Honoring Disability Pride Month

by Katie Bay Woodbury | Jul 14, 2023 | Announcements

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Written by Eric Ho

Climbing is for everyone, including those with disabilities. Adaptive climbing is also called paraclimbing, and we here at Sender One are striving to make our gyms accessible for everyone.

Sender One community member Jenny Choi recalls when Sender One hosted the Paraclimbing World Cup.

I saw Paraclimbing competitions appear on my TV and one day I saw Sender One's flyer about hosting the Paraclimbing World Cup. I texted my school friend/grad school mentor Isabel to see if she'd be interested in trying climbing and reassured her that people climb with one hand, and she immediately got hooked! Spectating the Paraclimbing World Cup later that Fall 2021 moved us both; it was incredible seeing climbers continue to keep on keeping on regardless of how society may view paraclimbers as disabled and unable to partake in climbing among many other sports.

Little did I know that I would soon become a para/adaptive climber, as one month later, I got (long) covid. The illness intensified to unimaginable extents, but I only continued to feel more settled in and safe as many of my newer friends were so kind to offer help/assistance, both non-employees and employees at Sender. Scleroderma is an extremely rare and extremely painful disease, and it definitely inhibits my climbing since I haven't had much sense of touch.

Sender One community member Isabel Benvenuti shares her insight:

It was pretty recently that I got involved in any meetups or activities specific to paraclimbing. Before that, I didn’t know many paraclimbers and I didn’t know much at all about paraclimbing outside of my own experience as a paraclimber (I am missing my right hand & forearm). I’ve learned pretty quickly that the community is the best part of paraclimbing though. Paraclimbers are incredibly welcoming and supportive (& super strong) and I’m really grateful to be part of such a great group of people.

Sender One LAX is proud to host a monthly community meetup: ParaSenders. It is the 4th Wednesday of the month, where other para/adaptive climbers with physical disabilities and allies at Sender One LAX can send together in a safe and inclusive environment. We hope to see you there!

More thoughts from Jenny and Isabel:

Sender One in general has been the one place where I can continue to turn to as one of my happy places, and the events are so fun! I was very excited when Siddharth started working at Sender and asked for both Isabel's and my thoughts on getting an adaptive climbing meetup started. The first one I attended was so fun and also heartwarming seeing a couple able-bodied climbers attend to support us and curious to hear about our experiences, especially since I look very able-bodied (aside from me climbing in socks due to poor blood circulation). I hope if you are a recently-disabled climber reading this, this gives you some hope.

I’m also happy that Sender One started a paraclimbing meetup a few months ago. I’ve had a lot of fun getting to know new people who are interested in paraclimbing. I hope to see more paraclimbers there in the future and I’m excited to see the meetup keep growing!

Climb with ParaSenders

Paradox Mile

Much like our Sender One community, the adaptive community is equally vibrant and diverse.
That is why Sender One LAX is hosting the Paradox Mile, a 5,280 vertical foot climbing challenge to help raise money and awareness for Paradox Sports and Paracliffhangers.

Climb the Mile!

Disability Pride Flag

What do the color stripes mean, you may ask?

Green: sensory disabilities
Blue: emotional and psychiatric disabilities
White: non-visible and undiagnosed disabilities
Gold: neurodiversity
Red: physical disabilities
Black: represents mourning for ableist violence and abuse victims

Sender One Aliso Viejo

by Crystal Tan | Jun 30, 2023 | Announcements, Blog

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Well hello, Sender One Aliso Viejo!

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!

The Location

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!

The Space

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!)

The Climbing

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)

The Timing - When will this space open?!

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.

In the meantime...

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!

Mental Health in Climbing: Keep Climbing

by Kat Ku | May 24, 2023 | Announcements

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Written by Hailey McFelia, Edited by Katherine Ku

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month we, here at Sender One wanted to start a conversation about mental health in climbing. We all know working out is great for our overall moods and brain chemicals, but there seems to be something different about climbing. Let’s dive in to see what makes this sport so special.

