Indoor Rock Climbing

Upon your first visit to the climbing wall, you must participate in one of the following certifications. At the end of the certifications, you must complete our competency checklist. These orientations are an evaluation of skills (not a lesson) & will take approximately 30-45 minutes to complete. Participants will receive a 'Climbing Belay Card' to wear while Climbing which will indicate their level of climbing skills.

Climbing Competency Certifications:

Level 1 (red): Climbing wall orientation, bouldering, and auto belay run through.

Level 2 (yellow): Top-rope belaying (knot tying and Gri Gri operation) in addition to the level 1 requirements. This must be done without training.

Please note, Level 1 is required to climb and you can upgrade to Level 2 at a later time in the semester.

If you climbed with us during the Fall 2024 and/or Winter 2025 semester, you are required to take the Returning Climber Competency Review upon your first visit. If you haven't climbed here since prior to Fall 2024, please see the New Climbers tab. 

Returning Climber Competency Review

Level 1 (red): Brief introduction to climbing with a staff member and a review of climbing wall etiquette.

Level 2 (yellow): Review of climbing wall etiquette and showcase knot tying and belay skills on Gri Gri.

Please note, Level 1 is required to climb and you can upgrade to Level 2 at a later time in the semester.

Climbing Wall Protocols

We have created a set of safety protocols that are in accordance with the University of Guelph and conform to other climbing gym policies & procedures located in the surrounding area.  

• All users will enter through the Larry Pearson entrance.
• Everyone must check-in at Client Services upon arrival.
• Prior to climbing top rope with a belayer, individuals must pass the belay test. Climbing Wall Monitors can assist with belaying on top rope during certain open hours.

Climbing Wall Guidelines

Athletics is committed to providing a safe, inviting experience for the University of Guelph community. Please assist us by adhering to the following guidelines:

• Try not to touch your face when climbing or without sanitizing/cleaning first and practice proper respiratory etiquette.
• Sanitize hands when entering & exiting the indoor climbing wall location.
• Sanitize between climbs, if possible.  We encourage sanitizing between climbs as we cannot sanitize the rope and rock holds.
• To help keep the air and climbing area as clean as possible, please use liquid chalk or chalk socks/balls (no loose chalk). 
• When climbing top rope, you must have at least one climbing route between yourself and any other climbers on the wall. 

Equipment Rentals

Climbing shoes & harnesses are available for free. All equipment is cleaned after each usage