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Flagship City Throw Down (2025)
Event Overview
The ASCEND Flagship City Throw Down, scheduled for Saturday, March 22, 2025, happening at ASCEND ERIE, is Erie's premier climbing competition, designed for anyone who likes a little friendly competition while having a great time! We'll continue to add to this event post, so please check back often for the most up-to-date information.
ITINERARY | SATURDAY, MARCH 22 | ERIE
9:00a - 11:00a: Youth Competition
11:30a: Youth Competition Awards
12:00p - 3:00p: Community Competition [Wave 1]
3:00p - 6:00p: Community Competition [Wave 2]
You may choose which wave you'd like to compete in when registering below, though, each has a maximum capacity, so don't delay in registering for your preferred wave. The split waves are meant to help alleviate some crowding and assist with scoring. You must compete within the times listed, no exceptions!
6:30p: Community Competition Awards
6:00p - 10:00p: After Party + Special Film Screening (Film to start at 8p)
See below for registration links and more information on all the things.
DETAILS FOR THE
YOUTH COMPETITION
The Youth Competition is for climbers 15 years and younger. It is a non-USA Climbing sanctioned event, but would also serve as great practice for those on a competitive track. That means that every youth climber is welcome to participate! We aim to make this competition fun, challenging, and rewarding for casual climbers, as well as those in the competitive circuit looking to stay sharp between phases. We strongly encourage both local and regional competitors to register for this unique experience!
FORMAT
CHECK-IN + COMPETITOR MEETING: Please arrive between 8 - 8:30a and be ready for an important Competitor Meeting to begin promptly at 8:45a.
From 9a - 11a, climbers will compete in a redpoint competition, which means that many climbs of varying difficulty will be set for the competition. All of the boulder problems are available to all of the climbers at once, and the competitors may attempt the climbs as many times as they wish within the given time period.
DIVISIONS
Competitors will be placed into the following divisions, based on their age on March 22, 2025.
STARFISH: 9 years and younger
SALAMANDERS: 10 - 11
FALCONS: 12 - 13
BIG CATS: 14 - 15
CATEGORIES
Competitors will self-identify into the following categories, via the scorecard during the competition:
WTNB [Women, Trans, Non-Binary]
MTNB [Men, Trans, Non-Binary]
*While ASCEND recognizes that gender is not a binary system, for this competition we are asking that competitors self-select into either the WTNB or MTNB categories. Thank you for your understanding.
ACCOLADES
Awards will happen shortly after 11a, but we'll need approximately 30 minutes to tally the results and get organized.
All competitors will receive a competition poster! We encourage you to get your fellow competitors signatures and written words of encouragement! We'll provide markers and stickers to dress them up after the comp while you're waiting for the results.
1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers in the respective divisions and categories will receive ribbons and prizes from ASCEND. 4th, 5th, and 6th place finishers will also receive ribbons.
DETAILS FOR THE
COMMUNITY COMPETITION
The Community Competition is for all ages and abilities of climbers. Like the youth competition, we aim to make this competition fun, challenging, and rewarding for casual climbers, as well as those seeking a legitimate competitive experience.
FORMAT
WAVES 1+2: To alleviate crowding and assist us with scoring, we're splitting everyone into two waves. You will select which wave you want to be in when you register. You will not be permitted to climb outside of the times of your wave.
CHECK-IN + COMPETITOR MEETING: Please try to arrive roughly 30-60 minutes before the start of your wave and be prepared for an important Competitor Meeting 15 minutes before the start of the wave.
Wave 1: Arrive between 11 - 11:30a and be ready for an important Competitor Meeting to begin promptly at 11:45a.
Wave 2: Arrive between 2 - 2:30p and be ready for an important Competitor Meeting to begin promptly at 2:45p.
From 12 - 3p or 3 - 6p, climbers will compete in a redpoint competition, which means that many, many climbs of varying difficulty will be set for the competition. All of the boulder problems are available to all of the climbers at once, and the competitors may attempt the climbs as many times as they wish within the given time period.
