Acknowledgement of Risk and Conditions of Use

Participation statement

BMC – “The British Mountaineering Council recognises that climbing (including bouldering) and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions.”

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

It is important that you understand this document. There is inherent risk involved with climbing (including bouldering) centres and associated activities. By signing this form, you are stating you understand that these risks cannot be completely removed. If you do not understand any of the terminology or content, ask a member of staff to clarify.

1. Assumption & Acknowledgement of Risk

• a. I hereby Acknowledge and accept that the activity of climbing (including bouldering), both indoors and outdoors, and the use of City Bouldering’s facilities, participation in its activities and services or observation of such activities, involves risks. I recognise that some risks are inherent and as such cannot be eliminated or reduced. I confirm that I understand the nature and extent of these risks, which can include, but are not limited to:
  

i. All manner of injury resulting from falling from height and coming into contact with; the floor, climbing surface, people and/or other permanent or temporary structures.

ii. Rope abrasion, entanglement and other injuries resulting from activities on or near the climbing walls, such as, but not limited to; climbing, rescue systems, and any other rope activities.

iii. Injuries resulting from the actions or oversight of others, including, but not limited to; falling climbers or dropped items.

iv. Failure or misuse of equipment or any part of the facilities.

v. Failure to follow direct instruction or implementation of best practices.

vi. Failure to follow City Bouldering’s conditions of use and rules, as outlined in sections 2a through to 3f.

• b. I further acknowledge that there are risks associated with the use of City Bouldering’s facilities and participation in its activities other than climbing (including bouldering) related ones, including, but not limited to, the use of training equipment, slack-lining or participation in group activities.
• c. I confirm that to the best of my knowledge neither I, nor any person(s) I am signing on behalf of, suffer from a medical condition that could increase the risk that I, or they, will be involved in an accident which could result in injury to myself, them, or others.
• d. I agree that I, plus any minors I may be responsible for supervising during my visit, will be happy to complete a safety induction of the climbing (including bouldering) area if asked by a member of staff and before being permitted to climb. 

2. Conditions of Use

• a. Our Duty of Care – The rules set out in section 3 are not intended to limit your enjoyment of our facilities and services. They are part of the duty of care that we, as operators, owe to you our customers, by law. As such they are not negotiable. If you are not prepared to abide by them, you may not use our facilities or services. Should it come to our attention that you are not abiding by our rules you may be asked to leave.
• b. Your Duty of Care – You also have a duty of care to act responsibly towards other users and adhere to our rules. Statements of ‘Best Practice’ are posted around the centre adjacent to the relevant activity. These describe the accepted methods of use and how customers would normally be expected to behave towards each other.
• c. Safeguarding – Safeguarding means protecting the health, well being and human rights of anyone at risk, this could be children or adults, enabling them to live safely, free from abuse and neglect. It is about people and organisations working together to prevent and reduce both the risks and experience of abuse or neglect. We have a designated safeguarding officer available to all staff, customers and with assistance available confidentially.
• d. Unsupervised Climbing (including bouldering) – Before you engage in any climbing (including bouldering) activity without supervision, we expect you to be competent in the activity you wish to undertake, including completing an assessment and undertaking an induction before using the centre if required. By registering, you both understand and accept the risks, and agree to abide by ‘The Conditions or Use’ and ‘The Rules’ involved in your participation. Unsupervised climbing (including Unsupervised bouldering) is just that, staff will provide whatever help and advice they can, but formal instruction in the use of equipment will only be provided when booked and paid for. Should you not be competent in the use of any equipment, you must not attempt to use it without the supervision of someone who is competent and assessed to that effect. Anyone not registered unsupervised must not take part in or use the facilities and services without supervision of a competent person.
• e. Supervised Climbing (including bouldering)– An adult who has registered for ‘Unsupervised Climbing’ may supervise up to two novices, only if they are prepared to take full responsibility for the safety and well being of those novices. If you are under 18 years of age you cannot supervise under 18s. Groups of three or more novices must only be supervised by an instructor or coach holding the relevant qualification and insurance and whom has registered with City Bouldering. Novices must remain with their supervisor at all times whilst within climbing (including bouldering) areas. When engaged in supervision, a supervisor must not leave the ground at any point.
• f. Under 16’s – All under 16’s must be directly supervised by an adult, unless they have been registered and assessed by staff to engage in ‘Unsupervised Climbing’. We may require direct contact with a parent or guardian for authorisation to use any of the facilities if under 18.
• g. Facilities & Services – City Bouldering reserves the right to close the facilities or part thereof for any period of time required for route setting, tournaments, competitions,other activities or in connection with repairs, alterations or maintenance work. Occasionally we film and take photographs which could be used for marketing and training purposes. CCTV images of all facilities will be monitored and recorded throughout for the purposes of crime prevention and public safety.

