The RWC will be closed for Thanksgiving Break from Wednesday, November 27 – Saturday, November 30, 2024. The RWC will reopen on December 1, 2024 operating on Break Hours. For information on RWC hours, click here.
Housed within the RWC, the Climbing Tower offers premier indoor climbing for students at UCF. Standing at 41 feet, the Climbing Tower is comprised of over 20 top-rope routes in a wide range of difficulty levels. We are open to beginners with no previous experience. No registration or gear is necessary, though we only welcome walk-ins during normal operating hours. Bouldering routes are also available for those interested in climbing low to the ground.
You do not need to be belay-certified to climb at the Climbing Tower. To complete a belay certification, patrons must first complete a belay class. After demonstrating competency in safety and skills, patrons can complete a belay test. You must be belay certified to belay others at the Climbing Tower.
Belaying is a technique where a rope is secured to a person as they climb up the tower. Learning the proper belay techniques allow a student to help a friend safely climb the tower.
One of the best ways to enjoy the UCF Climbing Tower is to become belay certified! This Climbing Tower-specific certification will allow you to belay your friends at the Climbing Tower and continue to grow your climbing skills.
The Process:
You will start with a belay class. This class will teach you the basics of belaying and climbing safety. You will learn the belay method that we accept at the Climbing Tower and have the chance to practice one-on-one with our Climbing Tower Staff. Please wear comfortable athletic clothing, long athletic pants are recommended but not required; you will be required to climb during the class. If you have your own climbing equipment, we encourage you to bring your equipment with you.
After demonstrating competency in safety and skills in the class, you will complete a belay test. The belay test will include questions about the information you learned in the belay class and a skills test. You must be able to properly demonstrate all technical aspects of the UCF Climbing Tower belay procedure to a Climbing Tower staff. It is possible to fail the belay test; you will be required to retake the belay test before you can be certified.
After completing the belay class and passing the belay test, you will have to complete 5 belay check-offs before you receive your full belay certification. These check-offs are done at the Climbing Tower during normal operating hours and are intended to confirm that you can consistently perform the UCF Climbing Tower belay procedure. To complete these check-offs, let a Climbing Tower staff know that you need to complete your check-offs and they will help you.
Once you've completed all of the above, you will receive your belay certification card. Please bring that with you to the Climbing Tower!
To Register for a Belay Class
Sign up for your belay class at the RWC Climbing Tower front desk during normal business hours. Students can take the stairs or elevators to the first floor and go left. The desk is behind the stairs in the northeast corner of the main building.
Class registration opens two weeks before the day of the class, but participants must be registered at least 48 hours in advance. Space is limited to 8 people per class.
Belay classes are free for current UCF Students and RWC Members (with an active membership). If you need to cancel your registration, you must do so no later than 48 hours before the class. Failure to show up for the belay or climbing technique class, or cancel within the allotted time will result in a forfeit fee of $30.00.
How to Cancel
You can cancel your belay class by going to the Climbing Tower or the Outdoor Adventure Center during open hours, or by emailing outdoor@ucf.edu.
You can register for these classes at the Climbing Tower desk during open hours. All classes are free but have limited spots, so there is a fee if you are a no-call, no-show on the day of the class.
Sundays are for events at the Climbing Tower! Join us weekly for events that celebrate and elevate our UCF community – no registration required.
Women's EmTOWERment is a free monthly event at the UCF Climbing Tower intended to build an intentional and supportive community for female-identifying climbers. All necessary climbing gear will be provided and all skill levels are encouraged to attend! Open to all abilities and genders, allies welcome.
What happens at Women's EmTOWERment?
Mostly we just hang out and climb, but we will occasionally do some icebreakers/name games or friendly competitions to get people talking. If it is your first time at the Climbing Tower, we'll review our Tower Orientation and talk you through our gear and procedures. After that, it's open climbing time! We encourage everyone to meet someone new and offer support to each other. This means cheering each other on, asking if and how people would like to be coached before offering advice, and upholding our community policies. We also encourage UCF community groups (like RSOs) to sign up to table at our events - this is a great way to expand your group's network and share resources with our community!
Am I allowed to participate if I am not female-identifying?
Yes! Allies are welcome. We expect you to commit to positive and active allyship. We welcome your participation and appreciate that you are committed to helping us maintain a safe and welcoming space for everyone.
Fall 2024 Women's EmTOWERment Dates
Come Out and Climb is a free monthly event at the UCF Climbing Tower intended to build an intentional and supportive community for LGBTQ+ climbers. All necessary climbing gear will be provided and all skill levels are encouraged to attend! Open to all abilities and genders, allies welcome.
What happens at Come Out and Climb?
I am an ally and my friend or family member identifies as LGBTQ+. Can I tag along? Am I allowed to climb with the group?
Yes! Allies are welcome. We expect you to commit to positive and active allyship. We welcome your participation and appreciate that you are committed to helping us maintain a safe and welcoming space for people in the LGBTQ+ community.
Fall 2024 Come Out and Climb Dates
Climbing in Color is a free monthly event at the UCF Climbing Tower intended to build an intentional and supportive community for BIPOC climbers. All necessary climbing gear will be provided and all skill levels are encouraged to attend! Open to all abilities and genders, allies welcome.
What happens at Climbing in Color?
I am an ally and my friend or family member identifies as a person of color. Can I tag along? Am I allowed to climb with the group?
Yes! Allies are welcome. We expect you to commit to positive and active allyship. We welcome your participation and appreciate that you are committed to helping us maintain a safe and welcoming space for people of color.
Fall 2024 Climbing in Color Dates
Usually hosted twice a year, our Climbing Competitions are a great way to try out your skills and win some great prizes. We offer various competition levels and heats to meet your needs.
Climbers of all experience levels are welcome. Participation is free for all current UCF students and RWC members with a valid UCF ID. All equipment (harnesses, shoes, chalk bags) can be rented free of charge.
The Adaptive Climbing Program has been created to assist students with different abilities to experience the joys and benefits of climbing. Our goal is to empower every participant that visits the climbing tower to reach their potential. Whether you are a complete beginner or experienced climber we gladly welcome your participation.