Safety In Bouldering
Bouldering is a fun and challenging sport, but not entirely without risks.
We offer you the facilities to climb, however, you remain responsible for your own actions when climbing, falling or jumping off.
Don't do anything that feels unsafe. To ensure that everyone can enjoy 9 Degrees in a safe and responsible manner, we provide house rules and safety rules that need to be adhered to.
House Rules
Customers are required to have read the house rules and general conditions to boulder at 9 Degrees. By using our facilities you are under this obligation and have agreed to abide by these rules and conditions.
1) All climbers must sign a waiver and check in at the front desk at the beginning of each visit
Here we'll scan your membership or day pass and hire out shoes if you need them.
2) Follow all instructions from staff
A gym full of safe, responsible climbers is a happy one!
3) Do your best to climb down (rather than jump)
Climbing down is safer and much easier on your body. We provdide fluoro yellow "down climb" holds at the top of every climb to aid your descent or grab if you're feeling unsteady. You can see them pictured and they're referenced in our safety video below.
4) The mats are a landing zone, they must be kept free at all times
The mats are where climbers fall off - standing on them unecessarily can lead to injury for both yourself and the person climbing. Please make sure that your are ALWAYS on the concrete floor when walking around, watching other climbers or looking at the wall. Standing on the mats can also unfairly block others from having their turn.
Spotting is not encouraged. Statistics show that spotting indoor climbing generally causes more injuries than they prevent.
5) Empty your pockets and remove any jewellery before climbing
Jewellery can catch on climbing holds and lead to severe skin injuries - we'd only recommend googling 'degloving' if you've got a strong stomach. Similarly, nobody wants to fall onto keys that have slipped out of your pocket! Valuable items can be stored in the secure lockers available at every gym free of charge.
6) Leave plenty of space between you and other climbers on the wall
Having climbers too close to one another can lead to a few problems. For example, two climbers falling off at the same time can cause collisions whch can lead to injury. In addition to this not all climbs go up in a straight line, some go to the side and most overlap with other climbs, by practicing good etiquette and having a look at where your climb starts AND finishes you can make sure you wont't cross paths or accidentally cut off somebody else.
7) Warm up properly before climbing anything you find challenging and cease climbing if you feel pain
Take care of yourself - we want you to be here for a good time AND a long time!
8) Shoes must be worn when climbing
Shoes must be worn at all times, in the interest of both hygeine and safety.
Waiver
EVERY PERSON CLIMBING AT 9 DEGREES NEEDS TO SIGN A WAIVER ON THEIR FIRST VISIT. NO WAIVER, NO CLIMBING.
A signed waiver is valid across all 9 Degrees gyms so you will not need to re-sign when visiting a different 9 Degrees. For any climbers under the age of 18, a parent or legal guardian must also sign the form. You can read more about our under 18 guidelines here.
If you sign the waiver online please let our staff know so they can get you started quicker!
the risks of Falling
Falling is an integral part of bouldering, especially when attempting challenging climbs.
That does not mean that one simply lets go and hopes for the best!
At all times a climber must be mentally prepared for a fall and have a good sense of the risks involved. Every time you land on the mats there is risk involved. This risk must always be reduced as much as possible by the participant. Never attempt anything that feels unsafe or uncontrolled.
The best ways to minimise risk when falling:
- Always climb down. You can use our down climb holds (extra holds placed along the tops of the walls that are easy to grip) to help you get down
- Land on both feet to distribute your impact
- Avoid lunging for a hold if your body is feeling insecure or tired
- Allow the mat to absorb your impact, bend your knees and avoid hinging forward at the hips
- Always avoid rotation
- Practice soft falling and rolling from low heights
- Before you begin a climb check that the mat is clear and you are not climbing close to anybody else
Correct falling technique is also detailed in our safety video below.
9 Degrees Safety Video
