Blocfest @ TCA

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.

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.