Information and Rules of the NSS Rope Climbing Contest By Bill & Miriam Cuddington - AL (2177RL & 13078RL)   ROPE: The rope should be 600 feet of Kernmantle Nylon, 7/16th's diameter.   MEASUREMENT:   A 30 meter tape is required since the metric system is now used. Place the starting mark about 15 meters form the beginning end and mark this end red. The bottom of all the red marks will be the "Chaining" point. Flat chain all distances measured. The next red mark is at 30 meters. Pull the tape and rope 'snug' only. Between the starting red and 30 meter red, catch 15 meters and 22 meters , mark them in black. From the 30 meter mark, measure another 30 to the 60 meter point. Mark this with two red bands. Measure 30 more meters which will be 90 meters, put three red bands here. Measure 30 more meters to reach the 120 meter point, which may be marked with 4 red bands or one large red band. Go to the half way point on this last 30 meters, pull and mark in black, which will be 105 meters. CONTEST SITE:   Must be a clean indoor facility with air conditioning or fans. Restrooms and water should be nearby. Ceiling "rigging beam" should be at least 20 feet high.   ROPE CLIMBING PROCEDURES:   Prior to getting on the rope, the climber specifies the category and distance he will climb. Getting on the rope constitutes a try. If time allows, 3 tries will be given. The climber will start with all ascenders and rollers below the staring mark. Split times may be given at intermediate marks. At the finish, the climbers top-most-device must be beyond the bottom of the designated red mark, which would be the 30 or 120 meter mark. No device will be thrown over the mark.   AGE GROUPS:   12 under; 13-16; 17-19; 20-29; 40-49; 50-59; 60-69; 70-79, etc. etc. Women and men have their own age groups.   ROPE CLIMBING RECORDS:   The best overall time ever set is considered a World Record. Whereas the best time within an age group is an Age Group World Record. In order to qualify for a World or Age Group Record, the climb must be done at the NSS National-International Convention.   CLIMBING RULES Mechanical Class There will be a 20 minute time limit for the 120 meter climb (Judges may make allowances for "special situations"). There will be a time limit of 10 minutes for 30 meters, in case there is a "special" situation. A 1-1 mechanical ratio must be used. All "rigs" should be safe and caveable.   3-Knot Classic: Only "rope knots" may be used. No hardware allowed within the knot. Usable examples: Prusik and Helical. Nothing allowed to touch rope but hand and knots. Nothing is allowed such as carabiners or rollers that would help hold the climber upright. Only one now may be moved at a time. Each individual know must be capable of holding the climber's weight. Acceptable 3-knot rigs: A. Top know chest connection and 2 foot knots. B. Top knot into chest and seat with two foot knots. C. One knot from seat with two foot knots. Time limits for 3-knots: 120 meters- 25 minutes. 30 meters- 10 minutes (Judges may make allowances for "special" situations.)   Special Category: A climbing rig that don't fall into the know or mechanical categories may fir into this category. However, this is now an "open" no age category. All rigs must be safe a caveable.   GENERAL RULES Climbers must sign up at designated area. Sign ups will be stopped when it becomes apparent that it will take up the daily allotted time with current sign in. Sign up early! ALL climbing "rigs" should be safe for coming and not damage the rope. This will be determined by the Contest Chairman. No Smoking in facility of contest. No dirty boots and or clothes. There should be 3 official stop watches for timing each climb. Times are averaged for one final time. If one watch shows a big discrepancy, that time will not be used. Stay clear of climbing area so timers, belayer and all helpers can see and feed rope properly. This also help the "Book Keepers" keep accurate information. The Contest Chairman reserves the right to disqualify any climber for unsafe practices and or