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One of our own team members, Eilidh Marshall, is competing at the 2026 National Youth Championships in Ballina next week. Here is everything you need to know about the event and how to cheer her on.
Here at Hangdog Climbing Gym, we are incredibly proud of our community. From first-time climbers conquering their fear of heights to seasoned regulars pushing their limits, every day we see people achieving amazing things on our walls. Today, we want to shine a spotlight on one of our very own team members who is taking her climbing to the national stage.
Next week, our fantastic employee Eilidh Marshall will be competing at the 2026 National Youth Championships. This is a massive achievement, and we could not be more excited to support her as she represents New South Wales against the best young climbers in the country.
For those who might be new to the competitive side of climbing, the National Youth Championships is the premier event for young climbers in Australia. Organised by Sport Climbing Australia, this event brings together the top youth athletes from every state and territory to compete for national titles.
This year, the championships are being held from May 14th to 17th at Climbing Jungle in West Ballina, NSW. Athletes will compete across different disciplines, including Bouldering and Lead climbing.
To even make it to this event, climbers must first be selected by their state body. Eilidh has put in countless hours of training, dedication, and hard work to earn her spot on the NSW team. It is a testament to her skill and commitment to the sport.
Competitive climbing requires a unique blend of physical strength, technical precision, and mental resilience. In Bouldering, the focus is on short, powerful sequences on lower walls without ropes, where problem-solving and explosive strength are key. In other disciplines, athletes must navigate long, challenging routes, testing their endurance and strategy.
Eilidh has been training relentlessly, often right here on the walls at Hangdog. Whether she is projecting tough sequences in the bouldering area or working on her endurance on our top-rope walls, her work ethic is truly inspiring. Balancing her training with her work here at the gym shows just how dedicated she is to her climbing journey.
We know that the entire Hangdog community is behind Eilidh as she heads up to Ballina next week. We will be keeping a close eye on the results and cheering her on every step of the way.
If you see Eilidh around the gym before she leaves, be sure to wish her the best of luck! And if you want to follow along with the competition, you can check out the Sport Climbing Australia website for updates and potential live streams during the event.
Good luck, Eilidh! Climb hard, have fun, and know that your Hangdog family is incredibly proud of you.
Want to start your own climbing journey? Whether you are aiming for the national stage or just looking for a fun, active way to spend an afternoon, Hangdog Climbing Gym is the perfect place to start. Come on in and say hi!
