Cancellation Policy

We understand that from time to time it is necessary to change plans at the last minute and have developed a cancellation policy that minimises the cancellation charges:

• After booking and up to 2 days before the scheduled activity - 10% of activity fee as a cancellation charge
• Less than 2 days - 100% of activity fee unless the slot is re-booked when a 10% charge will apply.

Conditions of Use

Risks "The British Mountaineering Council recognises that climbing and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement"

Although the climbing centre is an artificial environment the risks involved are no less serious than when climbing outside on a crag or mountain. There is an additional risk that bolt-on holds can spin or break.

The Soft flooring is designed to provide a more comfortable landing for climbers falling or jumping when bouldering. The soft flooring does not remove risk. Broken and sprained limbs are common despite the soft flooring. Uncontrolled falls are likely to result in injuries to yourself and others.

Climbing beyond your capabilities is likely to result in a fall. Any fall may result in an injury despite the safety systems in place to prevent it. You must make your own assessment of the risks whenever you climb.

Our duty of care

The code of practice of the climbing centre is not intended to limit your enjoyment of the facilities. It is part of the duty of care that we, as the operators, owe to you, the customer, by law. As such they are not negotiable and if you are not prepared to abide by them the staff must politely ask you to leave.

Your Duty of care

You also have a duty of care to act responsibly towards other users of the centre. Statements of 'good practice' are posted around the centre adjacent to the relevant facilities. These describe the accepted methods of use and how customers would normally be expected to behave towards each other.

Unsupervised climbing

Before you climb without supervision we expect you to be competent in the use of, a safety harness, a suitable knot to attach a rope to the harness and a belay device to arrest a falling climber using a rope. You are required to register to say that you know how to use the equipment, that you are prepared to abide by the code of practice and that you understand the risks involved in your participation.

Anyone who is not able to comply with the above must be classed as a novice and must not climb without appropriate supervision.

Unsupervised climbing is just that!

Staff will provide whatever help and advice they can but instruction in the use of equipment or climbing techniques will only be provided where it is booked and paid for in advance. If you are not confident in the use of any climbing equipment or technique then do not attempt to use it without the supervision of someone who is competent to do so.

Supervised climbing

An experienced adult climber may supervise up to two novices after reading the 'mentor policy and advice document and completing the 'mentor form'. This requires that the mentor accept full responsibility for the safety and behaviour of those novices under their care.

Groups

Groups of three or more novices must only be supervised by an instructor holding an appropriate qualification.

Juniors

A junior's parent or legal guardian must give their permission to take part in any activity at the centre. Junior membership / day forms must be signed by the junior's parent / guardian prior to any activity. It is expected that party organisers / group co-ordinators will have gained this permission prior to their visit.

All juniors aged 13 and below must be supervised.

Loss of personal property

No responsibility can be accepted for any loss of or damage to customers' personal property. No valuables should be left unattended.

Code of Practise

General safety

• Report to reception on each visit before you climb
• Exercise care, common sense and self preservation at all times.
• Report any problems with the holds, climbing surface, equipment or other climbers' behaviour to a member of staff immediately.
• Report all accidents / injuries to a member of staff immediately.
• 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 climbing surfaces unless you are belaying or spotting. Never stand directly under someone who is climbing.
• Do not carry mobile phones or other objects that may fall and injure someone below you.

Roped climbing

Belaying

Always use a belay device attached to your harness or rope tie-in loop. Italian hitches are not acceptable.

Ground anchor points are provided for belayers who are lighter than their climbing partners. Direct belays 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.

Climbing

Before climbing please ensure that all harness buckles and karabiners are correctly secured.

Always tie the rope directly into the harness using an appropriate knot. Clipping in with a karabiner is not acceptable.

Do not use in-situ ropes for leading.

Do not use bolt hangers as hand holds.

Leading

When leading, use an appropriate dynamic rope - check that it is long enough for the route you are about to climb.

Clip all quick draws on the route you are climbing.

Do not top rope from lower-off chains

Bouldering

Always climb within your capabilities and descend by down climbing, jumping or a controlled fall.

Never climb directly above or below another climber.

All climbers must observe the maximum soloing height marker. No feet above blue spot level.

Abseiling

Abseil and safety ropes are available to instructors and experienced adult climbers upon request. Only recognised methods of abseiling that incorporate friction devices may be used. Instructors / supervising climbers are required to use a safety rope.

Supervised climbers

Instructors and mentors are responsible for their own, and their group's safety / good behaviour. All novices must be supervised.

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