Paraclimber, Keith Lynch helps launch Paraclimbing Cup at EICA Ratho Finalcrux-9A come and try session for para-climbers is being held at the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena on Thursday, 7 December 2017 from 7-9pm.

Organised by Climb Scotland and the EICA, this will be the first get together for the Scottish Paraclimbing Club, who will be running the ‘Come and Try Paraclimbing’ session.

During the session, qualified staff will be on hand with access to specialist equipment to enable anyone with a disability to have a go and hopefully to get involved in this sport long-term.

The ambition for the club is to have weekly climb meets, club trips to various indoor venues, coaching sessions, outdoor climbing trips and training opportunities for members and volunteers.

Victoria McWhannell, Events Manager at Ratho said: “After the really successful Paraclimbing Cup that was held in September, alongside the IFSC World Cup, we have seen an appetite for sessions that might encourage people with disabilities to get into this sport.

“At the September event, out of the 204 competitors there were 42 men and 17 women that participated within the Paraclimbing Cup, which far exceeded our expectations. These competitors, despite their different disabilities which included visual impairments, amputations and health conditions, had different stories to tell and a common love of climbing. They were truly inspirational to everyone watching.”

Places are subject to availability and booking is advisable. Call 0131 333 6305 or email: bookings.eica@edinburghleisure.co.uk to book.

With 30+ venues including 10 swimming pools, 14 gyms, 1 climbing arena and 800+ classes per week, Edinburgh Leisure is the ‘biggest club in town’ providing the widest range of fitness classes, state of the art facilities and community based programmes across the capital, creating opportunities for everyone to get active, stay active and achieve more.

Hosts to the IFSC World Cup and Paraclimbing Cup, which will take place from 23-24 September at Edinburgh’s International Climbing Arena at Ratho, are reporting huge demand for tickets.

Tickets for Sunday’s finals and weekend tickets are now sold out but there are still a limited number of tickets for Saturday’s qualifications rounds. Spectators are encouraged to buy the remaining tickets now to see some of the best climbers and paraclimbers in the world compete.

Over the weekend over 77 climbers are already registered to compete across all categories – Lead and Speed, with climbers from Austria, Italy and Slovenia still to enter their teams; all strong nations in both categories. In the Paraclimbing Cup, registration is now closed with 63 climbers taking part in one of 9 climbing categories. Thirteen climbers are from the UK including Scotsman, Keith Lynch.

Sport climbing will make its debut at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 after being approved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as part of a package of five sports, all selected for their key focus on youth, which is at the heart of the Games’ vision for Tokyo 2020.

Lindsay Renwick, Head of Customer Operations at Edinburgh Leisure said: “We’re delighted with response to ticket sales for the Climbing World Cup at Ratho, where you’ll be able to witness the world’s best climbers and paraclimbers.
There’s obviously some keen interest ahead of sport climbing debuting at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 so if you don’t want to miss out on the action, we encourage you to snap up the last tickets for Saturday’s qualifiers.”

Stuart Turner, Head of EventScotland, said: “We’re delighted tickets have sold out for Sunday for this month’s IFSC World Cup and Paraclimbing World Cup with only a limited number left for Saturday’s session. This is an exciting time for the sport and Ratho is the perfect stage for people to see climbing first-hand ahead of its debut at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

“The combination of both world-class facilities and climbers promises an adrenaline packed weekend of action so I recommend you get in now if you want to secure one of the final tickets still available.”

Organised by EICA:Ratho, in conjunction with the British Mountaineering Council, and with support from Edinburgh Leisure, City of Edinburgh Council and EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate, this is the first time the IFSC World Cup has been held in Edinburgh since 2003 and the first time a Paraclimbing Cup has been held in Scotland.