So you just signed up for a Sender One membership or you’re new to the gym and now you’re thinking, “how do I find people to climb with?!” Lucky for you, Sender One has created a number of ways for members and guests to connect and climb together. Everything from meet-ups to online community pages, we’re here to help you find solid climbing partners and to make new friends!

BELAY OR BOULDER BUDDY FINDER

Located on the Community Boards at each Sender One location is a Belay or Boulder Buddy Finder. It’s a short questionnaire that you can post on the Community Board to help you connect with others. Each post will stay up for about a month. Hopefully, you only need to post once because you’ve found your climbing buddies!

FACEBOOK COMMUNITY GROUPS

For a more virtual take on finding climbing partners, check out our Facebook community groups! Each location has a designated group where you can find someone to climb with or post about selling climbing gear. These pages are also great to stir up conversations and discussions about climbing in general. As always, please treat others with respect and follow the group rules.

GET CREATIVE

We’re all about supporting your journey in finding more climbing buddies. Here’s a creative way we’ve seen from people (successfully) finding climbing partners.

Step 1: Post on Instagram (via Story or Post) that you are in search of more people to climb with. You can include specifics like type of climbing, days and times, etc.
Step 2: Mention and tag us @senderone and the specific location account.
Step 3: We’ll re-share and let the connections flood into your DM!

Sender One is here to help you discover and connect with others while building lasting climbing partnerships. It’s just more fun that way!

The Hispanic and Latinx community has a strong history in the United States, and specifically in California. Their contributions and background have become ingrained in our own culture and society. Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15th, coinciding with the date of the independence of several Latin American countries, through October 15th. 

During this time Sender One will be offering blogs that showcase how you can celebrate and enjoy the spirit of the Hispanic Culture. 

We hope that with this list of events you will be able to discover something new about Hispanic history and connect with people from across Southern California!

Upcoming Local and Virtual Events Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month:

El Grito 2021 

Wednesday, September 15th 5p-10p 

FREE 

In celebration of Mexico’s cry for independence, El Grito is a gathering of families and friends to enjoy time together with music, free entertainment, great food, and children’s activities.

 Moreno Valley Civic Center Amphitheater
14177 Frederick St, Moreno Valley, CA 92553

Latino Heritage Month: A Learning Circle (Virtual, Online)

Wednesdays September 15th - October 13th 6p

FREE 

Explore the cultures of ancient Mesoamerica in our Learning Circle. Each week you will watch three episodes from The Great Courses’ Maya to Aztec: Ancient Mesoamerica Revealed on your own and then meet up to reflect on what we have learned.

Arroyo Seco Regional Library 

La Fiesta: A Celebration for Hispanic Heritage Month

Thursday, September 16th 6p-8p 

Free with Entry (Day pass, punch pass, or membership)

Connect with the Sender One community through games, music, & crafts while learning the history of their Hispanic origin!

Sender One LAX & SNA

Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration 

Saturday, September 18th 2p-4p 

FREE

Family Entertainment including performances by Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuellar, Ballet Folklórico de Los Angeles, and West Covina's Ballet Folklorico International. There will also be games and giveaways. Admission opens at 1:30p. Guests are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs. 

Plaza West Covina 
112 Plaza Drive, West Covina, Ca 91790  

Healthfest L.A! 

Sunday, September 19th 12p–6p

FREE

LA’s traditional and hugely popular Hispanic Heritage Month celebration has been re-imagined to address the health concerns affecting the Latino community. Event-goers will enjoy music, food, games, and shopping, all at the birthplace of Latino LA. HEALTHFEST L.A! is not just another health fair, it’s a celebration of life!

Olvera Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Baja Splash Cultural Festival  

Saturday & Sunday, October 2nd & 3rd 9a-10a 

Cost: General Admission $26.95 - $36.95

Live Music and dance representing cultures in Mexico and Central and South America, plus educational programs and other special activities. 

Aquarium of the Pacific 
100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802 

National Hispanic Heritage Month 

Thursday, October 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th

Cost: General Admission $10.95 - $13.95 

National Hispanic Heritage Month traditionally honors the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latino Americans as we celebrate heritage rooted in all Latin American countries. Join us as our local partners come to share about their culture through stories, art, dance, and music.

