Rustbelt Roadtrip Redpoint Series

R3S

R3S is a regional youth bouldering series for climbers 14 and under who are interested in learning about climbing competitions in a low-stress environment. Suitable for kids at all levels of experience and ability, but with a focus on entry level climbers.

Note: The 2026 series is a pilot with hopes to expand the program in 2027. To start, series organizers are from The Goat Fort, ASCEND, and Climb Youngstown, but we hope to bring more gyms into the fold as we progress. If you’re interested in learning more or joining the effort, send an email to [email protected].

How To Join

All youth climbers who register for any of the competitions that are listed below will automatically be enrolled into the Rustbelt Roadtrip Redpoint Series unless you elect to opt-out during registration. If you decide to participate (by not opting-out), there is no cost and the climber will be included as part of the series results, receive a free series sticker, be entered into the series-end raffle, and will be added to our email list to receive information about upcoming events.

Events

Why Join?

  • Develop climbing skills via a low stress intro to climbing as a sport!

  • Get a free sticker!

  • Get entered into a raffle to win climbing brand products and gym merch!

  • Get recognized for:

    • Overall rank (based on top 2 events)

    • Most improved (based on a minimum 3 events)

    • Most consistent (must attend all 4 events and based on standard deviation of scores)

    • And maybe more!

Ages

This series is open to all climbers ages 6-14. For the 2026 series, athletes will be entered into the following divisions based on their age as of December 31, 2026 and will align with USA Climbing categories.

  • U9: 8 and under

  • U11: 9 and 10

  • U13: 11 and 12

  • U15: 13 and 14

Scoring

Each gym will run scoring in the way they determine. However, your finishing rank in each event will determine overall series score. We will keep and present a scoring tracker throughout the series.

Note: Climbers of all abilities are welcome to join the series, however, those who qualify for USA Climbing’s Regional Championship and above will be designated as Elite Climbers and will be separately recognized in the series ranking. This is to uphold the primary mission of the series, which is to uplift newer climbers.

Format

Each bouldering competition will be run how the gyms decide, but it will be either a Redpoint or Modified Redpoint format.

  • Redpoint Format: This is the most relaxed style; you have a large block of time (usually 2–3 hours) to try any boulder in the gym as many times as you want, and only your top 3 to 5 highest-scored completions count toward your final total.

  • Modified Redpoint Format: This version introduces "attempts" into the score; while you still have a free-climbing period, your rank is determined first by how many boulders you topped, then by how many zones (mid-way points) you reached, and finally by the number of attempts it took you to get there.

Raffle

We want to make this fun and help incentivize participation. The more comps you compete in the more digital raffle tickets you earn! We’ll also award additional tickets for placement, most improved, and most consistent recognitions.

We’re still working on the details of this, but essentially the more you are involved the higher your chances are of winning some cool prizes at the end of the series! We’ll hold the raffle in person at the last event, but you don’t have to present to win.