1 Purpose The purpose of this paper is to establish documented guidelines governing the use of the Sport Climbing Wall @ University Town. 2 Scope These guidelines shall apply to all staff, students, and public who may take part in any climbing activities at the Sport Climbing Wall. 3 Definition NUS defines climbing activities as any form of action done at the climbing facility at University Town such as, but not limited to, lead climbing, top rope climbing, bouldering and other mountaineering skills such as but not limited to multi-pitch climbing, rope ascending and abseiling. 4 References 4.1 Appendix 1 Glossary 4.2 Appendix 2 Climbing Activity Application Form 4.3 Appendix 3 NUS Sports - Health Declaration form 4.4 Appendix 4 Climbing Standard Checks & Command Calls 5 Usage Guidelines 5.1 Access 5.1.1 Only OSA-authorised NUS groups with approved booking are allowed to access the wall which may include but not limited to: a) NUS Climbing Club and Varsity Team b) NUS Mountaineering Club (MIR) c) Yale-NUS Climbing Club d) Residential College 4 Climbing Club All NUS groups including those named above shall seek approval from the Sports and Recreation Office by filling up the form attached in Appendix 2. 5.1.2 NUS groups who have booked the wall must not sub-rent or allow third-party groups to use the wall.
5.1.3 No entity may collect fees/payment from any participants for using the UT Wall or attending/conduct any courses at the UT Wall without the approval of OSA 5.2 Supervision 5.2.1 An activity supervisor will be responsible for the climbing activity. 5.2.2 A supervisor can be any persons with the following qualification: a) SNCS Climbing Instructor, or b) SMF Wall Supervisor, or c) SNAS Instructor (for abseiling only) 5.2.3 A supervisor can only supervise a maximum of 3 climbing lanes. However, in the event that there is an SNCS Level 2 certified climber amongst the group, he may be appointed by the Supervisor to act as an assistant supervisor to help supervise an additional 4 th /5 th Lane 5.2.4 Supervisor and assistant Supervisor (if any) must be supervising the lanes at all times. 5.3 Equipment 5.3.1 Only EN standard climbing equipment shall be used. 5.3.2 The supervisor shall check that equipment is fit for use before the activity commences. 5.4 Climbers and Participants 5.4.1 All climbers and participants of any activity at the wall must be medically sound and complete the Health Declaration form in the OSA system. Any walk-in participant must complete the hard copy and presented to the supervisor before given permission to climb. The supervisor reserves a right to reject any participants as he deem fit. 5.4.2 Belayers, Supervisors / Assistant Supervisors on duty are to wear a tag, which can be easily seen, to identify them as certified and
5.4.3 Belayers, Supervisors, Climbers and participants are to be clear of and to abide their roles and responsibilities respectively. Ensuring the safety of everyone on the wall. This should also include (and not exhaustive): a.) Ensuring the use and practice of call commands and prompts (refer to 4.4) b.) Lead climbers must clip into the first 3 clips/panels. For the first 3 clips (ie. 3m, 4m and 5m marks). Lead Climber, Belayers and Wall Supervisors must ensure they clip in when the clips are above their heads (as opposed to climbing higher and only clipping in when the clips are at their chest or waist level) before progressing to the next panel. Belayers/Wall Supervisors/Asst Wall Supervisors to remind and reinforce this practice. c.) Belayers maintaining vision of climber, being medically fit and have been belaying 2 months prior (Supervisor on duty to approve after refresher) d.) Wall Supervisor to be present and ensuring overall safety (refer to 5.2.1, 5.4.1, 5.3.2, 5.4.5 and 5.4.6) 5.4.4 All groups conducting activities on the wall must maintain a list of all their participants bearing the following information: a) Full name b) Matriculation Number / IC Number c) Contact Number d) Proficiency Level based on highest SMF-recognized certification e) Date of activity This list must be made available within 24 hours upon request by OSA. 5.4.5 All users MUST: a) Climb/abseil with proper climbing attire and footwear. b) Conduct pre-climb checks prior to climbing and adhere to climbing commands (Appendix 4) c) Not climb without a rope, with any part of his body beyond the 3 rd panel from the bottom of the wall. d) Not load on any trad-gear placements during crack climbing. 5.4.6 All users MUST adhere to the following guidelines when conducting the following activities:
Type of climbing activity Guidelines Access limited only to: 1. Lead Climbing a) Only to be done by at least 2 SNCS Sport Climbing Level 2 certified climbers. b) Belayer 1 must spot climber before the first clip. c) Belayer 1 shall stand no more than 1m from the wall during the 1 st 3 clips, and no more than 3m from the wall after the 1 st 3 clips. d) Only UIAA-rated dynamic ropes are to be used. e) Conduct pre-climb checks Anchor, Belayer 1, Belayer 2, Climber, Device (Appendix 4.1) f) Adhere to climbing commands during the activity (Appendix 4.1.1) g) Climbers must clip in above head in the first 3 clips All authorised user groups 2. Top Rope Climbing 3. Multi-Pitch Climbing a) Belay of a top-rope climber shall only be done by SNCS Sport Climbing Level 1 certified climbers. b) Limited to anchors 1 4 and 10 17. c) Conduct pre-climb checks Anchor, Belayer1, Belayer 2, Climber (Appendix 4.2) d) Adhere to climbing commands during the activity (Appendix 4.2.1) a) Only done by a SNCS Rock Climbing Level 1 certified climbers. b) Anchor system for multi-pitch belay must consist of >1 anchor point. All authorised user groups NUS Climbing Club/Varsity Team; NUS Mountaineering Club 4. Rope Ascending a) Shall only be conducted by SNCS Sports Climbing Level 2 certified climbers. b) Shall only be performed on a fixed rope secured to a top rope anchor point or an abseiling anchor point. c) Only ascending equipment and ascending techniques are allowed. NUS Climbing Club/Varsity Team; NUS Mountaineering Club
5. Abseiling a) Can only be led by SNAS Abseiling Level 3 certified b) Maximum of 4 persons at one time beyond the abseil platform access door. c) Any person on the platform shall be clipped into the overhead anchors or rear railing until ready for abseil or exit via access door. All authorised user groups Any other form of climbing activities, or climbing certifications not stated here shall not be allowed without prior authorization from OSA.
6 Developmental History Rev Proposed By Approved by Approval Date Effectiv e Date 2/2017 Joan Catherine Seetow Cheng Fave Deputy Director/Student Life & Development 14/03/2017 15/03/201 7 1/2013 Mahrunisa Fathiyah Seetow Cheng Fave Deputy Director/Student Life & Development 5/03/2013 6/03/2013 Vetted by: Lawrenz Sim Head of Sports & Recreation