Pretend City 
29 Hubble, Irvine, CA 92618

We hosted a special Global Climbing Day event in a partnership with The North Face at Sender One LAX on Saturday, 8/21/21. It was a day to celebrate climbing and the community it brings together, although this is something we like to acknowledge every day! We were fortunate to have The North Face athletes, Margo Hayes and Maureen Beck, join us for the afternoon. They climbed with members and guests, enthusiastically providing tips and advice when asked. In addition, we held an open Q&A where Margo and Mo shared stories and experiences.

Thank you to both of them for being with us for Global Climbing Day. It was truly a great day for us and the community.

A bit serendipitous, but it turns out that Maureen Beck (aka Mo) will be competing in the 2021 IFSC Paraclimbing World Cup so we wanted to share a little more about her. Check out her answers from the Q&A below.

Q: What age were you when you started your sport?
A: I was 12 years old when I had my first climbing experience, but this was in the mid-90s in the Middle-of-nowhere, Maine. There were no climbing gyms for me to go to so it was kind of hard for me to get into the sport in a sustainable way until I went to college. 

Q: What is the best part about climbing?
A: My favorite thing about climbing is, well, there are two things. So the rock doesn't care who you are or the routes don't care who you are. If you're able or disabled, if you're male or female, short or tall.  It is the rock. It doesn't care about you. And as harsh as that sounds, it's actually kind of refreshing because we live in a world of caring for the wrong reasons.  And then my other favorite part is for all of those groups I just listed climbing is about every time you go climbing,even a little bit, you're making the impossible possible. Whether it's a route that’s easy for you, you're still learning, you're still growing. And if you're projecting something, you're taking something that the first time you touched it, you could never do. You could never dream of doing  it and you just chip away at it and before you know it you are Superman because you've done the impossible.

Q: What music do you listen to when you work out or climb?
A: I have a playlist on my Spotify called “Amped Up” and it's actually super embarrassing. I don’t want to admit what’s on there. Orange Theory has these playlists that get you going during workouts and it works, like when I’m on the treadmill. I actually don’t listen to music when I climb. I can lose my feet, but for other types of training, that music is pumping pretty good in my head. 

Q: Do you get emotional when you’re projecting or training?
A: I think I do get very emotional for competitions because that's like a date on the calendar. You train for and then like right then and there, you know, you did it or you didn't. And I'm either super happy or I'm just like “well shoot”. It’s either one or the other. Outdoor projects are interesting because at least for me you spend so much time “almost” there. Like you “almost” send. So that when you do finally do it is almost anti-climatic, like “Why didn’t I do that three months ago”, but then there is always something else to do. So as soon as I clip the chains, I think, “I'm done and onward”. It's this weird detachment almost, which is in itself an emotion.

Q: What's the best piece of advice you can give to future climbers?
A: I would say if you're a new climber getting into it, don't wait to push yourself. Don't wait for someone to come along and invite you out or invite you to try something new. I feel like my climbing career is a decade behind where it could be because I spent so much time being shy and thinking, “I haven't earned that, or I'm not as knowledgeable so I don't deserve to be in the space XYZ”.  And it's a really hard thing to advocate for yourself. Whether it's like, “Hey, I see you're going outside. Do you mind if I tag along or can you show me how to use the hangboard? Can you show me this?” The climbing culture is getting a lot better, but it was formed in this like gatekeeping, where you have to be an expert in order to be a climber. And that's just so not true. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there and get a little uncomfortable. I wish I had. And now that I'm in my mid-thirties, I feel like I'm finally in that space where I’m like, “Okay, I don’t care what people think of me”. I'm going to go. I'm going to learn. I'm going to admit when I don't know. I wish I had that mindset forever ago because I just feel like in such a different place, but it's never too late to change and to start really getting uncomfortable in the best of ways.

