Safety rules Climbing and Bouldering

Here you will find all safety rules for climbing and bouldering

TOP ROPE AND LEAD CLIMBING SAFETY RULES

  • Only guests who possess a climbing proficiency certificate or have demonstrable experience in independent indoor top rope or lead climbing are permitted to climb independently.
  • A partner check must be performed before each climb.
  • Climbers must tie in directly using a figure eight follow through knot.
  • Climbers are not permitted to belay themselves. Route setters/personnel while at work form the exception to this rule.
  • Regardless of the belay device in use, it is not permitted to release the rope with your brake hand while your climber is tied in.
  • Climbing is only permitted with the use of a CE-certified climbing harness and (lead) climbing ropes, of which the manufacturer’s recommended lifespan has not been exceeded.
  • Belaying is only permitted with the use of a CE-certified belay device. We recommend that you use an assisted blocking belay device.
  • No other position than a standing one is permitted while belaying. Paraclimbers form the exception to this rule.
  • Belayers must lower climbers at a calm and even rate.
  • Guests are not permitted to give belaying lessons.
  • With the exception of a chalk bag, it is not permitted to climb with climbing equipment and/or other items attached to or otherwise hanging from your harness.
  • Immediately report unsafe situations to our staff at the front desk.

At some of our locations you can also climb Auto Belay. The safety rules that apply can be found on this page.

SUPPLEMENTAL RULES FOR LEAD CLIMBING

  • Do not climb a route immediately adjacent to a route that is already being climbed by another guest. Always leave one rope/anchor point between you and other climbers.
  • Lead climbing is only permitted on specially designated wall areas.
  • Use a dynamic rope of no less than 40 meters in length.
  • Guests are required to wear shoes when belaying a lead climber.
  • Climbers must use all draws associated with a route.
  • MN personnel are at all times authorised to revoke permission to lead climb, for instance during a sudden peak in guest numbers.

SAFETY RULES BOULDERING

  • Keep the mats free and clear for those bouldering.
  • Do not run, play or lie on the mats.
  • Be sure to give those bouldering sufficient space (above, below, to the left and right) on the walls.
  • While bouldering, please use only the walls and the holds. Do not use the structure of the building.
  • Keep the mats free of any objects.
  • Be sure not to wear any jewellery or watches while bouldering.
  • Ensure that you understand and use proper technique regarding falling:
    • It is better to climb down than to jump down
    • Practice jumping down and absorbing your jump or fall with your body
    • Try to land on both feet
    • Try to keep your feet flat while landing
    • Try not to land with your limbs straight and rigid
    • Bend your knees when landing or try to roll

An instructional video can be found here.

Additional rules apply to bouldering in bouldering center RijnBoulder (Arnhem). You can read this here.

AGE-RELATED RULES FOR CLIMBING AND BOULDERING

Bouldering

  • Up to 11 years old, under the supervision of an adult parent/guardian (maximum of 3 children per parent/guardian)
  • From 12 years old, independent.

Auto Belay Climbing

  • Not possible for children aged 4 and under.
  • Ages 5 to 13, under the supervision of a parent/guardian (who possesses an Indoor Toprope Climbing Certificate).
  • From 14 years old, independent (if in possession of an Indoor Toprope Climbing Certificate).

Toprope Climbing

  • Up to 7 years old, allowed to toprope climb but not belay, under the supervision of an adult parent/guardian (who possesses an Indoor Toprope Climbing Certificate).
  • Ages 8 to 13, allowed to toprope climb and belay, under the supervision of an adult parent/guardian (who possesses an Indoor Toprope Climbing Certificate).
  • From 14 years old, independent toprope climbing and belaying ​​​1

Lead Climbing

  • Not possible for children aged 7 and under.
  • Ages 8 to 16, allowed to lead climb and lead belay, under the supervision of an adult parent/guardian (who possesses an Indoor Lead Climbing Certificate).
  • From 16 years old, independent lead climbing and lead belaying ​​​1

1. The above applies only if the child possesses the relevant Climbing Certificate.

For minors who are members of the Mountain Club and climb under the supervision of Mountain Network, we follow the guidelines of the “SVK Label System Children’s Climbing.” You can find more information about this at www.mountainclub.nl.

Please note: Children up to 17 years old are only allowed to participate in activities with written consent from a parent/legal representative.