Recent research studies have shown evidence that climbing can improve overall mood and even alleviate depression. A 2021 paper written by Schwarzkopf, Dorscht, Kraus,and Luttenberger suggests that “bouldering-Psychotherapy (BPT) has proven to effectively reduce depressive symptoms,” which is further supported by research showing that climbing nourishes an increased sense of one’s capability.

Bouldering Psychotherapy combines physical activity with psychotherapeutic content and stems from the idea that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help with depression. Think of cognitive behavioral therapy as positive brain rewiring –now add that with the gains of a physical sport that also works on problem solving. It makes sense that you would see positive results and the ability to reflect on those results.

“Research suggests that climbing is therapeutic. Multiple studies indicate that it can help reduce symptoms of depression, perhaps because it demands focused attention and mindfulness. Some practitioners even use climbing therapy in conjunction with traditional psychotherapy.”

More of this article here

Angela Haupt, Time Magazine

Community is another piece to this amazing activity that can make your brain happy. People do a lot of crazy things to be part of a community – climbers aren’t that crazy though. We just climb till our hands bleed, put our lives in other people’s hands (shout out to our belay partners!), and cheer for a stranger when the try hard is on. We put ourselves out there to help each other reach the top of our projects. Connection with others happens so naturally with rock climbing.

Climbers: Zsana Ramsey, Yuri Ohyabu, Bell Sarian Wong | Photographer: Alex DelVecchio

Personally, it’s what led me to meet so many climbers who have become my emotional support humans. One of them is my “partner in climb,” Raee Lorton. She and I both have our struggles with mental health and she was kind enough to open up and share her story.

“I started climbing in San Francisco when I was going through a hard time in my life. Climbing routes were something I could control. Something I could breathe through. Something I could do on my own without being entirely alone in a gym. When I moved back to LA climbing continued to save me. It gave me discipline and a love for something to get my body moving. Going through a diagnosis for your mental health and starting medicines is incredibly hard. You go through a lot of stress on your body and your mental health expands and collapses in on itself but climbing was something that allowed me to stop and focus on something other than what was going on in my life. I could see myself in a gentle light and see what I was capable of.”

-- Raee Lorton

Raee at Stoney Point | Photographer: Jovanna Reyes

The ability to be able to focus on a climb or problem, is a beautiful way to shift your focus. Head game and brain rewiring is an essential part of climbing. When it comes down to it many climbers have to overcome the fear of falling. That alone is a big part of the reflection that comes with rock climbing. We also tell ourselves positive mantras to help us push past our limits and in a way rewire our minds. For example, professional climber and slab lover Anna Hazelnutt tends to chant “I am sticky, I am sticky” (check out her Youtube channel here!) It’s the powerful insight we gain from turning in and reflecting in a positive light.

So why is climbing such an aid for mental health? Maybe it’s the satisfaction of solving a puzzle with your body? Perhaps it’s the personal growth that comes with climbing? For you it might be being part of a group of humans who are probably in the same boat as you? We all have those heavy days. Let’s do what we can to keep climbing, we want you to stick around, and we want to see you send!

If you are looking to become more involved with the rock climbing community consider joining us at one of our meetups or check out our affiliate groups.

Acknowledging the Land That We Are On

by Kat Ku | May 18, 2023 | Announcements

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Written by Kadisha Aburub

If you’ve ever been to an affinity space meetup or event you’ll often hear a Land Acknowledgement at the start of a meetup. A Land Acknowledgment is a formal statement that recognizes and respects Indigenous People as traditional stewards of this land. Land Acknowledgements allow for an expression and appreciation of Indigenous people who have been living here since time immemorial.

A core value in affinity spaces is understanding the history of the land we reside on. By acknowledging its history, we recognize the impact history has had on marginalized groups and begin dialogue on ways to narrow that gap within our community spaces.

So then how do we go about delivering a Land Acknowledgement?