Q: What did it feel like to see Climbing in the Olympics?
A: There are some people that think that the Olympics have ruined other sports and will ruin climbing. I don’t see it that way. I definitely see competitive climbing and crusty, dirty outdoor climbing as two different sports. I freaking love gym climbing and I freaking love outside climbing.  But the other thing about growth in the sport is that the more people who care about the sport and the more people who get outside and experience the power of nature each one of those people will then care about preserving access and preserving our environment. So I just don't believe that more people involved in our sport is a bad thing. I think the more people that care, only good can come from that.

We hope you've enjoyed learning a little bit more about Maureen Beck and look forward to seeing her compete at the Paraclimbing World Cup in October. Let's go, Mo!

Learn more about Paraclimbing and this significant event on our Guide to the Paraclimbing World Cup blog.

On October 9th and 10th, adaptive climbers from across the world will make their way to Sender One Climbing (LAX) in Los Angeles to compete in the IFSC Paraclimbing World Cup. This event will be the third of its series and the first on U.S. soil. We can't wait to share this experience with the community and some of the most inspiring climbers. In preparation for those planning on attending the event, or following along via Livestream, we've put together insightful information about Paraclimbing.

We hope you will join us for another historic event in climbing!

Paraclimbing Categories

Paraclimbing athletes have faced challenges and overcome obstacles that their able-bodied counterparts likely could not imagine. The drive to perform and succeed is truly inspirational and a joy to watch. 

Paraclimbing is broken down into 20 different categories based on the climber’s type and level of impairment and gender. Each category has unique qualifications, rules, and ways that the climber will make their way up the wall.

B: Visually Impaired/Blind

• Subcategories: The B category is separated into three subcategories. Climbers will range in sight ability from impaired central or peripheral vision to fully blind. 
• Climbing: The vast majority of B climbers will use a ‘sight guide,’ a partner on the ground who aids the climber’s beta and route via a headset. Prior to competing  B athletes along with their sight guides are able to preview walls to visualize and memorize the routes. 
• Routes: B1 routes are typically around 5.10a to 5.11d. Athletes are fully blind and move slowly and methodically up the routes.
  B2 and B3 climbers have some ability to see so high contrast between holds and the wall is necessary. These routes typically range from 5.10c to 5.12b.

AU: Arm/Forearm Amputee

• Subcategories: The AU category is separated into two subcategories. Climbers here will have an amputation at the shoulder or forearm or a limb deficiency so that the athlete has one arm and one stump for use in climbing. 
• Climbing: Precise footwork is paramount for climbers in the AU category who may also need to rely on one arm dynamic movement.  
• Routes: AU1 routes are typically around 5.10a to 5.10c. Athletes use only one arm to climb so plentiful footholds and good footwork are key. Low angled walls and shorter moves are desirable for this category.
  AU2 climbers use one full arm and one stump to climb. Depending on the nature of the stump it may be used to hook holds, but pinches and pockets are less useful. Routes are usually between 5.10c to 5.12b.

RP: Limited Range, Power, and Stability

• Subcategories: The RP category is separated into three subcategories. It is the most complex of the categories with athlete conditions varying more than any other. Athletes here have conditions that result in a limited range, power, and stability. They may be the result of neurological disabilities, Hypertonia, Ataxia, Athetosis, Impaired passive range of motion, Impaired muscle power, Short Stature, or others. 
• Climbing: With the range in complexity of athletes in this category the type of climbing and movement strategies will also widely vary.
• Routes: RP1 climbers have either neurological or physiological impairments that affect all body parts severely. Because the limitations vary widely, the routesetters need to offer climbs with many options. Climbs generally range from 5.10a to 5.11a.
  RP2 climbers have impairments with a moderate impact compared to RP1. RP2 routes typically range from 5.10c to 5.12b
  RP3 climbers have a noticeable neurological or physiological impairment but it does not limit their ability to climb normal routes. Grades in this category range from 5.11d to 5.13d.

We hope our Guide to the Paraclimbing World Cup has been helpful! We look forward to hosting the 2021 IFSC Paraclimbing World Cup. For more event details and information about spectator tickets, visit our event page.

