Climbers in the Yukon Junior Program showed off a season's worth of training Thursday at the territory's bouldering championships.

Close to 30 competitors came out for the 2009 Yukon Bouldering Championships, held at F.H. Collins Secondary School's indoor climbing wall.

This was the sport's first Yukon championships since 2001.

"It was a great way to wrap it all up and a great way for our athletes to get exposed to some competition," said Alain Dallaire, one of the coaches of the junior climbing program.

"We have a great climbing community in the Yukon. I think many of the people move to the North for the outdoors and many of the people that move to the North for the outdoors, climbing is part of it."

The junior climbing group started off the season in October with around 20 members. Up until Thursday's championships, they had met twice a week to practice. The championships marked an end to the indoor season, but some of the juniors will continue bouldering outside.

Dallaire said the practices devoted a lot of attention towards proper technique, including foot work, hand work and body position.

Other coaches that helped out included Mike Lewis, Isabelle Beauregard, Andy Preto and Dave Benton.

Thursday's competition was divided into three categories: open, juvenile and junior.

Sierra Allen won two categories, placing first in the female junior and open events.

Her score of 68 points in the open category was the highest total on Thursday and was more than 20 points ahead of her closest competitor in the female open group.

Points were awarded based on the difficulty of the climb and how many attempts were needed to complete it.

Holly Goulding placed second the female open category with 45 points.

Dallaire said the talent of many female participants is one the interesting things about rock climbing.

"That's a reason why the sport is fantastic because it opens so many doors for girls and girls are so technical when they climb," he said.

On the open male side, Jonathan Lowey, 18, placed first with 55 points.

"We have a pretty decent climbing community in Whitehorse, so if anybody wants to come out and try it, it's all good," he said. "Everyone is nice and encouraging."

Matt Scheinck finished a close second and was only one point behind Lowey.

The female juvenile category was won by Emeraude Dallaire-Robert, who had a score of 37 points, while Alex Wyatt came in first among the juvenile male competitors. Wyatt scored 25 points.

Lowey scored the highest junior score, finishing once again with 55 points, while Thorin Loeks came in second with 36 points.

Loeks, 18, said his first rock climbing season went really well and was a lot of fun.

"It's definitely made me want to pursue rock climbing at a higher level for bouldering," he said. "What's great about the climbing club is it makes you really want to get fit. It's really inspiring just for all around fitness."

The next major Yukon rock climbing event is the sixth annual Ibex Bouldering Festival. Last year the bouldering festival drew around 150 people.

It's scheduled for August 9 in the Ibex Valley.