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indoor wall climbing. These problems are easily
preventable, however.
• Supervision – A staff member must be
on hand to supervise any climber. If there is
no staff member available, the wall should
remain closed, even for the most experienced
climbers.
• Training – Staff members must show
proficient skills in climbing and fully understand
safety regulations. It's also important staff
members fully train and communicate rock
climbing regulations to customers.
• Harness – Improper assembly of the
harness can lead to the most serious of
injuries. Staff must make sure harnesses are
fully equipped and no one tampers with them
while climbing.
• Equipment – All climbing equipment
must adhere to the International Climbing &
Mountaineering Federation (U.I.A.A.) guidelines
and standards.
Be sure to check local safety regulations
before climbing begins. You and your staff will
be held accountable.
ADDITIONAL
BENEFITS
Rock climbing walls are
a great selling point to
customers, given their
uniqueness. Regular
workouts no longer satisfy
the needs of people
looking to exercise. It's
becoming more popular
to seek a more
adventurous way to
exercise. It's hard to disagree that climbing
a rock wall is more exhilarating than running
on a treadmill.
Rock climbing is also filled with many mental
health benefits. Science shows rock climbing
requires you to be more aware of the space
around you and how you're moving your body
through it, linking it to the ability to relieve
stress. When climbing, nothing else matters.
You are focused on what you are doing "right
now"; you don't have time to worry about other
stresses in your life.
Unlike recreational sports such as basketball
and soccer, rock climbing walls can give your
facility a distinction amongst competitors and
in so doing become one of your facility's most
important assets.
Tim Borza is a student of the David B. Falk
College of Sport and Human Dynamics at
Syracuse University and intern at USIndoor. His
family operates Borza's Recreation Center in
Westmoreland, NY.
