What is NiBS?
The NZAC National Indoor Bouldering Series (NiBS) comps are the benchmark for NZ social bouldering events. Emphasis on social – NiBS is all about having fun and giving it a go! New for this year is the Friday Fun Round, a relaxed Friday evening session open to anyone and ideal for first-timers or anyone wanting a low-pressure climbing experience. Whether it’s your first climbing competition or you’re a seasoned pro, you’ll find challenges suited to your skill and confidence level, all within a friendly and supportive atmosphere.
There are four events in the series this year which have taken place in Wellington (Faultline), Dunedin (Resistance), and Auckland (Northern Rocks), with the series finale happening next Friday 28th and Saturday 29th August right here in Christchurch at Uprising!
Participants can choose from the Fun Round on Friday night, one of three main rounds on Saturday, or the Youth round on Saturday morning, with the top 6 female and top 6 male entrants from the main rounds progressing to the finals on Saturday night.
Cool, how do I join in?
Head over to the NiBS website for all the deets and to sign up. NiBS events almost always sell out (especially the 12:30pm and 2:00pm rounds) – and based off this year’s numbers from the Wellington, Dunedin, and Auckland rounds we expect Christchurch to be no different.
If you’re still not sure about it but you’d like to come cheer on your mates, spectators are always welcome! You’ll definitely want to be there for Finals from 7:30pm on Saturday night to watch NZ’s strongest and most talented boulderers battle it out – stakes are high, with the Christchurch event being the last chance for competitors to earn points and be crowned the 2026 Series Champions. The pizzas, beers, and tunes will be cranking, and we guarantee you’ll have an epic time.
NiBS Disruptions
To get the gym ready for the weekend, there will of course be some disruption to normal operations as our route setting team work their magic….
Tuesday 25th August: some walls will be closed in the evening. The 7:15pm Rest & Restore Yoga class is cancelled.
Wednesday 26th & Thursday 27th August: limited bouldering areas open, no bouldering classes, but yoga classes and training workshop runs as per normal
Friday 28th August: CLOSED until 5:00pm for route setting (entire facility, including 6:45am Flow Yoga class). From 5:00pm, Uprising (including the cafe) will be open only to NiBS Fun Round competitors and spectators. The 5:45pm Ashtanga for Beginners yoga class runs as normal.
On Saturday 29th August, Uprising will be open only to competitors and spectators for the main competition event. Please note that Blocland will be closed that day, but the 9:15am Ashtanga yoga class will run as normal.
On Sunday 30th August, we’re back to normal operations! Come on down to try out all the NiBS boulder problems.
NiBS Second Hand Gear Sale
It’s spring cleaning time! If you’re like us and guilty of hoarding too much outdoor apparel “because there’s still life in it” here’s the perfect win-win solution:
- Drop off your (slightly) used jackets, pants, gloves etc by 10pm next Wednesday 27th August
- We’ll sort through everything (thanks Carole <3)
- Come peruse the racks of clothing during the weekend – items will be available from the NiBS Fun Round on Friday 28th to Sunday 30th August on a first-come-first-served basis
- All proceeds go to ACAT (Aotearoa Climbing Access Trust)!
To keep things simple, we’re limiting the second-hand gear to outdoors/active apparel only (hiking/trail shoes OK, but not climbing shoes). Please make sure any items donated aren’t too holey/soiled, and have been put through the wash first! This is the perfect opportunity to keep totally usable items out of landfill, while helping to raise money for a great cause.
Lastly, a huge thank you to our NiBS 2026 Sponsors – Bivouac Outdoor, Tenaya, Neo Holds and One Grips!