UKC

Hi All,

I went to the new Karma bouldering wall in Tunbridge Wells yesterday, and was really impressed by the wall - lots of interesting problems, proper top outs, and a great looking comp wall. It was also stacked with kids and new comers, which was great to see. However, there were a couple of safety issues:

1. Kids running round at high speed, often straight under climbers. I must have asked 10 kids not to run/be careful in one session. I am 95kg, and I would hate to think what would happen if I landed on a 5 year old from the top of the wall.

2. People wearing rings. I think I said to 5 people about them getting trapped in holds, and all looked a bit surprised.

I know some will think I am being a "busy-body", but I just don't want people to get hurt, and feel that it is partly my responsibility, especially as I have been climbing for about 15 years.

I did pass my concerns on to a member of staff, and I could see they there were really busy, and I guess all walls suffer from similar problems. The wall did have a full induction process, but I don't think it has influenced behaviour enough? I am interested in the best ideas for minimising these two problems?

Maybe video a 100kg weight falling onto a wooden palette from the top of a wall, and then show it to people as part of the induction?

Any other thoughts?

Cheers,

Robert

In reply to RobertHepburn:

I think you're right to mention potentially harmful things to people, as long as you don't do it in a school prefect way. No one wants they're session cut short because they've just squashed a kid or someone's finger has been pulled off. Everyone should appreciate a bit of friendly advice when starting out. P.s 100kg dropped on a water melon might be effective.

In reply to RobertHepburn:

The ring thing is quite important.

I dislocated my ring finger at the Uxbridge Wall many moons ago crimping away. The finger ballooned to about twice its size before the A&E doctor wrenched it back in position. If I'd had my wedding ring on they would have had to cut it off and I suspect the pain would have been even worse.

Newcomers never imagine this is going to happen....

In reply to RobertHepburn:

Little picture of a de-gloved finger ought to do the trick Climbed with someone in the states whose friend had left half of his finger in a pocket after falling, ouch!

In reply to RobertHepburn:

I love Karma and have been climbing there a lot since it has opened. Great setting and not too expensive either. Agree with you about the kids though, weekend mornings/lunchtimes are absolutely dire. Hopefully they will be more assertive when dealing with parents not properly supervising their kids.