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| - I went to the Hub for the first time last night. I have been climbing for about a year and a half mostly downtown Toronto (Rock Oasis) and Scarborough (Climbing Academy).
At first glance -- WOW! I was impressed. Tons of routes, very clean, nice layout, good for all skill levels. The dragon is amazing, although a bit nerve-racking when you reach the top and it's time to drop.
I had a good time, but I hesitate to go back or recommend it to anyone due to what I see as some major safety issues:
(1) The bouldering walls are at least 50% higher than any I have seen in Toronto. At Rock Oasis, when you reach the top, you can safely jump down. At the Hub, this is not possible -- you either have to climb down or climb over the top (if available). If you fall at or near the top, you will get seriously hurt, which leads to my next point...
(2) The mats are not nearly soft enough considering the height of the bouldering walls. At Rock Oasis, the walls are significantly lower and the mats are twice as soft.
(3) Clueless kids / inexperienced climbers -- there were at least 6-10 kids racing around the HUB at all times and inexperienced climbers walking around with no sense of their surroundings -- walking, running or gathering directly under active climbers!!! Climbing right next to them, jumping into the foam pit, etc. This is a major safety issue. Climbers are jumping or falling off routes all the time, if they land on someone, there is risk of serious injury.
There were three staff members that night (from what I saw) and a LOT of climbers. On more than one occasion I saw kids running by staff without being stopped. I suggest having a section for kids under the age of 15 (or something), strictly enforcing a no-run policy and better educating new climbers about what not to do.
That said, I still had fun and this gym has great potential! I just hope these issues are addressed before someone gets hurt.
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