Ian writes: "It's a unique occasion; there is no other event in the UK where the general public come in such numbers and rub shoulders with committed climbers and climbing fans.  Cliffhanger manages this by mixing a high standard international competition - this year's being the penultimate round of the Bouldering World Cup - alongside numerous adventure sport attractions open to the public and other typical festival fodder.  Far from the grassroots events diluting the World Cup and atmosphere inside the competition big top was as lively as any I've witnessed at an international competition...The event at times had the kind of energy associated with football...Out in the sunshine the dyno competition dress big crowds...As whoops from the dyno-watching crowd mixed with the commentators in the bog top and the kids' laughter on the come and try it walls, it was obvious that once again Cliffhanger had proved a real success."

They are showing off their moves in the art of 'bocking', a sport that involves strapping yourself into a pair of spring-loaded stilts and taking to the air.
And the sport, which was the brainchild of Alexander Bock, is growing in popularity across the UK.

Read more here.
 

Thornbridge Outdoors, Links School Sports Partnership, The Climbing Works and staff from Marlcliffe Primary School organised and ran the competition using a climbing wall, holds and bouldering mats kindly provided by Alpkit.

Over 100 7-11 year olds from 46 schools (including schools from as far a field as London) entered and challenged themselves on a series of 10 climbs, supervised and scored by their parents. Additionally, all participants received a goodie bag for their efforts and a brand new chalk bag from Wild Country.

Competitor’s scores were then combined to give a total overall score for each school.

Marlcliffe Primary School came first with 275 points, second were Nethergreen Primary School on 252 points and in third place Carfield Primary School on 240 points.

Organisers are hoping to expand the event for next year by running a series of preliminary qualifying rounds leading up to the finals over the Cliffhanger weekend, and to include a secondary schools competition for the first time too.

School (x2 competetors or more) Points
Marlcliffe 275
Nethergreen 252
Carfield 240
Westways 222
Dobcroft 220
Hallam Primary 215
Ballywater 200
Mylnhurst 200
Westbrook Lane 200
Pudsey Waterloo 197
Curbar 194
Oxspring 192
St Johns 191
Willow 174
Marlborough 167
Lydgate 147
Sitwell 147
Vernon 143
 

You can also read Dan's blog of his Cliffhanger weekend on Ski Club Great Britain's website.  He tweets as @TheDanHB and you can see his other videos on his website.

Udo Neumann's take on the IFS World Cup 2011:

Skyler Weeks breaking the dyno world record in 2011.

Welsh Bockers at CLiffhanger 2011:

SkatePark at Cliffhanger 2011 courtesy of exhibitors  NISE Skateboards:

2011 Cliffhanger Teaser:

2010:

Al Lee's take on the 2010 Bouldering World Cup:

Al Lee's take on the 2010 Dyno Comp, with Skyler Weeks breaking the world record for the 4th time

A video by Udo Numan of the 2010 Bouldering World Cup:

Skyler Weeks breaking the Dyno World Record

Another vid of Skyler breaking the Dyno World Record in 2010

The Bouldering World Cup by Lucasz Warzecka

2010 Teaser

2009 Teaser

2008 Teaser

2007 Teaser

Keith Wragg - A Full Musculoskeletal Assessment with the Holywell Health Centre in Sheffield - rrp £120

Ashwin Walton - A Decathlon Pop Up Tent - rrp £49.99

Chris Gan - a Maverick Sackline kit - rrp £48.99

Many thanks to our sponsors for the prizes.

We would still welcome feedback from anybody who was at the event. Just drop us a line via our contact us page.