// HOW TO SUPERVISE //

Safe Supervision guidelines

Children aged 7-15

All U16s must be properly supervised* when climbing at Boulder Brighton.

New climbers aged 7-15 and their supervisors should start out by attending one of our First Time Climb induction sessions, which are designed to let new climbers learn the skills needed to boulder safely at our centre. Once they have attended a First Time Climb session, parents can supervise their children at the centre without an instructor present as long as they meet the following requirements:

• 👩‍👧‍👦 1 non-climbing adult supervisor per 2 children, or
• 👩‍👦 1 climbing adult supervisor per 1 child
• ⚠️ Under 9s: One-to-one supervision is strongly recommended
• ✅ Close and active supervision is essential - supervised climbers and their supervisors must stay together at all times
• 🚫 Family groups including more than 3 children are not permitted unless accompanied by a Boulder Brighton instructor, for safety reasons

Supervisors are expected to walk around the centre with their children and keep close them at all times. The biggest risk to children's safety comes if they run or stand on the red safety matting underneath other adult climbers who could fall and hurt them - any running in the centre is therefore strictly forbidden, and children must step off the red mats when they are not climbing. Supervisors must keep their supervised children together and close to them at all times to make sure they follow the rules of the centre - this is extremely difficult to achieve from a seated position!

We require a minimum of one non-climbing adult supervisor per two children, and strongly recommend one-to-one supervision for children under the age of 9. Any supervisors who wish to also climb themselves can only be responsible for one child, and must climb together with their supervised climber at all times. Minors may not be left unsupervised in the cafe area or elsewhere in the centre.

Supervisors must complete the normal adult registration process in order that they receive the same safety information as all other climbers using the centre. There is no charge for this registration process if completed online in advance, and it need only be done once every two years.

We take our supervision rules very seriously in order to maintain a safe climbing environment and any climbers or supervisors who do not follow them may be asked to leave.

*except youth who have passed through the Youth Boulderers Award scheme.

Young adults (aged 16-17)

Young adults aged 16 or 17 need signed parental consent to use the centre, but otherwise can use the centre under the same terms as other adults. A parent or legal guardian must complete a registration and consent form for the young adult before they visit. Registration is free if completed online in advance of their visit – follow this link for more details.

Small children (aged under 7)

Bouldering is not a "soft play" activity and the space is shared between adults and young climbers. As a result, our minimum age for centre use is 7, which is also the minimum age which can be accepted onto our instructed sessions. Under 7s are not allowed to enter the climbing areas for safety reasons, and minors may not be left unattended in any part of the building. If in any doubt, please call the centre in advance of your visit to avoid disappointment.