Rock Wall

  • Female student in purple tank top climbing the rock wall.
  • Two students climbing the rock wall.
  • Male student climbing the rock wall.

 

The Student Recreation Center boasts a 35-foot rock wall with 2275 square feet of climbing area. The wall features numerous top ropes, five auto belays, and quickdraws for lead climbing. Painted across the wall is a dotted black line that marks the bouldering height. We have a climber training area set up around the wall. This includes a campus board, peg board, weights, and climber-tailored pull up “bars.” Climbing is fun, challenging, and offers opportunities for exercise, camaraderie, and self-discovery. Our staff members love climbing and want you to love it too! We provide all safety gear, climbing shoes, and information that are needed for you to have a safe and enjoyable time on our wall.  Bring your own chalk. Free beginner climbing orientations are available every day of the week to teach the novice climber proper knots and belay technique.

If you are interested in working at the rock wall, please refer to our Outdoor Adventure Jobs

▼   Hours

Please see our hours of operation. Hours are subject to change during breaks and holidays. 

 

▼   Cost and Access

The rock wall is free for all currently enrolled students and members of the Student Recreation Center.

You may purchase a SRC membership if you are a faculty/staff, alumni, retiree, or affiliate of USA, or a spouse/dependent of those. Please see our membership page for more information.

We are not open to the public. Current students and SRC members may bring guests; please see our current guest policy.

▼   Ages and Waiver

The rock wall is open to ages 6+. Children must be at least 6 years old to climb; our climbing shoes start at kids’ size 2. All members and guests who are between the ages of 6-15 are restricted to the facility dependent hours. The parent/guardian must be present at the wall when dependents age 6-15 are climbing.

Everyone is required to sign a liability waiver to climb the wall. This waiver is good for one year. If under the age of nineteen (19), member(s) and guardian(s) must sign this agreement.

▼   Climbing Classes

Fall 2023: Mondays at 8:00-8:50pm

A group fitness class that will focus on climbing technique, along with exercises to strengthen the muscles used in climbing. Wear socks; climbing shoes are provided. 

No need to sign up; just drop in. Class is free to current students and SRC members. 

 

▼   Parties and Wall Rental

The rock wall is available to rent outside of its regular hours for your birthday party or group event. Children's parties and events can accommodate 16 guests in the wall at a time; the ping-pong tables and Multipurpose Court are available for party guests in excess of 16 who are waiting to climb. 

Parties are two hours. Cost is $225/party for current students and members of the SRC. Cost is $300/party for USA employees who are not members of the SRC. To organize your party reservation, please complete the Campus Recreation Party Rental Form.

You may arrive 30 minutes before your birthday party/event to set up. All food will be served on the back deck or the Multipurpose Court; no food is allowed in the rock wall. During inclement weather, we will provide tables indoors. Guests may not use any other area of the Student Recreation Center. You may cancel your event within 48 hours of the start time for a full refund. To cancel, email src@southalabama.edu and outdooradventures@southalabama.edu. Cancellations made less than 48 hours before the event will not be refunded. All children present must be at least 6 years old and have a waiver signed by a parent/guardian prior to the event start time. 

Student organizations and academic departments may also rent the rock wall and are not limited to weekends. Please complete the Campus Recreation Facility Rental Form

Per university policy, to rent event space at the University of South Alabama, Non-USA person(s) or group(s) must secure formal sponsorship from an active, recognized USA student organization or a USA academic or administrative department.