In 2023, Climbing Escalade Canada joined 11 other National Sport Organizations in participating in the RBC Training Ground Program. This program tests Canadian athletes aged 14-25 years old for speed, strength, power and endurance, in the hopes to find the next Olympic Champions.
This past year, the RBC Training Ground program tested 2,200 participants throughout Canada, and invited 100 participants to their National Finale in December, including 10 speed climbers. Of these 100 participants, 30 were then chosen as “Future Olumpians” and received funding from RBC to support their training.
Climbing Canada is proud to have two speed climbing join this list of 30 – Ethan Pitcher from BC, and Colby Sych from AB. Congratulations!
“The RBC Training Ground Program is a huge advantage for Canadian Speed Climbing. Not only do we see two athletes in the Top 30, we also saw a massive increase in popularity of speed climbing following the sport-specific assessments” says Christiane Marceau, Executive Director of Climbing Canada. “New participants were introduced to speed climbing, and have now chosen to focus their attention on this sport.”
Climbing Canada will join the RBC Training Ground Program again in 2024. Qualifying events are scheduled throughout Canada – join one near you!
