NEW CLIMBERS

CLIMBING IS INHERENTLY DANGEROUS

• Use caution when down climbing and utilize the down climbing holds

BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS

• Do not sit, stand, or walk underneath other climbers
• Keep your distance when climbing - Do not climb above, below, or close to another climber.
• Keep climbing areas clear of trip hazards (water bottles, phones, chalk bags, etc.).

USE CAUTION WHEN FALLING

• Injuries can still occur when falling on padding.
• Do not stick out any limbs to stop yourself.
• Bend your knees to absorb the fall.

USE CORRECT CLIMBING EQUIPMENT

• Climbing shoes MUST be worn while climbing.
  • No bare feet, sneakers, sandals, or toe shoes
• Do not wear harnesses in the bouldering areas.

DO NOT SPOT A CLIMBER UNLESS ASKED TO DO SO

• If you aren't comfortable with spotting, do not do it.

CONSENT

• Always get consent! Ask before:
  • Giving beta or advice to another climber
  • Spotting another climber

ON THE WALL

• Take turns climbing with others.
• If someone just brushed a route, let them climb it first.
• Do your best not to bleed on anything - holds, walls, padding, rentals, friends, family - but let a staff member know if you do.

OFF THE WALL

• Don't stand, sit, walk, or leave belongings in fall zones.
• Try to keep your chalk contained to your chalk bag. If you spill, let a staff member know so we can clean it up.

GEAR

• Wear appropriate climbing gear and attire:
  • Wear climbing shoes while on the wall
  • Take off your harness while bouldering
  • Keep your top on in the gym
  • When top-roping, tie back hair, avoid loose fitting clothes or jewelry, and tuck your shirt into your harness

• At The Knot, we use the V-scale to rate boulder problems (V0 - V10+) and the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) for top-rope routes (5.5 - 5.13). In both systems, the higher the number, the more difficult the problem will feel.
• While grades offer a general sense of challenge, they're subjective and may feel different for each climber. You can find route grades on the back of Start Tags or in our climbing app

• Each person under 16 needs an adult (18 or older) chaperone.
• Chaperone-to-child ratio for children under 13 must be 1:1; each child needs their own chaperone.
  • Chaperones for children under 13 must be in constant visual contact with their child.
  • Chaperones for children 13-15 need not stay in constant visual contact, but must come in and remain in the gym while they are here.
• Chaperones-to-child ratio for children 13-15 must be a max of 1:4.
• No one under 13 is allowed to:
  • Belay
  • Be in the gym past 6:00PM
  • Use the weightlifting/workout area
• No one under 5 may climb anywhere in the facility.
• Minors (under 18) cannot fill out their own waivers; a parent or guardian must fill it out for them.
  • All waivers for minors must additionally have a photo of the parent or guardian's ID attached. These can be texted to The Knot at 352-322-2402 with the message: "For [insert minor's name]."

• At The Knot Climbing Gym, we are committed to providing a welcoming, inclusive, and safe environment for all of our climbers and staff. We believe that everyone deserves to feel respected and valued while enjoying their time in our facility.
• As such, we have a zero-tolerance policy for any form of harassment, discrimination, violence, suggestion of violence, hate speech, or any other unwanted behavior that makes others feel uncomfortable. This policy may (at management's sole discretion) be applied to behavior both inside and outside The Knot Climbing Gym.