Top Rope Belay Test

THE AZR TOP ROPE BELAY TEST
AZR takes the safety if its customers very seriously and requires all climbers and
belayers to adhere to the policies and procedures put forth in the waiver,
orientation video, and posted throughout the gym.
Because our top rope belay test is a reflection of our insurance requirements, it is
highly likely that only the most experienced climber will pass the test on their first
attempt. You are being given this information as a means to improve the likelihood
that you will pass.
The AZR top rope belay class is not a test of climbing strength/grade. It is a test of an
individual’s ability to demonstrate safe top rope belaying, belaying technique
meeting AZR’s insurance requirement, and proper gym/climber etiquette.
This is designed to be a test, not a class. Belayers must demonstrate all skills,
without instruction from staff!
You will be required to leave a $29 deposit at the beginning of the test. If you pass,
the $29 will be refunded. If you fail the test, you will have 3 options. See the “If You
Fail” section below for those options. Note: You may leave a debit/credit card at the
front desk as collateral and AZR will not run the $29 fee until after you take the test.
If you pass, the fee won’t be processed at all (that way there are no refunds to worry
about).
The AZR Top Rope Belay Test-What You Need To Know

Failing the belay test means making ONE OR MORE of the following mistakes:
o Not checking the climber’s harness (waistbelt) is above his/her hips and
SNUG and that the climber leg loops are fit properly.
o Not checking the climbers buckles and stating why they are safe/locked (in
other words, do you know the difference between auto-locking and manual
locking harness?)
o Not checking the climber has tied through both hard points or the proper
loop on rental harness.
o Not checking that the climber has correctly tied their figure-8 follow-through
knot and backed it up with either a Fisherman’s knot or Yosemite Finish
(properly threaded).
o Not showing the climber their harness (waistbelt) is above their hips and SNUG
and the fit of their leg loops is how they want them.
o Not showing the climber all their buckles are safe/locked (see #2 above).
o Not showing the climber their belay set up is in proper order and straight-floor
anchor on bottom, carabiner loaded properly, Gri-Gri clipped in and facing the
proper direction.
o Not checking that climber and belayer are on the same rope and that ropes are
not twisted.
o Failure to exchange, “on belay?- belay ready,” “climbing?- climb on,” commands
(do not have to be these exact words but must use communication of some
sort).
o Letting go of the brake hand while belaying (pinching underneath the right hand
with their left hand, “ghosting”).
o Not taking out slack quickly enough or not communicating with climber to slow
down if unable to take slack out quickly enough.
o Not locking off when climber falls.
o Letting go of brake hand while prepping to lower climber (if belaying in the
“up” position they will need to switch their right hand from palm up to palm
down. This can get messy and it is common to switch without bringing the
left hand over as a back up. This is unacceptable because you are letting go of
the brake rope, must bring left hand over as back to flip right hand over).
o Pulling back on the brake release lever before having brake hand in proper
position (palm down, anchored securely on right hip).
o Pulling back on brake release lever before the climber weights the rope.
o “Dropping” the climber too quickly or in an unsafe manner (bouncing the
climber, dropping and stopping the climber repetitively).
Again, making ONE OR MORE of the above mistakes may result in failing the belay
test. You have been provided with this information because we WANT you to know,
going in, what we expect you to know in order to pass. However, AZR also wants you
to know that it reserves the right to FAIL, suspend or revoke any individual’s
opportunity to top rope belay in its facility.
If You Fail The Top Rope Belay Test

If you do not pass the top rope belay test on the first try, do not be discouraged. As we
have stated, this is something that is taken very seriously and AZR has extremely
stringent belay policies.
You have 3 options if you fail the top rope belay test:
1. AZR retains the $29 deposit and you are welcome to climb, but not belay.
2. AZR retains the $29 deposit and you can take the 1-hour belay class with this
counting as payment (belay classes happen at set times, you must register for a
class. Classes may not be available the same day).
3. In some cases, the AZR staff may offer to allow you to return within 7 days and
retake the test. The $29 deposit will still be retained by AZR and is not
refundable. This option must be offered to you by the AZR staff, it is not always
available.
If You Pass The Top Rope Belay Test

Congratulations! You re certified to top rope belay at AZR. Now what?
We will make a note in your account that you are top rope belay certified. When you
check in, if you need to use one of our carabiners you will be required to leave collateral
(keys/cell phone/wallet).
Please always be sure that your climbing partners are properly certified to belay at AZR.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are not allowing someone to belay you unless
you are certain of their certification status.
AZR requires that anyone who has not belayed at our facility in the last 6 months either
go through the 1-hour belay class or pass the belay class. Be sure to stay active now that
you are certified so that you don’t need to go through the test again.
Top rope belaying at AZR is a privilege that can and will be taken away if the staff feels
that you are not following the rules, are participating in unsafe practices, etc.

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THE AZR TOP ROPE BELAY TEST

The AZR Top Rope Belay Test-What You Need To Know

If You Fail The Top Rope Belay Test

If You Pass The Top Rope Belay Test

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