Operating instructions of the La Skala climbing centre

 

The operator of the climbing centre La Skala is the company TOP VISION, s.r.o., Odbojárska 9, 038 61 Vrútky, registered in the Commercial Register of the Slovak Republic Žilina, Section: Sro, File No.: 15084/L

1. 
   General

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The operating instructions serve primarily to prevent accidents and to maintain hygiene and order.  It is visibly located at the entrance to the hall and at the reception desk, and every visitor of the climbing centre is required to read it carefully at his/her first visits.

 

• Every user of the La Skala climbing centre should take due note of the operating instructions and is required to comply with it. The operating instructions are also binding for non-climbing visitors of the climbing centre (safeguarding person, children, persons accompanying children, etc.).
• Violation of the operating instructions may result in showing out the particular visitor(s) by the personnel of the climbing centre, without any right of claiming the entry fee. In case of repeated violations of the operating instructions, the person(s) breaking the rules may get a permanent ban on entering the climbing centre. In this case, the season tickets and admission tickets will be taken from their respective holders without a right of claiming a refund.
• Only those persons who have registered can climb in the climbing centre - filled in and signed the registration form and paid the entry fee or used a valid ticket. The registration is valid until its cancellation.
• The visitor and the user are required to follow the instructions of the personnel, instructors and manager of the climbing centre.
• The visitor is obliged to act in such a way as to enable others to fulfil their obligations to ensure safety and to protect health.
• The visitor is obliged to immediately notify the personnel of the climbing centre of any deficiencies that could endanger his/her safety and health or the safety and health of the other visitors of the climbing centre and, if possible, to participate in their removal.
• In case of an accident, the visitor is obliged to report the accident to the personnel of the climbing centre.
• It is forbidden to enter the climbing centre for persons under the influence of alcohol, drugs and psychotropic substances, and it is forbidden to consume alcohol in the premises dedicated for sport activities.
• It is forbidden to smoke and handle fire in the premises of the building.
• In case of theft or acts of vandalism, the personnel of the climbing centre is obliged to report these persons to the police (catches, sports equipment, valuables, etc.). 
• The La Skala climbing centre does not hold any responsibility for damages caused by the violation of the operating instructions, incorrect technique of locking, climbing or manipulation of the rope, poor equipment, inattention, failure to respect other climbers, etc., and damages to things, as well as to things outside the premises dedicated for storage (valuables can be deposited at the personnel of climbing centre). Whoever causes damage or harm to others must bear the consequences him/herself. The operator of the La Skala climbing centre does not hold any responsibility in these cases.

 

2. Safety

The most common cause of injuries on the artificial walls is improper handling of the rope, insufficient control of the climbing technique and of the safeguarding, and the use of inappropriate equipment.

The information provided in the operating instructions cannot replace proper training and practice. Proper training in the field of safe climbing technique and safeguarding is your own responsibility.

 

• You use the climbing centre on your own responsibility!
  The operator of the climbing centre is not able to eliminate the risks associated with climbing on the artificial wall, so it is necessary to observe the operating instructions, mutual tactfulness and concentration during climbing and safeguarding.
• Only persons properly trained and experienced in the field of climbing, techniques of manipulation of the rope and safeguarding are allowed to climb in the climbing centre.
  The climbing centre offers courses of safeguarding and climbing techniques. You can get more information from the personnel of the climbing centre. The registration in the courses is voluntary. The personnel of the climbing centre is not required to test the climbing competence of the new visitors.
  If the personnel of the climbing centre comes to a conclusion that a new visitor who has not passed a climbing course is not eligible for a separate climbing activity, they have the right to tell him/her not to provide safeguarding and to recommend him/her the attendance at one of the courses and to prohibit him/her from safeguarding until attending such a course. If the visitor refuses to do so, they have the right to show him/her out of the climbing centre until he/she proves the acquisition of the necessary skills.
• Even if personnel is watching the course of events at the climbing centre, including regular walk-about, they cannot be present everywhere. Thanks to your experience, you can help us identify the problems in time and prevent accidents. You can give advice and instructions to persons at risk or you can immediately inform the personnel of the climbing centre. During such assistance, limit yourself only to true/verified information.
• Making any changes, such as moving demounting the catches or placing safeguarding parts is forbidden at the climbing centre.
• Only such equipment may be used during climbing that is intended for such sport (with UIAA, CE marking), and professional handling is important, since only in this way it is possible to eliminate the likelihood of harm or serious injury to a climber or a safeguarding person, or to third persons, in extreme cases they may even be deadly.

Every visitor is responsible for the good condition of his/her equipment.  
If the personnel of the climbing centre finds deficiencies in the equipment of a visitor, they have the right to warn him/her and ask for an immediate replacement of that part of the equipment.

