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Adidas Ticket to Rockstars – Coming to Sender One LAX

Adidas Ticket to Rockstars – Coming to Sender One LAX

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Coming to Sender One LAX  |  Saturday, August 17, 2019

Come boulder with us and rock out to music!  Participate in the boulder jam, try out the other challenges, or just come for the fun!  This will be the first time the event has ever been held in California, and the top performing male and female climber in the Open Jam will get to travel to compete at the Ticket to Rockstars finals in Stuttgart, Germany!  Get more information in our FAQ below, and mark your calendars for an exhilarating day of climbing, music, and more!

How do I sign up?

The sign up process may feel a little tricky, so we're here to help!  There are two places where you need to sign up:

  1. Event Registration through Sender One here: Click Here (or the orange button above!)
  2. Electronic Scorecard/Climb Tracker with Vertical Life: Click Here

 

Lastly, if you have never been to our facility before, or if it has been over a year since your last visit, you will need to fill out a facility waiver, here.
(Waivers must be on file for everyone entering the facility, regardless of if they are climbing or not)

What areas of the gym will be closed?

A floor map for closures is currently in development and will be available soon. The below dates are 'rolling closures,' meaning that once closed, they will NOT be open again until competition day.

Tuesday, August 13th
Bouldering Area (Downstairs) - Learning Corner to Ships Prow (all walls along the windows on the downstairs bouldering) - CLOSED
Wednesday, August 14th
Bouldering Area (Downstairs) - Ships Prow to the Sunset Slab - CLOSED
Thursday, August 15th
Bouldering Area (Upstairs) - CLOSED
Friday, August 16th
All Bouldering will remain CLOSED

Saturday, August 17th - Event Day!

  • Sender City - CLOSED
  • Bouldering Area (Upstairs) - CLOSED to non-competitors. Open to all at 7 PM.
  • Bouldering Area (Downstairs) - CLOSED to non-competitors. Open to all at 7 PM.
  • Rope Area - CLOSED
  • Fitness Area - CLOSED
  • Yoga Studio - CLOSED

There will be NO yoga classes and NO Intro to Climbing classes taking place on 8/17.

*Closure information is subject to slight adjustment prior to the event. We will update this post with any changes, should they occur. 

How much does it cost to attend?

Here is how it will break down on the day of: 

  • Sender One Members have free entry to the gym per their membership.  Members can use their guest pass to bring a friend as well!
  • Sender One Guests will be able to purchase discounted day passes for just $15! 

There will be no additional charge to participate in the adidas Ticket to Rockstars competition.

Where can I park?

A parking map will be posted closer to the event.  Should the gym lot be unavailable, there is street parking along Hindry Ave and La Cienega Blvd, as well as nearby pay-to-park lots.  The closest pay-to-park lots are the airport lot on 111th, and the Metro Station lot off of Imperial Highway.
Here is more information for parking options:
- The Metro parking lot, $3 all day
- Airport courthouse on La Cienega/Imperial, free on weekends
- The Edge Food Plaza parking
- Economy public parking lot on 111th street (Lot E), $4/hr or $12 max
- Limited amount of Lyft codes! Use ADIDAST2R for $5 of credit; good for one time use per guest

Can I sign up on the day of the competition?

Yes, if space permits!  Participation is limited to 300 climber for the Open Jam (14+ years) and 250 climbers for the Minis, Kids, and Youth Jam.  Sign up ahead of time to save your spot!

Can you specify the age categories?

Of course! There will be two boulder jams - one for anyone 13 years or younger, and one for anyone 14 years or older. The youth jam will be divided into three more categories based on age. Here is the break down:
• Mini Jam (under 10)
• Kids Jam (10-11)
• Youth Jam (12-13)
• Open Jam (14+)

What if I'm not very experienced?

This event is open to all levels of climbers, and is a day full of climbing fun and entertainment for everyone!  Please join us!

What is a jam?

There are four different bouldering jams.  During the jam sessions, you can climb on different boulder problems for the set period of time. With great prizes available in every age group, it’s worth a try!  Here are the different jams to register for: 

  • Minis Jam (under 10 years old)
  • Kids Jam (10-11 years old)
  • Youth Jam (12-13 years old)
  • Open Jam (14+ years old)

What is the competition format?

