Climbing (Climbing Wall and Related Activities)
Elementary - Curricular 2024
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Climb only and belaying conditions for grades 1 to 8 when wall climbing.
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Portable Installation on School Site, Permanent Installation on School Site, Permanent Installation on Commercial Site
- Also consult Climbing (General Procedures).
Equipment
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All of the equipment must be commercially and specifically manufactured for the intended climbing related activity and adhere to one of: UIAA, CE, NFPA, ULC, CSA, ASTM standards.
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All equipment must be inspected by qualified personnel prior to activity.
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The belay rope must be compatible with the chosen belay device and the climbing activity.
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The climbers must use climbing harnesses (sit or full body) appropriate for their age and/or body size.
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Belay devices must be connected with a locking carabiner rated at 22kN/2200kg/ 4945lbs., where commercial friction or camming devices are used.
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The top anchors must have 2 individual points or belay bar.
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The top anchors must have locking devices. The climbers must not be able to climb above the anchors. The top anchors must be able to sustain a load of 22kN/2200kg/4945lbs.
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The bottom anchors must be one of: 2 individual floor anchors, or belayer harness, (a belay system/technique that will not allow the climber to ground- fall in the event the belayer becomes incapacitated) or combination harness and floor.
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The bottom anchors must have a belay device connected with a locking carabiner and be capable of sustaining a load of 10kN/1000kg/2240lbs.
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Mats (for example, Velcro utility mats, wrestling mats) must be in place at the ascending and descending points for all of the indoor walls.
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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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Helmets:
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The wearing of a helmet (or not) must be professionally determined based on the existing hazards in the facility (for example, toe/hand holds, features) and/or the operating system (for example, auto-belay).
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Facilities must provide helmets when their use is not hazardous or when they are required by the school/board, or parents/guardians.
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When appropriate, helmets that are commercially and specifically manufactured for climbing must be properly fitted (as per manufacturer’s guidelines) and properly worn.
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Clothing/Footwear/Jewellery
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Clothing and footwear appropriate to the activities and environmental conditions must be worn. Tops with drawstrings are not permitted.
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No exposed jewellery permitted.
Facilities
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The climbing wall must be appropriate for the ability levels, age and size of the students.
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All of the providers must follow the Ontario Building Code Act, and all applicable By-Laws and Regulations.
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All of the climbing equipment must be installed by a qualified professional (e.g., Qualified Instructor/Outside Activity Provider). The initial installation of the climbing equipment 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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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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A belay system suitable to the age, maturity, size and skill of the students must be used.
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When students are belaying, the following elements must be addressed in an introductory lesson prior to top-rope climbing:
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the introductory lesson be identified as top-rope specific
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the introductory lesson must be identified as specific to the belay device being used
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the introductory lesson must include instruction on and repeat practice of:
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correct use of harness
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correct use of knots and tie-in points
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concept of top-roping
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correct use of belay device
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general belaying principles
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lowering procedures
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communication and the climber/belayer contract
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A Qualified Instructor must do a safety check of any student leaving the ground.
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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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Individuals who have been trained and can demonstrate 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 Teacher Instructor.
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A trained adult must be instructed in the safe and correct way of moving and handling the Climbing Wall (e.g.,lifting, setting up/taking down/adjusting).
Fall Protection Operating Systems
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Programs may be offered utilizing the following fall protection operating systems:
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Programs are required to follow the ratios related to the grade level and the fall protection operating systems as indicated in the Supervision Section.
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A Qualified Instructor must check the harness and connection to the fall protection operating system for any student prior to them leaving the ground.
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The fall protection operating system utilized must be one that was installed and recommended by a qualified Challenge Course Professional.
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The climber-to-belayer weight ratio must be taken into consideration when determining the number of buddy belayers necessary in any non-ground anchored system. In most conventional top-roped belay systems, an approximate climber-to-belayer weight ratio is 1:1.
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A body belay is not to be used.
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A belay system/technique that will not allow the climber to ground-fall in the event that the belayer becomes incapacitated must be used by student belayers.
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Ground/floor anchors must be backed up by a harness attachment unless they have been specifically installed for climbing and conform to recognized standards (see equipment list).
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Students in grade 6 and below are not allowed to belay.
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Lead climbing by students must not be done.
For Climb Only Programs
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Rules must clearly be explained to students prior to climbing by a Qualified Instructor.
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Students are not permitted to:
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belay
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apply harnesses to themselves or others
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tie knots for themselves or others
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connect to an auto belay system themselves
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Belaying, applying harnesses, tying knots, and connecting to an auto belay must be done by a Qualified Instructor.
Supervision
- In-the-Area Supervision is required when the activities are situated at a combination of locations.
Supervision/Monitoring Ratios Applicable to All Installations
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Climb only:
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Grades 1-3: 1 Qualified Instructor per 1 active line
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Grades 4-6: 1 Qualified Instructor per 1 active line
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Grades 7-8: 1 Qualified Instructor per 1 active line
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Full Belay:
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Grades 1-3: Not permitted
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Grades 4-6: Not permitted
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Grades 7-8: 1 Qualified Instructor per 2 active lines
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Participatory/Team Belay:
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Grades 1-3: Not permitted
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Grades 4-6: 1 Qualified Instructor per 4 active lines
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Grades 7-8: 1 Qualified Instructor per 4 active lines
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Auto Belay:
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Grades 1-3: 1 Qualified Instructor per 4 actively participating students in close proximity
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Grades 4-5: 1 Qualified Instructor per 6 actively participating students in close proximity
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Grades 6-8: 1 Qualified Instructor per 8 actively participating students in close proximity
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After introductory lesson, above ratios must be maintained.
Intramural Wall Climbing Clubs Ratios
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For Grades 7 and 8 intramural Clubs (for example, Wall Climbing Clubs) that go to a commercial site provider, all of the above ratios apply for the first three visits (total time 6 hours minimum) that take place within a reasonable time frame. After three separate visits (total time 6 hours minimum):
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a Qualified Instructor provides a belay check for each student
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a climbing professional provides On-Site Supervision
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1 Qualified Instructor to 12 students
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Qualifications
Applicable to All Installations
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Qualified Instructors must be trained in, understand, demonstrate, and adhere to a directly relevant skill set for Climbing Walls. A relevant skill set is a described set of skills developed by recognized climbing professionals.
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All Qualified instructors must be at least 18 years of age or older to teach the introductory lesson and/or be a Qualified Instructor.
Applicable to Permanent School Sites
- Qualified Instructors for permanent school sites must hold a current certificate (within the last 3 years), demonstrating successful completion of a training workshop that directly addresses the climbing activities they are teaching.
First Aid
Definitions
Tue, 07/22/25 12:26 pm