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.
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?
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.
Other
How do I access the club constitution and meeting minutes?
How do I make a donation to AURAC?