Top Rope Safety

Top rope climbing, also known as bottom rope climbing in technical terms (though "Top rope" is the standard terminology for indoor centres), involves securing the rope to a fixed anchor at the top of the climbing wall. The climber is attached to one end of the rope, while the belayer manages the rope through a belay device as the climber ascends. In the event of a fall, the belayer locks the belay device to arrest the fall using their body weight and friction from the device, ensuring the climber's safety. With proper belaying, climbers should not experience large falls, as the belayer controls the spare rope in the system.

Here's how we manage the risk associated with top rope climbing for Foundry members (unsupervised climbers) and internally instructed sessions:

For Foundry Members (Unsupervised Climbers):

  • Membership Registration: Our membership registration process ensures that climbers possess the necessary skills to toprope climb unsupervised.

  • Regular Inspections: We conduct routine checks on the ropes and anchor points to ensure their integrity and safety.

  • Regular floor walks are conducted at The Foundry Climbing Centre to ensure the safety and adherence to best practices among all climbers. These observations involve monitoring climbers throughout the centre at regular intervals to ensure they are following established safety protocols, identifying any potential safety hazards or risky behaviours, providing assistance to climbers in need, enforcing rules and regulations, and ultimately enhancing the overall safety of the climbing environment.

For Internal Instructed Sessions (Delivered by Foundry Climbing Coaching Ltd):

  • Qualified Instructors: Our instructors hold National Governing Body qualifications and undergo regular in-house reviews to ensure proficiency and adherence to safety standards.

  • Equipment Check: Instructors inspect all harnesses, knots, and belay setups before climbing to ensure they are correctly configured for safety.

  • Supervision and Backup: Instructors or another climber provide backup belaying support for all climbers, adding an extra layer of safety.

  • Supervision Ratio: One instructor supervises a maximum of three climbers to ensure adequate attention and safety oversight.

  • Briefing Compliance: Climbers are expected to follow the instructor's briefing and safety guidelines throughout the session to minimise risks and ensure a safe climbing experience.

By implementing these measures, we prioritise safety and strive to create a secure climbing environment for all participants at The Foundry.


Updated March 2024