Announcements Archives

Tiny Holds is at Sender One Climbing!

by Crystal Tan | Nov 4, 2019 | Announcements

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Words and Pictures by Britney (IG : tiny_holds)

Give a backstory of yourself - "Who Am I?"

My name is Britney Berkstresser and I am the creator and owner of Tiny Holds. I am very tiny myself, all of 4'9". I'm a dog mom who is obsessed with bouldering, kombucha, living a healthy lifestyle and of course, making tiny holds! I got bit by a bug... I contracted Lyme. I spent 10 years in a body riddled with health conditions. Everyone said...you’re working too much, you’re stressed, you’re going to college, you’re fine, you’re bat shit crazy, nothing is wrong with you. I lost the ability to take care of myself for the next 4 years. It was a battle of life and death as no one knew what to do, how to help me or how to heal me. At times I even lost the use of my brain, my speech, my arms and legs, everything was gone. I did everything holistic I could to try and detox my body of this disease with no known cure. My family was there to help and support me every step of the way. I started making progress with diet and herbs. I was told I would need my wheelchair and someone to take care of me for the rest of my life. My sister thought differently. She said, "you’re going to rock climb." We both had never tried it, so we went to our local gym Sender One Santa Ana and I made it 3/4 the way up a V0 with a 102 fever, shaking and said, "Ok, I wanna do this." I started going to the gym every day. The community at Sender One welcomed us and here I am now! A living, breathing, walking, rock crushing, bouldering, strong and healthy climber.

How did you start Tiny Holds? (broad question, answer however you like)

Tiny Holds kinda started as a joke. I spent a solid year training almost every single day mainly inside the gym to help heal myself from an illness. One day while climbing, I told my sister I wanted a pair of climbing hold earrings. We looked online and couldn't find anything.... sooo I made my own! After tons of trial and error, I had my first pair of Tiny Hold earrings! I was not able to work full time, so I was in need of some extra income to pay off medical costs. My climbing friends motivated me and inspired me to sell them at an event at Sender One because they wanted some for themselves. I did it and now here we are!

What inspired you to start Tiny Holds?

Being so tiny myself, I love anything Tiny! Gym climbing means the world to me, it helped me heal mentally and physically. I wanted a piece of that love with me at all times. I felt I needed a way to be able to share the same feeling I got from making and wearing my personal Tiny Holds with everyone else.

How long have you been climbing?

I started climbing in June of 2018...and probably only touched a rope all of 10 times...I think I want to boulder for the rest of my life!

What other hobbies do you have?

Besides Tiny Holds and Climbing... I'm a full-time dog mom and "Boochtender" (kombucha bartender) at Zama Tea and Kombucha. I absolutely love Kombucha and most people refer to me as a "Kombucha Snob". I love hunting down Kombucha bars and healthy foods...I love to eat!

What drives your creative mindset?

My creative mindset is driven by climbing. Every time I set foot in the gym I nerd out on all the holds and routes. Not only to figure out beta (lol), but to inspire the designs. Gym climbing changed my life, so it is imported to me to be able to make a piece of this sacred space that everyone can have with them all the time.

Britney also has a personal IG showcasing her passions in life. Check it out here!

Announcement: Sender One Westwood

by Crystal Tan | Nov 1, 2019 | Announcements

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Updated 1/29/2024

We're excited to be opening our doors in February 2024!

In addition to the announcement of Sender One Playa Vista, our first-ever bouldering only climbing center opening in 2021, we'd like to introduce our fourth Sender One location, and second bouldering only facility in Westwood, CA. This welcoming neighborhood is in the middle of everything you need, except for climbing of course. With that said, hello, Westwood Village! We are thrilled to bring the Westwood community a world-class bouldering facility along with the phenomenal service Sender One provides.

Those who live in the area, are new to climbing or have been wanting to try climbing, may be wondering what the heck bouldering even is. Well, we're 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:

Originally built in 1929, the soon-to-be Sender One Westwood is one of Westwood Village’s first six historical buildings. What once was the Mann Festival Theatre that opened in 1970, will now transform into a place for the community to discover themselves and connect with others through climbing. This building has preserved its historical significance for 90 years and we plan on maintaining what makes this location unique and special.
Prepare yourself for 10,000+ sq. ft. of diverse bouldering terrain, an inviting climbing community, and offerings for families and climbers of all levels. We will be working with Walltopia to bring our community beautiful and dynamic climbing walls that scale 12-15ft. Sender One Westwood will also be the place for all your fitness and yoga needs!

The Location:

We are especially excited to open up a facility in an area that exhibits and welcomes diversity within the community of students, families, small business owners, and young professionals. Westwood Village is home to the historical preservation that encompasses itself with student-friendly restaurants, bars, theaters, and entertainment that can cater to each individual. Why is it student-friendly? UCLA is right down the street! With a short seven-minute walk from campus, students can finish their arduous day of classes and studying, then head over to the Village for a session of climbing at Sender One Westwood. If you’re hungry, you can grab some food at local surrounding restaurants. Check out more about Westwood Village here!

FUN FACT:

As it turns out, our very own, Alice Kao (CEO, Co-Founder), is an alumna from UCLA! Much like everyone else, Alice found her passion in life through climbing.

“When I went to the climbing gym, I found my community...I climb because it reminds me of a happy time in my life, and it reminds me of a time that climbing made me better. And that’s why I get on the wall – because when I’m climbing, the only thing I can focus on is me and the wall and everything else just gets tuned out.”

As an alumna, she is in touch with the Westwood and UCLA area and is very excited to connect more people through climbing! To find out more about Alice and her journey, click here.

Opening early 2023

We are so proud to be expanding climbing opportunities to so many more people and wish we could blink and make it happen immediately! That's just not how reality works, unfortunately. Construction can take a bit of time, and the plan is to open our doors in early 2023. Follow along for updates and job opportunities through our social media platforms and website.

Announcing: Sender One Playa Vista

by Sender One | Apr 19, 2019 | Announcements, Blog

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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!