by Soph Fuchs | Jul 1, 2022 | Blog, Outreach
the contentDear Sender One Community,
When I look at what Sender One has become over the last few years, I am extremely proud of how many women I see in positions of leadership. While I may be the most visible and most vocal, anyone that comes to a Sender One will see shift leads, supervisors, routesetters, and gym managers... all women.
Among our senior leadership, we have more women than men. I am proud of the fact that we created a place that supported these women. We gave them the financial and professional support that allowed them to start families, take as much time as they needed to be with their children, and then return to work. This has been a challenge to our business, but our core values wouldn't let us do anything less.
This would not have been possible without the foundational right of reproductive freedom. We are shocked by the recent decision by SCOTUS to eliminate this right for millions of women across the US. At the same time, we feel extremely lucky and fortunate that we are a California-based company where a woman's fundamental right to choose is not only protected and safeguarded, but is being expanded to benefit those not as lucky as we are to live in California.
We will continue to do what we are able to support the women in our community. While we cannot change this decision alone, we can and will stand in solidarity with efforts to reinstate our rights, and to make climbing an inclusive sport which respects the self-determination of every climber.
With love and gratitude,
Alice Kao
Co-Founder,CEO
by Soph Fuchs | Jun 17, 2022 | Outreach
the contentAnnouncing Sender One - Lakewood!
After 3 years of searching, we have found the ideal spot and signed a lease for what will become our 3rd Full Service Gym, in Lakewood, CA. This coming gym means a lot to our team, and represents years of hard work to bring to you. Let’s take a look at why!
Sender One Lakewood will be located at 4949 Lakewood Blvd, two miles north of the Long Beach Airport and just across the street from the Lakewood Center. With abundant shops, transit routes, and food options nearby, Lakewood makes the perfect place for locals to grab a climb and errands in the same run. At only ten minutes away from Long Beach Airport, it’s also never been easier to get some altitude before you take off to the skies.
Whether you’re a student at CSULB or a parent looking for the perfect place to keep you and the kids active, Sender One Lakewood will always be right around the corner. It won’t just be a gym to visit, but a vibrant point of gathering in the heart of a thriving community.
(Preliminary concept renderings of the entrance, with the raised-roof visible in the background!)
Sender One Lakewood will be 28,000 square feet, with routes fit for the style of every climber. (For comparison LAX has 30,000 sq. ft in floor space, and SNA main gym is 24,000). Lakewood will deliver the same top-tier Sender One and Sender City experiences you’ve come to expect, while taking our amenities and look even further!
(Preliminary concept renderings of the climbing areas; walls shown without color)
Before opening, we’ll be raising the roof to 50 feet to accommodate our new Walltopia walls! Under the new roof will be sport climbing, Sender City, briefing and party rooms, a separate Sender City weekend entrance, and even more bouldering.
With lovely, deep sightlines and myriad nooks, the space will feel both grand and full of hidden gems you’ll be eager to send.
Sender One Lakewood will ensure you can climb in comfort and style, with bathrooms, lockers, showers, SAUNAS, laundry, yoga, and fitness facilities. These amenities and enriching programs ensure that you can both grow as a climber and care for your whole self while visiting Sender One Lakewood. As with all Sender One locations, you can also look forward to plenty of community-building events that will build not just your technique but your sense of belonging.
It took us 10 years to open our first 3 gyms and grow our team to 137 people. In the next two years, we will open 3 new gyms and add 100+ new jobs. As our team grows, so too will our community of climbers. We are ecstatic to keep growing our community, on and off the wall. Our supportive culture and our vision of climbing that’s inclusive to all levels of experience and all ages are ready for the next phase of expansion.
We can’t tell you how unbelievably proud we are of Sender One and everyone who has been a part of our journey. We look forward to sending these new projects with all of you and keep showing how our shared passion is at the heart of what we’re out to achieve!
by Soph Fuchs | May 27, 2022 | Outreach
the contentMany of us have been told that mental health is a personal problem. We've been told problems arise from a lack of fortitude, or poor individual decisions. This warped view of our health harms us by making us feel inadequate and alone when our own mental health falters. Even worse, it leaves many people afflicted by mental health crises without tools to discuss their issues, unaware of where to start seeking help and education.
That's why this year's theme of "Back to Basics" is so critical. The causes of mental health issues are complex, but knowing the basics can set us on the right path to learning more about caring for ourselves and finding help when we need it.
Learning the Basics
As climbers, most of us know that the mental is as important as the physical. But that doesn't mean we're as ready to discuss frankly what it can mean to undergo a mental health issue. Let's discuss some common signs of mental health issues.
