Rock Climbing
The UWF Climbing Center is located downstairs in the Health, Leisure, and Sports Facility and projects into the second floor with its 36-foot-high climbing wall. With 1,500 square feet of climbing space, eight top ropes, and bouldering-only space, our center accommodates all abilities and experience levels. Routes and problems are changed regularly to provide new and exciting challenges for climbers.
Winter Break Closure
The Climbing Center will be closed during winter break, December 9-January 5. We look forward to seeing you again soon!
Climbing Center Hours
*The Climbing Center Closes during University observed holidays and when the HLS Facility utilizes modified hours*
| OPEN CLIMB | |
|---|---|
| DAY (January 6 - May 2) | TIME |
| Monday - Thursday | 4-7:30 p.m. |
| Friday | 4-7 p.m. |
| DAY | REASON |
| Various* | HLS Modified Hours and Holidays |
| Friday, January 10 | Opening at 5:30pm due to Staff Training |
| Friday, February 14 | Belay Competition |
What to expect on your first trip to the Climbing Center
- Entrance into the Climbing Center: The Climbing Center honors the Health, Leisure, and Sports Facility guest policy, so participants must have access to the HLS Facility to use the Climbing Center. More information about the HLS Facility’s admittance policies can be found here (link). After coming into the HLS Facility, make your way downstairs and check-in with the front desk. UWF patrons will swipe in with their active Nautilus Card. Community members will have to pay the guest pass fee or have an active HLS membership to enter.
- Climbing Center Consent Form: Climbing Center participants (or the legal guardian for those under the age of 18) are required to complete the HLS Facility consent form prior to their first climbing session. The form will need to be renewed each year and will be current from August 1-July 31. The form is available to be completed on-site at the HLS facility or in MyUWF for UWF patrons.
- Climbing Orientation: Participants are given one free introductory 10-minute beginner climbing orientation, which can include a one-time first visit Climbing Instructor's belayed climb.
- After a climbing Instructor belays your first climb, you are encouraged to participate in our free climbing clinic offered anytime during Open Climb hours at your convenience.
- Climbing Gear: Climbing gear for UWF patrons is available at no cost. Community members who utilize our climbing gear will pay a $5 gear rental fee which includes the use of our Climbing Shoes and Harness.
- Our Belay Devices and community climbing chalk will be available for free for all participants.
Climbing Center FAQs
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.
Clinics and Certifications
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:
- 15-minute introductory top rope climbing lesson with a staff belayer
- One-hour Top Rope Climbing Clinic
- 30-minute belay assessment administered by the Climbing Center student staff
Beginner top rope belay status achieved! - 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.
Reaching Your Peak
Reach new heights with Outdoor Adventures and discover just how high you can climb. By logging your number of climbs each day, OA can track and provide you your grand total (in feet) by the end of the semester. Reaching Your Peak is offered throughout Fall and Spring semesters. Certain peaks are awarded a prize and all participants will be entered in a raffle to win OA merch (while supplies last). Happy Climbing!
Climbing Survey and Reaching Your Peak Tracking
Questions? Please email outdooradventure@uwf.edu.
