ROCKSPORT GYM RULES

• Safety is the responsibility of every visitor and member

• If you see something unsafe, you are expected to intervene

• If someone is confrontational or dismissive of your concern, alert staff immediately

• Rocksport staff has final discretion about what activities are permitted or not permitted on each individual day

• Climbing carries inherent and serious risks.  All children must be attended to by an parent or guardian at all times as while at Rocksport.  Failure to follow these standards and rules will result in loss of access to our facilities.

General Rules and Warnings

• Everyone entering the facility must have a signed “RockSport Release of All Claims, Waiver of Liability, Assumption of Risk, and Indemnification Agreement, Rules Agreement, and General Warnings” form on file.

• Members and guests under 18 must have the form signed by their parent or court-appointed legal guardian.

• Everyone must check in at the front counter before entering the climbing area. Members must show their membership card.

• All members and guests must participate in a Facility Orientation during their initial visit or retake it if they have not visited in the past 180 days.

• Parents must maintain a Child:Parent ratio of no more than 3:1 and be present and attentive to dependent children throughout the visit.

• Children under 14 must be supervised by an adult unless part of a special RockSport program.

• Only rock climbing equipment approved by RockSport staff may be used in the facility.

• Rock climbing instruction is only permitted by RockSport staff.

• No climbing or other activities are allowed while under the influence of intoxicating or mood-altering substances.

• No horseplay, running, swinging, or spinning on ropes is allowed.

• Cellular phones, audio players, headphones, or similar devices are prohibited while belaying or climbing.

• Only appropriate climbing footwear (rock climbing shoes) are permitted on climbing surfaces.

• No snacks, food, or beverages (except bottled water) are allowed in climbing areas. Snacks and beverages are permitted in concrete areas.

• No climbing shoes or harnesses are allowed in restrooms.

• No climbing above or below other climbers.

• No walking under climbers.

• The training area is for individuals ages 14 and older.

• RockSport is not responsible for lost, stolen, or broken items. Do not store items in shared spaces (e.g., workout areas, climbing areas, landing mats).

• The use of vulgar language or improper conduct is prohibited.

• Groups and lessons in progress have priority on certain routes. If an instructor needs a route, participants may be asked to move.

• If unfamiliar with weight or exercise equipment, request an orientation prior to use.

• Parking restrictions exist at RockSport facilities. Overnight parking is prohibited, and vehicles may be towed at the owner’s expense.

• RockSport is committed to maintaining an environment free from discrimination, harassment, and offensive behavior, including inappropriate remarks or conduct related to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, or age. Verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature is strictly prohibited.

• All members and guests must comply with the judgment, direction, and decisions of RockSport staff.

• Climbing on any artificial climbing wall may result in falls and/or injuries. By participating, you assume all risks, including serious injury or death.

• Padded landing surfaces may not prevent injuries to extremities. Serious injuries can occur on any landing surface. Climb at your own risk!

• Inherent risks include, but are not limited to:

-Failure to properly clip into an auto belay or tie into a roped belay system.

-Belayers may not properly arrest falls, and arresting falls may cause injury.

-Hair, clothing, or jewelry may come into contact with climbing structures or belay

  devices, causing injury. Restrain hair, remove jewelry, and secure loose clothing.

-Landing on items left in the landing zone. Always check your landing zone.

-Swinging or falls that may result in contact with other persons, climbing wall

  features, or structures.

-Failure of equipment supplied by you or RockSport.

-Physical demands associated with participation.

-Slips, trips, or falls on landing surfaces or curbs.

-Falling objects or falling from any height.

-Misuse of the facility or personal protection equipment.

-Lack of adequate training.

-Negligence of other climbers.

-Using or acting as a spotter may not prevent injuries to yourself or others.

-Cuts and abrasions from ropes, walls, or hardware.

• RockSport may institute new or facility-specific rules at any time. Check with staff for current rules.

Note: Any infraction of these rules may result in loss of privileges for that event. Repeated infractions may result in loss of membership privileges.

Auto-Belay Rules

• All users must be oriented by RockSport staff on proper auto-belay use before use.

• Climbers are responsible for properly clipping into the auto-belay, second-hand carabiner, and performing double checks. Always “DOUBLE CLIP” and “DOUBLE CHECK”!

• Stay in line with the top anchor and never climb into slack.

• Children under 12 must be supervised and connected to auto belays by an adult.

Note: Any infraction of these rules may result in loss of privileges for that event. Repeated infractions may result in loss of membership privileges.

Bouldering Rules

• Bouldering is only allowed over padded areas. Do not boulder under roped climbers.

• A minimum of one spotter per climber is recommended. Bouldering is dangerous, and spotters may not prevent injuries. Spotters may also be injured by a falling boulderer.

• Pull a smaller pad over seams in the modular pad system to ensure safety during falls.

• No flips, tricks, or jumping from top-out bouldering areas.

• Practice safe falling techniques; roll if needed to reduce impact. All falls are ground falls!

• Only authorized participants may boulder, after demonstrating appropriate skills to RockSport staff.

Note: Any infraction of these rules may result in loss of privileges for that event. Repeated infractions may result in loss of membership privileges.

Belaying Rules

• All belayers and climbers must use proper belaying technique (PBUS) and double-check their setup before each climb. The belayer checks the climber’s gear and knots, and the climber checks the belayer’s system, exchanging confirmation.

• Belay certification tags must be worn and visible on the harness at all times.

• Everyone who belays must undergo a proficiency test by a RockSport employee. Top rope and lead proficiency are separate.

• Whether an individual qualifies for “testing out” or must come back another day is at the discretion of the RockSport instructor.

• All climbers must tie in using a figure-eight follow-through knot. Other knots are not acceptable.

• Belay devices are available for rent at the front desk. Top Rope and Lead climbers supply their own belay devices.

• All belayers must use an assisted braking device (ABD).

• The belayer must pay attention to the climber at all times.

• A stopper knot is required on the brake side of the rope to prevent it from passing through the belay device.

• Children must be 14 or older to belay (exceptions by arrangement only).

Note: Any infraction of these rules may result in loss of privileges for that event. Repeated infractions may result in loss of membership privileges.

Lead Climbing Rules

• Lead climbing is a privilege. Guests must be checked out and qualified by a RockSport staff member to lead belay or lead climb.

• Lead climbers who do not follow rules will be warned, and privileges may be revoked.

• A stopper knot is required on the brake side of the rope.

• Stick clipping is mandatory on all lead routes.

• Skipping clips is not allowed and will result in revoked climbing privileges.

• No unnecessary or lengthy falls.

• Following on lead routes is not allowed.

• Practice lead falls are not allowed except in lessons supervised by RockSport staff.

• All lead climbers must wear a visible RockSport lead-qualified tag on their harness.

• Children must be 16 or older to lead belay or lead climb (exceptions by arrangement only).

Note: Any infraction of these rules may result in loss of privileges for that event. Repeated infractions may result in loss of membership privileges.