Kiwis Grasp Top Spots in Bouldering Champs
17 Mar 2008
It's not a sport for the faint hearted - or clumsy. Bouldering is for the sure-footed, with athletes rock climbing without the aid of ropes or a harness.
More than 140 entrants from around the world have tested their mettle at the annual New Zealand Bouldering Series held in the Canterbury region of Castle Hill, well known for its limestone rockface.
Bouldering involves rockclimbing on boulders and rock faces anywhere between one and five metres high. Routes are called "problems" and climbers tackle these with the aid of rock shoes and a chalkbag.
Organiser Jamie Vinton-Boot says the event attracted entrants from around the world but it was local entrants who won the prizes. Second place in the event was enough to secure the overall title for Canterbury's James Morris.
Fellow Cantabrian Helen Sinclair won the women's category, but Wellington's Amie Jones secured overall honours for the series.
The event has been held since 1998, with the Castle Hill venue a favourite for its limestone rockface.
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