BSL Climbing signs

BSL Climbing Sign Bank

We have compiled a BSL sign bank of useful terms you might use as a climber, instructor, coach or anyone working with d/Deaf BSL users in the climbing community.

Our sign bank has been created with Morag Skelton, Deaf professional climber, climbing instructor and BSL user, and Summer Wheeldon, deaf climber and co-founder of BSL Bouldering. 

We will be adding more signs to this list and welcome your ideas! If you have a term you’d like to see included, get in touch with our EDI manager El Temple at [email protected].

All A-Z
Roped climbing
Equipment
Holds and moves
Reception desk
Partner communication
Roped climbing, Equipment
Anchor
Holds and moves
Arete
Equipment
Auto belay
Equipment
Belay device
Equipment
Belay glasses
Equipment
Brush
Reception desk
Cafe
Holds and moves
Campus
Partner communication
Careful
Equipment
Chalk bag
Partner communication, Roped climbing, Holds and moves
Climb / Climbing
Reception desk
Climbing gym
Roped climbing, Partner communication
Climber ready?
Partner communication
Climbing level
Equipment
Climbing shoe
Partner communication
Cool down
Holds and moves
Crack
Holds and moves
Crimp
Holds and moves
Crux
Reception desk
Dangerous
Reception desk
Deaf
Holds and moves
Dyno
Holds and moves
Downclimb
Holds and moves
Edging
Equipment
Fingerboard
Reception desk
Fire
Holds and moves
Foot hold
Holds and moves
Hand jam
Reception desk
Hard of hearing
Roped climbing, Equipment
Harness
Reception desk
Hearing
Reception desk
Hire
Holds and moves
Holds
Partner communication, Reception desk
How are you?
Holds and moves
Jug
Roped climbing
Knot
Partner communication, Roped climbing
Knot check
Holds and moves
Layback
Roped climbing
Lead climb
Equipment, reception desk
Mats
Partner communication, Roped climbing
On belay
Holds and moves
Pinch
Partner communication
Pump
Holds and moves
Pocket
Partner communication
Ready
Reception desk
Reception
Partner communication
Rest
Equipment, Roped climbing
Rope
Roped climbing, Partner communication
Route
Reception desk
Safety
Holds and moves
Side pull
Holds and moves
Sloper
Holds and moves
Smear
Speed climb
Partner communication
Spotting
Partner communication
Start
Holds and moves
Static
Partner communication
Stop
Partner communication, Holds and moves
Stretch
Equipment
Tape
Partner communication
Tired
Reception desk
Toilet
Roped climbing
Top rope
Holds and moves
Traverse
Reception desk
Video
Partner communication
Warm up
Partner communication, Reception desk
Watch out
Partner communication
What's your climbing grade?