• In case of deficiencies found on the climbing wall (safeguarding, loose catches, carbines, etc.), the climbers are required to report these immediately to the personnel of the climbing centre.
• The climber and the safeguarding person must check each other before each climb!
  It is also necessary to clarify whether the safeguarding person knows the safeguarding means and has any experience with its use.
• The rope must be at least 40 meters long.
• The safeguarding person must be in the immediate vicinity at the beginning of the climb.
  The climber is safeguarded from the moment he/she switches on the first safeguarding means. At a greater distance from the wall, the fall is prolonged and increases the risk of injuries of the climber, especially during the first sequential safeguarding acts.
• Safeguarding in a seated position is forbidden for safety reasons.
• The first climber must switch on all the sequential safeguarding means.
  The person who does not climb to the last safeguarding means on the route, must immediately pull the rope down after reaching the ground.
• Switch on the express means in one line on in the line according to their colour.
  Before entering the route, look for the line of the express means that belongs to that route. By switching on the express means from the nearby routes you unnecessarily block the neighbouring lines.
• Only one rope can be switched on in one express means.
  If more ropes are switched on into one express means, friction is generated, which can damage the ropes, which in the extreme case can lead to a fatal injury.
• It is forbidden to let the rope freely hang in the way and block this route for the other climbers.
• The rope needs to be pulled safely, and if the rope is not pulled along the wall through the safeguarding means, always warn the nearby persons of this fact. The person who pulls down the rope is responsible for the safety of third persons moving near the line.
• Using your own express means is forbidden.
• It is forbidden to move into another climber’s line (also applies to the routes that intersect the nearby lines).
• The safeguarding person must not follow by the first climber unless he/she has returned to the starting point of the route.
• In general, fast abseiling is forbidden.
  The safeguarding person is responsible for the safety of the climber as well as third persons who could be endangered by improper abseiling.
• Abseiling is allowed only during climbing courses, and only in designated locations. 
• Creating safeguarding place in the wall is forbidden.
• Rivets without carbines must not be used for progressing.
• Climbing without safeguarding is forbidden. (Climbing without ropes with legs in the height of more than 1.5 m.)
• All users are aware that the catches and the steps are rotating or, in extreme cases they can break. Users hold any responsibility for the injuries associated with this item.
• When climbing with a rope, we recommend using a climbing helmet. Children under 12 must wear a helmet when climbing; if they do not own a helmet they are required to borrow it from the personnel supervising the wall.
• During your stay in the climbing hall, avoid the fall zone.  The fall zone represents the entire projection of the overhanging profiles and the space at a distance of 2 m from the onset of the perpendicular and slightly overhanging profiles. The area of the boulder hall is considered to be a fall zone!
• During climbing, safeguarding or other handling with the rope, it is forbidden to use your mobile phones, headphones, or otherwise amuse yourself. The safeguarding person must concentrate fully on the climber.
• The use of the safeguarding means is subject to its own rules, which must be observed. These include mutual tactfulness, enough distance away from the other climbers on the wall, no climbing into a cross; the climbers on ropes have priority! Particular attention should be paid to the lacking control of the partner. Always make sure that you are properly secured!
• Before climbing it is necessary to consider your skills and health condition. 
• Do not sit on the railing. It serves as a barrier against falls.
• Do not put any objects on the railing. The falling objects can injure the persons moving under the balcony.

 

3. Rules for top-rope climbing

 

• The top rope can be used for climbing only on the ropes hung by the personnel of the centre.
  The knots and carbines on these ropes must not be untied and opened. Damage to the ropes must be reported to the personnel of the climbing centre.
  
  

The top rope can also be used for climbing on other routes, under to the following restrictions:

- Due to the threat of the pendulum, it is only possible to climb on the ropes which are switched into the sequential safeguarding means which lead to the switched-on turning point. At the same time, when climbing, it is necessary to gradually switch off the sequential safeguarding means.

• The safeguarding person must hold the rope properly tensioned. 
• When climbing on the top ropes pulled by the personnel of the centre, it is forbidden to use the safeguarding means through the half clove hitch. The reason is the protection of the ropes from excessive wear.