Identify tribes
Practice pronouncing the pronunciation of tribes
Acknowledge the tribes in the area you are in
Acknowledge that tribes and its people are ever-present today

Photo credit: Friends of Ballona Wetlands

Here is an example of a Land Acknowledgement of the Garieleño/Kizh and Acjachemen land or what is now known today as the city of Santa Ana, California:

“We open our meetup/event by acknowledging that the land where we climb today is the territory of the Gabrieleño/Kizh, and Acjachemen (Juaneno) tribes. In our daily lives, let us remember that the Santa Ana area is home to the Gabrieleño/Kizh, and Acjachemen (Juaneno) people and to many tribes that camped, hunted, and traded here for centuries. Native people of many Indigenous nations live here today.”

“Kizh” (pronounced KEECH), the name of the tribe that resided on this land, comes from the dome-like dwellings they lived on. The people of Kizh developed ingenious ways of living off the land, were master boat-builders, and traveled along the coast of Southern California.

Check out Sender One's Land Acknowledgment on our Community Programs page. If you perhaps don’t live in the Santa Ana area and are interested in learning about the tribes and Indigenous people that resided on the land you’re currently on, native-land.ca is a great starting point.

Indigeneous territories of Southern California (Photo courtesy of Native Land Digital)

To note the website is imperfect and is meant as a starting point of your journey in educating yourself on the land you occupy.

While these acknowledgements can be powerful they can also be easily taken as a token gesture. Going beyond a land acknowledgement is where the work lies. We all have a responsibility to consider what it means to acknowledge the repercussions of colonialism.

Some action questions to consider:

What are some of the privileges you enjoy because of colonialism?
How can you develop relationships with Indigenous tribes/people in your area?
How can you support/listen/uplift Indigenous tribes/people in your community?
Do you have an understanding of the on-going violence and trauma that affects Indigenous people?

While we cannot undo the past, we can create better relationships through understanding, active participation with Indigenous communities, and having a listening ear.

Interested in learning more? Here are further resources to explore:

Native Land Community Blog
Kizh Nation
Gabrieleño -Kizh Tribal Territory
Decolonizing Trauma Work by Renee Linklater

Decolonizing Trauma Work by Renee Linklater

What to Wear to Your Sender City Session

by Crystal Tan | Mar 15, 2023 | Announcements

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Did Sender City pop up on your Tik Tok and now it’s all you can think about? Or, did you pass by Sender City at the gym and see the enormous slide that brings joy and fear to all climbers that come across it?

However you got here, welcome! Sender City is a fun, interactive, climbing space that all individuals can enjoy. Before you book your session, you may be wondering what you’ll want to wear, bring, and what to expect from your session. Here is what the Sender City professionals recommend!

The Basics

Comfortable athletic clothing is the best for moving up the walls in Sender City. Pants or leggings are a good option to keep you cozy in the harness.
Closed-toe shoes are needed for Sender City, we have back-up rental shoes at the gym but highly recommend wearing your own sneakers.
Remember the slide? You’ll want to wear or bring some socks to give it a try!
Jewelry can stay at home, we don’t want it to get caught on anything. We have places to leave your belongings if you want it close by.
We recommend having longer hair to be tied up in a low hairstyle.

Climbing Gear:

Sender City climbers are required to wear a helmet and harness during the session. Don’t have climbing gear? No fret, we will provide you with all the gear you need to climb like spiderman.
If you have a helmet at home and would like to bring it, feel free! We have special harnesses for Sender City so don’t worry about bringing your own.
Although Sender City is a climbing area, you won’t need your climbing shoes or chalk for this type of climbing. Closed-toe shoes are sufficient!

How do I put gear on!?

Staff will be assisting everyone with getting harnesses and helmets properly fit before the session. If there are any worries about the sizing, fit, or comfort of the gear we have, give us a call!

Book today!

