Registration

Only fully registered members over the age of 18 are allowed to use Beacon Climbing Centre unsupervised and we offer different levels of registration based on age and previous climbing experience.

By climbing at Beacon you are acknowledging the British Mountaineering Council's (BMC) participation statement below.

BMC Participation Statement:

"The BMC recognises that climbing 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 and involvement."

Over 18 Year Old Experienced Climbers

Experienced climbers can use the bouldering arena and climbing walls once they have registered. This involves reading conditions of use and completing a registration form declaring your basic competence and a willingness to accept responsibility for yourself and anyone you are supervising in the wall (see special conditions below). You will be issued with a membership card with a unique number, which you sign and keep, and must be able to produce on all future visits. All experienced adult climbers are expected to register.

Registration is free, and you can download a registration form here.

Bouldering only registration

Available to over 18s with previous bouldering experience who wish to use the bouldering areas only. Registration involves completing a form declaring that you have read and accepted the bouldering conditions of use and understand the risks associated with this style of climbing. Bouldering only members are not permitted to use any of the roped areas or sign in novices.

Registration is free, and you can download a bouldering registation form here.

Novice Climbers

Experienced climbers often like to introduce friends to climbing via the climbing wall, which we accept, but we also recognise that there are inherent risks. We therefore have a clear policy to minimise these risks:

• Registered adult climbers may sign in no more than two guests, who may be novices or U18s
• By signing in a guest, you are accepting responsibility for the full and constant supervision of your guest(s) while on the premises. We specifically warn that if you wish to teach a novice to belay you ensure that it is done in a way that is appropriate and puts no other wall users at risk. For anyone wanting to learn to belay we would recommend our Beginner Intro Course.
• The sign-in form details what we expect from members signing in guests, so it is important that you read it and ensure you understand your responsibilities. If you are in any doubt, please ask a member of staff for advice.

Under 18 Years Old Climbers (U18)

Beacon encourages young climbers to use the climbing wall, yet takes this responsibility very seriously. The basis of the U18 policy at the Beacon Climbing Centre is that all U18s are regarded as minors and should be supervised in the Centre by an appropriate adult climber, as follows:

• A registered adult climber can supervise a maximum of two people.
• U18s can also be part of a group supervised by a suitably qualified person (minimum CWA/SPA qualified) or on a taster session run by Beacon.
• In line with nationally recognised guidelines, there is a scheme at the Beacon whereby very experienced 16-17 year olds can undertake an assessment at our discretion, and with the written consent of their parents or guardians. If successful in the assessment, the applicant can use the Beacon in the same way as an adult climber, with the exception that they cannot supervise any novices or other U18s.