 

4. Rules of climbing on the boulder part

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• The entry to the boulder part is possible only in climbing shoes, slippers or football shoes with completely cut-off studs. Climbing is only allowed in climbing shoes, it is forbidden to climb barefoot. It is prohibited to entry the premises in shoes, sneakers and descending climbing shoes.
• It is forbidden to enter the premises with cups, beverages in other opened containers, with food or sharp objects.
• Do not leave any objects, e.g. bottles, brushes, climbing shoes, seat harness, etc., on the downstream floor. There is a risk of injury when hitting them.
• While staying on the boulder wall, avoid the fall zone under the climbing people.
• Do not climb on the boulder wall. The last holding part of the boulder wall is the maximally held profile edge. Climbing is only possible on the central boulder at the designated locations.
• Jumping from the top of the boulder is forbidden. Use the descending holding parts or hang on the edge of the boulder and jump from that position.
• During climbing, leave the flash powder pocket on the sides of the wall (otherwise, in case f a fall, it will spill over the area and pollute the air in the hall). If you want to climb with the flash powder pocket on your belt, use flash powder balls.
• It is forbidden to climb in the seat harness. In case f a fall, there is a risk of injury to the catcher as well as the climber.
• The boulder climbers have priority over the climbers training endurance. Use the large wall for endurance trainings.
• During bouldering, there is a risk of injury due to a significant risk of falling; take into account your own abilities and not to overestimate them to minimize the risk.
• Children should not boulder higher than 3 m, learners and beginners not higher than 3.5-4 m.
• The mat does not serve as an area for stunts.

 

5. Children

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We ask you to comply with these basic rules; otherwise we will be required to ask you to leave the climbing centre.

• Children up to 15 years of age can only move in the climbing centre with the permanent supervision of an adult person or in group training under the supervision of a designated instructor. 
• Persons at the age of 15-18 years can move in the climbing centre without the supervision of an adult person if they have a signed consent of their legal representative.
• The movement of children in the fall zone is particularly dangerous and therefore prohibited. The fall zone means a space of 2 meters from the perpendicular profiles and the entire projection of the overhanging profiles. The whole boulder wall is considered to be a fall zone.
• The La Skala climbing centre is a sports facility with common risks of injuries, so the running children in premises of the climbing centre are forbidden. Children can play at the children’s centre which can only be used under the supervision of an adult person.
• Entry to the boulder wall is not permitted in boots (this category includes also sneakers). If you want to climb with your children on the boulder wall, put on climbing shoes, football shoes, slippers or socks.
• The mat does not serve as an area for stunts and for children running around. It is a downstream floor, which means that it is a potentially dangerous zone. In case a climber falls on a child, the parents or the accompanying person are the responsible persons.

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6. Groups and courses

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• The leader of the group, as the most experienced climber, is responsible for the members of his/her group. 
• The personnel of the climbing centre shall have the right to request from the leader of the group his/her certificate of competence for the performance of the activity.
• Reservation or closure of walls or sectors for visitors is permitted only with the approval of the personnel of the climbing centre.
• The course participants must follow all the instructions of the leader of the course.
  You will receive the training program from the personnel of the climbing centre who will provide you with all the necessary information.
• The courses can only be conducted by appropriately trained persons.
  In the premises of the La Skala climbing centre, the safeguarding courses or other courses of climbing techniques can only be conducted by appropriately trained persons who have obtained the approval of the personnel of the climbing centre. The competence for these activities must be proven by a valid certificate.

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7. Tidiness and cleanliness

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• Upon arrival to the climbing centre, the visitor is obliged to visit and change his/her shoes in the designated area; the dressing rooms serve for changing clothes, only after that it is possible to enter the area of the climbing wall and the boulder wall. 
• The visitor is obliged to keep the climbing wall, toilets, showers and the surroundings of the climbing centre clean, to use the premises carefully and not to leave any garbage there. There are waste bins available in the hall. 
• For hygienic and safety reasons, it is recommended to use slippers in the climbing centre. In the climbing centre, there is a designated area for changing shoes, it a a clearly marked area opposite the reception desk.
• Climbing barefoot is forbidden. In order to protect the wall structure, climbing in hiking boots is prohibited. During rope climbing, only climbing shoes, football shoes with completely cut-off studs and clean sneakers are allowed.

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​8. Season tickets

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• If the climbing centre is closed for at least 30 (thirty) consecutive days, the holders of half-year and one-year season tickets are entitled to an extension for the period during which the centre was closed.
• In case of limited operation in the climbing centre, the owners of season tickets (10 entries, half-year and one-year) are not entitled to a refund.
• Season tickets for 10 entries are non-transferable and valid for one year from the date of issue. One-year and half-year season tickets are also non-transferable and are valid for 12 and 6 months from the date of issue. 

 

9. Opening hours of the climbing centre

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The La Skala climbing centre is available to the visitors according to the current opening hours.
There may be occasions (competitions, events, etc.) when it will be necessary to close part or the whole climbing centre. Such exceptional cases will be announced in advance. The closure of the sectors due to courses, children’s trainings, route constructions or inspections can be done without any notice.