First Time Climber

“First visit to Central Rock?”

What You Need to Know Before You Come in For Your Visit:

Have additional questions? Visit our FAQ page.

Waivers: Everyone (including non-climbers) must sign a waiver form before they can enter the climbing area. Everyone under the age of 18 must have the waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian. No Exceptions!! Click here for Waiver.
Your options for climbing at CRG:
- Bouldering: Bouldering is a particular type of climbing where the climber ascends shorter, more difficult routes. Our tallest point on the bouldering wall is just over 14 ft. All of our floors are covered with six inches of foam to protect climbers, and the bouldering areas are protected with additional eight and twelve inch tapered mats. To boulder, you don’t need any extra safety equipment or class to participate. Simply sign your waiver, pay for your pass and shoe rental, and start bouldering! (Please ask a staff member for a free gym orientation if you have never climbed.)
- Top-Roping: Top-Roping is another (and perhaps more preferable) option for first time climbers. Top-Roping is a type of climbing where you ascend walls up to 40 ft. in height! Top-roping requires 2 people: The belayer (or the person who manages the rope), and of course, the climber. In order to belay, you must first take our belay class or a belay test*. Click here to learn more about our beginner belay class.
- Let Us Belay: Haven’t found a climbing partner yet? Have no one to belay for you? Not a problem! Take advantage of our Let Us Belay Program on Saturdays 11am-4pm we will provide a belaying service**for those that want to enjoy the rush of climbing the tall walls, but have no one to belay for them. See Rates page for cost details. ($30/person for 2 hours of staffed belaying – only offered Sat. 11am-4pm).

Note: Though the walls are significantly higher for top-roping, it’s usually a more enjoyable experience for those who are new to the sport. We offer lots of routes that are designed for beginners and a whole section specifically for children. We also encourage beginners to take advantage of the belay class early on as it opens up a lot of climbing opportunities and it also makes it so that everyone in a group can enjoy climbing—not just belaying!

*If you have visited other rock climbing facilities in the past and have learned to belay, you do not need to take our belay class. Simply notify a staff member at the front desk and we will give you a “belay test”. You will not be charged for the test, and you do not need to come in at any specific time. If you have been taught before at our gym but are a bit rusty, we will give you a refresher for free. If you are unable to pass the belay test, and would like to belay at CRG you can return for one of our designated class times.

**One belayer for up to 5 climbers.