Registration policies.

New to Big Rock? Experienced climbers aged 18+ can climb unsupervised once fully registered. We offer different levels of registration based on age and previous climbing experience. If you would like to get your registration started before you arrive, you can create a profile online and complete your registration at reception on arrival – see the sections below for more details.

If you have little or no climbing experience you will need to undergo instruction prior to using Big Rock – please refer to our NEW TO CLIMBING section on our website.

By climbing at Big Rock you are acknowledging The Association of British Climbing Walls’ (ABC) participation statement:

“All climbing activities have a risk of serious injury. Participants must recognise that even if they follow all good practice there may still be the risk of accident and injury. It is the responsibility of the participant to adhere to the conditions of use.”

Bouldering
only.

Available to climbers age 18+ with previous bouldering experience who wish to use the bouldering areas only. Registration is free and involves reading our conditions of use and completing a registration form declaring that you have read and accepted the bouldering conditions of use and understand the risks associated with this style of climbing. Bouldering only members are not permitted to use any of the roped climbing areas or auto belays.

CREATE PROFILE

Auto Belay
add-on.

Experienced boulderers aged 18+ who have already created a Bouldering Only profile and have completed an auto belay induction should fill in and submit an Auto Belay add-on if they and wish to use the auto belays. Registration is free and involves reading our conditions of use and completing a registration form declaring that you have read and accepted the conditions of use and understand the risks associated with this style of climbing. Bouldering & Auto Belay members are not permitted to use any of the roped climbing areas or supervise other on the auto belays.

UPDATE PROFILE

Ropes & Bouldering .

CREATE PROFILE

Experienced climbers age 18+ must register before using the bouldering, roped climbing walls or auto belays. Registration is free and involves reading our conditions of use and completing a registration form declaring your basic competence and a willingness to accept responsibility for yourself and anyone you are supervising (see special conditions below). You will be issued with a Big Rock membership card with a unique barcode, which you need to produce on all future visits.

U18
climbers.

Big Rock encourages young climbers to use the climbing wall, yet takes this responsibility very seriously. The basis of the under 18 policy at Big Rock is that all under 18s are regarded as minors and should be supervised in the centre by an appropriate adult climber, as follows:

  • A registered adult climber can supervise a maximum of two people.

  • Under 18s can also be part of a group supervised by a suitably qualified person (minimum CWA/SPA qualified) or on an instructed session run by Big Rock.

  • In line with nationally recognised guidelines, there is a scheme at Big Rock whereby very experienced 16-17 year olds who have attended a minimum of four 15-19 Learn to Climb sessions can undertake an assessment, at our discretion. If successful in the assessment, and with the written consent of their parents or guardians, the applicant can use Big Rock in the same way as an adult climber, with the exception that they cannot supervise any novices or other under 18s.

CREATE PROFILE

Signing in
novices.

Experienced climbers often like to introduce friends to climbing via the climbing wall, which we accept, but we also recognise that there are inherent risks. We therefore have a clear policy to minimise these risks:

  • Registered adult climbers may sign in no more than two guests, who may be novices or under 18s
  • By signing in a guest, you are accepting responsibility for the full and constant supervision of your guest(s) while on the premises. We specifically warn that if you wish to teach a novice to belay, you ensure that it is done in a way that is appropriate and puts no other users at risk. For anyone wanting to learn to belay we recommend our LEARN TO CLIMB COURSE.
  • The novice sign-in form details what we expect from members signing in guests, so it is important that you read it and ensure you understand your responsibilities. If you are in any doubt, please ask a member of staff for advice.
REGISTER AT RECEPTION

External Instructors.

We welcome independent Instructors holding appropriate qualifications who wish to instruct their own groups at Big Rock, providing they agree to our rules and guidelines.

Before instructing at our centres, all external instructors must register and provide evidence of appropriate insurance and their current first aid certificate.

REGISTER

External groups can be instructed by Instructors holding one of the following qualifications:

  • Climbing Wall Instructor (CWI)

  • Rock Climbing Instructor (RCI)

  • Mountain Instructor Award (MIA)

  • Mountain Instructor Certificate (MIC)
  • UIAGM Mountain Guide
  • Military Rock Leader Award (military groups only)
  • Military Rock Instructor Award (military groups only)