How To Fall Video Released

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Photo: Art of Falling Video
Photo: Art of Falling
Art of Falling

In the US there are now 50 bouldering-only gyms and several planned for 2014. These facilities represent only 16 percent of the total commercial climbing gym market, but when added to the number of bouldering areas in traditional climbing gyms, indoor bouldering is becoming increasingly popular.  With this popularity the number of bouldering accidents has also risen. This is due to the nature of bouldering which involves a ground fall every time the climber falls.

These ground falls can result in sprained and broken ankles and legs, sprained or broken wrists and arms and even spinal and neck injuries. Floor padding in modern bouldering gyms has greatly improved over the last few years but there is still no fool-proof way to eliminate falling injuries.

That’s why Veracity Insurance, a major provider of insurance to climbing gyms across the country, and Futurist Climbing, a flooring and padding specialist, have teamed up to create a video that may help climbing and bouldering gyms educate their members to the dangers of bouldering falls and how to prevent falling injuries.

Cameron Allen of Veracity Insurance told us, “We believe in providing more than just insurance to our customers. Veracity is about solutions, and this video provides risk management solutions for those engaging in bouldering. Timy [Fairfield] is a great resource for how to be smart while bouldering, and we are privileged to be able to share his information with our insured’s and their customers.”

The Art of Falling video shows climbers exactly how to fall in most situations. Timy Fairfield, President of Futurist writes on his website, “The video proposes modernized bouldering-specific best practices integrating falling and landing techniques borrowed from such similar acrobatic sports as the martial arts, pole vault, high jump, gymnastics and Parkour.”

There are several bouldering gyms like The Bloc in Tucson, Arizona and Focus in Phoenix, Arizona that require all participants to go through a falling orientation.  This video goes a long way to helping other gyms implement similar policies.