Belay Standards

General Facility Protocols

  • Must be certified by ELEV8 staff to Top Rope Belay, Lead Belay, or Lead Climb.

  • Must adhere to routes designated for the type of climbing being performed.

  • Lead climbs must be climbed from the ground up (no following or top roping on lead ropes).

  • Assisted braking devices required for all belaying.

  • Figure 8 follow-through is the only permitted climbing knot.

  • All personal gear must be specifically designed for sport climbing, must have proper UIAA designations, must be in good, working condition, and user must be knowledgeable about their proper use.

  • Any climbing/belaying gear is available for rent at the front desk.

Certification Process

  • Belayers who are already proficient in belaying may request a belay test from our desk staff. Belay instruction occurs during our regularly scheduled belay classes.

  • Top Rope Belay Certification requirements:

    • Demonstrate ability to properly tie in a climber

    • Demonstrate proper belay setup

    • Perform safety checks on climber and belayer

    • Proper communication

    • Proper slack management

    • Proper control of the brake strand

    • Safely catch falls

    • Safely lower

  • Lead Belay Certification requirements:

    • All Top Rope Belay Certification requirements

    • Demonstrate proper clipping of quickdraws and anchor draws

    • Understand backclip, z-clip (hazards, what to do, how to fix)

    • Understanding of rope management and awareness as a climber

    • Understanding of flaking a rope

    • Understanding appropriate amounts of slack depending on climber location on the wall

    • Belaying:

      • Proper slack management and climber anticipation

      • Safely catch lead falls

      • Belay climber to the top of the wall and lower

    • Climbing:

      • Demonstrate competence in clipping while climbing

      • Rope awareness

      • Ability to take a lead fall