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Beaver Valley Climbing Festival a Success

Climbing festivities raise $4,500 for sustainable climbing development

The first annual Beaver Valley Climbing Festival (BVCF) took place on August 24th at Metcalfe Rock with great support from organizations in the climbing community and local business from the Beaver Valley area. The event was embraced by a great turnout of local climbers and local community who enjoyed outdoor climbing, slacklining and yoga clinics. A friendly outdoor competition format, aerial silk performance, bike demos, and professional massages all were very popular. Once the sun set, the
evening featured generous prize draws, live music and catered food and camping at The Rob Roy Dogsled Farm.The whole event was the brain child of Jennie Elmslie (Free Spirit Tours) and Leslie Timms (On The Rocks Climbing) who pulled it together in only about two months. The $4500 in funds raised from the event benefited the Ontario Access Coalition whose mission is to preserve and promote sustainable access to Ontario climbing resources. The OAC has already lined the funds up for a special project in partnership with Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources to help ensure the sustainability of climbing in Kolapore Uplands where the festival occurred.

Major sponsorship for the event that made it all possible was provided by Joe Rockheads and Boulderz Climbing Centre, with a long list of other organizations providing needed support. Immediately upon the events conclusion talk turned to not only the great success, but excitement about next year’s festival! For more information about the Beaver Valley Climbing Festival please visit www.beavervalleyclimbingfestival.com.

ABOUT THE ONTARIO ACCESS COALITION
The Ontario Access Coalition (OAC) is a volunteer, not-for-profit group that works with the climbing community, land owners, conservation authorities and property managers to keep climbing and bouldering areas open in an environmentally responsible manner.

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