The format for Ticket to Rockstars will be a red-point bouldering competition.

What is first prize?

The top male and female climbers in the Open Jam (14+ years) will be invited to the adidas Ticket to Rockstars Final presented by GORE-TEX in Stuttgart, Germany! This final will be held on September 13, 2019.  There will be other opportunities to win fun prized throughout the day through climbing and other fun challenges! 

Can I come to Sender One LAX, but not participate in the event?

Yes.  You are not required to participate in adidas Ticket to Rockstars if you come to the gym, however we definitely recommend it!  Please be advised that our Intro to Climbing Classes, and Sender City sessions will not be offered on this date, and several areas of our facility will not be accessible during the hours of the competition (see above for list of closures).

Check out photos from past adidas Ticket to Rockstars events:

Pictures by Angie Payne and Marc Schwartz

Sender One’s 6th Birthday Bash | Highlights

Sender One’s 6th Birthday Bash | Highlights

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On Saturday we celebrated 6 years of our community climbing, connecting, and growing together.  There would have been nothing to celebrate if not for you - our amazing community of families, students, professionals, climbers new and old, and so many more. 
 
Looking back on the last 6 years of bouldering leagues, climbing competitions, youth camps and climbing team practices, Sender City sessions and birthday parties, athlete visits, headlamp nights, movie premieres, Monday night meetups, and more, it is inspiring to see how much the Sender One family and experience has expanded and evolved.  6 years of discovering ourselves and connecting with others certainly deserves one amazing celebration! 
 
Shout out to all who attended Sender One's 6th Birthday Bash!  We celebrated the occasion with a Redpoint Bouldering Competition, Ropes Sufferfest, Discounted Sender City Sessions, and an awesome Vendor Village highlighting businesses owned by Sender One Members!  Check out some pictures from the event, as well as the final scores from the competitions below!

Photos by M. Becker, G. Lively, & C. Tan

We had so much fun, and cannot wait to start planning a bigger and better party next year!  As we look ahead to our 7th year, we are stoked to bring you Adidas Ticket to Rockstars, the 2020 Pan American Continental Championships, Sender One Playa Vista, and more fun along the way! 

 

Special thanks to all of our vendors and donors who helped support an epic 6 Year Birthday Bash!
Brewheim, Maiz Cocina, Friends of Joshua Tree, Adidas/Five Ten, Gear Co-Op, Kind Bar, HippyTree, Static Climbing, Mad Rock Climbing, LaSportiva, Embark Wear, Wear AM, Harle Hands, Dynamite Starfish, Element Climbing, Säpp, Garuka Bars, Kris Terry, Tiny Namaste, Ariel Lee Art, Josh Hernandez Photography, Amarillo, All Ways Tie Dye, Crag to Crux, Britney Berkstresser, Wild Soap Co., Anni Crafts Anniwhere, Newport Pain & Wellness, Inky Origins, The Craft Effect + Co, and Shy Fish Studio.

Announcing: Sender One Playa Vista

Announcing: Sender One Playa Vista

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Updated June 2021

We are beyond excited to announce that Sender One is growing!  Coming to you in 2021, we will be opening a 7,000+ sq. ft. world-class bouldering facility in Playa Vista, California.  For the past 6 years, Sender One has been devoted to discovering ourselves and connecting with others through climbing.  We cannot wait to expand our community and continue to provide amazing climbing experiences for climbers new and seasoned. 

Speaking of new climbers, if you live in the area, are new to climbing or have been wanting to try climbing, you may be wondering what the heck bouldering even is. Do not worry, we are here to help! Bouldering is a form of climbing where no climbing gear (ropes and harnesses) is required. All you need are some climbing shoes, chalk, and a desire to climb! Indoor bouldering routes involve walls around 12-15 feet and are designed for climbers at every skill level. Climbs may be inclined, or overhung, powerful, or balance focused, or all of the above! The best part is that climbing is a puzzle for your own self-discovery in a supportive and fun environment.

