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.”

General safety:
– All visitors to the wall must report to reception upon arrival.
– You must exercise care, common sense and self-preservation at all times.
– 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.
– 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 competent and fit to do so.
– Keep landing areas, fire escapes and thoroughfares clear of possessions.
– Remove items from pockets before climbing.
– Children should be closely supervised and controlled at all times.
– 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.
– No solo climbing on any of the route walls.
– 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 at all times whilst in the centre.
– 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 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 then the staff reserve the right to refuse admission or politely ask you to leave.
YOUR DUTY OF CARE
You also have a duty of care to act responsibly towards the other users and the staff of the centre. You also have a duty of care to comply with these Conditions of Use and signs and notices throughout the centre should also be followed.
UNSUPERVISED CLIMBING
All unsupervised climbers must have completed the appropriate Bouldering only or Full Member registration process beforehand at reception, and demonstrated an appropriate level of understanding and competence for the activity or activities being registered for.
For Full Membership including roped climbing 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.
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.
SUPERVISED CLIMBING
An adult Full Member of the wall 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.

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.
BOULDERING
– Bouldering is only permitted on designated bouldering walls with red matting below. Traversing is allowed on the routes walls upto the height of the first bolt and only when it doesn’t conflict with roped climbers. Be aware that the black matting is a hard surface to land on than the red matting on the bouldering walls.
– Always be aware of other people climbing above and 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.
– Spotting a climber exposes both the climber and spotter to risk of injury.
– Helmets are not recommended on the bouldering wall.
TOP ROPING
– Many of the routes have in situ ropes in place, 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 sand bag so it does not cause a hazard. 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. Check each other’s set up before climbing.
– Tie the rope directly into the harness using a fig 8 with stopper knot 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 fig 8 with stopper knot 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.
– Always use a suitable safety harness to attach yourself to the rope, this should be in a usable condition.
– Where possible, do not start lead climbing on an adjacent line to an instructed group.
– Leader falls can result in injury and so please exercise caution and preparation before exposing yourself to this risk.
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.
– 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. 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.
Avoid being distracted when attaching to the autobelay.
– Always check you are clipped into the carabiner before climbing. Multiple incidents have occurred in other walls from climbers forgetting to do this.
– 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.
– Do not stand on the tape when attaching the carabiner, this unnecessary wears the tape and can contaminate it.
TRAINING AREA
– Please keep children 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.
– You use the training equipment at your own risk.
– Please keep the area tidy and landing zones clear.
FACILITY
– We reserve the right to close the facilities or part thereof for any period of time 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.

General Safety

• Report to reception on each visit before you climb.
• You must exercise care, common sense and self preservation at all times.
• Climbers should restrict themselves to the activities to which they are competent. If unsure ask staff.
• Report any problems with the walls, equipment or other climbers’ behaviour to a member of staff immediately.
• Be aware of the other climbers around, above or below 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.
• Always use suitable equipment for the activity, if in doubt ask a member of staff.

Auto Belay

• Only Full Members or those under appropriate supervision may use the autobelay.
• Read the signage by each auto belay before using. If unsure ask a member of staff.
• Ensure landing zone is clear at all times. Landing zone is marked on floor in yellow tape.
• Stay on designated routes, see route cards near base of route for details.
• Do not ‘let go’ of the Auto Belay and always attach to material safety triangle when not in use.

Top Roping

• Many of the climbs in the wall have top ropes already in place. Do not take them down to use on other routes.
• Do not use your own ‘quick draws’ to lead the top rope walls without consulting a member of staff first.
• Only climb the routes on your rope line as indicted in the route cards near the base.

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.
• You must clip all the runners on the route you are climbing.

When Belaying

• Always use a belay device attached to your safety harness with a locking karabiner.
• ‘Traditional’, or ‘body’ belaying is not acceptable. Figure 8’s are not acceptable for belaying.
• The ballast bags on the floor are provided to give support to people belaying a climber who is much heavier than they are. Extra hardware for this can be borrowed free of charge from reception. Direct belays from the ballast bags on the floor are not acceptable.
• 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 Climbing

• The tall walls are designed to be climbed using a rope for protection. Solo climbing is not acceptable on these walls.
• 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.

Bouldering

• Descend by down climbing, jumping or, at the very least, a controlled fall. Novices should down climb.
• Never climb directly above or below another climber.
• Avoid walking under overhangs, especially the archway.

Training Area

• These are advanced training aids that put a lot of stress on the body and therefore using them carries a real risk of injury. Only train and use equipment you are competent in.
• Keep a clear work space at all times, be aware of other wall users and any conflict in area or equipment use. Extra training aids are available free of charge from reception.
• No under 18’s on the training boards or equipment, unless agreed by a member of staff first.

General

• No topless climbing.
• Climbing shoes must be always be worn whilst climbing.
• .No running anywhere in the wall building unless specifically supervised by an instructor or warming up. This should only be done in a clear area away for other users and hazards.