Bubble Wrap Season
The 2025 IFSC Boulder World Cup season is fast-approaching in April!
It's been a busy month since we last checked in!
Let's go back to February:
February started with a bang. While out west for the High Performance Competition, Zach and I each had our share of setbacks—he picked up a shoulder injury, and I got hit with food poisoning. After that, we flew to Toronto to compete in Bloc Buster, the local competition at our family gym, Climber's Rock.
Zach made the tough but smart decision to sit this one out to avoid aggravating his shoulder. I, on the other hand, started feeling better just in time for the competition—and I’m happy to report that the first event of the 2025 season ended with a win!
Bloc Buster at Climber's Rock has been my nemesis for almost a decade. No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t seem to win it. I placed 2nd in 2017, 2018, and 2019, and just as I was preparing for a rematch in 2020, COVID hit, putting the competition on hold for five long years.
Returning in 2025 to finally win—after marrying into the family that owns Climber's Rock —was an incredible full-circle moment, and an achievement I've had my eye on for eight years. You can watch the recap here:
Two weeks later, we were back home in Montreal, gearing up for another competition—Bloc Shop’s Dark Room Open!
This event was unlike any other in today’s competition scene. Dark Room Open was a throwback to the old-school era of climbing comps. They brought in outdated, 2000s-era holds that tested a completely different skill set from modern competitions—pure pulling power!
Honestly, our YouTube recap does a better job of capturing the sheer difficulty and hilarity of this event. Taped holds, crimps on every boulder, no designated start feet—it felt like stepping straight back into 2006.
The contrast to Bloc Buster—and the upcoming World Cups next month, with their massive volumes, coordination jumps, and no-texture holds—couldn't have been sharper. To my surprise, the old-school style was an absolute blast!
This competition could have gone in any direction. While I’ve practiced this style extensively in the past, I don’t train it regularly due to today's trends. Nonetheless, I was coming out of a power phase in my training, and it translated beautifully to this style. I managed to pull off another win!
You can check out the full recap here:
After the Bloc Shop competition, things quieted down a lot for us.
After the Bloc Shop competition, things quieted down for us.
Zach sat out both Bloc Buster and the Dark Room Open and is still dealing with his shoulder injury. With the first World Cup of the season fast approaching on April 18 in China, he’s made the tough but smart decision to skip it and take another month to heal and train.
I’m really disappointed for him—I love competing alongside Zach at World Cups—but I know he’s feeling it even more. Fingers crossed his shoulder heals up in time for him to come back strong later in the season.
As for me, I’m going full steam ahead with training, which actually means I’m tapering my volume. Sessions are getting shorter, and I’m starting to feel that extra pop on the wall. It’s an exciting shift!
But that also means it’s officially bubble wrap season. I’m being extra cautious to avoid both minor and major setbacks. I have an unfortunate habit of catching colds whenever I travel and somehow managing to cut my finger in the kitchen at the worst possible time in the season.
From now until September, I’m doubling down on handwashing and masking up in crowded spaces. I refuse to get sick this season!
But before heading off to China, there’s one more local comp on the schedule—Mile End Send at Allez Up. I’m really looking forward to this one, especially after how fun and challenging last year’s event was!
As always, you can check out our full season calendar here.
Psssssst... 🐔✨
The Chicken Chalk Bags are officially back on sale! If you’ve been waiting to get your hands on one, now’s your chance!
These feathery little friends won’t stick around for long, so grab yours before they fly the coop!
Chicken Chalk Bucket
The fan-favorite Chicken Chalk Bags are officially back in stock! With their soft interior, secure drawstring closure, and standout design, they’re a fun and functional addition to any climber’s gear.