The Facility

This 7,000+ sq. ft. space will offer amazing and diverse bouldering walls, a welcoming climbing community, and offerings for new climbers, families, and more!  As with our Santa Ana and LAX locations, we will be working with Walltopia to provide you with the best terrain for all of your future projects and sends!  This is Sender One’s first bouldering-only location and we are looking forward to bringing everyone a unique variety of bouldering routes, as well as the same world-class experience they receive at our other full-service gyms. Check out the design mock-ups for Sender One Playa Vista here.

The Location

Sender One Playa Vista will be nestled in the Runway Playa Vista Community.  After your sending session, you can catch a movie, grab a bite to eat at one of the local restaurants (or some Nice Cream, let’s be real), get your grocery shopping done at the next-door Whole Foods, and so much more! 

Map of Los Angeles depicting Playa Vista Location

Opening August 2021

Find more information about our Grand Opening Party and Pre-Opening Membership Sale, visit the Sender One Playa Vista website.

Follow and connect with us on Instagram & Facebook.

Climbers bouldering at Sender One LAX (Los Angeles location)

What to Look for in a Climbing Partner

What to Look for in a Climbing Partner

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Words by Brianne Schaer  (Instagram: @brianneschaer)

Finding a climbing partner can be difficult.  There are so many factors at play that it can seem impossible at times to find a match that’s going to work for you.  After all, you are essentially trusting this person with your life!  But don’t worry! It’s easier than it seems to find a good partner, and Sender One is here to help.

So what exactly should you look for in a climbing partner?  Your partner should be able to offer a good belay, prioritize safety, be reliable, and contribute to the relationship.  It is important to also take a moment to reflect on yourself to make sure you possess these qualities, so you can offer your partner as much as you’re asking of them.

Over time you’ll start to hone in on exactly what you’re looking for in a climbing partner, but for anyone just starting out or looking for their very first partner, here are a few questions to ask.

 

Can they offer a good belay?

This is possibly the most important question you should ask when looking for a new climbing partner.  Make sure your potential partner knows how to use their preferred belay device properly  (If you're top rope climbing at Sender One, you and your partner will need to be comfortable with a gri-gri belay device).  Also note how attentive they are while belaying you.  Safety and minimizing risk should be your main priority here.  Don’t forget to always double checking each other before starting to climb.  It is always a good idea to feel out a person’s belay skills at the gym before heading outside.  This way, you can climb in a relatively controlled environment knowing that your partner has passed the gym’s belay certification test.

 

Do they prioritize safety?

Climbing is inherently dangerous and safety should always be the priority in any belaytionship.  There are a lot of things that could go wrong while climbing, so it is critical to always consider the safety implications at stake.  What started out as fun and games can quickly go south if you or your partner aren’t always working to minimize risk.  Remember to always perform partner checks to ensure the climber is tied in correctly, all equipment is in good shape, and the belayer is using their equipment properly.  If you will be climbing outdoors, it is worth considering taking a self-rescue course so you know what to do in case of an emergency.  Whether climbing inside or outside, never leave the ground if you suspect there may be any issues with your system.

 

Are they reliable?

You can’t form any kind of relationship with someone who doesn’t show up.  If the only thing your partner does consistently is show up late, then they may not be a good option as a reliable climbing partner.  Look for someone who keeps dates and shows up on time. Unless you’re also a bit unpredictable. 😉

 

How to find a partner at Sender One

Now that you know what to look for in a partner, here are some tips on how to find a partner at Sender One.  There are many ways you can find a partner, from attending meetups to joining a Facebook page.  Take advantage of all of them to find more climbing friends!

 

Attend Monday Night Meetups

Our Monday Night Meetup on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month at 7 PM!  An end of event raffle grants free gear to those who participate and win.  The event is free with a day pass or membership, and is a great opportunity to meet new climbing friends!

 

Join the Facebook Page

Can’t make it to Monday Night Meetup?  Feel free to join the Sender One community Facebook pages!  There is one for LAX and one for SNA.  You’ll find posts requesting partners, offers on upcoming classes (LAX, SNA) and events (LAX, SNA), and, if you’re lucky, beta for the best post-climb meal.

 

Sign up on the belay finder sheet

If you find yourself at the gym without a partner you can always sign the belay finder sheet at the front desk.  Make sure your request is noticed by asking the front desk staff to make a quick announcement that you’re looking for a partner!

