Wilson Climbing Centre Policies

Waivers

  • All participants must sign a waiver. Youth 17 and under need a parent to sign the informed consent form. Participants who show up to the booking without completed forms will not be allowed to participate.

Belay Tests

The Wilson Climbing Centre requires all users to pass a facility-specific belay test annually. If successful, the resulting top-rope or lead check will expire in one year (after which, another test must be completed successfully before access to the highwall area is re-granted).

The Wilson Climbing Centre DOES NOT recognize external gym belay checks — anyone caught belaying and/or high wall climbing without a current, facility-specific belay check will be asked to leave the facility indefinitely.

Practicing for Belay Tests

Practicing for belay tests/teaching other patrons how to belay, tie in, or otherwise set-up for/perform high-wall climbing, is NOT ALLOWED ANYWHERE in the climbing facility.

Patrons caught practicing for a belay test or attempting to teach belay skills to others will be asked to leave the gym for a minimum of 24 hours — no test will occur, and no refund will be provided (if test fees have already been paid).

We offer both Learn to Top Rope and Learn to Lead courses which will teach you the safety and basics of each modality

Fees + Logistics

Lead Test: $10

Top Rope Test: $6

  • All test fees are non-refundable, even if you fail the test.
  • You will be required to bring a partner that can belay you on either top rope or lead (depending on which test you are taking). Your belay partner can take the test at the same time as you.
  • You may use a GriGri OR belay tube for the belay tests.
  • All necessary equipment (e.g., belay tubes, carabiners, shoes, harnesses, and chalk) can be rented from Van Vliet Complex customer service desk.

Minimum age for belay checks

  • Top Rope: 13 years*
  • Lead: 14 years*
  • *Exceptions may apply

Times + Availability

  • You can take your belay test once every 24 hours. If you fail a test, you will have to wait 24 hours to take it again.
  • Belay tests occur on a drop-in basis.
  • Staff are not available at all open times to proctor belay tests. Please view the Live Facility Calendar to see when the highwall which is when there is a certified staff scheduled to conduct belay tests.

Guidelines to Bringing Children to Climb

  • Children under six years of age are not permitted in the facility during drop-in times.
  • Children 13 and under:
    • Must be actively supervised and within arms reach of a parent/legal guardian at all times.
    • Adults who have successfully completed and passed the top rope test (at the Wilson Climbing Centre) in the past year can top-rope belay children 13 and under.
    • During drop-in hours, children under 13 are not permitted to belay.
  • Patrons older than 14 are allowed to climb independently in the facility.