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A grayscale abstract illustration featuring ghost-like figures with blank, oval faces and dark, elongated bodies standing close together against a textured backdrop—a haunting vision inspired by the 2025 Slab Showdown in DC. Abstract black and gray image featuring rows of circular shapes with vertical lines and shadow effects, and dark, flame-like forms rising from the bottom—perfect for DC - Slab Showdown 2025.
July 24 - August 16

Slab Showdown

Bouldering Project's Annual Slab Competition

Compete over the course of three weeks for the title of 2025 Slab Champion, and the Golden Cheese Grater that comes along with the title. 

Bouldering Project is excited to bring back our annual Slab Showdown – a slab-only climbing competition.

Register by July 15th to guarantee a special edition Slab Showdown tank.

Registration opens July 1st

Competition starts July 24th 

Registration closes August 1st 

The top 6 competitors in each category will be invited to finals on Saturday, August 16th at 2:30 pm.

A man in olive pants and a dark shirt climbs an indoor bouldering wall at the 2025 DC Slab Showdown, gripping purple and blue holds while balancing on an angled, geometric surface.

Competition Details

Slab Showdown 2025 will take place over three weeks. Each Thursday at 5:00 pm, our setting team will open up a new set of 5 boulders on the East Wing slab. Competitors will have one week to climb on each set and log their sends on Kaya. The climbs will range from purple to white circuit and will be scored according to their difficulty. Competitors can earn an extra point for flashing a boulder. Points will not be deducted for attempts; try the climbs as many times as you can!

Each week, your top 3 climbs from each set will count towards your score. After 3 weeks, your top 9 climbs (top 3 from each week) will count towards your final score. The top 6 competitors in each category will be invited back to compete in finals on August 16th from 2:30 pm – 7:30 pm.

During finals, competitors will have 4 minutes to complete three climbs. For each zone, competitors will get +2 minutes added to their total time. For each top, competitors will get +2 minutes added to their total time.

Categories

Non-Binary

Mens

Womens

*Please note that we need a minimum of 10 competitors in each category registered by July 31st to run the finals round for that category.

A person’s hand and climbing shoe grip a large, round black climbing hold on a blue indoor bouldering wall at the DC Slab Showdown 2025, with a purple hold visible to the left.

Slab Showdown 2025: Key Dates

Registration Opens: July 1st 

Slab Set 1: Thurs, July 24 – Slab Set 1 opens at 5:00 pm 

Slab Set 1 Closes: Wed, July 30th at 10:00 pm 

Slab Set 2: Thurs, July 31st – Slab Set 2 opens at 5:00 pm 

Slab Set 2 Closes: Wed, August 6th at 10:00 pm 

Slab Set 3 Opens: Thurs, August 7th 5:00 pm 

Slab Set 3 Closes: Wed, August 13th at 5:00 pm 

Finalists Announced: Thursday, August 15th 

Finals: Saturday, August 16th 2:30pm – 7:30pm

A woman in athletic clothing climbs an indoor bouldering wall during the 2025 Slab Showdown in DC, reaching for a large red hold with chalk-dusted hands and pants, her chalk bag at her waist.

Prizes

Register by July 15th to get a 2025 Slab Showdown Tank

1st Place: Golden Cheese grater & Slab Showdown Champion title

More prizes to be announced!

Two people on ladders work together to adjust a hold on an indoor climbing wall at the 2025 DC Slab Showdown. Both wear black tank tops and shorts; one uses a power drill while the other assists, with climbing holds and gear around them.

How to Register

  1. Register & Pay on Sweatpals 
  2. From Sweatpals, you’ll be directed to sign up on the Kaya challenge
  3. Record & post your climbs on Kaya to get points
Slab Showdown 2025

FAQ

No! Members & Non-Members are welcome to participate. However, non-members will need to pay for a Day Pass or Punch Pass to access the gym and the slab climbs.

Yes! Slab Showdown registration costs $35. Everyone who registers by July 15th will get a free Slab Showdown tank which you’ll collect during finals on Saturday, August 16th 2:30pm – 7:30pm 

Yes! We’ve made some big changes this year, including introducing categories. When you register on Kaya, choose your category.

Categories

  • Non-Binary
  • Mens
  • Womens

We will text you! Finalists will be announced on Thursday, August 15th via text and on Instagram.

Finals will take place on Saturday, August 16th 2:30 pm – 7:30 pm. The top 6 competitors in each category will move on to finals and your time slot in finals will be based on your place (reverse order).

There will be a new Slab set each Thursday at 5:00 pm. Each set will include 5 boulders. Your top 3 from each week will count towards your final score.

If you register by July 15th, you’re guaranteed a Slab Showdown tank! (Registrations after July 15th will be first come first served)

Collect your tank top during Finals, on Saturday, August 16th 2:30 pm – 7:30 pm. Stick around to watch the show! We’ll have a DJ, vendors, and tons of fun.

Yes! You must film and record your sends and post them on Kaya so that our setting team can assign you points.