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SANDY -- Hundreds of kids and teens from around the country will gather in Sandy over the weekend for the Youth Indoor Climbing National Championships.
Four hundred kids, ages 8 to 19, will try to beat the clock while they grip and pull themselves up the rock walls inside the Momentum Climbing Gym at 220 W. 10600 South.
Katie Shuman, 11, is one of the five Utahns who qualified to try and win it all on her so-called home court.
"There's a lot of pressure when you first go out there," Shuman said.
Climber Matty Hong told KSL she likes "going out side, being outdoors, just hanging out with friends and doing hard climbs."
The competition has brought more than 800 people to Utah. Many parents and friends travel with the young climbers to the competitions.
"We're here to support my Daughter, Kianna. She is 9 and a half years old, and she's in the Youth National Championships here!" Angela Kaizer said.
The kids competing this weekend are the tops in the nation and will compete in ten different age and gender categories. Through regional and divisional level competitions, they have made it to Utah for the big national championship.
"This is by far the biggest climbing event that has happened in the state," said gym manager Jeff Pedersen. "Utah is known, of course, for great skiing. But a lot of these families are going to go out into the local canyons and discover what great rock climbing we have around here as well."
Those who win the competition in Utah will advance to the world competition in France.
Spectators are welcome Saturday and Sunday; admission is $5.
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Story compiled with contributions from Randall Jeppesen and Keith McCord.
