Roped Climbing Supervision 

Novice supervision is a great way to introduce your friends and family to climbing, to boulder with them and to belay them when they do their first roped climbs. 

It's important to us that climbing is accessible for everyone and done in a safe manner. Here are a few key takeaways from our novice supervision policy:

• Only experienced adults (over 18) can supervise a novice
• Bouldering only climbers cannot supervise novices unless they attend our Bouldering only Supervision Course 
• Supervisors can bring up to 2 novices
• Under 18s must climb under the supervision of an experienced adult**
• If you are supervising a minor you must have permission from their parent or guardian to supervise them
• There is no minimum age for the novices under supervision

We expect supervisors to remain with their novice at all times, and particular care should be taken when supervising children in the Centre. If you'd like to read more about bringing children please visit our 'Bringing Children' page.

*Able to put on a harness, tie in and belay safely.

** Young climbers (14-17 years) can climb unsupervised if they complete an under 18 assessment.

Becoming a competent climber takes time and practice. Even if you’ve covered the basic safety points, your guest may not be ready to climb unsupervised.  Our staff are here to help you - if there’s anything you’re not sure about just ask one of our Duty Managers. 

Bouldering Only Supervision

In order to supervise novices aged 5 to 15, you MUST attend our Bouldering Only Supervision Course.

Here are a few key takeaways from our novice bouldering only supervision policy:

• All children under 16 must be supervised at all times in the centre unless they have been assessed and registered for unsupervised climbing at The Castle.
• One adult may supervise 1x child aged 5-8 or 2x children 9-15. No other configuration is possible. 
• The Supervisor must not climb while supervising any novice 8 years old and under.
• The Supervisor must not climb at the same time as the novice that they are supervising.
• The supervisor must take full responsibility for the behaviour and safety of the novice(s).
• When walking around together, keep clear of the walls and fall zones, always look up.
• Never climb or walk under another climber.