Speed Climbing at Urban Jungle

Push your limits on the only speed climbing wall in WA! Come in to test your speed – can you beat the best?

Fast Facts

Speed Climbing was first included in the UIAA World Championships in 1991

Official IFSC route since 2007, 15 meters with a 5-degree tilt

World Records

  • Male: 4.74 seconds by Samuel Watson (USA)

  • Female: 6.06 seconds by Aleksandra Miroslaw (Poland)

Fun Fact: Originally introduced to international competition in the Soviet Union in the 1980s.

Introduction to Speed Climbing

What is Speed Climbing?

A fast-paced Olympic climbing discipline where the goal is simple: the fastest climber to the top wins! Speed climbing has a global standard, with identical routes around the world that allow climbers to compare their times anywhere they go. Our 10-meter wall offers WA's only official speed route, where climbers of all ages can take on this thrilling challenge!"

For Enthusiasts: Learn more about the sport’s history, global standards, and world record times.

× Speed Climbing Image

Speed Climbing Overview

Speed climbing, one of the three competitive climbing disciplines included in the Olympics, is about reaching the top as quickly as possible. As a race between two climbers on identical routes, speed climbing adds a thrilling edge of competition to climbing sports. Governed by the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC), which oversees international standards and records, speed climbing has rapidly gained popularity since its formalisation in the 1990s and inclusion in the Olympic Games in 2020.

The IFSC introduced a standardised speed climbing route in 2007, which remains identical across the world, ensuring that climbers can measure their progress against global benchmarks. The official route is a 15-meter, 5-degree tilted wall with a sequence of 20 handholds and 11 footholds, developed by French route setter Jacky Godeffe in 2005. At Urban Jungle, we feature a 10-meter official speed route—one of the two authorised heights globally, offering climbers an authentic experience to test and record their times.

What Makes Speed Climbing Unique?

Speed climbing offers climbers an exhilarating challenge of speed, precision, and technique. Unlike other climbing disciplines, which often prioritise solving complex routes or reaching maximum height, speed climbing is a race against the clock (and often another climber). The format is straightforward: two climbers on identical routes, side-by-side, with the winner being the first to tap the top pad. The combination of competition and the simplicity of the goal—climbing as fast as possible—sets speed climbing apart as an especially dynamic and accessible form of climbing.

Notably, the speed route itself remains uniform worldwide, an IFSC mandate that helps climbers compare times across competitions, climbing gyms, and even continents. This uniformity has made it possible to track world records consistently. The current world records, set at the 2024 Olympics, are held by Samuel Watson (USA) at 4.74 seconds for men and Aleksandra Miroslaw (Poland) at 6.06 seconds for women. These remarkable times highlight the speed and skill at the elite level and serve as inspiration for climbers at Urban Jungle to take on the challenge.

Our Speed Climbing Wall

The Route: Urban Jungle is proud to feature one of the world’s two official route heights at 10 meters, designed to IFSC standards with a 5-degree tilt, 20 handholds, and 11 footholds. Climbers use an auto-belay, so they’re free to focus on speed and technique.

Three Unique Speed Challenges

Official Speed Route

Official Speed Route

Identical to the international IFSC route, ideal for those seeking an authentic timing experience.

Youth Speed Route

Youth Speed Route

A modified version with additional holds, designed to suit younger climbers’ heights.

Rainbow Speed Route

Rainbow Route

A beginner-friendly route (about Ewbank grade 13) with easier holds, perfect for first-time speed climbers.

Speed Climbing Basics

  • How It Works: Two climbers, identical routes, one goal: hit the top pad first! The simplicity of speed climbing, combined with the thrill of racing head-to-head, makes it one of the most exciting climbing formats.

  • Categories and Leaderboard:

    • Age Groups: 12 & Under, 13-18, Open (All Ages), Masters (40+)

    • Gender Divisions: Male / Female

    • The top 5 times in each category are displayed on the leaderboard, allowing climbers to track and beat the best speeds.

Current Records & Leaderboard

World Records (15 m wall)

Highlight the current records achieved at the 2024 Olympics:

  • Male: 4.74 seconds
    by Samuel Watson (USA)

  • Female: 6.06 seconds
    by Aleksandra Miroslaw (Poland)

How to Join the UJ Leaderboard?

That’s easy done:

  • Approach a staff member to time your attempt on any of the speed routes.

  • Times are logged on our digital leaderboard and updated regularly.

  • View our complete leaderboard on the website.

Urban Jungle Leaderboard (10 m wall)

Official Speed Route - All Competitors - Open Category
Filter Results Here
Name Time (seconds) Route Gender Category

Ready to race?

Visit us at Urban Jungle, WA’s premier spot for speed climbing!

FAQs

  • There is no age limit for the speed wall. As long as you can fit in the harness, you can give it a try.

    The only limitation is weight; you need to be between 11.5 and 140 kg.

  • Sure, anyone can give it a go. But be careful, it’s addictive; once you start, you’ll want to keep improving.

  • The official speed climbing route is roughly equivalent to a grade 19. However, this grade doesn’t fully capture the route’s challenge, which is more about speed and memorisation than technical difficulty.

  • Urban Jungle's speed route is the first 10 m of the Olympic 15 m speed route. Besides this it is exactly the same! Same hold types, positions, the angle of the wall and even colour.

  • Yes! You can move it to wherever you like (provided it is still on the ground). Usually it is placed to the right of the climb, below the first two holds so climbers can start off with a quick burst of momentum.

  • The final button may look high above the last hold but almost everyone can reach it with a bit of a jump. So don't be afraid; build up the momentum and just go for it!

  • You will need climbing shoes and a harness, which are available for hire if you don’t have your own.

Get Inspired

  • Overview of Speed Climbing as an Olympic Discipline:
    Speed climbing is the sport’s fastest, most adrenaline-fueled event, pitting climbers in direct races to the top on identical routes. Developed as part of the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC), speed climbing made its Olympic debut in 2020, bringing with it decades of history and training innovation. Urban Jungle’s speed wall follows the same standards as those used in Olympic competition, allowing climbers to test their times against both local and world records.

  • What Makes Speed Climbing Unique?
    Unlike other climbing disciplines, speed climbing is purely about pace. Climbers race side-by-side, moving quickly over an identical route designed with carefully placed holds to create a consistent challenge worldwide. Urban Jungle’s 10-meter wall, one of the official IFSC-approved heights, is an ideal place to experience this exhilarating sport. Here, climbers can race against each other and record times with accuracy, just as they would in IFSC events.

  • Current World Record Highlights (Olympics 2024):
    The current fastest times in the world, achieved at the 2024 Olympics, are:

    • Men’s Record: 4.74 seconds by Samuel Watson (USA)

    • Women’s Record: 6.06 seconds by Aleksandra Miroslaw (Poland)