Adaptive Climbing

Adaptive climbing makes climbing accessible to anyone with a disability. We change the sport to fit the individual instead of changing the person to fit inside a box of “typical” climbing.

Paraclimbing is competitive adaptive climbing. Paraclimbers will often compete in World Cup level competitions.

According to the IFSC, there are 4 umbrella categories and within each of those are 2-3 subcategories: RP (reduced power), AL (amputee lower), AU (amputee upper), and B (blind/visually impaired).

• AL1: the “seated category”; athletes are unable to use their legs to climb
• AL2: lower leg amputation either below the knee (bk) or above the knee (ak); athletes may choose whether or not to utilize a prosthetic
• AU1: upper limb difference in the form of a shoulder amputation; athletes will most often have 3 points of contact on the wall
• AU2: upper limb difference below the elbow; athletes will generally have the ability to make a hook shape with their arm to climb
• AU3: upper limb difference below the wrist; athleteswill generally have the ability to make a hook shape with their arm to climb
• RP1/RP2/RP3: a reduction in power/dexterity/mobility through any number of limbs or parts of the body; category is split up depending on the severity of one’s condition in terms of how much strength/power is able to be recruited; category accommodates a wide breadth of disabilities
• B1: completely blind; will often wear an eye mask and a headset which helps them communicate with their caller; callers assists them as they navigate the terrain on the wall by calling out the position and orientation of holds
• B2/B3: limited visual acuity or visual field; athletes will sometimes have a caller/headset with them and other times they will opt to climb without one while training

If you would like to learn more information about the IFSC classification system, check out this article:

• Classification Rules for Paraclimbing

It is important to note that this is most definitely not a perfect system and can fail to properly accommodate everyone. Please be considerate and empathetic to paraclimbers who identify as being a part of the disability community but their personal condition does not fall within a category set by the IFSC classification guidelines.

If an athlete uses a mobility aid/device (I.e. wheelchair, prosthetic, crutches, walker, etc.) please be considerate of the space it occupies on the floor while they are climbing. Ask the athlete directly if they would like help moving it before assuming that they need assistance. Do not touch another’s belongings without consent.

The Front is on the forefront of adaptive climbing. We strive to provide accommodations for any body anywhere inside our gyms and out in the community. Our goal is to integrate adaptive climbing fully while still providing specialized programs for adaptive athletes to get the support they need to rock it on the wall.

You do not need to pay anything extra to participate in Adaptive Climbing at The Front. If you are a current Front member, you may join for free. Guests may attend for a discounted day pass rate.

We have a variety of youth programming options including adaptive camps, NAC sessions, and large groups! View our programming above the FAQs on this page for all current offerings.

For large group inquiries, contact Adaptive program coordinator McKenna Mandsager at mckenna.mandsager@thefrontclimbingclub.com to book your group.

Please submit requests at least one month in advance.

In your inquiry, please provide information on the size of the group, a selection of preferred dates and times, and any accommodation needs you can foresee.

Absolutely! We want to help accommodate your needs to make our classes work for you. We will need a minimum of 48 hours to provide reasonable accommodation. One full week of prior notice to the class is preferred for larger requests.

Examples include earplugs or altered light/music levels for light and noise sensitivity, assisted physical support systems, priority classroom placement, minor class instruction adjustments, an interpreter or caller, etc.

You can fill out your accommodation form here.