The NiBS finals return to the one and only Uprising in Christchurch - an event not to be missed.
Format update for 2026 - please read the rules and info page!
Format
Participants can choose from the Friday Fun Round, the Saturday Youth Round, or one of the three main Saturday rounds.
Round Schedule
Friday
6:00pm – 8:00pm Friday Fun Round (Registration opens 5.30pm)
Saturday
9:30am – 11:30am Youth Round (Registration opens 9.00am)
11:30am Youth Prizegiving (U11, U13, U15)
12:00pm – 2:00pm Round (Registration opens 11.30am)
2:30pm – 4:30pm Round (Registration opens 2.00pm)
5:00pm – 7:00pm Round (Registration opens 4.30pm)
7:30pm - 9pm Finals, followed by Opens prizegiving
Finals
The Open Finals will begin at approximately 7:30pm for the top 6 Open Female and 6 Open Male competitors from the Saturday main rounds.
Friday Fun Round
Be the first to try the boulders at this relaxed Friday evening session. This round is open to anyone and ideal for first-timers or anyone wanting a low-pressure climbing experience. Expect a fun, social atmosphere focused on giving it a go.
Important: You will still appear in category rankings, but you cannot qualify for the Open Finals if you climb in this round. Serious competitors aiming for finals should wait until Saturday.
Saturday Youth Round
Open exclusively to U11, U13, and U15 competitors, plus any parents/caregivers who prefer to climb alongside their kids.
U11, U13, and U15 climbers cannot participate in the 12:00pm, 2:30pm, or 5:00pm rounds.
They may climb in the Friday round only if they are unable to attend the Saturday Youth Round.
Youth participants must have an accompanying adult (who may also climb) to keep them safe and enter scores on their behalf.
Adults who are not parents/caregivers may not climb in the Youth Round.
U11, U13, and U15 prizegiving will be held at the end of the Saturday Youth Round.
Caregivers competing in other categories (Opens, Masters, Veterans) will still earn series points.
Registration Fees
$30 for NZAC members with email discount code. Discount code can also be found when logged in on the NZAC site here
$40 for everyone else
Preregistration and payment is required to confirm your place as the events regularly sell out - don’t leave it to the day of the event! If you're not already an NZ Alpine Club member, now's the time, visit here to join.