Climbing (Bouldering/Traverse Climbing Wall)
Elementary - Curricular 2024
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Portable Installation on School Site, Permanent Installation on School Site, Permanent Installation on Commercial Site.
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Bouldering Walls: Students combine vertical and horizontal movement on relatively low, artificial climbing walls, un-roped, protected by thick matting, which may include large overhangs and caves. In situations where the falling climber may injure a spotter (for example, the wall angle is steep and/or the climber is high), a spotter must not be used.
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Traverse Walls: Students move mainly horizontally rather than vertically on relatively low, mainly flat, artificial climbing walls, un-roped, protected by matting, and may be assisted by spotters.
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Outdoor bouldering on natural rock is not permissible.
- Also consult Climbing (General Procedures).
Equipment
- All equipment must be inspected by qualified personnel prior to activity.
Mats
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Bouldering Mats: A mat surface (solid or cross-linked foam or equivalent) must be in place under the bouldering area. The mats must extend a minimum of 6 feet (approx. 1.83 m.) from the outward most point from the wall (minimum mat thickness is 6”). Where the height increases and/or angle of the wall (for example, overhangs or caves) increases, the thickness of matting must also increase accordingly (for example, 12”-24”).
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Traverse Wall Mats: A mat surface (solid or cross-linked foam or equivalent) or an impact attenuating surface as per the manufacturer recommendations must be in place under the traverse area.
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Mat thicknesses:
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cross-link foam 5 cm (2”)
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open-cell foam 5 cm (2”)
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polyurethane 5 cm (2”)
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dual-density 5 cm (2”)
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mats of equivalent compaction rating as determined by the manufacturer.
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Clothing/Footwear/Jewellery
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Clothing and footwear appropriate to the activities and environmental conditions must be worn.
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Exposed jewelry is not permitted.
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Medic alert identification and religious articles of faith that cannot be removed must be taped or securely covered.
Facilities
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The climbing area must be appropriate for the ability levels, age and size of the students.
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All providers must follow the Ontario Building Code Act, and all applicable By-Laws and Regulations.
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All of the walls must be installed by a qualified professional (for example, Qualified Instructor/Outside Activity Provider). The initial installation of a bouldering or traverse wall must be inspected by qualified personnel upon completion of the installation and at least once a year thereafter by qualified climbing inspection personnel. This inspection must be documented with a written report. Necessary changes noted in the report must be addressed.
Environmental Considerations
Special Rules/Instructions
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Completed medical forms for each participating student must be accessible.
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Prior to the first lesson, Teachers must inform Qualified Climbing Instructors of students who have special needs.
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Risks involved with each activity and how to lower the risk of an injury from occurring must be communicated to the students.
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An introductory lesson must be an integral part of the program for all students.
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Activity and course elements that are introduced must be based on skills that are taught and appropriate for the age, ability level, language and and experience of the students.
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Teachers, Qualified Instructors and students must be aware of safety procedures.
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Students must be allowed to select a challenge at their comfort level, including the choice to not participate.
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Qualified Instructors must ensure that the landing zone under climbers is free of people and objects.
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A trained adult must be instructed in the safe and correct way of moving and handling the Bouldering/Traverse Climbing Wall (e.g., lifting, setting up/taking down/adjusting).
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When dismounting the wall, students must attempt to climb down from the wall rather than jumping or falling.
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Grades 6 and below: the hands of the students must not be more than 2.4m (7’10”) above the landing surface.
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Grades 7 and 8: the hands of the students must not be more than 3.5m (11’6”) above the landing surface.
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In order to minimize the risk of injury to both climbers and spotters, the activity provider must consider use of down-climb holds; instruction on proper falling technique and conscientious route planning; and seamless floor padding.
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Teachers and Monitors must be aware of the possibility of peer pressure and make sure no student is coerced into participating.
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Students who have demonstrated the required instructor skills and who are 16 years of age or older can assist with instruction but must be directly supervised by a Qualified Instructor.
Traverse Wall Spotting
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Prior to the activity, the Qualified Instructor must determine whether a spotter is to be used.
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During initial instruction, a spotter may be used. The spotter’s role is that of breaking or interrupting the fall of a climber, moving with the climber as they progress; it is not to fully absorb the fall of a climber. A student may fulfill the role of the spotter, provided instruction has been given.
Bouldering Spotting
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Prior to the activity, the Qualified Instructor must determine whether a spotter is to be used.
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Prior to the use of spotters, instruction must be provided to spotters on proper technique.
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In bouldering situations where a falling climber may injure a spotter (for example, the wall angle is steep (for example, the climber is in a non-vertical position) and/or the climber is high (for example, climber’s feet are more than 90cm/3 feet off the ground), a spotter must not be used.
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Students must not walk under anyone bouldering.
Supervision
- Direct Supervision is required when trained students are moving and handling equipment (e.g., lifting, setting up/taking down/adjusting).
Supervision/Monitoring Ratios
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Bouldering:
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Grade 6 and below: 1 Teacher/Monitor per 8 students
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Grade 7 and 8: 1 Teacher/Monitor per 12 students
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Traverse Walls:
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Grade 6 and below – 1 Teacher/Monitor per 8 students (not including spotters)
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Grades 7 and 8 – 1 Teacher/Monitor per 12 students (not including spotters)
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Qualifications
Outside Provider Instructor
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Qualified Instructors must be trained in, understand, demonstrate, and adhere to a directly relevant skill set for bouldering/traverse climbing. A relevant skill set is a described set of skills developed by recognized climbing professionals.
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All Qualified Instructors must be 18 years of age or older to teach the introductory lesson and/or be a Qualified Instructor.
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After initial instruction, an individual (for example, Teacher) who is trained in the skills and safety elements of bouldering/traverse wall climbing can monitor students who are bouldering/traverse wall climbing.
Applicable to Permanent School Traverse Walls
- Teachers must have attended and successfully completed training on the safe use of the elements of the school site’s traverse wall by a climbing professional (for example, climbing companies).
First Aid
Definitions
Tue, 07/22/25 12:31 pm