Doran Smith (14), of Bracebridge, ON, has had an enormously successful first season of climbing.
In his first season competing Doran qualified for Provincials in both Bouldering and Lead Climbing. These are the final events of the season in Ontario and select the climbers that will represent Ontario at the National Championships. Earlier this month Doran competed in London, ON at Lead Provincials where he finished in 5th place overall and secured a spot at the National Championship for Lead in Calgary, AB in May. Doran will be one of 10 athletes from Ontario competing at this event.
This coming weekend (April 22 & 23, 2023) he competes in Kanata, ON at a Regional Bouldering event that may qualify him for the National Championship for Bouldering, also being held in Calgary.
An already very accomplished athlete in Mountain Biking, Doran started training in climbing in October of 2022. After suffering a mid season ankle injury, Doran only had one opportunity to qualify for the Lead Climbing Provincials. This is an incredible accomplishment for such a new climber in the sport.
In 2020 Climbing debuted in the Olympics for the first time and is one of the fastest growing sports in North America.
