Indoor Rock Climbing Club
Indoor Rock Climbing is one of Canada’s fastest growing sports and Garrison Petawawa’s Indoor Rock Climbing Club offers the best climbing in the Ottawa Valley!
The Indoor Rock Climbing Club (IRCC) operates two walls at Garrison Petawawa, offering 9 climbing lanes in a range of techniques and styles to challenge climbers of every level! The season typically runs from October to May of the following year, and activities include regular climbing hours three nights a week.
Allow our Climbing Wall Instructors to show you the ropes, help harness your strengths, and chalk up the courage to try something new! Experienced and brand new climbers alike love to share community and social connection while challenging themselves with physical and mental problems on the wall, making rock climbing a very diverse and exciting activity! Consider trying it out for a date night, activity with friends/family, or a new hobby you may love! Heights aren't everyone's thing - but it can be a great opportunity to push your comfort zone and gradually increase your tolerance. Everyone starts somewhere; even the most experienced climbers. Passionate climbers can help encourage you to start in ways that feel more achievable than you might imagine.
All participants must complete the course ‘Intro to Belay’ and/or a Skills Test prior to climbing during Open Gym hours. Experienced top rope belayers or participants are confident in their belay technique, can choose to proceed directly to the Skill Test. Belay courses are offered weekly on Mondays and Wednesdays at 5:15pm and 6:30pm on a drop in basis; no need to register. Belay courses are not offered on Fridays.
Participants have the option of paying a drop-in fee or purchasing a membership for the season. See below for details
HOURS OF OPERATION
Open Gym
Dundonald Hall
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays 5-8 pm
DROP-IN / MEMBERSHIP RATES
Memberships are available for purchase ONLINE or in-person at the Recreation Complex during regular operating hours.
Non PSP Plan Members who purchase online will need to obtain a membership card from the Recreation Complex.
Drop-In
Individual: $16
Family: $29
PSP Plan Members | NON PSP Plan Members | ||
Monthly Membership - Individual | $24 | Monthly Membership - Individual | $69 |
Monthly Membership - Family | $43 | Monthly Membership - Family | $88 |
Seasonal Membership - Individual | $140 | Seasonal Membership - Individual | $185 |
Seasonal Membership - Family | $250 | Seasonal Membership - Family | $295 |
*Note: For Non PSP Plan Members an initial administration fee of $45 applies when the membership is activated. If you choose to purchase a monthly plan, you will need to register each month. Memberships are not auto-renewable.
**Children must be accompanied by a parent and/or guardian**
GEAR RENTAL
Harnesses, belay devices, and shoes.
Programs
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Intro to Belay
A complimentary and MANDATORY course required for all participants. This course will provide the necessary skills to top rope belay using either an assisted braking device or unassisted belay device, in a controlled environment. Devices are provided by the club or you can bring your own subject to inspection and approval.
Following the completion of this course, participants will:- Understand the equipment used for climbing top rope including shoes, harness, passive belay device, and rope management.
- How to tie a figure eight knot.
- Use basic techniques to climb beginner routes
- Be able to belay in a safe and controlled manner
FREE for all participants. Children under 14 years of age are not eligible to take this course. Children are welcome to climb with a parent/guardian who has completed the course and/or skills test.
Course Dates
Every Wednesday during open season (Oct - May).Timings (approx. 1hr)
5:15pm & 6:30pm
We ask clients to arrive early to, allowing enough time to sign waivers and put gear on before the belay course. There is no need to register with the club; feel free to drop in any day it suits youduring these time slots. -
Intro to Lead
The lead climbing course is for climbers who are already skilled at climbing top rope. Over 2 days this course allows you to learn a different (more advanced) belay technique, how to take a controlled and safe fall and how to clip yourself to the wall during the progressive ascent.
Prerequisites
Completion of Intro to Belay course and climb a level 5.10 easily.
To pass the course, participant must be able to demonstrate:- Proper clipping technique
- Safe and controlled belay technique
- How to take/catch a fall
- Describe errors that can occur and how to correct them
Costs
PSP Plan Members $65
Note: For Non PSP Plan Members an administration fee of $45 applies.
Register Now -
Youth Program
Ages 6-12 yrs
Note - At this time the Youth Program will unfortunately not run during the 2025-2026 climbing season.
This is a six week course designed to introduce participants to climbing using basic techniques, games and skills-based exercises to build confidence in a fun and safe environment with certified instructors.
Maximum capacity is 12 participants per session.Costs
PSP Plan Member $140 | Non PSP Plan $185
Note: Parents must be in attendance for the duration of the course due to the nature of the sport.Course Dates - Tuesdays & Thursdays
Fall Sessions (Oct-Nov)
Winter Sessions (Jan-Feb)
Spring Sessions (Mar-Apr)Register Online
Frequently Asked Questions
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What do I wear? What shoes do I need? What do I bring?
Unrestrictive clothing that allows for free movement is recommended - think athletic, exercise, or yoga wear. Children under the age of 16 must wear a helmet. Harnesses, belay devices, shoes and children’s helmets are available during Open Gym hours at Dundonald Hall. Bring a water bottle as bottled water is not available. Water fountains are available in the facility to fill personal water bottles.
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Can I book the climbing wall for training and/or events?
To book either climbing wall for military training, reach out to your Unit Training Officer and/or the Facility Coordinator for the respective building. At this time we are not offering public event booking outside of our regular climbing hours. Please stay tuned for any changes.
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Can I bring my children? How old do they have to be to climb?
There is no minimum age for climbing. There have been members as young as 3 years old! We have full-body harnesses to accommodate even the smallest climbers.
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Do I need to remain on site while my child/children climb?
Yes! The club is not responsible for the supervision of children. Adults must remain on site and participate by learning how to belay. All children under 16 years of age must be belayed and supervised by a parent/guardian.
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Do I have to belay my child/children?
Yes. While volunteers are available to answer any questions, they do not have the capacity to directly supervise children on club nights. If clients do not know how to belay, intro lessons are available every week and take approximately one hour to complete - see “Programs” above for details.
