Under 18 Assessments

12 to 17 Year Old Bouldering
Assessments

All climbers under the age of 18 must be supervised at all times in the centre – unless they have passed an assessment. The most basic assessment is the Bouldering Assessment.

In this assessment, the climber will behave safely and responsibly in of the centre, will know all the safety do’s and don’t’s of bouldering and will be able to demonstrate safe use of the bouldering wall.

This assessment does not permit the climber to use the Auto-Belay or any of the roped walls without direct supervision of a competent climber.

12 to 17 Year Old Bottom Rope
Assessments

It is important for the development of children that they can use our facility as independent young climbers. As such, climbers aged between 12 and 17 can take a bottom rope assessment to ascertain their suitability to use the centre in future, in an unsupervised capacity.

The criteria for taking this assessment is that climbers should be able to:

– Fit their own climbing harness
– Tie in using a figure of eight knot with a stopper
– Demonstrate belaying another climber using
a friction plate device and an assisted braking device
– Able to hold a simple fall of a bottom rope climber
– Demonstrate safe use of the Auto-Belays complete with pre-climb checks

14 to 17 Year Old Lead Belaying
Assessments

Young climbers aged between 14 and 17 can take our Lead Belaying assessment to lead belay independently during general admission sessions.

This assessment tests your ability to belay, your stance, your knowledge of clipping, your ability to hold a lead fall, and your maturity.

The ramifications of a young person making a judgement error are grave, and so the assessment will be completed by a senior instructor to ensure that our high standards are met.

How much does it cost?

Bouldering assessments cost £20 per person, while bottom rope and lead belay assessments are £30 for two people. These assessments can take between 30 minutes and an hour for lead assessments. Please note that even if only one person is being belay assessed, a second person will need to attend to climb for them.

If a candidate fails the assessments for any reason they can book again after 14 days.