disorderly conduct. A contestant will be allowed up to 3 tries if time allows, in each class: mechanical; classic 3 knot; special class and perhaps others. The time will be to the tenth of a second or hundredth, if need arises. Climbers are responsible for being is designated area ready to climb when name is called. Climbers should try to bring someone to hold rope under them. Climbers should make adjustments in equipment on static lines, not on the contest rope. Certificates will be given to first, second and third places in each age group. If there are numerous entries in one age group, more may be given. Prizes will be allocated as directed by the Contest Chairman and committee. Climbing Contest World Records compiled by Bill & Miriam Cuddington, updated August 1998 [Editor's Note:     Check Section's "Contest" webpage for current status of all records.] Men's Mechanical 30m Age Group Time Name Year Set 0-12 0:54.6 Jeremy Brown 1992 13-16 0:32.4 Jeremy Brown 1995 17-19 0:30.8 Dan Gruss 1990 20-29 0:25.7 Rossano Boscarino 1987 30-39 0:24.6 Jon Brown 1992 40-49 0:29.5 Chuck Henson 1995 50-59 0:35.5 Dick Graham 1995 60-69 0:43.5 Bill Cuddington 1995 70 - up 0:45.4 Darrell Tomer 1985 OVERALL 0:24.6 Jon Brown 1992 Men's Mechanical 120m Age Group Time Name Year Set 0-12 8:26.0 Bill Stucklen 1984 13-16 4:06.7 Jeremy Brown 1995 17-19 4:33.0 Dan Gruss 1990 20-29 4:10.7 Rossano Boscarino 1987 30-39 4:32.1 Jon Brown 1994 40-49 5:01.8 Dick Graham 1992 50-59 5:36.3 Dick Graham 1995 60-69 6:11.0 Bill Cuddington 1994 70 - up 7:24.2 Darrell Tomer 1985 OVERALL 4:06.7 Jeremy Brown 1995 Men's 30m Open Sit Stand OVERALL 1:04.9 Doug Bruce 1992 Men's Classic 3-knot 30m Age Group Time Name Year Set 0-12 1:54.8 Nate Brown 1989 13-16 1:18.4 Jeremy Brown 1991 17-19 1:42.7 Ken Honebrink 1991 20-29 1:18.6 Mark Hughes 1989 30-39 1:21.6 Bill Bussey 1995 40-49 1:23.9 Dan Brown 1994 50-59 2:04.6 Marion O. Smith 1995 60-69 2:25.2 Bill Cuddington 1989 70 - up 2:59.0 Roy Barton   OVERALL 1:18.4 Jeremy Brown 1991 Men's Classic 3-knot 120m Age Group Time Name Year Set 0-12 9:56.4 Nate Brown 1995 13-16 7:34.4 Jeremy Brown 1995 17-19 10:51.9 John Bassett 1970 20-29 9:39.2 Trick Howard 1985 30-39 8:07.5 Bill Bussey 1994 40-49 8:54.7 Dan Brown 1994 50-59 13:59.3 Bill Cuddington 1992 60-69       70 - up 15:02.2 Roy Barton 1997 OVERALL 7:34.4 Jeremy Brown 1995 Men's 120m Open Sit Stand OVERALL 8:06.8 Harry Burgess 1994 Women's Mechanical 30m Age Group Time Name Year Set 0-12 1:03.7 Rachel Savvas 1994 13-16 0:33.4 Trudy Henson 1991 17-19 0:29.4 Trudy Henson 1995 20-29 0:33.4 Berta Kirchman 1989 30-39 0:32.9 Berta Kirchman 1995 40-49 0:47.3 Martha Clark 1994 50-59 0:53.8 Miriam Cuddington 1995 60-69 1:27.4 Avis Van Swearingen 1992 70 - up 4:30.9 Jane Fisher 1985 OVERALL 0:29.4 Trudy Henson 1995 Women's Mechanical 120m Age Group Time Name Year Set 0-12 9:15.9 Irene Stucklen 1989 13-16 6:34.7 Trudy Henson 1991 17-19 7:05.8 Susan Medville 1991 20-29 4:16.3 Berta Kirchman 1989 30-39 4:07.1 Berta Kirchman 1995 40-49 7:01.5 Martha Clark 1994 50-59 8:37.7 Miriam Cuddington 1995 60-69 12:26.5 Avis Van Swearingen 1989 70 - up       OVERALL 4:07.1 Berta Kirchman 1995 Women's 30m Open Sit Stand OVERALL 1:16.7 Susan Setlzer 1992 Women's Classic 3-knot 30m Age Group Time Name Year Set 0-12 2:08.1 Leah Brown 1995 13-16 4:25.1 Emily Graham 1988 17-19 2:42.2 Dena Hawes 1973 20-29 1:46.9 Susan Setzler 1992 30-39 1:54.7 Martha Clark 1988 40-49 2:04.0 Martha Clark 1994 50-59 3:34.5 Miriam Cuddington 1996 60-69       70 - up       OVERALL 1:46.9 Susan Setzler 1995 Women's Classic 3-knot 120m Age Group Time Name Year Set 0-12 9:45.5 Leah Brown 1995 13-16       17-19       20-29 11:04.7 Susan Setzler 1992 30-39 12:29.3 Martha Clark 1984 40-49 12:21.6 Martha Clark 1994 50-59 36:02.7 Chris Southam 1996 60-69       70 - up       OVERALL 9:45.5 Leah Brown 1995 Women's 120m Open Sit Stand OVERALL 9:16.5 Ruth Dianiont 1994   Return to the Top of the Page Return to the NH #44 Contents Page Copyright © 2000 Vertical Section of the NSS, Inc. - All Rights Reserved.