 

Recruit a non-climber friend

If you're the only climber in your friend group, you can take advantage of Sender One's member guest passes to introduce a friend to the sport.  Your membership includes several benefits:

  • One guest pass per month for anyone (new to Sender One or not)
  • Member Guest Day: bring a friend to Sender One Climbing on the third Friday of each month (must be new to Sender One)
  • Every Day members can bring two first time rope climbers and sign them up for a free Intro to Climbing Class so they can learn how to properly belay, as well as tie the knots necessary for top rope climbing!

 

Just Come By the Gym!

The Sender One Climbing member community is full of friendly climbers welcome to lend a catch when needed!  You can always meet partners the old fashioned way by simply coming to the gym and bouldering, attending yoga classes, or any gym event!  Whether you're a new climber, or just new to the area, you will have new climbing friends at Sender One Climbing in no time!

 

 

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Climbing After Rain | A Guide to Wet Rock

Climbing After Rain | A Guide to Wet Rock

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It has been a pretty wet winter here in Southern California!  While we are headng into Spring, we are sure there are still some rainy days ahead!  With all this wet weather, we thought it would be a good time to revisit the common question: when is it okay to climb in/after the rain? 

The answer to this question really comes down to what type of rock you are hoping to climb, and is super important when it comes to taking care of our local crags, and leaving a minimal impact when we adventure outdoors.  Check it out! 

 

Sedimentary Rocks

Photo of sandstone at Calico Hills in Red Rock, Nevada (from https://www.redrockcanyonlv.org/calico-hills/)

Sandstone

Sandstone is the beautiful, usually reddish in tone, rock found in places like Red Rock, Nevada and Indian Creek, Utah.  Sandstone is a sedimentary rock that absorbs moisture, therefore when it rains (or snows!), a lot of water ends up soaking into the rock.  As the rock's surface gets wet, the cementing agents within the rock are weakened, therefore the rock itself loses a significant amount of strength.  This results in the rock breaking apart while wet, especially when put under the pressure of a hand or foot!  Unfortunately several routes at Red Rock have lost holds due to people climbing them before the rock was dry.  

A good way to tell if the rock is ready climb is to see if the ground is dry on the way to, and at the base of, the climb.  If the ground is still moist (not sandy and dry), then it is good to assume the rock is still wet, even if it seems dry on the surface!  Give it at least a good 24-36 hours (sometimes longer!) after rain before attempting to climb sandstone that has been wet!  If you're ever unsure, don't hesitate to ask local climbers or local climbing coalitions for their suggestions about climbing regarding recent weather.

Photo of conglomerate rock at Maple Canyon in Utah (from Mountain Project)

Conglomerate Rock

Conglomerate rock is a form of sedimentary rock that contains pebble- and cobble-sized clasts embedded within sediment.  This kind of rock is found in Maple Canyon, UT, and locally in Texas Canyon near Santa Clarita, CA.  As it is a sedimentary rock, it absorbs moisture much like sandstone, and should be avoided when wet.  Again, note your surroundings and take stock of the rock and ground conditions.  If the ground is wet, take a rest day! The rock will be there and ready for you to climb once it is dry! 

 

Igneous and Metamorphic Rock

Photo of granite at Joshua Tree National Park in CA(from Mountain Project)

These types of rock include granite, quartz, and volcanic rock.  These rocks are not very absorbent to moisture and are considered okay to climb when wet (though that rubber on your shoe may not stick as well!).  This means climbing wet rock in Joshua Tree National Park, or Holcomb Valley, will not impact the rock any differently than when climbing it while dry.  You may feel more slippery than usual, however, therefore caution should be used to minimize risk of injury. 

 

What do I do if it rains?

Sender One SNA (Santa Ana, CA)

Sender One LAX (Los Angeles, CA)

If your climbing plans have been soured by the rain, then take the opportunity to go for a drive, take a hike, explore someplace new, or come climb at Sender One Climbing, Yoga, and Fitness!  With locations in Santa Ana, and Los Angeles, our door is always open to provide your climbing fix, rain or shine! 

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