Three Tips to Better Your Gym Belaying

As the indoor bouldering comp season comes to an end, lead climbing comp season is starting up. So, there’s no better time to take a look at belay techniques than now.

Not only that, but improving your belay techniques in the gym will pay off once rock season rolls around.

Here are a few tips to better your lead belaying.

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Comps mean long days. We run a tight schedule, emotions are high and the breaks are few and far between. And if we didn’t have volunteers, we couldn’t get it done. Not even close. We want to thank every single person who volunteered their time for LSN 19, especially those who were with us all three days. Belayers, coordinators, runners, judges. Thank you to all of you! ? On aimerait aussi prendre le temps de remercier tous nos partenaires. Sans votre confiance et votre support, le championnat canadien n'aurait pas pu être à la hauteur de ce qu'il a été. Merci pour tout! ? @mec @mec_pleinair @climbcanada @dimension_volumes @kiltergrips @blackdiamond @sterlingrope @frictionlabs @bonvivant.bio @fqme_montagne . . #lsn19 #lsn #allezup #allezupmtl #escalade #climbing #climbingcompetition #climbingcomp #indoorclimbing #canadianclimbing

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Check Your Set-ups

Everyone’s done it. Maybe there is a brand-new reset and you just forgot to check, or maybe this is your thousandth belay and you are certain that you have the process down to a science. Regardless of the excuse, always check your own set-up and your partner’s.

It can feel like checking every time is redundant and silly, but the most experienced climbers never get on the wall without checking to make sure they are safe.

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Don’t forget your routes! #joerockheads #climbinggym #libertyvillage #climbing #bouldering

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Keep it Tidy

It seems like more and more people are entering the gym every day. Though a growing community is cool, it does mean that there is less space in the facility. Before you climb, make sure that the rope is flaked, the floor is clear of debris, and you are belaying close to the wall.

It is best to belay close to the wall because it allows you to step back to take in extra rope in case your climber takes a big fall. It also ensures that your climber falls the shortest possible safe-distance.

Flip the Rope

It can be easy to want to climb on the same end of a rope over and over again. If you are rockin’ a 70 metre in the gym, flipping the rope, or pulling it all the way through the draws to ultimately tie into the other side, can feel annoying.

Even so, it is worth flipping the rope every-time you come off route to increase the life of the rope and decrease the chance of the rope snapping.

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New routes are open at Chinook. Training area, Kilter and Session walls will be open soon. #calgaryclimbingcentre #climbingtogether

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