An indoor boulder wall (or bouldering wall) is usually 2.5 m to 3 m (8’ to 10’) in height. Movement is mostly horizontal, traversing the wall.

Supervision

• Ensure participants have completed waivers when required.
• Ensure participants manage their personal safety while climbing.
• Ensure rules are followed.
• Respond to accidents and provide first aid if required.
• On-site, active supervision is required following initial skill instruction and after all safety concerns have been emphasised. 
• Suggested 1:8 ratio of instructors to student climbers. 
• For climbing specific instructional considerations, it is recommended that instructors have completed some sort of climbing instruction themselves. Refer to the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (acmg.ca), the Alpine Club of Canada (alpineclubofcanada.ca) or local rock gyms for specific courses to aid in instructing students in bouldering.  
• Safety and emergency procedures should be well established and rehearsed and known by all participants in all climbing settings.

Instructional Considerations

• All students must receive formal instruction in wall safety, movement and climbing techniques. 
• Students should be allowed to select the challenge of their choice, as long as they do not exceed their own limits or the limits set out by instructors.
• Limits on the height younger grades can climb should be set (e.g., K-2 no higher than 6 feet) 
• Proper spotting technique should be taught: 
  • Spotter and climber should be paired evenly by height/weight
  • Spotter should be standing with one leg forward the other leg back with both arms raised toward the back of the climber, thumbs in. 
  • When the climber is ready to climb he/she says “Ready to climb”.  
  • When ready the spotter replies “Ready to spot” after which the climber may begin climbing. 
  • When the climber falls off the wall, the spotter does not catch the climber but rather moves arms and directs the fall to stay in front of their body and on the mat. 
  • Climbers should be taught proper falling technique in order to reduce that chance of possible injury.
  • Team spotting may be useful and/or required in certain situations
• In the case of DIV 1  students, older grades may be used as spotters.

Equipment / Facilities

• 5 cm (2 1/2”) mats should extend approximately 2 m (6 ft) from the base of the climbing wall.
• Loose holds should be reported and tightened immediately. 
• Boulder wall facilities should be inspected daily, monthly and annually by staff and on a minimum 3 year basis by a Professional Engineer.