Rock the Blocs 2026
We’re back for another year! Rock the Blocs 12 will be happening this September at the Kelowna Boulderfields.
This will be the 12th annual Rock the Blocs, 13 years since the first edition back in 2013. The festival brings together climbers from across the country (and beyond) to explore the world-class gneiss, push their limits, and celebrate the community that makes the Okanagan special. We are proud to be bringing this festival back for it’s 12th edition and look forward to seeing you all there!
When
Rock the Blocs 12 will be held on the 19th and 20th of September 2026. This is usually a prime time to be climbing in the Okanagan.
The competition will be held on the Saturday. In the event of poor weather on Saturday, the competition may be moved to the Sunday. On Sunday we host free to attend clinics which will run throughout the morning.
Expected event timings are listed below.
Saturday - comp day
Registration - 08:30 → 09:30
Welcome Speech/Rules - 09:30
Competition Start - 10:00
Competition Finish - 17:00
Prizes and raffle - 17:30 onwards
Sunday - clinics
Registration - 08:30 → 09:30
Clinics start - 09:30
Clinics end - approximately 13:00
photo by Francisco Maximiliano De La Barrera Reyes
Where
The event will be held at the Okanagan Boulderfields Recreation Site in Kelowna, BC. There is a campground at the site that is managed by the Okanagan Bouldering Society on behalf of Sites and Trails BC. Camping is free; however, we ask that people camp in existing spaces and don't cut or damage vegetation to create new spots.
If you can, please carpool up to the Fields! Parking is always tight for this event and the fewer cars we have helps prevent our volunteers from having an aneurism.
Please remember - parking is not allowed on the KVR.
To navigate the Boulderfields you can either use the guidebook or download Kaya and use it for free during the event. Alternatively, follow one of the literal hundreds of people to get some local tips and extra pads!
What
A festival including a bouldering competition and clinics aimed at getting the climbing community together for a whole lot of fun. The categories for the friendly bouldering competition will include Men's Open, Women’s Open, Men’s Intermediate (V6 and under), Women’s Intermediate (V4 and under), Men’s Foundation (V3 and under), Women's Foundation (V2 and under), Boys (13 and under), Girls (13 and under), Masters Men (age 40+), and Masters Women (age 40+). Or, if you are not keen on competing, feel free to spectate or volunteer to help out! Whichever way you choose to participate, please let us know in the registration form here so we have an idea of numbers.
In recent years we have adjusted how scoring works. Rather than hand picking explicit problems we now allow any problems from selected zones. The goal is to send your top 3 problems (open categories) or top 5 problems (all other categories) by the end of the comp. Once again this year, we'll have local developers guiding people around the Fields to help get them where they want to go. If there is a discrepancy between the guidebook grade and Kaya, the Kaya grade is used.
While we calculate final scores on Saturday, enjoy a number of events such as the pull-up contest, pad toss, pinch comp, etc. There's also the usual post-event social on Saturday night (please bring whatever food and beverage you desire).
On Sunday, a number of experienced local boulderers will offer clinics on topics such as boulder problem development and considerations, introduction to bouldering, women's bouldering, guided tours, etc. Please let us know which clinics interest you when you register below.
How much
The event is free! We do not charge any kind of admission fee in an effort to promote participation. But, as this is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Okanagan Bouldering Society (the group that works hard to develop, preserve, and maintain access to bouldering areas in the Okanagan), donations and supporting the many, incredible raffle prizes are much appreciated.
Because of our amazing sponsors, there are tons of prizes up for grabs throughout the festival. There are prizes for category winners, big-ticket raffle prizes (proceeds supporting The Okanagan Bouldering Society), and a bunch of draw prizes up for grabs for all competitors/volunteers/participants involved in the festival.
If you don't have pads, you can now rent them in Kelowna at Gneiss Climbing. Book them early from Gneiss Climbing if you need them to make sure you've got one for the festival.
Directions
The Boulderfields can be navigated to using GPS but please be aware that sometimes mapping apps will try and lead you astray. We recommend always approaching directly from Kelowna via Chute Lake Road and Gillard FSR. The GPS location can be found here. If you are not familiar - read the instructions below.
Start by finding your way to Summerhill Pyramid Winery in Kelowna. Once you've passed the winery, continue up the hill on Chute Lake Road. When you get to the top of the hill, Chute Lake Road makes a sharp right turn. Instead of following the road to the right, go straight onto Upper Mission Drive. All distances are calculated from here.
Drive up Upper Mission Drive for about 250 m and turn left. You'll wind up a steep paved hill to the beginning of a gravel road. This is Gillard Forest Service Road (FSR). Turn left onto the gravel road. In a couple minutes, you'll pass the Kelowna Mountain development on the right. Keep going on Gillard FSR generally trending uphill and southeast until you reach about the 8.8 km mark. You don't need to turn off the main road at any point before this.
At this point, you'll come to a 4-way junction. Turn left here onto the historic Kettle Valley Railway road. Follow this road passing through a rocky corridor, making a big loop around an old, now collapsed, burnt trestle on the left (Lorna Trestle), passing through another rocky corridor and eventually reaching a straight-away to the 10.6 km mark. At this point, you are at the Fields road, and you turn left to descend to the parking lot.