Manifestations of Mental Health Concerns
Society teaches us to look for mental health concerns only in their most dramatic manifestations. However, many conditions manifest more subtly. Some may never grow larger, some may fester for long periods only to erupt into crisis later. There is no one cause or sign of mental health issues, but some common signs of emerging and extant mental health issues are:
- Withdrawing from others
- Excessive self-doubt
- Uncontrollable fears & anxieties
- Swings between extreme highs and lows of mood
- Inexplicable physical ailments
- Anger that cannot be controlled
- Confused or muddied thinking
- Feeling unable to handle routine life
- Disruption to regular eating patterns
- Suicidal or self-harm ideation
It is important to recognize that we all may experience some of these symptoms from time to time. There is no list which can encompass all signs of mental health concerns, nor does exhibiting a symptom mean you are in impending crisis. We are complex, and so are the presentations of mental health issues.
When one recognizes symptoms of a mental health concern, it is critical to remember this is not your fault. Mental health issues are caused by a mix of environmental, social, and biological factors beyond the control of any one person. Many mental health issues even stem from material factors that no therapist or pep-talk could ever conquer on their own.
Whatever the causes, it is important to remember that you are still a wonderful and valuable part of this world. This is no race "back to healthy." You are no less worthy of love and joy if your issues persist for a long while. All of us will deal with at least some mental health issues in our lives, whether we reach a clinical diagnosis or not. Be kind to yourself and recognize that the help of others is typically necessary to see improvement in our symptoms, no matter how strong we are as individuals.
Important Factors for Maintaining Good Mental Health
- Community - Surround yourself with people who make you feel valued. This isn't always easy; it isn't a thing which happens automatically or overnight. However, a community of people who see the intrinsic value in you is critical to good mental health. No matter what we contend with, having people around who care about us and celebrate our unique journey is critical to improving our mental health.
- Environment - The places we inhabit have dramatic effects upon us. In times of trouble, seeking out space where one feels safe, calm, and capable of being themselves is critical. Because many mental health conditions are caused by external factors, a change of environment can have dramatic benefits.
- Sleep - We are magnificent creatures, but we are not always the best at remembering to get enough sleep. Work and home responsibilities can make us believe that sacrificing a few hours of shut-eye is worth a few more hours of tasking. However, the research is compelling: proper and adequate sleep is essential to maintaining our mental well-being. While it's tempting to trade sleep for some 'extra' productivity, the long-term harm this causes to our well-being makes us worse at work we do and even more tired.
- Stress - Sometimes it is essential to identify factors keeping us from healing or causing anxieties we struggle with. Stressors are incredibly diverse, from people cutting us off in traffic to loved ones we may need space from. In times of distress, reducing exposure to stressors may be difficult and provoke feelings of guilt. Still, it is essential for healing and building up our long-term resilience.
- Sharing - One of the most daunting things when facing a mental health condition, especially in crisis, is to share what's happening. Whether it's with a licensed professional or a trusted friend, sharing what's afflicting us is how we get help. Connect, trust your friends, and together we can climb out of anything downturn in life.
Resources
Getting through rough times is. . . well, rough. If you believe you may be experiencing a mental health condition, a professional and a strong web of support will always be the best options. Meditation, exercise, and the tips above go far, but there's moments we need more.
Crisis Resources
We've all had hard days where we need a some serious beta. These resources are always available, when things get hard.
- Los Angeles Department of Mental Health (800) 854- 7771 - 24/7 Mental Health resources and referrals hotline. More here.
- Orange County Department of Mental Health - Portal with numerous referral resources, including crisis resources. More.
- Trevor Project Lifeline (800) 788-7386 - Support for LGBTQ Youth in need of crisis help or guidance. Chat and more available here.
- National Suicide Prevetion Hotline (800) 273-8255 - Free and confidential crisis and prevention, available nationwide. More.
by Crystal Tan | Apr 9, 2021 | Blog, Outreach
the contentHere in Southern California, we are fortunate to have vast lands to explore, state and national parks to hike, camp and climb in, and miles of beaches to surf and swim. The great outdoors offers recreational opportunities that keep our minds fresh, our bodies in shape, and places to create memories with family and friends.
As part of our Care for the Crag program and in light of Keep American Beautiful Month, we're providing some way to get involved! Keep America Beautiful Month is a reminder of just how precious our outdoor land is, and how necessary it is for each of us to do our part to keep it that way. Sacred Native lands, established climbing areas and biodiverse landscapes are in danger now, more than ever, of facing irreversible destruction. Together, our voices and our actions can help us to save the outdoors and keep America beautiful.
30 BY 30
Patagonia Action Works
In 2020, only 15 percent of the world’s lands and 8 percent of its waters were protected under some type of designation, such as national parks or ocean sanctuaries. Scientists say that is not enough—extinction looms for more than one million species of plants and animals, and that is bad news for humans, too. To curb the mass extinction crisis and address climate change, scientists and conservationists urge that we protect 30 percent of the world’s lands and waters by 2030.
Join the Journey or Text “THIRTY” to 71333
Protect Pine Mountain
Los Padres Forest Watch
The Forest Service plans to expedite logging in the proposed wilderness and across miles of old-growth forest and chaparral, deep in the Ventura County backcountry.