3.The Rules

• a. General Safety – Check in at reception upon each visit before engaging in any activity. Exercise due care, common sense, and self-preservation at all times. Report any problems with the walls, equipment or other climber’s behaviour to a member of staff immediately. Be aware of other climbers and how your actions could affect them. Never stand/walk or climb directly under or next to someone who is climbing. Stand well back from the climbing walls unless you are belaying or supervising a climber. Avoid distracting others whilst they are climbing, belaying or supervising. Please be aware that the impact flooring (matting) does not remove the risk of injury but is designed to reduce the severity of these injuries. Ensure the climbing (including bouldering) area and your persons are free from hazardous items. Refer to ‘Best Practice’ signage for specific area safety rules. Be aware of the emergency exits and fire assembly points.
• b. Instructed & Coached Sessions (includes Fun Wall parties) – Always abide by the safety rules together with any instructions or advice given prior or during the session. Upon check-in to the facility, it will be made clear whether an instructor or coach is provided for the session. A responsible adult for any minor should be available, contactable and quickly reachable throughout the duration of the session.All minors should be checked-in at the beginning of a session and collected promptly by a responsible adult.
• c. Bouldering & Traversing – Never climb directly above or below another climber. Always ensure you are in a position to descend safely. Descend by downclimbing only, should that not be possible, then at the very least use a controlled fall. Uncontrolled falls greatly increase the risk of injury to yourself or others. Harnesses and rope related equipment must not be worn in the bouldering area. Never climb beyond your capabilities. Do not climb over or ‘Top Out’ on any climbing or bouldering surfaces.
• d. Auto-Belay – When using the auto-belay, you must identify the line your chosen route climbs and not deviate off this line. Descending from the route must be done in a controlled manner with, where possible, the landing zone and path checked to be clear before letting go. Climbing down is not recommended and should only be done as a last resort. Never attempt to grab back on to the wall when descending, as the auto-belay will continue to lower. Solo climbing on the auto-belay routes is not acceptable; always use the auto-belay safety line to protect yourself. Helmets must not be worn when using the auto-belays, and all additional hardware on your harness and loose clothing must be removed.
• e. Training Area & Equipment – All training facilities and equipment is used at your own personal risk. Please follow ‘Best Practice’ notices where applicable or seek further advice from the City Bouldering team. Under 18’s should not use the training areas or equipment unless directly supervised by a member of the City Bouldering team or an adult deemed competent in the activity they are engaging in..
• f. Studio / Gym area – By participating in sessions such as Strength & Conditioning ('S&C'), yoga, pilates or other exercise classes offered by City Bouldering, I acknowledge and agree that I, or the person I am signing on behalf of, will receive information and instructor about physical exercise and/or health. I further acknowledge and agree that any sessions offered are not substitute for medical attention, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Participation is not recommended and is not safe under certain medical conditions. By signing, I affirm that a doctor has verified my, or the person I am signing on behalf of, good health and physical condition to participate in either of the offered sessions. Any exercise including the practice of S&C, pilates and/or yoga, requires physical exertion, which may be strenuous and may cause physical injury and death, and I am fully aware of the risks and hazards involve with such exercise. It is my responsibility to consult an appropriately qualified healthcare professional regarding my participation in the classes, programs or workshops offered by City Bouldering, prior to my participation in the classes. I confirm that I, or the person I sign on behalf of, will assume full responsibility for any risks, injuries, or damages, known or unknown, which I might incur as a result of participating in such classes or workshops. I irrevocably, unconditionally, knowingly, voluntarily, and expressly waive (to the extent permitted by the law of England and Wales) any claim I may have against City Bouldering (and its employees, subcontractors and directors) for any injury, damage or loss that I may sustain as a result of participating in these classes or workshops.
• g. External Coached session - External coaches, personal trainers and instructors may be allowed to use City Bouldering facilities for their commercial use (e.g. private coaching, personal training session). However any external session needs to be pre-approved by City Bouldering and the coach or instructor must hold a valid public liability insurance. Should it come to our attention that you are not abiding by our rules you and your clients may be asked to leave.

4. Release of Liability

• a. My participation, and that of any person(s) I am signing on behalf of, is purely voluntary, and I or they, elect to participate despite the risks.
• b. I hereby voluntarily release, forever discharge, and agree to hold harmless City Bouldering, its owners and employees, with respect to all losses, damages, claims or other liabilities, whether known or unknown, arising out of any property damage, personal injury or wrongful death in any way connected to my participation, and that of any person(s) I am signing on behalf of, in activities both indoors and outdoors, that are hosted by or involve City Bouldering, its facilities/services or employees, with the exception of gross negligence or intentional misconduct.
• c. I authorise City Bouldering employees to provide or obtain medical assistance without liability, for me or any person(s) I am signing on behalf of, and if required, to arrange transport for me or them to a medical facility.
• d. I confirm that City Bouldering may use any photograph or video of me or any person(s) I am signing on behalf of, taken inside their facilities or at any activity hosted by them, for promotional purposes related solely to the advertisement of their business. To opt out of this photography and video release of liability , please cease completing this agreement and email aldgate@citybouldering.co.uk or westfield@citybouldering.co.uk.    

Signatory agreement

I have had sufficient opportunity to read the entirety of this document, including each of the different sections. I have read it, understood it, and agree to be bound by its terms. I certify that all the information on this form is correct and that if any information changes, I will notify the centre.

TICK THE BOX BELOW TO AGREE TO THESE CONDITIONS OF USE

If you are unsure or have any questions, please speak to a member of staff.