1st Leonidio Climbing Festival

The 1st climbing festival in Leonidio took place from the 10th to the 13th of November 2016 and was a great success. The aim of this ambitious venture, co-planned by the Municipality of South Kynouria, the Region of Peloponnese and Peloponnese A.E. was to promote alternative tourism, by encouraging people from all over the world to spread the news regarding the beauty and the endless climbing possibilities of the area.

We are grateful for the contribution of many amazing people in helping to develop the climbing in Leonidio. Among the invited guests were Aris Theodoropoulos, Claude Remy and the great climber Sachi Amma. The well-known photographers such as Sam Bié (FR) and Jim Thornburg (USA), along with journalists from the German climbing magazine “Klettern” Mr Volker Leuchsner and Mr Jens Larssen from the 8a.nu website – the most popular climbing web portal. In addition, the talented young videographer Kieran Duncan who filmed the event.

Besides the cliffs, festival events had been hosted by the exceptional exhibition center “Fabbrica of Culture“. The program included an Open Climbing Marathon thanks to the valuable co-operation with Vertical Life, the Zlagboard contest and a variety of activities such as yoga, hiking and a zumba presentation. Talks by Claude Remy, Aris Theodoropoulos, Sachi Amma as well as Beatrice Pelissier, took place at the Fabbrica of Culture Multiplex center. A dinner buffet and a live concert with the group 48ores offered to all the participants’ pleasant time!

Amongst the participants of the Festival, there were many visitors from Germany and France. There we also registrations from various other countries including Poland, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Romania, Slovakia, Austria, Czech Republic, England, Norway, Holland, USA, Sweden, Finland and Australia.

The organizing committee held α draw and handed out useful gifts such as climbing equipment ( belts, ropes, shoes, helmets, shoe retreading), traditional local products and the grand prize (a four day stay, all expenses included, in Leonidio during the Easter period) in order to thank the participants of the festival who were visitors to the area. The winners of the climbing marathon and the Zlagboard contest were presented by Vertical Life.

It is safe to say that due to the high number of registrations, as well as the participation in the Climbing Marathon, the first official attempt by the municipality of South Kynouria and the Region of Peloponnese to organize such a festival was a success. It also proves the dynamic of the area as well as the vision there is for alternative tourism, with respect to the environment and nature.

We would like to once again thank all the participants, volunteers and sponsors. Their contribution was valuable and led to the successful conclusion of the event. We have great expectations for next year and look forward to seeing everyone again, in Leonidio, one of the safest and most organized climbing destinations in Greece!

Total registration numbers: 309
Greek: 132
Other nationalities: 177
Climbing Marathon: 22 teams of 2
RESULTS
Climbing Marathon Winners (Vertical Life):

ΜΕΝ’S CATEGORY
1ST PLACE: 7096 POINTS
TEAM: STONEMONKEY (Raul Lopez- Oscar Cacho)
SECTOR: Leonidion, Elona

WOΜΕΝ’S CATEGORY
1ST PLACE: 3070 POINTS
TEAM: LesDiablessesRouges (Muriel Houze)
SECTOR: Leonidion, Red Rock

MIXED CATEGORY
1ST PLACE: 12.010 POINTS
TEAM: FrenchBDB (Svana Bjarnason – Axel Ballay)
SECTOR: Leonidion, Elona

Photo Gallery

© Sam BIÉ
© Sam BIÉ
© Kieran Duncan
© Kieran Duncan
© Sam BIÉ
© Kieran Duncan
© Sam BIÉ
© Kieran Duncan
© Kieran Duncan
© Kieran Duncan
© Kieran Duncan
© Kieran Duncan
© Kieran Duncan
© Kieran Duncan
© Kieran Duncan