At Form of Analog, we believe good things come in many forms and are built through curiosity, having fun, and being unafraid to try something new even if it means working through tough challenges. Climbers share a similar approach with this mindset when working through problems and routes.

Our vision is simple: create something that brings delight and supports passion, creativity, and movement without sacrificing style, durability, and intentional design. Form of Analog is a lifestyle brand built for people who move—on the wall, on the road, in their creative work, or wherever their interest leads them.

Who we are

Hi—we’re Brian Hedrick and Crystal Tan! We met in 2015, both working at Sender One. From setting routes on the Torch and organizing marketing material for the next Bouldering League, to making home-sewn bags and planning engaging Instagram reels, we’ve taken our immense love for climbing and creating to bring Form of Analog to life.

It’s been almost five years since our departure from Los Angeles—Covid, life, new ventures and different career paths brought us to Charlotte, NC where we currently live with our absolutely crazy Blue Heeler, Moxie. Perhaps we’ve crossed paths with some of you, but the climbing community at Sender One has grown, so we’re excited for the chance to share our passions with you.

A little more about us and what we do as Form of Analog:

I have three kids and I am exhausted. It’s a happy and reasonable exhaustion from keeping three small humans alive and I’m proud to be their mom, but I can’t stress enough that TIRED is my default setting.

So when I think of activities beyond my kids’ regular extra curriculars, I want something that is going to make them as tired as I am so that when we get home EVERYONE SLEEPS. 

Rock climbing does that.

My nine-year-old, who can climb every single wall in Sender City, can climb for an entire hour, buckling and unbuckling herself from each wall. It is magical watching her do this (without my assistance), knowing that when we get home, she is going to take a hot shower and then CRASH. 

*Cue maniacal laughter*

Rock climbing is an excellent metaphor for life, a reminder to keep pulling yourself up and to keep reaching for the next big thing. In fact, I wrote about it in my middle grade novel, Weirdly Walter, where the protagonist enters a rock climbing competition with his grandpa at an indoor gym. They climbed, bonded, and recognized that even though they both kinda sucked, it was fun and sometimes that’s enough.

Highly recommend Sender City. The skyscraper is our favorite.

May your children be happy and EXHAUSTED when they leave.

Since it’s the Holiday season each gym will have a holiday party exclusively for our members. Playa Vista will host their Holiday Party a little differently this year. There will be the usual after hours party (for 18+) where you can partake of drinks, snacks, a holiday raffle, games, a white elephant gift exchange, and, of course, bouldering! Don’t worry they’ll have fun for all ages 4-6pm where they’ll have crafts, a raffle and treats!

If you didn’t have a chance to experience our gear trade at SNA, members will have an exclusive event at Playa Vista on 12/19 from 6-8pm. For Member Appreciation Month, members can bring in their own gear to trade as well as rifle through our collective Sender One lost and found. That’s not all! Members will learn how to alter their own Sender One shirt (provided by Sender One) to take home. There will also be pre-crafted Sender One shirts beautifully created by Trash Pile, a tie dye artist who specializes in upcycling thrifted items. Their art alone is worth coming to the event and checking out! Check out Playa Vista’s Instagram for more on this event and Trash Pile’s art.

Members can also further their climbing education with exclusive climbing classes. Hone in your speed or crack climbing skills at our SNA and LAX locations. Usually these classes are an extra cost, but for member appreciation month it is free for our members! It’s our gift to you! If you haven’t been able to try our Training Center at our Santa Ana location, now is your chance! Join us 12/9, 12/16, or 12/23 (7pm-9pm) for a special clinic in our training center.

Whenever local schools break for the season, you can count on Sender One to host a Rock Climbing Camp. We currently offer camps at four out of our five locations: LAX, SNA, Lakewood, and Playa Vista! Each of these camps offers something different that you will not be able to find anywhere else. 

During the week of Thanksgiving, LAX, SNA, Lakewood and Playa Vista are all offering a 3-Day Camp where you can drop your little climber off for 3-4 hours. During that time, our Sender One coaches will lead  the kids through basic climbing education and technique as well as fun challenges and activities! LAX & SNA are known for their thrilling King Swing while Lakewood and Playa Vista both offer a slackline. Playa Vista is especially known for its exciting obstacle course. LAX, SNA, and Lakewood all offer a day in Sender City!

If next week doesn’t work for you, no worries at all. We are offering single day camps throughout December, as well!

At face value, Sender City might look like a kids-only area but I PINKY PROMISE, it is so much fun for all ages. So parents, 10/10 recommend climbing with your little ones!

If you love Sender One (and we hope you do), there are lots of options for revisiting! Ask the front desk how you can save money on your next visit!

Earlier this summer, Teams Sender One LAX & SNA competed (and placed) at Youth Nationals. The Yeti National Championships (commonly referred to as Elite Nationals) actually falls into the Elite Series, as opposed to the Youth Series. While both series are organized by USA Climbing, Elite Nationals is a series that is essentially for pro climbers; it’s the World Cup/Olympic Track Competitions. Elite Nationals is the first of two competitions in which the National Team for the 2025 World Cup season is selected (the second being National Team Trials which will be Spring 2025). To qualify for  National Team Trials, athletes will need to place in the top 40 for Boulder or Lead, or they’ll need to hit the benchmark time in Speed (5.44s). Based on their performances at Yeti Nationals and National Team Trials (with NTT being weighted slightly higher), the athletes are given a National Team Rank, which will determine World Cup Invitations.

Aside from the competition itself, Taede is very excited to visit a great taco place he found in SLC. Maddi is most excited for fall colored leaves and see athletes she only gets to see a couple times a year. Logan said he is most excited to compete against really fast climbers.

A long standing tradition for some members of Team Sender One is to make fun bets on the competition; something to help take the pressure off and build team morale! It usually pertains to shaving heads or wearing a Hatsune Miku wig on the podium. Keep your eyes peeled for any silliness at the podium!

A few of the athletes were kind of enough to share their personal goals for Speed Climbing this weekend: 

Taede is aiming for 5.5 seconds.

Maddi’s goals are to win a knockout race and get  sub 8 seconds.

Logan is going for the Benchmark time (5.44s).