Safety and Supervision

People and ratio

Who is supervising my athlete? Realization coaches, at all times, on the rock and off it.

Certifications: Every coach is Wilderness First Responder and CPR certified, SafeSport trained, and cleared through a criminal background check.
First aid: Each coach carries a personal first aid kit.
Rocklands: Three coaches travel with twelve athletes, a ratio of 1:4.
Mallorca: Three coaches travel with eight athletes, a ratio of 1:3, and every coach is also lifeguard certified.

A coach kneeling beside an athlete at the base of a boulder, talking through the climb — Coaching in Rocklands, 2026

A coach with his hands raised, spotting an athlete on a steep boulder — Coaching in Rocklands, 2026

A coach crouched on a pad with both hands ready behind an athlete starting a climb — Coaching in Rocklands, 2026

On the rock

What happens at the crag? No athlete climbs without a coach present.

Landing zones: Landing zones are built before the first attempt.
Pads: Pads are placed by the team and assessed by a coach.
Spotting: Spotters are assigned rather than volunteered.
Risk assessment: Coaches run a comprehensive risk assessment at every sector.
Emergency practice: Coaches practice emergency response regularly.

A spotter standing directly beneath a climber on a steep overhang, arms up, with pads laid out below — Spotting in Rocklands, 2026

Three athletes in Realization shirts spotting a climber under a sandstone roof — Spotting in Rocklands, 2026

Two spotters reaching up toward a climber hanging from a sandstone roof against a blue sky — Spotting in Rocklands, 2026

The group standing on a landing zone of crash pads while a climber tops out a boulder — A landing zone in Rocklands, 2026

A coach spotting an athlete on a long overhanging wall above a row of crash pads — Coaching in Rocklands, 2026

Seen from above, a spotter on a run of pads with his hands up beneath a climber — Spotting in Rocklands, 2026

Two athletes with their arms out, spotting a climber pulling through a roof — Spotting in Rocklands, 2026

Deep water soloing

Is deep water soloing safe? Deep water soloing, as does rock climbing, contains inherent risk. Here are some of our risk management practices:

Falling: Falling is the first thing we teach, from low heights.
Conditions: Coaches check ocean conditions and the water depth before every session.
Progression: Coaches decide which routes each athlete may try and how high, and add height only as each athlete demonstrates competence.
Swell: There is no deep water soloing in swell.
Rescue: A lifeguard-certified coach is always close by, in a boat or on land with an inflatable rescue buoy.

A climber dropping feet first into deep blue water below a sea cave — Deep water soloing in Mallorca

Swimmers in clear turquoise water beneath a sea cave arch — Mallorca

Off the rock

Where do athletes sleep, and who is with them at night? Lodging is reserved for our group, and athletes are never on their own overnight.

Rooms: Athletes room by gender, and staff assign rooms after the pre-trip calls.
Coaches: Coaches sleep in the same area in their own rooms.
Lights out: Lights out is at 10:30.
Supervision: Staff supervise meals, excursions, and evenings.
Conduct: The code of conduct prohibits alcohol, tobacco, and other substances, for staff as well as athletes.
Rocklands: The group stays at the hostel at Traveller’s Rest, with two to three athletes to a room.
Mallorca: The group stays in a beachfront house in Son Serra de Marina.

The 2026 Rocklands group standing together on a rock slab above a river gorge — The 2026 Rocklands group

Medical care

What happens if my athlete gets hurt or sick? Families are called the same day, by phone.

First aid: Every coach is Wilderness First Responder certified and carries a first aid kit.
Satellite communicator: The group carries a Garmin InReach satellite communicator.
Vehicles: The vehicles stay with the group throughout.
Consent to treat: Consent to treat is signed on the medical form and carried by staff.
Rocklands: Clanwilliam Hospital is about 25 minutes from the house.
Mallorca: Hospitals in Palma and Manacor are each within about 20 minutes of the crags.
Coming home early: If an athlete wants to come home early, we call home and work it out together. Families book and pay for the changed flight, and coaches stay with the group. A coach travels home with an athlete only in a life-threatening situation.

Travel insurance

What travel insurance do we need? Every athlete needs travel insurance before departure.

Cover: The policy must cover climbing, swimming or water sports, evacuation, medical care, and trip cancellation.
Cost: It typically costs $250 to $300.
Proof: Proof of insurance is part of the paperwork due before departure.

Communication

How will we hear from you during the trip? Anything a family would want to know comes from us first, the same day, by phone.

Before the trip: Every family meets the coaches on a pre-trip video call.
During the trip: Parents can reach staff directly on WhatsApp.
Midway: Every family gets a written midway update with photos.
Emergencies: A 24-hour emergency number goes to every family on acceptance.
Calls home: Athletes keep their phones, and there is wifi where we stay. South Africa and Spain both run eight hours ahead of Mountain Time in summer, so evening there is around midday back home.

A climber standing on the rocks above the Rocklands valley, looking out at the mountains — Rocklands, 2026

Paperwork

What paperwork does my athlete need? Accepted athletes receive the paperwork in early spring. Minors traveling without both parents need consent documentation, and we send the specifics with the packet.

Waivers
A medical form, including consent to treat
The code of conduct
Parental consent for travel
A media release
The payment agreement
Proof of insurance
A passport with at least six months of validity