https://www.climbing.com/skills/pro-fuel/
https://www.climbing.com/skills/nutrition-essentials-for-climbers/
https://www.liveabout.com/rock-climbers-diet-756033
Ever wonder what the optimal thing to eat before a climb is?
Words by Atila Vaas
"Many years ago, I went on a two-week caravan with the YMCA. We drove and camped throughout the Sierras, including a few nights in Tuolumne Meadows. My friend Scot and I ran and explored everything we could and one of the highlights of the trip for us was this big smooth rock that we cautiously scaled. Lembert Dome was my first climb!
Years later I read an issue in Outside Magazine that described local rock climbing and one of the places in the article was in Malibu. I knew this place and immediately jumped on my motorcycle to ride there and see it. I followed the picture and was able to scale the arete wearing a tank top, shorts, and my Converse All Star Tennies.
I was so excited I went over to [the now closed] Sport Chalet and looked at books and gear and left with an issue of Climbing Magazine. The issue had an article on ‘protection’ and talked about the possibility of falling. FALLING! A childhood of tree climbs and the previously mentioned article only pointed to fun and adventure. Never did it cross my mind that I would fall. Since that time, I had pursued climbing and instruction off and on over the years. I’ve honestly been scared many times at the end of a rope, in couloirs, and remote ridges, and am grateful for the lessons and experiences I have had. At one point I had read a book about the pure joy and simplicity of enjoying the mountains. It contrasted what we do today by trying to do things harder. The book went on about going the easiest way and told stories about hip belays and knots as anchors.
I tried this too for a bit. I went in tennies, carried more food than necessary, and just enjoyed myself with minimal exposure and the only goal being the experiencing of the mountains. Recently, I did the opposite. I joined the Sender One Bouldering League and participated in my first competition. I learned a lot watching, training, and participating. My team was quite mixed in level and while I was decidedly the lowest grade climber at the start, I did mange to improve and get my handicap upgraded.
I love the mountains. I have enjoyed climbing, hiking, and skiing them worldwide. And I still have fun regardless of the level of challenge but am always afraid to fall."
We all have stories to tell and we want to hear and share them with everyone! Sender Stories is now dedicated to our members and community to share your experiences and of course, Share Our Passions, Find Creative Beta, Learn from our Projects and Send Them, See from Other People’s Perspective, and Climb Together! Sender One embraces personal experiences being told within our community and encourage all to share!
For the past decade, Sender One has created unforgettable experiences for many climbers, new and seasoned. With three gyms up and running and more on the way (4 to be exact!), it is incredible to share such inclusive spaces for friends and family to gather while witnessing the growth and expansion of Sender One. We are so fortunate for the opportunities to discover and connect with a diverse community, allowing us to foster an environment where we can continue to share our passion for climbing.
We'd like to take some time to reflect on the past 10 years with Alice Kao, Sender One's CEO.
I dropped off my 10-year-old daughter Sydney at sleep-away camp this weekend. As she waved goodbye without shedding a tear (while I fought back my own), it hit me: this is what motherhood is all about. It's watching your child grow, gain independence, and experiencing a mix of sadness and happiness.
But Sydney isn't my first child. That honor goes to Sender One, my brainchild born on 2/14/2012. Back then, my partners and I would gather around the dining table every night writing our business plan. We threw in our life savings and poured everything we had into this crazy idea.
Finally, on 6/15/2013, we opened the doors to Sender One SNA, our very first gym. Those early years are a blur to me, partly because I was so sleep deprived. I was also juggling a small child and a second job on top of running the business. What I do remember is having a crib in the back office, and sometimes Sydney sleeping in her car seat under the front desk.
Fast forward, and Sender One grew from one gym to three, with our team expanding from 20 to over 175 employees. There's a moment etched in my memory from about five years ago when I walked into the gym and couldn't recall the name of the CX staff member. That's when it struck me: Sender One had grown up, standing tall and thriving independently. It had become a living, breathing entity that no longer relied on me.
It's a rollercoaster of emotions. On one hand, I feel a bit sad because my child needs me less, but on the other hand, it's incredible to see them venture into the world, full of confidence and independence.
We look forward to seeing what the next ten years will bring for Sender One and its community! To climbers new, experienced, and those who are no longer with us thank you for climbing with us. We are forever grateful for your support!
Y'all ready for this?! We are thrilled to share the exciting news of our newest addition, Sender One Aliso Viejo! This marks our 7th gym and 4th full-service location, situated in the heart of South Orange County. We look forward to growing our community and serving the folks in and around Aliso Viejo!
Sender One Aliso Viejo will be conveniently located in The Commons Shopping Center at 26507 Aliso Creek Road, just off Route 73 and a mere 3 miles south of the 5 freeway. The Commons is currently undergoing a complete remodel of the former Lowes store with some of its first tenants set to open their doors in early 2024. Joining us in this vibrant neighborhood are esteemed establishments such as Trader Joe's, Tesla, 99 Ranch Market, and Daiso, along with several other restaurants and family entertainment operators currently in lease negotiations with the owner of the property, ValueRock Realty.
Enjoy a quick bite to eat and/or grocery shopping before or after your climbing session!
Spanning 24,000 square feet, Sender One Aliso Viejo will provide ample room for climbers of all experience levels. To put it into perspective, this space is comparable to the floor area of LAX's 30,000-square-foot facility and our main gym in SNA, which is also 24,000 square feet. Rest assured, Aliso Viejo will deliver the same exceptional Sender One and Sender City experiences that you have come to love and expect!
Exterior rendering of Sender One Aliso Viejo (does not show raised roof!)
While we are still in the early stages of design, we are excited to share a glimpse of what awaits you. Get ready to reach new heights as we raise the roof for sport climbing and Sender City. This summer, we will be collaborating with Walltopia to finalize the design and create an extraordinary climbing experience for all.
Exterior renderings of The Commons, revamped (real-life space may have differences)
We will be working closely with ValueRock Realty and the city of Aliso Viejo this summer to obtain a conditional use permit. We are grateful for the unwavering support we have received from both our landlord and the city of Aliso Viejo thus far. With their support, we are optimistic about acquiring the necessary permits, commencing construction in 2024, and aiming to open our doors for business by the end of 2024 or early 2025.
Stay tuned for more updates as we progress on this venture.
Here are some updates on our Westwood and Lakewood locations:
Westwood: Walls are taking shape! Walltopia has arrived on-site this week (the last week of June), and the climbing walls will be going up in July.
Lakewood: If you've recently driven by our Lakewood location, you may have noticed some remarkable changes. The roof has been removed, and the parking lot is now filled with gigantic steel beams. Big things are happening at Lakewood, and we can't wait to share the finished result with you!
Be sure to visit our careers page for exciting job opportunities across all of our gyms.
Lastly, we wanted to express gratitude to our members and this community! You continue to inspire and motivate us to provide unique climbing experiences for everybody. We can't wait to climb together at all our new locations!