Cairns Rock Project Takes National Crown in Alpine Speed Climbing Relay
The Northern Beaches climbing collective's surprise victory at the Australian Outdoor Sports Festival has put the tropical city on the map for elite competitive climbing.
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In a stunning upset at the Australian Outdoor Sports Festival held in Melbourne last weekend, the Cairns Rock Project claimed gold in the team relay speed climbing competition, besting established programs from Sydney and Brisbane. The five-member squad's victory marks the first time a Far North Queensland outfit has topped the national rankings in the discipline, signalling a seismic shift in Australia's climbing landscape.
Based out of their newly expanded facility on Marina Boulevard in Cairns City, the Rock Project has quietly built one of the country's most formidable climbing collectives over the past 18 months. Their training compound—a converted waterfront warehouse featuring 2,400 square metres of climbing surfaces—has become a destination gym attracting athletes from across the Asia-Pacific region.
The relay victory hinged on the team's cohesion during the timed vertical challenges. Competing across four disciplines including lead climbing and speed work, the Cairns contingent posted a combined time of 47 minutes and 32 seconds, edging Brisbane's established PowerClimb crew by just 89 seconds. The competition saw teams navigate purpose-built 15-metre walls under race conditions, with penalties for falls and fumbled transitions.
"What we've built here reflects Cairns' broader evolution as an adventure sports hub," explained the Rock Project's operations director. The facility attracts around 850 active members, with youth programs introducing local schoolchildren to the sport at $45 per session. Membership costs range from $89 to $159 monthly, positioning the Rock Project competitively against Brisbane and Townsville alternatives.
The victory arrives amid broader momentum for outdoor adventure sports in Cairns. The region's natural assets—nearby granite outcrops and the Atherton Tableland's world-class crags—have long attracted climbers. But the Rock Project represents the first major institutional framework channelling that interest into competitive pathways.
Three members of the winning relay team are under 25 years old, suggesting sustained dominance ahead. Training schedules at the Marina Boulevard facility run six days weekly, with specialised coaching from national-level competitors. The club's next major target is the Pacific Regional Championships in Auckland next March.
For Cairns' sporting identity, the moment resonates beyond climbing gyms. Like the city's growing reputation in trail running and water sports, the Rock Project's ascent reflects how Far North Queensland is attracting elite athletic talent once concentrated in southern capitals. The team's gold medal now hangs in the facility's entrance—a tangible reminder of what determination and infrastructure can achieve.
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