USA Belay supports everyone regardless of skill, background, or identity.
We vow to provide SAFE • CONSISTENT • PROFESSIONAL belay to every climber.
This page is a resource for all things competition belay from supporting elite to youth athletes. Find out how you can get involved at /community/belayers/
Many belayers across the country came together to support hundreds of athletes across 9 events in 2 weekends. Thank you to those belayers who kept athletes safe! Congratulations to the athletes who will be moving on to Youth Nationals in July. We’ll catch ya in Salt Lake 😎
Division 3 photos from @theshortbeta
Division 5 photos from @greygibson_ and @_c.lad_
Division 8 photos from @_tyhardaway_
Division 9 photos from @cajphotography
That’s a wrap on the first NACS of the season!
From the head belayer, @astonebrakerdc , “I want to take a second to say something that I think is important: this team was very special this weekend. We had veterans belaying at the top of their game, we had newer team members stepping up in a major way, and we had an aspirant who blew the doors off our expectations. From a 4.5-hour Quali grind to broadcast rounds in Semis and Finals, you all held your technique, stayed focused, and represented the program well. I’m proud of this group.”
From belay legend, @_tyhardaway_ , “I’ve been in this bit for a million years and I’ve seen a lot. This group changed me in very amazing ways. It really felt like everyone in the boat was rowing in sync and calmly strong. I have so much gratitude to each and every member. One of my best team experiences ever. HB Austin and AHB Nori allowed us to focus on our work and excel. At one point I laughed with the realization that it all keeps getting better.”
Great job, NACS 1 Belay Team!!
📸 from @_tyhardaway_
I’ve been around so long that I’ve said the words, “I’ve been around so long,” for like 5 years—I’m so blown away that this experience just keeps getting better. The belayers are better, the teams are better, and the experiences are even more meaningful. It’s self-propelled, largely self-governed, and demands the highest standards of team and individual. We are @usabelay — @astonebrakerdc you done damn did it, my friend. Exemplary.
I had the humbling opportunity to serve as Head Belayer for the 2026 National Team Trials, the most important event on the US Calendar. Not only is Trials a fairly early event (meaning belayers had to be absolutely ready) but it requires a precision and discipline that may not exist at any other event. With athletes giving their all to make the National team, we had to be prepared to support this ambition. We were and we did.
This was a belay team of seasoned pros. Mature and disciplined. Neither fanning nor slacking. This was the work of serious, intelligent people who require few corrections, only an occasional challenging question?
Eliza, Grey, Jan, Ty, Meagan, Toby, and Wes. Skwaad!
We were told that these were the most challenging US routes yet set. Nobody here hesitated to accept or meet these climbing challenges. This is literally what we do and why we do it. Were we perfect? No. To a person there is probably an encyclopedia of what-I-should-have-actually-dones. We’re nerds like that.
And we know that you know that the intentionality of what we do is a demonstration of our commitment to your attempts. We are there for it. We are there for you. We can belay that.
Namaste,
-ty
That’s a wrap on Paraclimbing Nationals!
From our head belayer, @scirye :
2026 Paraclimbing National Championships was a highlight of the year. 🏔️
It takes a village to belay at Para Nationals, and the teamwork was next level. Proud to have supported these amazing athletes—being attentive to their flow and providing a solid belay is the least we can do to help them do what they do best.
Huge thanks to everyone who made this happen! 🙏
#usabelay #athletefocused
2026 Yeti Elite National Championships Belay Team.
Belayers…Family...Skwaad
Thanks to @trangoclimbing for equipping this team with your exceptional harnesses.
