Bouldering

Bouldering is only permitted on designated bouldering walls with red matting below. Traversing is allowed on the routes walls up to the height of the first bolt (hands) only when it doesn’t conflict with roped climbers. Be aware that the black matting is a harder surface to land on than the red matting.

• Always be aware of other people climbing around you.
• The red matting does not remove the risk of injury. Broken and sprained limbs are common on this type of climbing wall despite the soft matting and can occur when jumping down in control.
• Uncontrolled falls are likely to cause injury to yourself and other wall users and should be avoided whenever possible.
• Downclimbing is the safest means of decent. When this is not possible a controlled jump and landing is acceptable, but this increases the risk of injury.
• Be aware of the fall potential of other climbers when on the red matting. Keep well clear (at least 2m) of other climbers on the wall.
• Foot and hand slips can result in uncontrolled falls as can spinning holds and climbing at, or beyond, your limit.
• Never climb directly above or below other climbers.
• No harnesses or hardware to be worn when bouldering.
• You should climb no higher than your hands touching the top of the wall.
• At height ‘Spotting’ is actively discouraged.
• Helmets are not recommended on the bouldering wall.

Your Duty Of Care

You also have a duty of care to act responsibly and respectfully towards other users and the staff of the centre. You also have a duty of care to comply with these Conditions of Use and any registration processes. Signs and notices throughout the centre should also be followed.

General Safety

• All visitors to the centre must report to reception upon arrival and undergo a registration process as necessary.
• You must exercise care, common sense, and self-preservation always.
• Report any problems with the walls and equipment, including loose, spinning, or broken holds, or other climbers’ behaviour to a member of staff immediately.
• At all times be aware of the other climbers around you and how your actions will affect them and vice versa.
• Do not distract people while they are climbing or belaying.
• Never stand under underneath someone who is climbing, staying well clear of the walls when moving around the centre.
• Only take part in climbing activities that you are registered for, currently competent and fit to do.
• Beware of trip hazards throughout the centre. Keep landing areas, fire escapes and thoroughfares clear of possessions and training equipment.
• Remove items from pockets and rings from fingers before climbing.
• Children should be closely supervised and controlled at all times and registered on a supervisory form.
• All accidents /incidents must be fully reported to a member of staff at reception immediately.
• Be aware of the locations of fire exits in the building and the assembly point in the car park.
• If you haven’t climbed for some time, then please be aware of skill fade. If you’re not sure, then stop and ask a member of staff for advice.
• Whilst helmets are not mandatory, you have the option to wear one if you so choose. Please ask at reception if you would like a helmet, they are free to hire. The centre cannot take responsibility for any injuries sustained, should you choose not to wear a helmet.
• All instructions given by our staff and instructors must be followed and adhered to.
• 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 centre set out here 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 then the staff reserve the right to refuse admission or politely ask you to leave.
• SUPERVISED CLIMBINGA registered adult may supervise up to two novices or under 18’s and must take full responsibility for the safety of those people. Groups of more than two can only be supervised by an instructor with an appropriate Mountain Training qualification or military equivalent.

Unsupervised Climbing

• All unsupervised climbers must have completed the appropriate registration process beforehand at reception and demonstrated an appropriate level of understanding and competence for the activity or activities being registered for.

For rope climbing registration you are expected to be competent in putting on a safety harness on correctly, securing the rope with an appropriate knot, and using a belay device to secure a falling climber and to lower them to the ground safely.For Bouldering only you are expected to be competent at using the bouldering wall and understand the risks and how you can manage some of those risks.All climbers must understand how to use the equipment and the risks involved in the activity and agree to abide by the conditions of use. Staff can offer advice and guidance but instruction in the use of equipment must only be given as part of a pre-booked instructed session.Anyone not competent must be supervised.

• PARTICIPATION STATEMENT:“All climbing activities have a risk of serious injury. Participants must recognise that even if they follow all good practice there may still be the risk of accident and injury. It is the responsibility of the participant to adhere to the conditions of use.”

Top Roping

• Many of the routes have in situ ropes in place, please do not remove them.

