Bloc Party 2025 Write Up
A Recap of City Bloc’s Bloc Party 2025
Each year, Bloc Party somehow gets bigger and better, and 2025 was no exception. The air was thick with chalk dust and buzzing with energy as we brought together climbers of all levels for a day of challenging routes and community spirit. From athletes eyeing the cash prizes to newcomers just there for the fun, it was a true showcase of everything we love about the climbing scene in Leeds. Here’s the full lowdown.
Qualifiers: Let’s Go
The day kicked off with qualifiers, split across two sessions, each 3 hours long. Climbers had 25 blocs to tackle from a pool of 30, with two paths on offer: Gold Diggaz for those chasing the finals and the big cash prizes, and Grafters for those in it for the fun, which included Open, 15 and under, and 45+ categories. Each competitor tackled 20 shared problems, plus either 5 friendlier blocs for the Grafters or 5 absolute nails ones for the Gold Diggaz. Setters Ben Meeks, Jack Busato and Matt Newbegin put together a range of problems from V0 to V10, with something for everyone.
George Lonsdale was on the mic running the show, keeping everyone hyped while climbers shared beta and got stuck in. The scoring system rewarded sending blocs in the fewest attempts, so there was plenty of strategising going on between tries. We saw technical footwork, big dynos, some impressive flash sends, and a fair few floor naps between burns.
Hunt the Oooshie: A Bloc Party Classic
Between climbs, the Hunt the Oooshie game kept everyone on their toes. For anyone new to Bloc Party, this tradition involves finding hidden comic character Oooshies around the centre and swapping them for prizes. Huge thanks to our sponsors – Black Diamond, North Star Coffee, Beyond Hope, Unnu and La Sportiva – for providing the prizes.
Event Photos
Thanks to our talented photographers Tom Tudor and Kyriacos Kyriacou, who have beautifully captured some epic moments from the day. Check out the galleries, and don’t forget to tag the photographer and @cityblocleeds when you share your favourites.
Photos by Kyriacos Kyriacou
Huge thanks to Kyriacos who captured the qualifiers and the first part of the finals. You’re welcome to share any pictures but please make sure you give full credit to Kyriacos Kyriacou @kyrisphotos and also give @cityblocleeds a tag.
Photos by Tom Tudor
Tom took over the later shift and covered the second qualifier session and finals. You’re welcome to share any pictures but please make sure you give full credit to Tom Tudor @tudorshoots and also give @cityblocleeds a tag.
Fancy Dress: You Lot Absolutely Smashed It
We had such a good turnout for fancy dress this year, and some of you might spot we had some amazing homemade costumes of the items that got stolen in the burglary back in August. We’re talking La Marzocco coffee machine, Makita drill, toolbox, flapjacks, the Tenzing fridge, 12.5kg weights, ladders, the lot. You lot turned misfortune into absolute gold.
The fancy dress prize went to none other than Jack MacDougall, who came as a superbly crafted Makita drill. So yes, Jack took home the Bloc Party Champion title AND the fancy dress prize. What a day.
The Tee
Every competitor got their hands on this year’s Bloc Party t-shirt, featuring a hand-drawn logo by Elliot. This year we went for black, classic, low maintenance, throw it in with anything. Sure it shows the chalk, but that’s a feature not a bug. Wear it to the crag, the pub, your nan’s, wherever. Get it on your socials, we want to see it out in the wild.
The Scores on the Doors
Here’s how the scores stacked up from the qualifiers:
Grafters Scores
Gold Diggaz Qualifier Scores
The Finals: Spotlight Showdown
After an intense qualifying round, the top 8 advanced to the finals, where the real drama unfolded. The crowd packed in (with free beers from Northern Monk and a very generous donation of champagne keeping spirits high), cheering as finalists faced off on 4 absolute nails challenges.
With George Lonsdale on the mic the vibe was buzzing. With only 4 minutes per climb and everyone watching, the pressure was on. Each climber rose to it.
Mens Final
Super close. 3rd place: Sam Butterworth with 2 tops and 3 zones. 2nd place: Luca Martins with 2 tops and 4 zones. And your male Bloc Party Champion 2025? Jack MacDougall, taking it with 3 tops and 4 zones.
Womens final
The field was stacked and somehow even tighter than the men’s. 3rd place: Connie Bridgens with 4 tops in 9 attempts. 2nd place: Fae with 4 tops in 6 attempts. And sneaking into the lead with an amazing performance? Eugenie Lee, who got 4 tops in 4 attempts. That’s right, she didn’t fall off once.
Bloc Party 2025 Winners
Gold Diggaz Female Podium
| 1st Place | Eugenie Lee |
| 2nd Place | Fae MacDougall |
| 3rd Place | Connie Bridgens |
Gold Diggaz Male Podium
| 1st Place | Jack MacDougall |
| 2nd Place | Luca Martins |
| 3rd Place | Sam Butterworth |
Big Thanks to the Bloc Family
Bloc Party wouldn’t be what it is without a huge team effort. Here’s a shoutout to everyone who made it happen: The concept: Ben, Sponsorship hunting: Ben and Jen. Organisation: Jen. Routesetting: Ben Meeks, Jack Busato and Mat Newbigin. The DJs: House of Loft. Bloc Party Staff Team: Cai, Elliot, Andy & Alfie. Food: Heather The competitors: Every one of you legends. The sponsors: Cragg Swag Gifts, Gekco, Tenzing, North Star Coffee, Black Diamond, Towngate Property, and La Sportiva, Northern Monk, Ludicrous Luggage, Shoe Chalk. Finals Judges: Nat, Will, Holly & Max. MC: George Lonsdale.
We honestly big events like this don’t happen unless we people show up, whether sponsored, supported cheered from the crowd, or climbed your heart out, you made Bloc Party 2025 what it was – our best one yet. See you at the next one.
