In reply to all:
In my
many many years of using, owning and running indoor climbing walls I can’t remember ever having any more than a few ‘belay only’ customers in at once.
The way I see it is that if we can operate a successful indoor climbing business with out the need to charge for ‘belaying only’ then we will continue to do so.
That handful of ‘belay only’ people would soon dwindle if I started to charge them for the privilege of helping out with their chosen active climber, I’m sure.
Everyone that belays must be a member (we don't charge for memberships either but that’s another story/thread!). To be a member you will have to fill in a membership form stating that amongst other things you can belay.
If someone did blatantly lie about ‘belaying only’ then climbed, shame on them! If we noticed or if this was brought to our attention then we’d ask the said climber to pay and politely state that if this was to happen again we would not welcome their custom and notify the other local walls of the situation.
With regards to bouldering centres which no one has mentioned. We do not charge for people to come in with their friends, family or groups. These extra people will also fill the place up, use the toilets and benefit from our free wi-fi. Any one that steps into the actual climbing area to help, coach, instruct, or just say hello will need to be a member so they are aware of the dangers in doing so.
Insurance is based mainly on turnover with a few other small factors added in (past claims, wages, etc...). Charging or not charging belayers would not have any effect on this.
Every climbing wall has the right to charge what they see fit and appropriate. How they justify their charges are up to them, it’s part of their business plan which they will have worked hard to put together and may not want to share that information with others.
This is just my privileged take on the situation.
Happy climbing and belaying to all,
Dave Douglas
Awesome Walls climbing Centres Ltd
Liverpool/Stockport/Stoke-on-Trent/??????
http://www.awesomewalls.co.uk/