Climbing · Worth knowing

Madison Richardson is returning to competition at the Salt Lake City World Cup on October 16-18 after a season break. She recently placed fifth at the Bloc Shop Open bouldering competition in Montreal and second at the Rose Bloc Championships in August. Richardson has modified her training approach by reducing weight room work to focus more intensively on climbing and hangboarding, which she credits with improved performance in qualifiers and semi-finals. She recently received a senior carding allocation from Sport Canada—the first permanent athlete funding cards awarded to climbing in Canadian history—providing $2,300 monthly support. While balancing coaching duties for MacLachlan College's new high-performance climbing program, Richardson is preparing for upcoming Olympic qualifier events while managing competing interests including exploring a potential path toward becoming a pastry chef.

Metolius Climbing replaced vinyl-coated fabric with Renegade's PPI-550 polypropylene-based coated fabric for its Big Wall Bucket and Climber's Tote, addressing retailer demand for PVC-free alternatives. The new material delivers performance and durability while maintaining cost efficiency and compatibility with existing production lines, enabling freestanding bag designs with reinforced construction suitable for gym, crag, and everyday use.