In the traditionally male-dominated sport of bouldering, there are social barriers to participating as a woman or nonbinary person, and a Women’s+ category can temporarily remove those barriers in order for us to see more equal representation within a competition.

However, we fear that upholding these divisions may be perpetuating, rather than mitigating, inequity in climbing. This concern, of course, touches on a much larger discussion on gender and the systems that both exacerbate and attempt to resolve inequity.

We are curious about how eliminating gendered categories may help dismantle the barriers that, while arguably constructed in an attempt at fairness, ultimately sustain the status quo. We are not attempting to solve these issues at large, but we are hoping to take a small step in a direction that we feel will foster a better future for climbers of all genders. And, besides — we aren’t aware of any other local community comps that offer an alternative to gendered events. Beat the Heat fills that gap, providing a competition that doesn’t force a gender non-conforming climber to choose between male and female!

This year, we hope to see even greater diversity. We encourage climbers of all genders (and skill levels!) to participate to help us showcase and celebrate what we know to be true — that climbing is for everyone, and every body.

So come on down to our air-conditioned bouldering gym down in Echo Park on Saturday, August 2nd. Climb your heart out, grab a beer (on the house), and cheer on your friends!