Safety in Rock Climbing: Perceptions of Young Summer Campers

Abstract

The purpose of this research project was duo fold: (a) to examine the degree of safety or unsafely associated with sport climbing as perceived by young summer campers and (b) to explore the role of participating in a climbing activity in this perception of safety. One hundred campers, aged 9 to 15 years of old participated in this study during their camping. The aim of the activity was to introduce and acquaint the campers with the activity of sport climbing. At the onset of the camping period, a demonstration of the climbing equipment and a first contact with the climbing wall was conducted. Questionnaires were administered during the campers’ first contact with sport climbing and three weeks later at the end of the program. The analyses showed that participants’ perceptions of safety were increased throughout the program. More specifically, three factors influenced campers’ perceptions of safety: trust in the quality of the equipment, in the abilities of the belayer, and in the instructions offered by the instructor. These findings are interpreted with regard to their role in instructing young campers and novice climbers, and the role of climbing instructors’.