Now that you are a Sender City professional, you are ready to book a session. Book online (Sender City LAX, Sender City SNA) or give our front desk a call to assist you with scheduling a session.

Indigenous People’s Month

by Kadisha Aburub | Nov 16, 2022 | Announcements, Blog

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Written by Kadisha Aburub

Picture this: you and your friends plan a bouldering trip to Joshua Tree and are eager to explore all the areas you have yet to visit. It is easy to forget that public lands were created through dispossession of millions of Indigenous people. As a reminder, we are on stolen land.

Joshua Tree National Park is an otherworldly desert destination that climbers, hikers, and sight-seers come to set eyes on its beautiful boulders, landscape, and "spiky" trees. Since time immemorial, the Oasis of Mara (known as present-day Joshua Tree National Park) sustained Native American tribes including Cahuilla, Chemehuevi, Serrano people, as well as the ancient Pinto culture.

As Indigenous People's month is celebrated throughout the states we thought we'd take the time to realign our connection to the land from one of dominance to one of reciprocity. When we hike, climb, or backpack let us be intentional in how we do so.

Steps to take before/during your climbing trip:

While you're on your climbing/hiking trip there are ways you can ensure you are being mindful of Indigenous culture, practices, and land. (This is by no means a comprehensive list and doing specific research on your local crags/areas is highly recommended before recreating outdoors.)

1. Is the area/crag sacred to Indigenous communities? If so, reach out to Indigenous leaders and/or conservation professionals who are aware of whether or not sharing specific geographic areas will negatively impact the area.
👉WHY? Many of these areas do not have proper protection in place to handle a large amount of visitors.

2. Honor spaces that are specifically closed for Indigenous purposes. If you peruse through your Joshua Tree Bouldering Book or Black Mountain Bouldering book you'll find that there are crag areas that are completely closed to climbing/hiking. Respect these closures.

3. Understand that cultural sites/formations/structures are still used in traditional ceremonial practices today. Avoid touching or damaging rock art.

4. Stay on marked trails.

5. First Ascents and exploration are NOT more important than cultural resources.

6. Understand that Indigenous communities exist in the present-day in various outdoor/urban areas.

8. Take time to understand Indigenous communities that are currently and have previously resided in that area.

Source: @indigenousfieldguide. You can sign their pledge here.

**How to support Indigenous communities this month and every month**:

1. Do your research before going outdoors: an awesome all-around resource is the organization @indigenousfieldguide they provide public education on accessing the outdoors through an Indigenous lens.

2. Connect with a land advisor: connect with Indigenous guides and advisors to help you navigate how to ethically recreate outdoors.

3. Support Indigenous Brands/organizations: @nativesoutdoors, @indigenouswomxnart, @indigenousfieldguide @queernature @indigenouswomenhike @wildernesssociety

4. Educate yourself. Here are some starting points: Which Indigenous lands are you on?, Books written by Indigenous authors, Native American Art in Joshua Tree, Organization that is dedicated to conserving land in Twenty-Nine Palms,

'As Long As Grass Grows' by Dina Gilo-Whitaker

Join us for Monday Night Meetup Nov 21st:

To show our support we will be hosting a raffle at Monday Night Meetup on November 21st in support of Native Women's Wilderness Fundraiser. For every dollar donated by Sender One members, they'll be entered to win an Edelrid Boa Eco 9.8mm 60m rope! You can participate at any of the Sender One locations.

Where to find more information about the organization: https://www.nativewomenswilderness.org/

Where to donate to Native Women's Wilderness: https://www.betterunite.com/nativewomenswilderness-everest

Take home:

When we advocate for public lands let us also advocate for the Native people who still feel the impact of 1492. People and land are inherently valuable and non-exploitable. When we evaluate our impact on the land and Indigenous communities we acknowledge that earth is not a commodity but a partner to us that we need to respect and give as much as we take.

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Honoring Disability Pride Month

Paradox Mile

Disability Pride Flag

Sender One Aliso Viejo