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Climbing wall conditions of use

Risks

“The British Mountaineering Council recognises that climbing and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.”

Although the climbing wall is an artificial environment the risks involved are no less serious than when climbing outside on a crag or mountain. There is the additional risk that bolt-on holds can spin or break.

Climbing beyond your capabilities on any wall is likely to result in a fall. Any fall may result in an injury despite the safety systems in place to avoid it. You must make your own assessment of the risks whenever you climb.

Our Duty of Care

The rules of the climbing wall set out below are not intended to limit your enjoyment of the facilities. They are part of the duty of care that we, as operators, owe to you, the customer by law. As such they are not negotiable and if you are not prepared to abide by them, the staff must politely ask you to leave.

Your Duty of Care

You also have a duty of care to act responsibly towards other users of the centre. Statements of ‘Good Practice’ are posted around the centre adjacent to the relevant facilities. These describe the accepted methods of use and how customers would normally be expected to behave towards each other. If you see something wrong report it to a member of staff.

Unsupervised Climbing

Before you climb without supervision the centre expects you to be competent in the use of a safety harness, a suitable knot to attach a rope to the harness and a belay device to secure a falling climber or lower a climber from the wall using a rope. You are required to register to say that you know how to use the equipment, that you are prepared to abide by the rules below and that you understand the risks involved in your participation. Anyone who has not registered is classed as a novice and must not climb without supervision.

Unsupervised climbing is just that! Staff will provide whatever help and advice they can, but instruction in the use of equipment or climbing techniques will only be provided where it has been booked and paid for in advance. If you are not confident in the use of any climbing equipment or technique then do not attempt to use it without the supervision of someone who is competent to do so.

Supervised Climbing

An adult who has registered at the centre may supervise up to two novice climbers as long as they are prepared to take full responsibility for the safety of those people. Groups of three or more novices must only be supervised by an instructor holding the relevant qualifications.

Children (U18 years of age) – All children must be supervised in the centre.

Rules

General Safety

  • Report to reception on each visit before you climb.
  • You must exercise care, common sense and self- preservation at all times.
  • Report any problems with the wall, equipment or other climbers’ behaviour/bad practice to a member of staff immediately.
  • Report spinning holds immediately to reception.
  • Be aware of the other climbers around you and how your actions will affect them.
  • Do not distract people while they are climbing or belaying.
  • Stand well back from the climbing walls unless you are belaying or spotting a climber. Never stand directly under someone who is climbing.
  • Do not attempt to tamper with overhead lighting – danger of electric shock.
  • Do not use any of the glass walls for climbing.
  • Shoes to be worn at all times.

Top Roping

  • Top ropes are the responsibility of the centre. Do not take them down to use on other routes.

Leading

  • If a Top Rope is in situ you may pull the rope down but it must be replaced after you have finished leading.
  • When using the lead walls you must supply your own appropriately rated dynamic rope. Do not use the centre’s top ropes for lead climbing.
  • Running belay attachments (runners) are already provided at intervals on the lead walls so you do not need your own ‘quick draws’.

When Belaying

  • Always use a belay device attached to your safety harness with a locking karabiner. ‘Traditional’ or ‘body’ belaying is not acceptable.
  • The ground anchors are provided to give support to people belaying a climber who is much heavier than they are.
  • Always pay attention to what the climber is doing.
  • Always stand as close to the climbing wall as is practical.
  • Sitting or lying down is not acceptable when belaying
  • Always use a safety harness to attach yourself to the rope.
  • Always tie the rope directly into the harness using a suitable climbing knot. Clipping in with a karabiner is not acceptable.
  • Do not belay outside of the climbing area – ie past the sliding doors.
  • Do not belay a lead climber unless you have had sufficient training and practice.

Traversing

  • Traversing across the wall is permitted up to 1m above the ground but only when routes are not in use.

Miscellaneous

  • Use of loose chalk is prohibited. Chalk balls are acceptable.
  • Tops must be worn at all time.
  • No bouldering/soloing is permitted on the lead/top roping walls at any time. Always use a rope to protect yourself on these climb.