DIVISIONS
You know yourself best, so we're asking you to select which division you'll compete in. Please be aware that once scores have been reviewed, ASCEND reserves the right to move a competitor up a division, but never down. The reason for this is to be as fair as possible, and to prevent a stronger climber from entering themselves into a lower division, either by accident, or, in a nefarious attempt to ensure a first place finish.
JAZZ: V1-V4 | consistently sends purple circuit (V1-V3), often sends yellow circuit (V2-V4), works on blue circuit (V3-V5)
ROCK 'N' ROLL: V3-V6 | consistently sends blue circuit (V3-V5), often sends orange circuit (V4-V6), works on pink circuit (V5-V7)
CLASSICAL: V5-V8+ | consistently sends pink circuit (V5-V7), often sends red circuit (V6-V8), works on white circuit (V7-V9)
CATEGORIES
Competitors will self-identify into the following categories:
WTNB [Women, Trans, Non-Binary]
MTNB [Men, Trans, Non-Binary]
*While ASCEND recognizes that gender is not a binary system, for this competition we are asking that competitors self-select into either the WTNB or MTNB categories. Thank you for your understanding.
ACCOLADES
Awards for Jazz, Rock 'n' Roll, and Classical divisions will happen shortly after 6p, but we'll need approximately 30 minutes to tally the results and get organized.
1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers in the respective divisions and categories will receive ribbons and prizes from ASCEND. 4th, 5th, and 6th place finishers will also receive ribbons!
IN DEPTH
SCORING INFORMATION
REDPOINT ROUND
Climbers will compete in a redpoint competition, which means that many climbs of varying difficulty will be set for the competition. All of the boulder problems are available to all of the climbers at once, and the competitors may attempt the climbs as many times as they wish within the given time period, however, 10 points will be deducted for one's first, second, or additional, for a maximum deduction of 20 points on the climb's original point value. The climbs will be ranked from easiest to hardest and will come with incremental point values.
BASE SCORE EXAMPLES: 1 = 700 pts. | 6 = 2,400 pts. | 11 = 8,800 pts. | 16 = 200 pts. | 18 = 10,000 pts.
POINT DEDUCTION EXAMPLES
Climb #1 was flashed (completed on the first attempt) = 700 pts.
Climb #6 was completed on the second attempt, after just one fall = 2,390 pts.
Climb #11 was completed on the third attempt, after two falls = 8,780 pts.
Climb #16 was completed on the fourth attempt, after three falls = 180 pts.
Climb #18 was completed on the tenth attempt, after nine falls = 9,980 pts.
Each climbers' top five scores count toward their total number of points. 6th, 7th, etc. scores may come into play in the event of a tie. All scores must be peer judged by one person familiar with climbing rules who saw you complete the climb and LEGIBLY noted on scorecard.
AFTER PARTY +
Film Screening
Details TBA
FLAGSHIP CITY THROW DOWN
PRICING
These events take a lot of time and effort for us to host. Don't get us wrong, WE LOVE TO DO IT, but we're mostly striving to cover our costs. We aim to price these types of events not to make a large profit, but to provide value for you and sustainability for us.
Youth Competition
Through 3/19: $30 | $20 for A-Team Members (our youth climbing team)
After 3/19: $40 | $30 for A-Team Members (our youth climbing team)
Adult Competition
Through 3/19: $45 | $30 for active ASCEND Members
After 3/19: $55 | $40 for active ASCEND Members
ASCEND ERIE
FACILITIES CLOSURES
Don't forget that ASCEND South Side and Point Breeze will be open for you!
Tuesday, March 18 - starting in the morning... 2nd Floor Bouldering Room CLOSED for competition setting
Wednesday, March 19 - 2nd Floor Bouldering Room CLOSED for competition setting
Thursday, March 20 - 2nd Floor Bouldering Room CLOSED for competition setting
Friday, March 21 6 - 2nd Floor Bouldering Room CLOSED for competition setting
Saturday, March 22 - 2nd Floor Bouldering Room CLOSED for the competitions
Sunday, March 23 - 100% open for redemption
Note: Most yoga, fitness, and climbing classes will run throughout the week, but check calendars to ensure availability. During the competition on March 22, the 2nd Floor Bouldering Room and Fitness + Slackline Area will be closed to the public.