There has been a lot of hype about the Blocfest series and now I know the reason why. TCA Bristol hosted the 4th round of the series last Sunday and I think I can speak for everyone that attended that it was an awesome event. The Blocfest team have got it down to a tee, led by the likes of Gaz Parry and Mike Langley, they provide all their own holds, specially made volumes, t-shirts, DJ’s, cash prizes and much more.
The qualifying round is made up of a 25 bloc tour, ranging from “really easy to seriously funky”. Jumps, pops, flicks, you name it they’ve got it. The quality of setting was outstanding with something for everyone. I finished up qualifying in 2nd place to fellow British team member John Partridge who cleaned up flashing all 25 blocs. Unfortunately I clattered my elbow whilst going for a hold on my last bloc. Frustratingly I sent it next go.
The top 5 male and female climbers from the qualifiers go through to a show case final. Following a world cup format with isolation, observation and a 3+, 3 bloc final. The men were:
James Squire (strong local youth)
Duma Brickhill
Hamish Potokar (another strong local youth & junior British team member)
Myself
John Partridge (British team member and all round nice guy)
Finalists, Photo Adam Gasson
Problem 1; was by far the hardest with John Partridge being the only one to gain the bonus. (Some might say “The Boys” over cooked that one naming no names Mike Langley)
Duma on Problem 1. Photo Adam Gasson
Problem 2; started facing out to the crowd with an all out dyno to a volume. I unfortunately got my sequence wrong at the top and dropped the last move on my first attempt and then failed to get back up there.
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- Psyching up for bloc 2. Photo Adam Gasson
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- James mid flight just about to catch the volume bloc 2. Photo Adam Gasson
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- Chalking the abrasion on my arm fron the dyno on bloc 2. Photo Adam Gasson
Problem 3; Started by pulling on upside down, gaining a toe hook and then doing a sit up to get you hands around the lip of the roof. Following that there was a really burly move up in to a slopey undercut volume. Once again I dropped the last move on my first attempt and then again on my last attempt.
bloc 3 photo Adam Gasson
An on-form John showed us and the crowd how it was done by sending it first go.
Final results were
1st John Partridge
2nd Ben West
3rd Duma Brickhill
4th Hamish Potokar
5th James Squire
Prize giving. Photo Adam Gasson
I want to say a big thanks to Blocfest for organising such an awesome event, TCA for hosting it and Adam Gasson for the amazing photo’s. You can see more of adams work on his website Adam Gasson.com and my sponsors Beyond hope, Evolv, Prana, & Metolius for the ongoing support.
Hey Ben, this is a great blog post. Pics are amazing – must head over the Adam’s website next! We’ve retweeted your blog link and shared it on our Facebook (hope it helps) and also if poss, can we would like to add it to our website. That OK?
Hi, thanks it was great comp and definitely check out Adam’s site, the photos are well worth a look. Thanks for the tweet and Facebook share and feel free to put it on your website. Cheers Ben
Nice one Ben, thanks. I am a member at Castle Climbing, North London and was at the Blocfest there late last year. Really great event. I hope to get to Biscuit Factory this weekend. All the best, Steve