UKC

Billy Ridal


About

© Sytse van Slooten


Sheffield, United Kingdom
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Career Highlights: 

  • Free ascent of The Nose 5.14 (2023)
  • British lead & speed champion (2019)
  • Runner up at British Bouldering Championships (2021)
  • World Championship semi-finalist in boulder & Lead (2021)
  • European Championship finalist in boulder (4th, 2019)
  • Plywood master (2022), Battle of Britain Champion (2019)
  • Multiple ascents at 8c.
  • 8c+ lead outdoors.
  • 9 boulders at 8B+.
  • Highball ascent of Samson 8A.
  • Ascent of Duel 8A slab in Fontainebleau

Billy started climbing just for fun was he was 9, going out to do grit trad with his dad. When he was 12, he was selected for the GB junior lead team but since has taken to bouldering. Climbing in competitions inside as well as outside from a young age, Billy has a unique approach to climbing as an extremely well-rounded and versatile climber. Billy is the youngest person to climb the classic 8a boulder, Careless Torque, in the Peak District at Stanage Plantation.

'Careless Torque had always been one of those climbs you look at in awe, but never actually consider trying. It’s just so big and intimidating...When I first tried it I thought it was beyond me. It was the first problem I put time into, so it opened my eyes to what I could do. It’s perhaps the most iconic boulder in Britain which made it feel very special to stand on top of. It felt like a real milestone in my climbing, my first 8th grade boulder and without doubt still the best one.’

Billy has competed in the bouldering IFSC World Cup

‘Climbing is so many different things to me. It is a sport that I push myself to excel in, it’s a big part of my social life, it’s the medium that I use to express myself, and it’s the reason I travel to incredible places.’

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Best IFSC Results

This athlete has competed internationally


Latest News & Articles

News posts and Articles featuring Billy

Newsflash Alex Waterhouse and Billy Ridal Free The Nose, El Capitan

Alex Waterhouse and Billy Ridal have successfully free climbed The Nose (5.14), El Capitan - arguably the most famous route in the world - and in doing so have become the first British pair to do so.

Trip Report British Boulderers take on Rocklands

Billy Ridal, Orrin Coley, and Nathan Phillips talk us through their recent 2023 Rocklands trip.

The Ticklist British Bouldering Championships 2022

In this week's episode of The Ticklist, Rob Greenwood recounts the action from last weekend's fiercely contested British Bouldering Championships. Both of last year's winners, Emily Phillips and Max Milne, were there to defend their titles against...

Press Release 3RD ROCK Fashion Show and Bouldering Competition is off the wall

Top UK climbers have taken part in a unique challenge combining a vertical...

The Ticklist #23 Lockdown Round-Up - Ascents from around the world

We held off reporting on ascents during lockdown, but as things begin to ease in the UK,...

News A Big Day Bouldering for Billy Ridal

Billy Ridal has had his 'best day' of rock climbing during which he climbed Keen Roof (Font 8B), Fat Lip (Font 8B) and...

The Ticklist #5 - Céüse Sends, Alpine Jaunts and More...

In this week's ticklist, we've got a variety of sport, trad multipitch, alpine and bouldering...

News British Universities and Colleges Sport Nationals: Results

News Young Brits on Form in Magic Wood

News Careless Torque 8A / V11 for 17 year-old Billy Ridal


Latest Reviews for Billy's Sponsors

Reviews from the UKC editorial team

La Sportiva Miura VS - If it ain't broke...

The Miura VS has been a much-loved favourite for over 15 years, says Tim Hill, and in a world of soft climbing shoes the good news is that the recent update has not watered down what this model does best - supportive edging performance.

OTS 2023 - Our Best of the Show

This year's Outdoor Trade Show has just wrapped up. Staged in a tropical Liverpool, the show brought practically all the brands with a UK presence under one roof. While a lot of the gear on display looked good, as always there were a few pieces in...

UKC / UKH Gear of the Year 2022

Our hard working review team get through a mountain of kit every year. Amongst it all some items stand out from the crowd, and after much deliberation we've managed to boil it down to a selection of favourites. So here it is, our Gear of the Year 2022.

If it Ain't Broke - Gear that Goes On and On

In these days of growing environmental concern and shrinking budgets, we can't all be constantly buying brand...

Trail Running Shoes - also good for walkers and climbers

Not just for running, trail shoes are the most versatile of footwear, and prove ideal for both...

OTS Trade Show Reports

For the first time since the pandemic UKC and UKH have attended an actual, real life trade show, OTS in Liverpool. Here are the...

La Sportiva TC Pro

With its high top design and stiffer feel, you might assume the TC Pro is too much of a big wall specialist to be of much interest to the...


Latest News from Billy's Sponsors

Announcements direct from manufacturers

La Sportiva launches UK recycling programme

A new recycling programme has been launched in the UK by La Sportiva, aiming to provide an easy way for people to recycle footwear and clothing when it reaches the end of its life.

New Climbing Gear Autumn / Winter 2021

For the past couple of months, we've been finding out about all the shiny new gear that's hitting the shops this Autumn/Winter. We've taken a look at everything from the latest harnesses and helmets, to new rock shoes and cool cams. Take a peak:

New Footwear Spring / Summer '21

In the absence of any trade show this year, we've created our own. Normally, shows tend to focus on products hitting the market in 6 months to a year, but we've asked brands to talk about the new kit available now. In this first round up, we're showing...

Alpkit certified as a B Corporation

Alpkit is excited to announce that we've reached a significant milestone: achieving certification as a B...

La Sportiva Theory and Solution Comp

La Sportiva have two new shoes arriving for SS'20: the Solution Comp and the Theory. Extreme sensitivity combined with...

La Sportiva Jackal - Mountain Running Shoe

The Jackal is a mountain running shoe dedicated to off-road running over ultra distances

Alpkit 2020 Sustainability Report

At its purest, Alpkit is a bunch of designers who share their love of the outdoors and playing outside. There was a...


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