Rock Climbing

What are the different types of climbing I can do at the Climbing Center?
We offer three types of climbing in the Center: top rope, bouldering and mock leading. 

• Top rope refers to the rope being installed through the top of the wall. The tension of the rope is controlled by a person on the ground, called the belayer, who is responsible for controlling the rope tension so that when the climber falls or is ready to come down, there’s only a short drop. 
• Bouldering is done on smaller rock formations, or boulders, closer to the ground using a thick cushion for safety rather than a rope or harness.
• Lead climbing is done by the climber clipping themselves into existing holds along the wall or rock face. 

What is Belaying?
Belay is an Old English word meaning "to secure", and it refers to the protection system used in climbing. 

Can I come to the wall by myself, or do I need to bring a partner?
You can absolutely come by yourself! During open climb, participants are encouraged to come with or find partners to take turns belaying and climbing. First-time climbers are instructed by staff on proper belaying techniques during a 10-minute beginner climbing orientation.

How tall is the wall?
It’s 36-foot-high, with 1,500 square feet of climbing space, eight top ropes and bouldering-only space, our Climbing Center accommodates all abilities and experience levels.

What's that angled structure on the floor?
It’s a bouldering cave. Bouldering is a type of climbing that’s done closer to the ground using a thick cushion for safety rather than a rope and harness. 

What equipment do I need?
We have everything you’ll need in our Climbing Center. Present your active Nautilus Card to check out required climbing gear at no cost. Do bring your own socks though! 

What do I need to wear
Climbing is an all-body sport, so you should wear athletic clothing that allows for a full range of motion. We recommend you wear pants to protect your legs from scraping on the walls, as well as closed-toe shoes with socks.

What's all that tape on the walls?
The tape signifies routes and problems with varying degrees of difficulty for climbers to use to get to the top. Routes and problems are changed regularly to provide new and exciting challenges for climbers.

How strong is the rope?
Our ropes are designed and manufactured specifically for climbing and can hold up to 7,000 pounds.

What if I'm afraid of heights?
Come try out our bouldering cave. Bouldering is a type of climbing done close to the ground. 

How much does it cost to climb?
Climbing is free to anyone with access to the Health, Leisure and Sports Facility. We also offer special group climbing events for on-campus and off-campus groups. For pricing information on special events, please visit the Climbing Event webpage. 

Who can use the wall?
Anyone with access to the Health, Leisure and Sports Facility can use the Climbing Center. We also offer special group climbing events for on-campus and off-campus groups. 

• For more information about special events here, visit our Special Events Services page.
• For more information about the facility's policies, visit our HLS Facility Policies page.

Each clinic is a one-hour course designed to teach the necessary safety skills for top-rope climbing. Upon successful completion of this clinic, participants will be able to properly put on a harness, tie into the rope, and belay a partner. 

Participants should bring a partner if possible, although partners can be found in the course. 

Clinics are offered during open climb (see hours of operation above for open climb dates and times).

It takes two people to top rope climb: the climber and the belayer. It’s the belayer’s responsibility to control the tension on the rope so that when the climber falls, or is ready to come down, there’s only a short drop. 

Come to the Climbing Center during normal hours of operation to start your certification process. Top rope belay certification is free to all UWF students and is awarded after successful completion of the following:

1. 15-minute introductory top rope climbing lesson with a staff belayer
2. One-hour Top Rope Climbing Clinic 
3. 30-minute belay assessment administered by the Climbing Center student staff
   Beginner top rope belay status achieved! 
4. Over the course of three days, participants will belay Climbing Center climbers with a staff belay check and backup belayer to solidify their skills. The days do not have to be consecutive and it’s up to the person seeking certification to determine what days and times they want to come in to complete these skill checks.
   Top rope belay certification complete!

Maintain your certification by re-completing the 15-minute belay test annually.