Center Parcs Height and Weight restrictions

[Cutesbabasmummy]

Hi Mumnsetters.

So we are off for a break at Center Parcs in a few weeks and ever since he set eyes on it a year ago DS has v=been desperate to do the climbing wall. The minimum age is 4 years. He will be 4 this week. So I booked him onto it but have read more carefully and it says there is a minimum height of 1,10m and a minimum weight of 19kgs. What 4 year old weighs 19kgs?? Will they weigh and measure him before he is allowed to do it? I don't know if I should cancel it but he will be heartbroken as its the only thing he has asked to do. Advice welcome! And I do know safety is the most important thing x

Apparently the average 4yo is 18.14kg (40lbs) so they should have said '4yo as long as they're 19kg already'.
As you said safely is the most important aspect. Was the height and weight in small print or stated clearly and you just missed it?

I think I just missed it. He's currently 15.3 kgs so now way is going to put on that amount of weight in a month. I;m guessing the 4 year old minimum means almost a 5 year old....

The weight might be related to auto-belays, the rope runs up in front of you as you climb then slowly let's you down once you let go. The mechanism is probably fixed to need that weight to go down, in which case it's quite important! There could be alternatives like being belayed by a person, but I imagine they won't be geared up (literally) for that. I used to assist at a climbing wall kids club, and this is the only explanation I can think of.

CannyLad thank you for that. Makes sense. I'm thinking I'll cancel it.

Yep I’ve just been. They were weighing everyone and turning children away that were too light. Height is a bit easier to get away with. My son is 108 cm but in his trainers and just made it on the height. But he is stocky. There were taller children than him getting turned away. You do get a refund. It’s so they can drop down easily.
Fill his packets with weights?

Why don't you ring the sports centre in the CP you are going to and ask them? I'm sure they have this a lot, and will be able to explain if it's something they can work around, or something that is a "must meet" requirement.

I know DD did various things when she was still very light, and under their required weight. But there were certain things where the height was important as too short meant you would slip out of harnesses etc (things like tree trekking when she was older - 10ish).

Cos if it's something like an auto belay needing a certain amount of weight, they might have weight bags to clip to the harness to make it work (DD was very light, and we've had to do that in a couple of auto belay situations, as she's sat up high just dangling her legs otherwise, just not heavy enough for the mechanism to operate - but when DH is on belay, he can lower her down fine).

Lots of helpful advice here, thank you everyone. I might give them a call but I think I will probably cancel rather than set him up for a disappointment. There is a climbing centre that takes children about 40 minutes away from us so we could do that another time.

We had this a lot with our DD's as they were tiny and light - lots of tears over the years, not to mention teasing as they used a car booster at high school! I avoided situations whenever possible, far easier. Just as a note Alton Towers are super strict but also inconsistent - dd was turned down for a ride for being under 140cm but also turned down for not being under 140cm on the same day (I argued and she was allowed on the under 140cm ride!)

Yes, they do measure and weigh for this and I have seen children being sent away! I'd cancel it now if I were you.

Thanks guys. I've cancelled it now and booked him onto roller skating instead! You have been very helpful :-)