms.com/summer-smackdown)

• scoring

  From June 23 through July 27, 2025, our bouldering areas will be re-set section by section.

  • As each section is set, the Smackdown problems in that section will receive a grade, and a point value.
  • Scores will be calculated by totaling all the point values of the boulder problems completed by a competitor during the 5-week period in a red-point format.
  • Participants will record their scores in Kaya!

  The top 2 competitors from each gym in each category will be invited to compete regionally in Semi-Finals!

• 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 pre-determined threshold and/or incompatibilities with the rest of their category.
    • Bumping typically happens in two waves, at the start of week 3 of the redpoint competition, and after the wrap-up of the redpoint competition when the contenders for semis 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.

• event tank-top

  Limited Edition Summer Smackdown 2025 Tank Top

  • Purchase a limited edition competition tank top while supplies last in your gym’s retail store!
  • Tank top is not included with competition registration.
  • Price and tank top preview will be available soon!

• 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.