Safety in focus for the pupils in Brunico

In Brunico it is mandatory for the pupils to learn how to climb and they practice 12 times per year from when they are seven years old. In fact, they also get a grade based on their performance, including safety, knowledge etc, which is included in their overall gymnastic grade. From the time the pupils are 12 years old they are allowed to belay themselves, but they start practicing when they are eight years old. In the beginning they are closely supervised by their teachers and instructors and they always belay in pairs. Later, they begin to belay themselves but only after the teacher has made a knot two meters up on the rope (see the picture). Once they lower down their friends, they pass the knot and tighten the rope which makes the rope loosen up. Tubes or Eights are not allowed and instead everyone is using semi-auto belay devices. When they started with the mandatory climbing in school 18 months ago, some of the teachers, parents and pupils were a bit skeptical but it has turned out to a great success.