Clone of Youth Club Application For Unsupervised Gym Access

Youth Access Exemption Applications
Why we're doing it

As more people come through the gym, the climbing areas get busier, and we've seen an increase in near misses. Most of these incidents involve children moving through fall zones or being unsupervised while others are climbing.
Bouldering spaces require clear fall zones and awareness of others. Younger climbers are still learning how to move through that environment, so having a supervising adult close by helps keep things safe and predictable for everyone on the wall and on the mats.

These updates aim to set clear expectations and ensure the space works well for both new and experienced climbers.

This form gives parents and youth the chance to apply for an exemption to this rule.

Adult to Child Supervision Ratios and Exemptions

All youth below 16 must be Actively Supervised. Active supervision means staying close and engaged, within arm’s reach or a few steps away, with full attention on the child.

Area Policies

In Cafe Areas

1 adult to 2 children active supervision required for all children under 16. No exemptions necessary.

In Climbing Areas

We have age-based policies for climbing areas. See below for more information.

Ages 4–8: Strictly 1:1 supervision. No exemptions.
Ages 9–13: 1:1 supervision is required, but parents/supervisors can apply for a 1:2 supervision ratio if youth are either:
1. In the Portside Youth Program
2. Are on the state or national team
Ages 14–16: Youth Program participants can apply to climb unsupervised.

Once someone is 18+, they will be able to supervise others.

As a thank you for your continual support, we are offering these exemptions only to our term-based youth, who are also coached weekly on safety guidelines.
Which exemption are you applying for?
How do you qualify to apply?
Supervising guardians agree to uphold the following rules:
1. Children should not be running or playing within the facility.
2. The supervising adult is responsible for making sure safety rules are followed at all times.
3. Adults and children must take turns climbing, they cannot be on the wall at the same time.
4. Supervising adults are still welcome to climb. It needs to be done in a way that keeps the child properly supervised.
5. A supervising guardian must has a profile in our system and be inducted.
6. Where possible no walking around on the matt or within the marked fall zones unless going to the start of a climb.
7. Supervising adults must maintain active supervision of youth at all times.
8. Children are not permitted to use the weights gym or equipment.
9. Children are not permitted to use the training areas such as spray boards, moonboard, kilter boards, hangboards or campus boards.
10. Supervising Guardians may not have an alcoholic drink either before or while supervising a youth climbing.
Exemption Removal

Exemptions may be removed by any Portside staff member at any time if any of these rules are not upheld.
14 and 15 year olds - Unsupervised Access

If you are not in our youth term based program and would like to apply, we will forward these details to the relevant venue manager.
We value the safety and respect of all of our customers within our facilites. For this reason, we have a strict application process for children between the ages of 14 and 15 years old to be able to climb without a parent or guardian present.

To keep our youth safer and to ensure we have the contact details of both guardians, we have an application process for all youth to be able to use free climb time / their membership outside of the classes.

Unsupervised youth agree to uphold the rules in Portside are as follows:
1. Youth should not be running or playing within the facility.
2. Where possible, no walking around on the matt or within the marked fall zones unless going to the start of a climb.
3. Youth are not permitted to use the weights gym or equipment.
4. Youth are not permitted to use the training areas such as spray boards, moonboard, kilter boards, hangboards or campus boards.
We feel that this is fair for all patrons and will base our decision on the behaviour and attitude of the youth during our classes. This system is only available to youth in one of our programs.

Climbing unsupervised is a privilege. If the application is granted, we will maintain a 3 strike policy for unsafe behaviour.

To ensure we have appropraite and correct contact information please complete the questions below.
Supervising Guardians Name:

First NameLast Name
Supervising Guardians DOB

MonthDayYear
2 digit month, 2 digit day, 4 digit yearDate
Childs Full Name:

First NameLast Name
Childs DOB

MonthDayYear
2 digit month, 2 digit day, 4 digit yearDate
Parent / Guardian / Contact 1 Full Name

First NameLast Name
Parent / Guardian / Contact 1 Phone Number
Format: (000) 000-0000.
Parent / Guardian / Contact 1 Email
example@example.com
Parent / Guardian / Contact 2 Full Name

First NameLast Name
Parent / Guardian / Contact 2 Phone Number
Format: (000) 000-0000.
Parent / Guardian / Contact 2 Email
example@example.com
Which is your primary facility?
Thank you for your application, we will be in contact soon.
Should be Empty:

Youth Access Exemption Applications

14 and 15 year olds - Unsupervised Access