10 Years of Tour de Bloc

Gripped Magazine June 14, 2013

In it’s 10 year history as Canada’s national climbing series, the Tour de Bloc has organized over 144 events in 35 different gyms with close to 20,000 competitors. Here is a photo retrospectve of some of the most dramatic moments of this important Canadian climbing event.

Regan Kennedy at TDB Feb 19, 2011. Gripped contributor Kennedy is a strong performer at the Tdb and on the rocks. — Regan Kennedy at TDB Feb 19, 2011.

Marieta Akalski, Joe rockheads, TDB9 — Marieta Akalski at Joe Rockheads in TDB 9.

Erin Ford-Zieleniewski, True North, Tour de Bloc 8 — Erin Ford dominated the eastern division of the Tour de Bloc for the better part of a decade.

Allez Up, TDB10 — Allez Up at Tour de Bloc 10.

Sasha DiGiulian, Allez Up, 2005. The tour not only showcased some of Canada's best, but also top International competitors. Sasha DiGiulian from the US, Keita Mogaki from Japan and Magnus Midtbo from Norway are just a few of the names that have competed at the TdB. — Sasha DiGiulian at Allez Up in 2005.

John Bowles at TDB Nationals 2013. Bowles is another competitor who have steadily improved and worked his way up the ranks of the Tour de Bloc, culminating in his win at 2009 Nationals at Allez Up. He is also the Adult Coordinator for the CEC, and continues to be one of the most active and consistent competition climber in Canada. — John Bowles at TDB Nationals 2013.

Marc Eveleigh forerunning while route setter Simon Villeneuve (L) and gym owner Dan Archambault (R) look on at TDB Nov 3, 2012 — Marc Eveleigh forerunning while route setter Simon Villeneuve (L) and gym owner Dan Archambault (R) look on at TDB in 2012.

Mens Finals group at TDB Nationals 2013 - L to R - Jason Holowach, Matt Johnson, Miles Adamson, Josh Muller (smiling), John Bowles, Fred Charron. Route setter Tonde Katiyo is watching, far left of image. — Jason Holowach, Matt Johnson, Miles Adamson, Josh Muller, John Bowles, Fred Charron.

Catherine Brunel — Catherine Brunel.

Yves Gravell signs off on his scorecard after finishing the last of the men's finals problems. TDB 7. Gravelle is one of the strongest competitors onf the TDB. Here he is seen with Tour Director Luigi MOntilla and Dave Voltan. — Yves Gravell at TDB 7 with Tour Director Luigi MOntilla and Dave Voltan.

Nicole Reeve, Climbers Rock, TDB 7.

Jody Miall, The Pad, 2005. Miall was the inagural TDB series champion, and later became the head technical director for the series. — Jody Miall in 2005.

Eve-Marie Landry, Altitude, TDB10 — Eve-Marie Landry at Altitude for TDB 10.

Florent Balsez, Allez Up, TDB 10. Competitors often give their all before the buzzer sounds/ — Florent Balsezat Allez Up for TDB 10.

Iyma Lamarche, The Pad 2005. A junior national champion and now one of the best competition climbers in the country. Lamarche got her start at the TDB — Iyma Lamarche in 2005.

Terry Paholek at TDB Feb. 19, 2011. Well known in the Edmonton and Calgary climbing scene, but relatively unknown outside of it(despite climbing V13), Paholek has been one of the top climbers on the Tour since the beginning. — Terry Paholek at TDB in 2011.

Jason Holowach at TDB Nov 3, 2012. Since he first burst onto the scene at the second Canadian Bouldering Nationals at Joe Rockhead's in Toronto, Holowach has been one of the most consistent competitors on the Tour, having taken wins at local, regional and national (2005) level. — Jason Holowach at TDB in 2012.

Ayo Sopeju, Climber's ROck, TDB 7. A top competitor, Sopeju is also one of the most popular climbers on the circuit. — Ayo Sopeju at TDB 7.