University Recreation

1. Before climbing on the wall

• Climbing is permitted only when an indoor climbing wall supervisor or some other qualified person designated by the Associate Director of University Recreation (i.e. class instructor) is working and on duty.
• Only those who have completed the LSSU Belay Certification Course may belay others.
• Only those who have completed a current LSSU Climbing Wall Release Waiver will be issued climbing equipment and allowed access to the wall.
• Clothing must be safe and modest.
• No one under the age of 18 may become belay certified and belay others on the wall.
• All minors (under the age of 18) must have a LSSU Climbing Wall Release Waiver Form on file signed by a parent or guardian as well as be accompanied by a parent or guardian before being permitted to use the wall.

2. Equipment

• All climbers and belayers must either use equipment provided by LSSU University Recreation or other quality equipment approved by the current climbing wall supervisor.
• Harness buckles must be doubled backed at the waist and at the leg loops when worn by the climber and the belayer.
• Climbing helmets are available for those who desire to use one.
  • Anyone under the age of 18 must wear a helmet before climbing.
  • Those 18 years of age or older may sign a Helmet Waiver if they choose to not wear a helmet.
• No bare feet while on the wall. Climbers and belayers must wear closed toe shoes. Climbing shoes are available for those who desire to use them. Socks must be worn with our climbing shoes.
• Chalk bags may be checked out for use while climbing.  Climbers may not use personal loose chalk, chalk balls or chalk bags. Please use only when needed and be careful not to spill on the floor.
• Ropes are your life-line – please be careful not to step on them!
• Hand hold adjustments or rearrangements are not permitted except by staff members.  Routes will be changed periodically by either the Associate Director or current climbing wall supervisors.  Suggestions may be directed to them for changes.
• Participants are responsible for the equipment signed out to them.
• Climbing Wall Supervisors have the right and responsibility to stop participants from climbing or belaying if they do not abide by these rules or if equipment does not fit properly.

3. Bouldering

• Bouldering is climbing low to the ground without the use of ropes.  It is an excellent way to improve climbing strength and technique and a good way to warm up before a top rope climb.
• A person who is bouldering must be spotted by a person that has completed the LSSU Belay Certification Course.
• The hands of a person bouldering should never go above the bouldering wall boundary line (12 feet).  Beginners hands should stay below the separation line of the first and second panel (6 feet).
• Bouldering should not be done underneath roped climbers.
• Top roped climbers have priority.
• Try to climb down when on the wall and not jump down to minimize the risk of injury.
• A trained spotter is required of while bouldering.
• A crash pad and helmet are required while bouldering.

4. Belaying

• Only climbers who have passed a belay certification may belay climbers at our wall. Those who are belay certified should always display their belay certification card.
• We teach and use the P.L.U.S. Belay System. That stands for P-Pull, L-Lock, U-Under and S-Slide.
• The belayer must clip into the provided belay device (grigri) with the provided locking carabiner.
• Balayers must be attached to the floor anchor.
• Other belay devices are not permitted unless approved by the Associate Director or one of the current wall supervisors (for experienced climbers/belayers only).
• Belayers must always keep their brake hand on the rope.
• Belayers are responsible to provide a smooth and controlled descent when lowering a climber. Lowering a climber quickly (for fun) is unacceptable and not allowed.

5. Climbing

• Proper climbing procedures must be followed.  Knots, harnesses and tie-ins must be checked by the supervisor on duty before the first climb each session.
• The figure-eight follow-through is the only tie-in knot allowed. The tail must be at least 4-5 inches long followed be a double overhand knot.
• Proper climbing/belaying commands are to be used (On Belay > Belay On, Climbing > Climb On).
• Climbers and belayers should check each other’s harness (doubled backed), knots, belay device and anchor before every climb.
• Do NOT use hangers for holds; you could seriously damage your fingers if you fall.
• Care should be given when climbers use adjacent routes, both climbing up and coming down.
• Climbers need to be careful not to climb too fast for their belayer.  If the belayer is not able to keep up and keep the slack in the rope to a minimum, they should communicate to the climber to slow down.
• Climbers need to stay below and in-line with their belay anchor to avoid a pendulum swing during a fall.
• Do not climb directly above or below other climbers on the wall.
• Climbers should never climb over, behind or around the side of the wall structure.

6. Climbing Instruction

• No one may use our climbing wall facility to instruct others for pay except through either University Recreation.
• Belay Certification Classes will be offered during the first three weeks of each semester.

7. Conduct

• Observe and practice safe climbing techniques.  Dangerous or unsafe behavior will result in suspension of climbing privileges.
• Wall Supervisors have the right and the responsibility to deny access to the wall for any individuals whom they consider a safety risk to themselves or to others.
• Respect other climbers and belayers around you and make it a point to share the facility.
• Please report any problems such as accidents, loose holds, damaged equipment, or unsafe climbing to the on-duty climbing wall supervisor as soon as possible.
• Cell phones and any technology used for listening to music are prohibited while actively climbing or belaying.
• Food and drink are not allowed in the designated climbing area (black mat and belay stations) except for bottled water.
• Observers, non-climbers and climbing gear are not to be on the landing surface (black mat).

8. Participants should climb with caution and at their own risk!

• Indoor climbers should understand that climbing on an indoor wall is very different than climbing outside on real rock cliffs and that additional training and experience is needed to safely make the transition to outdoor climbing.
• Disregarding any of the above rules may be subject to loss of climbing privileges, removal from building, and/or loss of membership.

Each climber will have a belayer on the other end of the rope. Through the belay system, you are provided with a support system which, if you fall, will keep you from hitting the ground.

Climbing Wall fees: includes climbing harness, shoes, and helmet.

Free for LSSU students and employees and included in all Norris Events Center Membership packages!

Not a member and want to climb. Climbers can pay by the day or purchase one of our Norris Punch Passes at the Norris Guest Information Desk.

Day Usage Fee:

• Single day rate: $5 (adults), $4 (17 and under)
• 10 entry punch card: $40

University Recreation provides all the needed climbing gear including: ropes, helmets, belay devices, climbing harness, and climbing shoes. Climbing gear is included in your usage fee.

Climbers over the age of 18 may choose to climb with a helmet, a secondary helmet waiver must be signed before climbing the wall.

The LSSU Climbing Wall has a variety of different climbing routes from beginner to expert. All of our routes are marked with colored tape by degree of difficulty. The LSSU Climbing Wall staff will know the degree of difficulty of each course, and will be able to assist you in making the proper choice as to what course fits your skill level.

Climbing routes are continually changing throughout the year. Come on in to check out our new routes.