GUIDELINES FOR ALL CLIMBERS UNDER 18

UNDER 18 GUIDELINES

All climbers under 18 must be actively supervised at all times unless they have been formally signed off for independent climbing.

We have a dedicated Children’s Climbing Room for under-8s. Children aged 8–17 may climb in the main bouldering gym only with active adult supervision. Under-8s are not permitted in the main gym under any circumstances (insurance requirement).

When visiting outside of a coached session, the supervision ratio is 1 adult to 2 under-18s, with continuous arm’s-length supervision required. All supervising parents or guardians must complete a full adult induction at The Coliseum before climbing – this is free of charge and required regardless of prior climbing experience.

Please add your own children under Family Connections in your account. If you are supervising a child who is not your own, their parent or guardian must first register them, after which you can add them under Connections so supervision is correctly linked.

TEEN CLIMBER LICENSE

INDEPENDENT CLIMBING SIGN-OFF

To keep The Coliseum safe and enjoyable for all climbers, independent climbing for under-18s is granted only following a formal assessment confirming they can climb safely without supervision.

For climbers aged 14–17, the primary pathway to independent climbing is the Teen Climber Licence — a supervised, small-group programme designed to build the judgement, awareness, and safety standards required for unsupervised climbing in the main bouldering gym.

Participants attend a structured four-week, back-to-back coach-led course, working directly with General Manager and coach Matty Herron to demonstrate safe practice, responsible behaviour, and climbing maturity.

At the end of the programme, climbers may be invited to undertake a formal Independent Climbing Sign-Off assessment. Those who meet the required safety and competency standards will be approved to climb without direct adult supervision.