Big Win After Long Break from Competing. Is Drew Back?

Drew Ruana getting sideways on route #3, the hardest of the routes at the 2021 Climbing Combine.

We were all so excited to see Drew Ruana walk through the door. Longtime Team USA member, toured with the USAC team for many years since a youth. And when he left the climbing competitive scene, we were all wondering if he’d come back.

We were extremely honored that he chose the BFL Climbing Combine as his first competition back into the professional scene. Drew crushed every strength evaluation, taking first place in qualifiers, and then crushed the boulders in finals as well.

There was nothing he couldn’t do, accept get the zone hold on #3 as you see in the photo. He just didn’t hold it long enough to satisfy the needs of the judges to give him the point.

Either way, he walked away with $800. And soon after took 1st in another professional competition soon after. He’s on a roll, and we hope he stays in the professional climbing scene.