JUNIOR AND ADULT NOVICE SUPERVISION POLICY

We welcome kids of all ages but due to the high risk nature of the sport, we ask that you read the information below before attending the Centre in order to understand the requirements for each age group:

Kids under 4 years can attend the centre but are not permitted in the climbing or gym area. 1:1 parent/guardian to child supervision is required at all times. This means if the adult supervisor wants to climb, there must be a second adult to supervise the child.
Kids aged 4-7 years are permitted to use the climbing wall with parent/guardian who is a competent climber, and there must be 1:1 parent/guardian to child supervision at all times. Kids within this age group are not permitted within the gym area.
Kids aged 8 to 13 years can attend one of our coached sessions or attend under the supervision of a parent/guardian who is a competent climber at a ratio of 2:1. Kids within this age group are not permitted within the gym area.
Those aged 14-16 years can attend our coached sessions, attend under the supervision of a parent/guardian who is a competent climber at a ratio of 2:1 and take our Junior Test which (if passed) will enable them to climb unsupervised. Note: This age group is permitted within the gym only under the supervision of one of our coaches or a Personal Trainer.
Those aged 16-18 years old are permitted to use the centre (both climbing and gym area): If inexperienced, in one of our junior coached sessions, with a competent climber supervised at a ratio of 2:1 or in attendance of one of our Intro to Bouldering sessions. If experienced, they may climb unsupervised with the consent of a parent or guardian and upon completion of our waiver.

Whether you’re climbing with your kids or just looking to supervise them, you will need to be a competent and experienced boulderer. If you are not yet at that stage, then we recommend booking onto one of our Introduction to Bouldering coached sessions or Family Bouldering Coached sessions before attending with your kids.

If you’re already a competent and experienced boulderer, we’d still recommend that you book onto one of our family sessions when available. We will introduce you and your kids to The Font in a fun session that is full of great tips when climbing with kids. But, if you do want to just rock up and climb casually then you will be able to do so once the registration process is complete.

SUPERVISING JUNIORS

Only competent climbers should supervise juniors within The Font facilities. If you are not a competent climber we recommend booking one of our coached sessions to either up skill yourself or onboard your junior(s).
When supervising, you should be visually supervising your climber(s), attentive to them, but ensure you are outside of all climber's fall zones.
Juniors who are not climbing but are within the centre must still be considered within our supervision ratios. Please check the Under 18s Access Policy for further ratio detail.
Assist your junior(s) in making decisions about when and where it is safe to climb. Climbers cannot control where they fall so you must ensure that you and your junior(s) are not in a dangerous position. For this reason, we recommend that you stay off of or near the edge of the matting when you are not climbing.
Ensure that junior(s) you are supervising are aware and understand the Rules and Good Practices of the centre to help them in climbing safely.
Our gym space has different access policies to our climbing space for juniors. Please ensure you are correctly following these access policies. If you are at all unsure then please feel free to ask a member of staff who will be happy to help.

SUPERVISING ADULT NOVICES

Novice boulderers must attend under the supervision of a competent adult boulderer on their first occasion.
Competent adult boulderers may supervise up to 2 adult novices. For groups of 3 adult novices or more, you will either need more supervisors, or a coach.
Only competent boulderers should supervise novice climbers within The Font facilities. If you are not a competent climber we recommend booking one of our coached sessions to either up skill yourself or join one of our coached sessions along with the novice(s) you are intending on supervising.
By agreeing to supervise novice(s) you are taking on the responsibility of their safety while using The Font facilities. Our team are there to assist you with specific queries, but you will be responsible for them while in the centre.
When supervising, you should be visually supervising your climber(s), attentive to them, but ensure you are outside of all climber's fall zones.
Assist your novice(s) in making decisions about when and where it is safe to climb. Climbers cannot control where they fall so you must ensure that you and your novice(s) are not in a dangerous position. For this reason, we recommend that you stay off of or near the edge of the matting when you are not climbing.
Ensure the novice(s) you are supervising are aware and understand the Rules and safe practices of the centre to help them in climbing safely. We recommend that you and your novice(s) take the time to read and remind yourselves of the safety signage around the centre.
You are also required to monitor the novice(s) you are supervising within the gym and ensure they are following safe usage guidelines present when operating equipment.