University closed – Friday, Jan. 19

Due to the anticipated significant winter storm expected for the Akron area overnight and into tomorrow, all University of Akron campuses will be closed on Friday, Jan. 19.

All classes and labs are canceled.

See complete details.

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About Us Adventure Aquatics Club Sports Facilities Fitness Intramurals Membership

Climbing wall

Our climbing policies have the intent of establishing safety-focused practices that help minimize risk associated with indoor climbing. All patrons are responsible for knowing and abiding by these policies. Staff reserve the right to ask any patron who creates an unsafe environment to leave. Violation of these policies is subject to disciplinary action or loss of privileges.

Climbing is dangerous. Climb at your own risk.

Waivers

  • All climbers must have a current climbing waiver on file. Only those with current waivers can access the climbing area.
  • All climbers under the age of 18 must have a minor waiver signed by their parent or legal guardian.
  • All waivers are kept on file for the duration of the current academic year.

Rock wall

  • All climbers must check-in with rock wall staff prior to climbing.
  • All patrons must complete a rock wall orientation before being able to access the rock wall floor.
  • All climbing equipment must be used according to manufacturer specifications. Personal climbing equipment must be UIAA/CE approved for rock climbing.
  • Patrons are not permitted in the equipment storage room or behind the wall.
  • Do not climb above the top rope anchors.
  • Do not climb above or below other climbers.
  • Do not stand, sit, or lie down where a climber could fall on you.
  • Do not grab quickdraws, carabiners, or bolt hangers while climbing.
  • Do not stand on bolt hangers while climbing.
  • Do not climb before removing all loose items from pockets.
  • It is recommended that climbers remove all jewelry. Necklaces and dangling hoop-style earrings are not permitted.
  • Clean, secure footwear is required when climbing. Barefoot climbing is not allowed.
  • Socks must be worn with rental climbing shoes.
  • Skirts or dresses are not permitted. Shirts are required.
  • No bare feet on the rock wall floor.
  • No food or drink in the climbing area.
  • No loose chalk. All chalk must be contained in a chalk ball that is kept in a chalk bag.
  • No running, roughhousing, horseplay or acrobatics.
  • No yelling or highly distracting noises.
  • No portable music devices or headphones.
  • No climbing while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
  • All patrons must report any problems or safety concerns to the rock wall staff immediately.
  • All patrons must follow and respond to staff directions.

TruBlue auto belay

  • Do not walk in the fall/lower zone of an active auto belay.
  • Do not climb beside or above the auto belay housing.
  • All climbers must have staff complete a system check prior to auto-belayed climbing.
  • All climbers must maintain a route that is underneath the auto belay.
  • The auto belay carabiner must be reattached to the belay gate when finished climbing.

Bouldering

  • Bouldering under other climbers is not permitted.
  • Topping out on the bouldering arch is not permitted.
  • Maximum bouldering height is the top of the fourth panel on the main wall and the top edge of the bouldering arch. A climber's wrist cannot climb past either boundary.
  • When bouldering it is recommended to use a properly placed pad and knowledgeable spotter.

Top rope belaying

The following policies apply to top rope belaying at our wall. All policies must be followed, and all top rope belaying must be performed in accordance with the technique and procedures taught in the introductory top rope belay class. Any change (modification) in belay technique as an accommodation for a disability or for any other reason must be approved by the Manager of Outdoor Adventure.

Top rope belay certification is required to independently top rope belay at our wall. Certification is achieved by successfully passing a top rope belay skills test. We do not provide skill assessment screening, coaching, instruction, or practice outside of the top rope belay class. If the skills test is failed the top rope belay class must be taken. SRWS staff reserve the right to require additional instruction.

  • All patrons who wish to belay must successfully complete the University of Akron top rope belay skills test.
  • All patrons who are certified to belay must successfully pass a belay skills check at the start of each semester. If the skills check is failed the introductory top rope belay class must be retaken.
  • All patrons who top rope belay must use a ground anchor unless lead certified at our wall.
  • All patron climber-belayer teams must have staff complete a system check prior to climbing.
  • All patrons who belay must ensure the directional is clipped before the climber begins and re-clipped during climber descent.
  • Effective communication must always be used between the climber and belayer.
  • Belayers must always manage slack appropriately.
  • Belayers must always maintain control of the brake strand.
  • Belayers must always lower the climber in a slow and controlled manner.

Lead climbing

Lead climbing is only permitted during designated hours. All lead climbing policies must be followed, and all lead climbing must be performed in accordance with the technique and procedures taught in the introductory lead climbing class. Any change (modification) in clipping technique and/or belaying as an accommodation for a disability or for any other reason must be approved by the Manager of Outdoor Adventure.

Lead climbing certification is required to lead climb or lead belay at our wall. Certification is achieved by successfully passing a lead climbing skill test. We do not provide skill assessment screening, coaching, instruction, or practice outside of the introduction to lead climbing class. If the skills test is failed the introductory lead climbing class must be taken. SRWS staff reserve the right to require additional instruction.

  • Lead climbers must satisfy all current eligibility criteria (see below) and successfully complete the University of Akron introductory lead climbing skills test.
  • All patrons who are certified to lead climb must successfully pass a lead climbing skills check at the start of each semester. If the skills check is failed the introductory lead climbing class must be retaken.
  • Lead climbing is not permitted for any patron under the age of 18.
  • Lead climbing permitted when (1) there is a lead-certified staff member who is on duty and able to supervise the rock wall floor, and (2) the rock wall is not busy.
  • Only designated clipping lines and/or routes may be used for lead climbing.
  • Every quickdraw on the intended route must be clipped. Climbers are not permitted to skip bolts.
  • Both anchor bolts/quickdraws must be clipped at the top of the climbed route.
  • Grabbing quick draws is not permitted.
  • Grabbing or standing on bolt hangers is not permitted.
  • Only SRWS lead ropes are permitted. No personal ropes are allowed.
  • Only SRWS quickdraws may be used. No personal quickdraws are allowed.
  • Only GRIGRI belay devices are permitted for lead belaying.
  • Both the climber and belayer of a lead climbing team must have successfully completed the lead climbing skills test.
  • Lead climbing teams must have staff complete a system check prior to each climb.
  • Effective communication must be used by the climbing team.
  • Lead belayers must always maintain the belay zone and keep it free of distractions and hazards.
  • Lead belayers must always maintain correct positioning relative to the wall and the climber.
  • Lead belayers must alawys manage slack appropriately.
  • Lead belayers must always maintain control of the brake strand.
  • Lead belayers must always lower the climber in a slow and controlled manner.
  • Falling is discouraged. Excessive falling can lead to privileges being revoked.
  • The lead rope must be retrieved by being pulled back down through the quickdraws.
  • The lead rope must be inspected each time it is flaked.
  • The lead rope must always have a stopper knot tied in the tail end.

Eligibility

All current eligibility criteria must be met before being able to take the introductory lead climbing class:

  • Be at least 18 years of age or older.
  • Have a current waiver on file at the rock wall.
  • Have a current top rope belay certification at our wall.
  • Have the ability to consistently top rope climb at least 5.10 on the 53 foot wall while demonstrating controlled climbing with no falls or breaks.

Youth climbing

The following policies apply to patrons who are under the age of 18 (youth climbers). Additional information and facility policies related to youth participation can be found on our youth membership page.

  • Direct supervision is required for climbers 13 years old or younger; parent/guardian must stay at the wall.
  • Youth climbers are not permitted to spot for bouldering.
  • Youth climbers are not permitted to belay.
  • It is recommended that a parent or legal guardian spot for youth who are bouldering.
Main policy index