Welcome to Edge Rock Gym! To ensure a safe, enjoyable, and respectful environment for all climbers and visitors, we have established the following rules and guidelines. Please read them carefully and adhere to them at all times while in our facility. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated and helps us maintain a top-notch climbing experience for everyone.
Before You Start: Waivers and Orientation
Waiver Requirement: Everyone who enters Edge Rock Gym, whether climbing or not, must have a valid waiver form on file. This is essential for liability and safety purposes.
- Minors (Under 18): For climbers under the age of 18, a waiver must be completed by their parent or legal guardian. This is mandatory even if the minor is accompanied by another adult. No exceptions can be made.
Mandatory Orientation: All climbers, including experienced climbers and accompanying adult supervisors, are required to participate in an orientation session conducted by Edge Rock Gym staff before accessing the climbing areas. This ensures everyone understands our specific facility rules, safety procedures, and equipment usage. This orientation must be completed on your first visit.
General Conduct and Facility Usage
Supervision of Minors: Members and guests under the age of 16 must be under the direct supervision of an adult at all times while in Edge Rock Gym. This is crucial for their safety and the consideration of other gym users.
Service Animals: We welcome service animals inside our facility. However, to maintain hygiene and safety in the climbing areas, we kindly request that service animals are not on the climbing floor itself. Please note that emotional support animals are not classified as service animals and are not permitted within the building. Pets are also not allowed.
Appropriate Behavior: Running and performing acrobatics within the facility are strictly prohibited. Accompanying adults are responsible for supervising children to prevent them from running and engaging in unsafe behavior. The gym environment requires focus and awareness to ensure everyone’s safety.
Awareness of Climbing Environment: It is the responsibility of every individual in the climbing area (or the supervising adult for a child) to be aware of climbers above them and to stay clear of potential fall zones. Pay attention to your surroundings and maintain a safe distance from climbing walls when not actively climbing or belaying.
No Food or Drink in Climbing Areas: To maintain cleanliness and prevent distractions, please refrain from chewing gum, and bringing or consuming snacks, food, or beverages on the climbing area floor. Water bottles are generally permitted but should be kept away from the immediate climbing zones.
Climbing Specific Rules
Traversing Guidelines: Traversing (horizontal climbing) is allowed on all walls that do not have auto-belay systems. A marked line approximately 12 feet from the ground, located at the corners of each wall, indicates the maximum height for traversing climbers. When traversing, please be mindful and yield to climbers using ropes (top-roping and lead climbing) who require right-of-way on the wall.
Free Solo Climbing Prohibition: Free solo climbing above the designated traversing height is strictly forbidden. This is extremely dangerous and puts both the individual and others at risk. Reckless behavior of this nature will result in immediate and permanent expulsion from Edge Rock Gym.
Belaying Proficiency and Checks: Belayers for top-rope and lead climbers, as well as lead climbers themselves, are subject to competency checks by Edge Rock Gym staff at any time. This applies regardless of when your last check was performed. Certifications of belaying competency from other climbing facilities are not transferable to Edge Rock Gym. Our staff needs to ensure everyone using ropes within our gym meets our safety standards.
Belay Instruction Restrictions: Belay instruction at Edge Rock Gym is exclusively conducted by our trained and certified staff. Members and guests are strictly prohibited from teaching belaying techniques to others. Non-compliance with this rule may lead to immediate and permanent removal from the facility. This ensures consistent and safe belaying practices are maintained within our gym.
Auto-Belay System Usage: Children under 14 years of age are not permitted to independently clip in or clip out of the auto-belay systems. This task must always be performed by a responsible adult to guarantee secure attachment and detachment from the system.
Facility Specific Areas
Upstairs Warm-up Area: The warm-up area located upstairs is exclusively for Edge Rock Gym members who are 16 years of age or older. An exception is made for youth program participants who are under the direct instruction or supervision of their coach. For hygiene and safety, shoes must be worn at all times within the warm-up area.
Hygiene Practices: Please avoid wearing climbing shoes (whether rental shoes or your personal climbing shoes) in the restrooms. This simple measure helps prevent the spread of germs from the restroom to the climbing walls, maintaining a cleaner and healthier climbing environment for everyone.
No Smoking or Vaping: For the health and comfort of all our members and guests, smoking, vaping, and the use of electronic cigarettes are strictly prohibited anywhere inside the Edge Rock Gym building.
Staff Authority
Enforcement of Guidelines: Edge Rock Gym management has authorized our staff to enforce all facility rules and safety guidelines. Any member or guest who refuses to comply with these guidelines will be asked to leave the facility. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in helping us maintain a safe and positive environment at Edge Rock Gym.
