Getting Started

First visit to a climbing gym? If so, PLEASE READ THIS CAREFULLY!


It's important to understand that The Rock Club is a sport climbing center, not an entertainment venue. As such, TRC offers "open climbing" to belay-qualified climbers on a walk-in basis. Such climbers are free to climb whenever they want.

TRC does not offer walk-in climbing for anyone needing a belayer. If you aren't sure what this means or, if you do but don't know how to belay, then you will need to make a reservation. Please keep reading!

"Belaying." is the process of managing the safety rope. Every climber at TRC requires a belayer. Unlike some recreation centers and climbing gyms, The Rock Club does NOT provide automatic belay devices for unattended climbing. Nor do we routinely provide belayers or "attendants" to manage the safety ropes. It's important to understand exactly what this means. If you can't belay and you haven't arranged for a belayer in advance, you probably won't be able to climb. We strongly urge first time visitors to call ahead to discuss what arrangements would be best for you or your group.

OK, so how do I get started?


If you've never climbed before or you can't belay, you have two options:

1. Rent-a-Belayer - the best way to try climbing for the first time

Climbing sessions with our belayers are generally 1 hour long. Our belayers are specially trained to work with first-time climbers and make sure everyone is having a great time. To ensure the best climbing experience we limit the number of belayers on the floor at any time. If you want to rent a belayer it's best to put together a small group of 3 or 4 climbers. Everyone will get plenty of climbing while getting the little rests they need to climb their best. This also spreads the cost of the belayer over more climbers.

Belayers are available on weekends by appointment or on a first-come first-served basis. Weekends fill up very fast. Avoid disappointment! It's advisable to book several days in advance. Weekday belayer availability is limited. Please call to discuss the specifics of your visit so we can arrange staffing.

NUTS & BOLTS

Price:
Pricing below is for the belayer only. Each climber is also charged for a daypass and whatever gear is necessary.

  • 30 minutes: $20
  • 60 minutes: $30
  • 90 minutes: $45

Availability & Times:
Staff belayers are scheduled for weekends and most weekdays after 4pm.
Belaying is available only by appointment and on a first-come first-served basis. To avoid disappointment we strongly discourage walk-ins. It's best to arrive a few minutes early to get signed in and gear sorted out. Arriving late may cut your session short.

Reservations:
Reserve your time slot by calling several days ahead. Otherwise it's first-come first-serve (and on weekends it's long odds).

Group size & ages:
To ensure a quality climbing experience for you and our members, belay groups are limited to a total of 5 people on the gym floor. This can be up to 5 climbers, 1 climber and 4 observers or any other combination. We cannot "double up" belayers for larger groups. If your party is over 5 climbers please call to arrange a group visit. The minimum age for a belay group is 5.

Clothing & gear:
Kids should wear sneakers. We'll provide everything else! Clothing should allow freedom of movement. Very baggy clothes and short shorts can make the harness uncomfortable. What works for yoga works well for climbing.

Waiver:
Everyone needs a waiver to climb. For climbers under 18 it must be signed by a parent or legal guardian. If you are bringing other kids please make sure that their parent has completed the waiver. You can download one here.

2. Learning Belay Skills
Although belaying isn't hard, it needs to become automatic and that takes some practice. We'll help you every step of the way. To be eligible to belay in the gym, you must be 14 years of age and pass our belay test. If you're already trained to belay, you can simply take the test. The best way to learn is to take one of our courses:


If you're 12 or 13 years old you can learn to belay early in our Club Rock after-school program. It's a great way to get into climbing and meet new friends. Click here for more information.


Still Have Questions?
Have a look at our First Timers FAQ. Or just give us a call.

VERY IMPORTANT!
All climbers MUST have a waiver completed before they can participate in any activities. Climbers under the age of 18 must have a waiver completed by their parent or guardian.

Rock Club Info