Inaugural Para Climbing National Cup ‘A Huge Step Forward For The Sport’ 

The strongest sign yet of Australian Para climbing’s growth may not have been found on the results sheet this weekend, but in the number of Para athletes waiting to clip in. 
 
Sport Climbing Australia’s inaugural Para National Cup delivered a successful event with spectacular climbing, emerging talent and a striking rise in participation, offering an encouraging glimpse of what Para climbing in Australia could become ahead of its Paralympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games. 
 
For a sport developing its domestic high performance framework in real time, the event reflected growing confidence, scale and opportunity across the pathway. 
 
Established national team athletes shared walls with first-time competitors, while coaches, classifiers and officials worked through the growing pains – and growth opportunities – of a sport still maturing. 

Sport Climbing Australia CEO Beck Hamilton said the response to the inaugural standalone Para event had surpassed expectations. 
 
“There was an incredible energy around the entire event,” Hamilton said. “The climbing was exceptional, the venue looked spectacular and there was a genuine sense that people understood they were part of something important for the future.” 
 
The competition brought together all 17 current members of the Australian Para Climbing Team alongside a wave of emerging athletes, with seven athletes undergoing national classification in the lead up to the event, including four who were newly classified and made their competitive debuts. 
 
Hamilton said the weekend’s most meaningful outcome wasn’t operational. 
 
“One of the most exciting things for us was seeing so many new athletes coming into the pathway,” Hamilton said. 
 
“You could feel the appetite for more Para-specific opportunities. Athletes appreciated being able to compete in an environment designed specifically for them, and that only fuelled the excitement around what comes next.” 
 
The event also provided a major learning opportunity for Sport Climbing Australia as a developing national sporting organisation. 
 
“Weekends like this are hugely valuable,” Hamilton said. 
 
“We learned a lot operationally, our coaches and officials gained experience, and we saw first-hand the impact dedicated Para environments can have on participation, performance and confidence.” 

The event came only days after Australia’s strongest ever Para climbing World Cup campaign in Salt Lake City, where Australian athletes returned home with growing belief ahead of LA2028. Among them was Sarah Larcombe, who claimed her 11th World Cup medal and continues to establish herself among the world’s leading Para climbers. 
 
For seasoned athletes like Larcombe, the introduction of domestic events is already changing the game for the next generation. 
 
“For a long time, Australian Para climbers have had very limited opportunities to compete domestically before heading overseas,” Larcombe said. 
 
“To now have an event like this – with Para-specific routes, classifications and a full competition environment – is a massive step forward for the sport.” 
 
The Melbourne event also debuted $40,000 worth of international-standard climbing holds funded through Para Uplift, giving athletes access to the same high performance equipment used on the World Cup circuit. 
 
Hamilton said the investment would continue to benefit athletes long after the event concluded. 
 
“Half of the holds are destined for the AIS training facility, while the other half will travel across Australia through state Para camps and competitions,” he said. 
 
“That’s a huge step forward for athlete preparation and access to high performance environments.” 
 
Following the event, athletes spoke of feeling welcomed, challenged and energised by the environment, with many already expressing enthusiasm for future Para-specific competitions. 

By Ashley Gillespie, Paralympics Australia.

Published 27 May, 2026.