Effective: 10-15-2018
Everyone wanting to belay will be required to get re-certified. Yes, Everyone!
In keeping safety as our top priority, we continue to grow and evolve our policies. This has led to the newest change and re-certification process. The gri-gris have now been removed from the ropes, so anyone belaying will either need to check one out at the desk or provide their own.
This, of course, requires an extra level of certification to ensure that belayers are able to properly load the gri-gri onto the top rope set up.
So everyone wanting to belay will be required to get re-certified. Yes, everyone.
Fear not, if you’re currently certified, this will only take a few moments of your time. Certification will include properly loading the gri-gri, tying in, checking your partners, belaying, catching a fall and lowering.
Once you are certified, you will receive a small tag that is to be worn on your harness at all times to allow staff to quickly discern those who are/not certified.
Please watch this short video about what to expect prior to your next visit to help expedite the process for you.
Policy changes effective October 15th: In keeping safety as our top priority, we continue to grow and evolve our policies. This has led to the newest change and re-certification process. The gri-gris have now been removed from the ropes, so anyone belaying will either need to check one out at the desk or provide their own. This, of course, requires an extra level of certification to ensure that belayers are able to properly load the gri-gri onto the top rope set up. So everyone wanting to belay will be required to get re-certified. Yes, everyone. Fear not, if you’re currently certified, this will only take a few moments of your time. Certification will include properly loading the gri-gri, tying in, checking your partners, belaying, catching a fall and lowering. Once you are certified, you will receive a small tag that is to be worn on your harness at all times to allow staff to quickly discern those who are/not certified. Please watch this short video about what to expect prior to your next visit to help expedite the process for you. Key points that you should be aware of:· Nobody will be allowed to top rope belay until they are re-certified and given a tag.· Gri-gris with a locking carabiner will be provided in exchange for collateral such as keys or cell phones. Customers are welcome to use their own gri-gris but certification and tag are still required.· When belaying, the carabiner is to be clipped into the belay loop, rather than two hard points. Now that the quicklink has been removed from the set up, clipping in to the hard points will orient the gri-gri incorrectly.· This is a full re-certification and belayers must pass all aspects of it to obtain their certification. Failing to properly put on the harness, not double checking the set up of both climber and belayer, improper or unsafe belay techniques, inability to manage the ropes effectively, not locking off when catching a fall, or lowering in an unsafe manner will result in a failure of the test.· Gri-gris are still the only accepted belay device for top rope belaying at AZR.· For anyone that is not already certified, AZR offers belay classes. Please visit our website for more information. Thank you to our amazing community for the support in helping this transition be a smooth and successful one!
Posted by AZ on the Rocks on Tuesday, October 16, 2018
Key points that you should be aware of:
- Nobody will be allowed to top rope belay until they are re-certified and given a tag.
- Gri-gris with a locking carabiner will be provided in exchange for collateral such as keys or cell phones.
- Customers are welcome to use their own gri-gris but certification and tag are still required.
- When belaying, the carabiner is to be clipped into the belay loop, rather than two hard points. Now that the quicklink has been removed from the set up, clipping in to the hard points will orient the gri-gri incorrectly.
- This is a full re-certification and belayers must pass all aspects of it to obtain their certification. Failing to properly put on the harness, not double checking the set up of both climber and belayer, improper or unsafe belay techniques, inability to manage the ropes effectively, not locking off when catching a fall, or lowering in an unsafe manner will result in a failure of the test.
- Gri-gris are still the only accepted belay device for top rope belaying at AZR.
- For anyone that is not already certified, AZR offers belay classes. Please click here for more information.