Images provided by USA Climbing.
Information gathered for this article was sourced from the following resources:
2016-2021 COMMON CLIMBER
2021 Paraclimbing News
2021 MOJA GEAR
2021 Outside Interactive, Inc
2019 ifsc-climbing.org

Sender One launched the Keep Climbing Kind campaign last month in an ongoing effort to bring inclusivity and accessibility to the climbing community. Keep Climbing Kind centers on the four pillars of the Sender One Cares Program which are to Send with Color, Send with Pride, Send with Womxn, and Care for the Crag. We believe it to be imperative that our workplace, programming, and member community represent the demographic of our neighborhoods. 

The first Keep Climbing Kind nights were held at Sender One LAX on Wednesday, July 21st, and at Sender One SNA on Wednesday, July 28th. Members and guests gathered to learn about local climbing organizations, participate in a group art project, climb together and commit to the Keep Climbing Kind Pledge.

The KEEP CLIMBING KIND Pledge

Sender One is actively focusing on breaking down barriers that limit participation in the sport of climbing while creating a space that fosters a JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) mindset. The first step to progress is acknowledging that biases, differences, and deterrents exist within our climbing culture. We invite our community to reflect on areas where change is needed and partner with Sender One and our local climbing organizations to act on solutions and to commit to kindness by signing our Keep Climbing Kind Pledge.

The KEEP CLIMBING KIND Art Project

Each of our palms is as unique as the individual it is attached to. We came together with different colors, shapes, and sizes to create a community art piece.

The KEEP CLIMBING KIND - Participating Organizations

For each Keeping Climbing Kind night, we invited a few local organizations to participate and connect with the community.

AMERICAN ALPINE CLUB

www.americanalpineclub.org

Policy + Advocacy
Protect the places you climb. The AAC policy team is working hard with partners, lawmakers and agency leaders to address issues facing outdoor recreation. 

Education
Climb smart, climb safe. For over 100 years the AAC has led climbing education by documenting successes and failures and recommending best practices. 

Community
Get involved. Our Chapters work on a grassroots level in communities across the country by connecting members through local events, stewardship projects, and education.

BROWN GIRLS CLIMB

www.browngirlsclimb.com

BGC is a social enterprise that strives to facilitate mentorship, provide access, uplift leadership, and celebrates representation in the outdoors and climbing for People of the Global Majority*.

Our process is adaptive and emergent with a focus on building equitable and just relationships in all the efforts we commit to, including meet-ups and mentorship, resource sharing and redistribution, and employment and industry practices

Historically, we have focused on Women of Color in climbing, but recognize that our work goes beyond women such that our hope is to have a wider impact on all climbers, specifically those impacted by patriarchal systems.

FRIENDS OF JOSHUA TREE

www.friendsofjosh.org

Friends of Joshua Tree advocates, communicates, and encourages ethical and environmentally sound climbing practices, and works to shape park policy on climbing and climbing-related issues. Toward that end, Friends of Joshua Tree acts as the liaison between the climbing community and the National Park service.

LADY CRVSH CREW

www.ladycrushcrew.com

Our mission is to become involved in the climbing community by hosting meet-ups for ladies (trans and cis), non-binary, 2 Spirit and friends, stewardship through crag clean-ups, highlighting climbers on our social media platforms, and partnering with climbing organizations for events, raffles, and giveaways.

Ladies Climbing Coalition

www.ladiesclimbingcoalition.com

Breaking into climbing can sometimes be intimidating, and so climbing with other women can help alleviate some of the intimidation. It also just changes the experience of climbing. Hanging out, especially in nature, with a group of women is powerful, and we strive to show all women their own power.

Ladies Climbing Coalition ambassadors host ladies meet-ups in gyms across the nation, and we coordinate and facilitate low-cost climbing trips around the country for all women and non-binary folx who are comfortable in spaces that center the experiences of women.

Womxn Who Climb

www.facebook.com/groups/womxnwhoclimb

Womxn Who Climb is an intersectional space for women and non-binary people who climb to connect, share gear and crag advice, and discuss various topics that relate to climbing and each individual’s experiences with climbing (both positive and negative).