Climbing - independent

An amazing 14m high climbing wall with fresh new routes every week! Come and climb at USC Universum, located at Amsterdam Science Park.

NEWS: Sign up now for ARA 2022!

14 hours of non-stop racing with no sleep, in a team of 4. Navigating, mountainbiking, canoeing, and lots of fun. That’s the Adventure Race Amsterdam. Sign up your team for ARA 2022 on 17 and 18 June!

Climbing at USC

No experience? Check our climbing courses first!
14m high wall, 18 ropes, level 3 to 7C, great routes always.
Including access to the indoor boulder gym.

Which membership do you choose?

CLIMBING YEAR*
you’re stuck with us for a year, after which you can cancel your membership monthly.

CLIMBING FLEX*
a little more expensive but a lot more flexible, this membership can be canceled monthly from scratch.

CLIMBING 10x*
10x entry to the climbing gym, to be used within one year.

CLIMBING 1x*
1x entry to the climbing gym, valid one week.

CLIMBING COURSE (check it out)
various climbing course for beginners and advanced climbers, of 4 or 5 weeks/classes.

* you can only get a climbing membership if you have permission of USC to climb. If not, check ‘Access policy’ to see what your options are.

Reservations and checking in

You need a reservation for every visit to USC.
Make a reservation using the booking button above.
You can only make a reservation as a pair.
You can make a reservation 6 days in advance.
You can have 2 active reservations for the upcoming 6 days. But as soon as your first reservation is over, you can make a new one. So, you can work out more than twice a week (if there are free spots)!
You can choose how you enter USC: by using the finger scan or by using the My USC – mobile access app. Download the app: Android and iOS.

Check out all reservation and house rules

Cancelling and no show fee

Booked a class, but can’t make it? Please cancel in advance.

Cancel up to one hour before the start of your reservation (but earlier is encouraged!).
Are you not cancelling (on time)? Then you risk a no show fee of €3,-.
Are you not paying the no show fee? In that case you can’t make a reservation/work out for 2 weeks.
Your no show fee doesn’t end up on the big USC company pile. Check in which sports goal we’re investing the no show fee income.

Cancel your booking

Access policy

The climbing gym is accessible only if you have permission from USC or if you’re a member of ASAC.
We cannot scan member cards of other climbing gyms. Did you obtain your K2 certificate? Send a proof (with name and date) to sportklimmen@uscsport.nl!
If you are an experienced climber, you can get access if you demonstrate your belaying and climbing skills to one of our USC climbing instructors. Please fill in the form under ‘Belaying check’ for an appointment. You have to bring your own climbing partner.

Appointment belaying check

House rules USC climbing gym

General rules

For climbing you need permission of USC.
You can apply for a belaying check using the form at ‘Appointment belaying check’ on this page.
Climbing is at your own risk.
Check the online timetable for the availability of the climbing gym and to make a reservation (mandatory!).
Store your kit in the closet.
Last climber of the day? Please coil the ropes.
No glass in the climbing gym.
It’s not allowed to climb shirtless.
It’s not allowed to climb with bare feet.

Safety rules

Stay focused on both your own and other people’s safety.
Always check your partner before and after a climb.
You can tie in with a direct 8-knot or double bowline.
Give other climbers enough space.
Always have one hand on the braking rope.
Use the 5-step or tunneling technique for belaying.
The maximum height without a rope is the horizontal line of the first bolts.
Don’t use unnecessary equipment on your harness.
Never untie the safety system during belaying or climbing.
Don’t wear jewelry during climbing.
It’s forbidden to climb under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Additional lead climbing rules

For lead climbing both climber and belayer need additional permission of the USC.
Give other climbers enough space.
Clip all bolts. The usage of bolt 1 is optional.
Make use of a safety mat.
Always put the rope back in the two snappers of the top anchor.
You can get a rope at the front desk for the lead climbing bridge.
Lead climbing on rope 1 and 17 is not allowed.
Lead climbing is not allowed when there are 6 teams or more in the climbing gym.

ASAC | student climbing association

Since 2010 you can find the Amsterdamse Studenten Alpen Club in the USC climbing gym. There are several club nights. ASAC organizes their Open Club Championships at Universum every year. As an ASAC member you get a discount on one-time entries and memberships. ASAC regularly organizes weekend trips abroad as well as other events. Check asac.nl

Climbing courses

If you don’t have any experience or haven’t obtained your NKBV klimvaardigheidsbewijs yet, you can do a climbing course at USC. We also offer courses for more experienced climbers, or when you want to learn indoor lead climbing!

Cat. I	Students UvA and HvA, other Dutch day universities
Cat. II	Employees UvA/HvA, alumni HvA, AUV-members UvA, other full time students of universities of applied sciences
Cat. III	Anyone else

Climbing – independent

Week 24