A number of these routes also have quickdraws in place and a single quickdraw at the top anchor. If you wish to lead these climbs, please move the top rope to one side or tie it to a ballast sandbag so it does not cause a hazard to climber or belayer. Clip the single quickdraw at the top to be lowered and then pull the rope down once lowered to the floor. Do not top rope through a single anchor.

• Do not use your own quickdraws on the top rope routes.
• Please ensure that you and your partner are currently competent at belaying before climbing. Ask staff if unsure. Check each other’s set up before climbing.
• Tie the rope directly into the harness using a well tightened fig 8 with stopper or appropriate length tail. or bowline with stopper knot. Clipping in with a carabiner should be avoided unless knot tying into the harness isn’t appropriate, please check with a member of staff first.
• Always use a suitable safety harness to attach yourself to the rope, this should be in a usable condition.

Lead Climbing

• Lead climbing requires a higher level of skill and understanding than top rope belaying and should only be undertaken if you are competent to do so. If you are not sure, please ask a member of staff.
• Tie the rope directly into the harness using a well tightened fig 8 with stopper knot or appropriate length tail, or bowline with stopper knot. Never use a carabiner to attach the rope when lead climbing.
• 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 (quickdraws) are already provided at intervals on the lead walls so you do not need your own. You must clip all the runners on the route in order, do not skip clips.
• Where possible, do not start lead climbing on an adjacent line to an instructed group.

Belaying

• Always use good current practice when belaying. If you are not sure, please ask a member of staff before starting.
• Always use a belay device attached to your safety harness with a locking karabiner. ‘Traditional’, or ‘body’ belaying is not acceptable
• Always pay attention to the climber when belaying and ensure you are in a position where the rope does not cause a hazard to the climber, and you are out of the fall line.

The sand ballast bags are provided to give support to people belaying a climber who is much heavier than they are. Direct belays from the Ballast Bags are not acceptable. If you are unsure how to use these please ask a member of staff. The Edelrid ‘Ohm’ is also available at reception for large weight differences when lead climbing/belaying as are assisted braking belay devices.

• Always stand as close to the climbing wall as is practical. Avoid moving ever further outwards as this reduces friction in the system and can pull the belayer into an unbalanced position aas well as letting too much rope out. Sitting or lying down are not acceptable.

Autobelay

• If you haven’t used an autobelay before or you’re unsure how to then please ask a member of staff to give you a brief induction beforehand and ensure you have completed the appropriate registration process.
• Avoid being distracted when attaching to the autobelay.
• Always check you are clipped into the carabiner before climbing. Multiple incidents have occurred in other climbing walls from climbers forgetting to do exactly this.
• No helmets to be worn on the auto belays! This is to avoid dangerous hang ups.
• DOUBLE CHECK you are clipped in!
• Keep the landing zone clear and look out for other wall users entering the landing zone when using the autobelay. In this situation shout down for them to move immediately.
• Please do not stand on the tape when attaching the carabiner, this unnecessarily wears the tape and can contaminate it

Training Area

• Be aware of trip hazards, especially left training equipment on the floor.
• Please tidy up all equipment used and keep work areas and landing zones clear.
• Please keep under 18’s away from the training area.
• The campus board and fingers boards are recommended for experienced over 18’s only due to the high risk of injury to fingers and potential falls.
• No gymnastics on the bars these are for core and upper body training only.
• Experienced users only, you use the training equipment at your own risk.
• Again, please keep the area tidy and landing zones clear.
• Be aware of other wall users and avoid conflict of use.

Facility

• We reserve the right to close the facilities or part thereof for any period when required for route setting, events, other activities or in connection with repairs, alteration, or maintenance work.
• The centre occasionally films and takes photographs of sessions for marketing and training purposes.

Declaration Of Fitness

Anyone taking part in any activity in the centre must declare before commencing if they suffer from a medical condition which might have the effect of making it more likely that I be involved in an accident which could result in injury to myself or others. Such information will be dealt with confidentially.

• Conditions of Use