Complementary Training class

Learn all about the exciting sport of rock climbing in our complementary belaying (securing a climber) class! You will learn about the proper knots for climbing, belaying, anchoring, proper commands, and basic body movement. Elevator Rock employees will guide you through the basics of rock climbing and most importantly, our instructors will teach you the essentials of the belay check.

Belay Checks

A belay check is the final safety check between a climber and a belayer. Following the few steps of the belay check before every climb will make the difference between a fun climb and a 40-foot ground fall.

After you make sure that the ropes are not crossed at the top of the climb and that the belayer is anchored to the floor, it is time to perform the belay check.

The climber and belayer start by anchoring into the climbing rope. The climber will approach the belayer and each will inspect the other for these three things:

1. Make sure the buckles are doubled back
2. Make sure the carabiner makes two points of contact with the harness
3. Make sure that the carabiner is locked

Each member of the climbing team must inspect all three of these items before every climb: (climber checks the belayer, belayer checks the climber.)

1. Make sure the buckles are doubled back
The buckle on your harness should always be doubled back. You can check this by looking at your partners buckle and being able to count three exposed sides of metal. The fourth side should be covered with fabric. If the buckle is not doubled back, the harness can come completely undone and drop the climber to the ground. Some harnesses have adjustable leg loops with buckles that must be checked the same way.

2. Make sure the carabiner makes two points of contact with the harness
The carabiner should make two points of contact with the harness by going through both the lower part (leg loops) and the upper part (waist belt).

3. Make sure that the carabiner is locked
The gate of the carabiner (the part that opens) should be screwed securely into place and locked. To check this, grab the gate of the carabiner and push it towards the body, it obviously should not come open.

Elevator Rock Gym Rules

The gym rules at Elevator Rock are in place to ensure that every climber is afforded a safe climbing environment. Safety is the responsibility of every climber. If you see anyone being unsafe, do not be afraid to confront them or report unsafe behavior to a gym employee or volunteer immediately.

• Any climbing team (climber and belayer) that does not perform the belay check in full before every climb will be permanently banned from Elevator Rock without exception
• The belayer’s brake hand never, for any reason, leaves the rope. From the time the climber leaves the ground until the climber is back on the ground, the belayer’s brake hand must remain on the rope
• If you do not have a belay card issued by a gym employee, you are not allowed to belay. If you have learned to belay in the past and have not been issued a card, see an employee.
• Belayers: Bring your climbers down slowly!
• Do not swing on the ropes. Damaged ropes are dangerous to all climbers as well as very expensive to replace
• After completing a climb, please return the belay device and rope to the proper floor anchor. This will reduce tripping hazards as well as prevent unattended ropes form being pulled up a route
• Elevator Rock reserves the right to inspect and disallow use of any gear that we, upon inspection, feel is unsafe