frequently asked questions

Membership

Can I join AURAC if I am not a University of Auckland student?

Yes! We welcome people not associated with the university. You just have to pay the non-student membership pricing.



If I am an exchange student, do I qualify for AURAC student membership pricing?

Yes



If I am a UoA staff member, do I qualify for AURAC student membership pricing?

No



If I am a student at another university, do I qualify for AURAC student membership pricing?

No



Can I get a membership refund?

No, we do not offer refunds.



How do I unsubscribe from the mailing list?

Contact the IT/tech officer.



Rock climbing

Is rock climbing dangerous?

Climbing can be dangerous. Obviously, you're putting yourself in a position where you could potentially fall but, with correct use of safety gear and good judgement, rock climbing becomes one of the safer sports out there. As long as correct technique is followed, potential damage can be limited to the occasional scratched knuckle and bruised knee.

AURAC is a very safety conscious club, we have a culture of looking out for each other, with the more experienced members instructing in proper techniques and making sure everyone is climbing safely and responsibly. We also run regular instruction courses to upskill our members. Our safety gear is maintained at a high standard by our gear officer and retired if it is damaged (whether visible or suspected) according to standard climbing practice.

Clearly, if you choose to take more risks there are plenty of avenues to do so, but AURAC endeavours to ensure that climbers are well informed about what they are doing and what can happen.



Is rock climbing fun?

Climbing is fantastic, because it is physical and creative. It's up to you to find a way to get up the climb, there aren't any rules when it comes to technique - anything goes. It can be a little scary at times, particularly when starting out, but getting over the fear is great fun and everyone is very supportive. Then it becomes one of the most exciting, amusing and generally enjoyable past times you can experience.



How big and strong do I need to be to climb?

The short answer is you don't. Good climbing technique involves placing as much of your weight as possible on your feet at all times. With regular climbing, you will develop more strength in your arms, but starting to climb with too much upper body strength is actually rather detrimental to the development of good technique. Being tall can have benefits, but there are times when it's impossible to fit a large frame between some closely spaced holds. Every climbing problem can be solved in many different ways, and your climbing style will be influenced by your body type, flexibility and past experience.



What should I wear when climbing?

This depends on the type of climbing you're doing. In general, wear clothes that don't restrict your movement. For indoor climbing gyms - as little as you can get away with. Most indoor climbing gyms are quite warm inside. For any outdoor or alpine climbing - of course, wear clothes sensible for the elements you'll be in. Consider wearing pants or trousers to protect your legs from rock abrasion. As far as footwear goes, it'll be climbing shoes, mountaineering boots etc. The club has a stock of climbing shoes for you to borrow, but you can't always get a pair, so it's worth coming with a pair of relatively tight sneakers or, better still, buying your own climbing shoes! You'll be amazed at the difference it makes to your ability to stick to the rock.



Do I need a belay partner?

The purpose of AURAC is to bring people together so they can climb together. By all means, bring a friend along, it's good having dedicated climbing buddies, but through our club nights, instruction courses and general advice from experienced climbers we try to foster an environment where everyone can be confident in each others belaying abilities. If you arrive to a club night alone, there will almost certainly be someone else there looking for someone to climb with for the night.



Accreditation

What is an AURAC independent climber?

Lead climbing, anchor setting, and abseiling are the three key accreditations you need to become an AURAC independent climber. Independent climbers have the ability to hire technical rock gear. See the 'Instructions, Courses & Safety' section for more information.



How do I become accredited?

See the 'Accreditation' section for the form to request an assessment.



Other

How do I access the club constitution and meeting minutes?

AURAC's current constitution and meeting minutes are available upon request to any members. If you want a copy, please contact our president or secretary.



How do I make a donation to AURAC?

If you want to make any financial donations, please contact our president. If you want to donate any climbing gear, regardless whether they are used or new, we cannot accept them for safety reasons. You can however, purchase them for us from a reputable retailer.