Despite the project’s massive scale, the Forest Service will not conduct a detailed study of potential impacts to the area’s unique ecosystems. Instead, officials announced that they will rely on a controversial loophole to bypass these requirements and limit the public’s ability to voice concerns.
Recreate Responsibly
Recreate Responsibly Coalition
The Recreate Responsibly Coalition aspires for everyone to have a holistic outdoor experience by advancing all aspects of responsible recreation: keeping yourself, others, and outdoor places safe; accessing outdoor benefits essential to the human experience; and building an outdoors for all through justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Know How to #RecreateResponsibly or Join the Coalition
Save Oak Flat
Oak Flat is a recreation area within the Tonto National Forest in Arizona. Prized for its hiking, biking, camping, birdwatching, canyoneering, and especially bouldering and rock climbing — with more than 2,500 established climbing routes.
Resolution Copper, a subsidiary of two giant, foreign mining companies seeks to mine copper starting 7,000 feet below the surface Oak Flat.
The Climber's Pact
Access Fund
As climbers, we have a personal stake in the health of our outdoor landscapes—without them, we have no place to climb. But as our sport continues to grow in popularity, we are loving our climbing areas to death. Join us in making a few minor adjustments to your climbing practice that will protect our outdoor landscapes and the climbing experience we love. The future of our sport depends on it.
Commit to The Climber's Pact
by Crystal Tan | Oct 27, 2020 | Announcements, Blog, Outreach
the contentLooking for something fun and engaging for your kids this season? Sender One has some great in-person options for kids ages 7 and up! We’ve put together youth offerings that are not only confidence-building and fun, but mindful of the health and wellbeing of each participant.
Check out our list below!
SCHOOL BREAK ACTIVITIES
Fall & Winter Rock Climbing Camp
Location(s): Sender One SNA & LAX
Duration: 3-day camp
Best For: Ages 7+ looking to be active and have fun through games, climbing, zip-lining, and more!
Prerequisites: None
FUN FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY
Sender City Family Camp
Location(s): Sender One LAX
Duration: 2-hour, Single Day Camp
Best For: Learning pods, established cohorts, and close families and friends to enjoy a day of climbing together.
Prerequisites: None
DISTANT LEARNING SUPPORT
Climb Onward with Online Learning (COOL) Camp
Location(s): Sender One LAX
Duration: 2 weeks with 2, 3, or 5-day camp options
Best For: Working families with children in the 2nd-6th grade who are looking for an in-person space that provides distance learning support and staying active through climbing
Prerequisites: None
AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS
Climbing Academy A & B
Location(s): Sender One SNA
Duration: CA(A) is 2 hours and CA(B) is 90 minutes, once a week for 4 weeks
Best For: Ages 6+ with little to no climbing experience
Prerequisites: None
Recreational Teams
Location(s): Sender One SNA & LAX
Duration: 4-week sessions, attendance 1x/week (more options are available when we can resume “normal” operations)
Best For: Ages 6-17 looking to expand their climbing experience and become a well-rounded climber
Prerequisites: Climbing Academy (SNA only), please contact locations for more information
Advanced Team
Location(s): Sender One SNA & LAX
Duration: 4-week sessions, attendance 2x/week
Best For: Young climbers (Training Team and Competition Team) who are ready to embrace a training environment to achieve maximum climbing performance and growth
Prerequisites: Assessment with the Head Coach, please contact locations for more information
To inquire about any of our afterschool youth programs, please contact:
[email protected] (Sender One SNA)
[email protected] (Sender One LAX)
by Crystal Tan | Jan 23, 2020 | Outreach
the contentThis past Monday, Sender One sponsored an Adopt a Crag event with Access Fund to help maintain and clean trails in Point Dume! Point Dume is a famous climbing and hiking area on the coast of Malibu that sheds an incredible view encompassing the north Malibu Coast, Santa Monica Mountains, Catalina Island and Santa Monica Bay. The iconic wall of rock that rests right on Pirate's Cove Beach has been an iconic place for climbers for decades.
Volunteers and Sender One employees came out to help keep this preserve in the condition that it deserves. We were directed by the State Park representatives to work on mitigating the eroded social trails that have been developing over years, because it interferes with the native animals and plants that reside there. To do that, we groomed the existing trails and used the trimmings to cover the social trails to block access so that vegetation will grow over time. With that task done, we moved onto removing the weeds that began to grow, picked up trash, and cleared the summit of loose rock that could potentially fall on people below.
One of Sender One’s proud initiatives is a program called Care for the Crag. As climbers we like to seek national parks, campsites, deserts, mountains, etc., to send out projects and create memories. As you go out more, you’ll notice pieces of trash lying around the campgrounds, illegal trails that have been paved, even graffiti that destroys the landscape. Please help maintain the beauty and stability of these crags to help climbers visit these locations in the future!
Check out what we did to help out with restoring Point Dume's trails and crags!
