Climbing wall rules

• General safety

  • You must 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 walls, holds (loose, spinning or broken), equipment or other climbers’ behaviour to a member of staff immediately
  • Do not remove or adjust in any way bolt on holds on the wall
  • Be aware of other climbers around you and how your actions may affect them
  • Do not distract people while they are climbing or belaying
  • Stand well back from the wall unless you are belaying or spotting a climber. Never stand directly under a climber
  • Climbers are responsible for ensuring any personal climbing equipment is fit for purpose at all times; equipment will be checked by Sport Centre staff and you will be asked to use alternative equipment should they have any concerns regarding your personal equipment
  • Climbers are responsible for ensuring they seek refresher training if required
  • Always use recognised belay devices
  • Climbing shoes must be worn, these are available for hire
  • All junior climbers, under 16 years, must wear helmets
  • Novice adult climbers are encouraged to wear helmets
  • Staff will undertake regular floor walking patrols; if they see any behaviour/actions they deem unsafe they will be recorded and you may be asked to cease your session

• Facility care

  • Please ensure all belongings are stored neatly by the rebound boards opposite the wall
  • Lockers are available in the changing rooms
  • Neither the University Court of the University of St Andrews nor Saints Sport will be responsible for the loss of members’ property whilst use is made of the Sports Centre or related facilities
  • Only use chalk balls or liquid chalk not loose chalk
  • Deposit any litter in the bins provided
  • Do not consume food or hot drinks within the area of the climbing wall. Water bottles are acceptable, ensure these are kept away from the wall
  • Please report any damage or hazards to centre staff immediately
  • Last entry to wall is half an hour before closing

• When climbing

  • 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
  • If traversing on the roped wall do not place your feet higher than your head height or traverse under other climbers. Feet must remain below the black line
  • Solo climbing is not permitted

• When belaying

  • Always use a recognised belay device attached to your harness with a locking karabiner
  • ‘Traditional’ or ‘body’ belaying is 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

• Lead climbing

  • Pay attention when belaying-inattentive belaying is the greatest cause of accidents on leading walls
  • When using the lead routes you must supply your own appropriately rated dynamic rope. Do not use the centre’s top ropes for lead climbing
  • Do not use your own ‘quick draws’ to lead the top rope walls. You must clip all the runners on the route you are climbing
  • If you remove the centre’s top ropes to allow for lead climbing YOU MUST replace them at the end of your session for the benefit of all

• External instructor briefing points

  Roped climbing:

  1. All climbing by group members must be done under the supervision of a qualified instructor
  2. The rules set out by the wall and instructor must be followed at all times
  3. Holds may break or spin; please notify the instructor and centre if you find a broken or loose hold
  4. Climbing without the use of ropes and a belayer on the main roped walls must only be done by keeping your feet below the marked line
  5. Be mindful of other climbers above and around you
  6. When belaying ensure that you stay close to the wall
  7. Keep all trip hazards including ropes out of the way and at the base of the wall
  8. Bags, bottles and food are not permitted next to the climbing wall, they should be stored safely by the rebound boards or in a locker in the centre’s changing room
  9. Inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated and the activity will stop if required