THE DELAWARE ROCK GYM
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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who has to sign a waiver?
Any person who wants to climb, belay or take a class at The D.R.G. must sign a D.R.G. Release Agreement. If the participant is under 18 then their parent or court-appointed legal guardian must sign the waiver on their behalf.

2. Who may sign a waiver?
Parent or court-appointed legal guardian. NOT: Host families for exchange students, Aunts/Uncles, Grandfathers/Grandmothers, Etc.

3. What is the Difference between trial climbs and a day pass?
Trial climbs is a set of 3 roped climbs that includes a D.R.G. staff member for belaying and a harness. Climbing shoes are available for $5, but not required. Please see the pricing page for further details.

A Day Pass is entry to the gym all day. It does not include a D.R.G. Staff member to belay or any other equipment. You may leave and return to the gym within the same day under the day pass. This applies to your equipment rentals as well. Please see the pricing page for further details.

4. Do I have to take the Intro to Climbing Class if I am new to climbing?
No. Anyone may climb in The D.R.G. However, to belay or tie-in the participant must pass The D.R.G. Tie-in and Belay Test. It is recommended that beginners take the Intro Class to learn the basic belaying skills. Must be 14 years old to take the Intro Class. Classes can be scheduled at alternate times by appointment. Please call the gym to schedule.

5. What is belaying?
Belaying is the act of controlling a rope to protect a climber. The person belaying takes up slack in the rope when someone is climbing, arrests the climber if they fall and lowers the climber to the ground when they are finished climbing.

If you know how to belay you can meet other climbers in the gym and trade belays with them. If you do not know how to belay you may learn through the Intro to Climbing class if you are over 14. If you are under 14 a parent may take the Intro to Climbing Class to learn to belay for you.

6. What is the difference between roped climbing and bouldering?
Bouldering is short non-roped climbing. You climb to a limited height and then either climb down or drop down to landing pads. Though bouldering is shorter climbing it begins at a more difficult level then roped climbing.

Roped climbing is where you climb to a tall height where the use of ropes, harnesses and other equipment is required. In order to rope climb you need to either know how to belay or have someone to belay for you.

7. Is there an age limit?
There is no age limit for someone to climb. If they can walk they can climb. We do have children's harnesses. However, there is an age limit on belaying. You must be 14 years old to belay or to take the Intro to Climbing Class.

8. Can I have a party at the gym?
Please see the Party page.

The Delaware Rock Gym
520 Carson Dr. Bear, DE 19701
Tel: 302-838-5850 Fax: 302-838-5852
contact@derockgym.com