The Send Space

No amount of planning can guarantee a safe ascent – especially when it’s an (unintentional) first ascent. In this episode we chat with Stephen Hoffe (planner of epic missions) and Kati von Ketelhodt (MSAR extraordinaire). While Kati is well-versed in rescue missions, she recently experienced a role reversal after a climbing accident in an incredibly beautiful but remote area of the Eastern Cape coastline. What happened? Where did things go wrong? And what can we learn from the event? Find out in this episode! Mentioned in this episode: Find out more about the Pondo Experience, and MCSA Search and Rescue.

Mienke talks to physiotherapist, runner and fellow climber, Karine about bleeding on the rock. Yes, this is a double entendre: we’re talking injuries and periods, people! Karine talks us through what you should do in the hours, days and weeks post-injury. Then we get into the details of what your hormone cycle is doing each month and how this impacts your training and eating habits. Not a menstruator? Listen up anyway! We all have hormones, ya know? For more info on the studies mentioned in this episode, visit www.insidetracker.com. You can reach Karine on Instagram: @running_climbing_physio

Welcome to our debut 'short', featuring KP as we talk about the creativity, passion and hard work of routesetting. The start of this episode was recorded at the Gauteng Provincial Champs, with a follow up convo some weeks later to satisfy our curiosity. We hope you enjoy this change of pace!

What’s the difference between your climbing buddy, and a mentor? Between a newby enthusiast, and a long-time mentee? How do we balance mentorship, climbing, and daily life? What’s the point of mentorship anyway? Should mentors get paid? These are the questions we tried to cover in this episode featuring two lady-CRUSHERS (who we are definitely crushing on). Brigitte and Cath join Mienke for a chat where they cover it all: from getting started, to comp climbing, to trad ethics. Did they cover any of the questions we set out to ask? Give it a listen and find out for yourself. As mentioned in the episode: Check out the Business Wars podcast miniseries about Patagonia vs the North Face. You won’t regret it! Also see what DreamHigher is up to.

Tune in to stories from our listeners as they share their personal climbing experiences. This community episode covers everything from that first-time-climbing feeling, to experienced guiding on multi-day adventures - and everything in between. In order of appearance: Cally Bishop introduces new climbers to the great outdoors. Jonny Nates takes us through his gruelling projecting process. Marno Kotze gets bloody in the Magaliesburg Kloofs. Chrisna Prinsloo faces her fears, head-on. Ant Olde gets sucked in. Brigitte Pegado plans an epic adventure, across borders, mid-Pandemic.

We get continental and international in this episode with the Ugandan climbing team, recorded after the IFSC African Continental Championship which took place in Johannesburg on 16 and in Pretoria on 17 December 2021. Join us in conversation with Lizzy, Douglas and Brandon and hear about their experience of competition climbing, their thoughts on our local gyms, and their stance on the importance of comp climbing - and competitive sports in general (you’ll learn some things about Taekwondo!). They talk about pressure, failure, and the growth of this sport/lifestyle/passion that we all love so much! For more info about the things mentioned in this episode, here it is: IFSC, Lynn Hill, Mountain Slayers Uganda, Ugandan Sport Climbing Federation, Mountain Club of Uganda. Congrats to the comp hosts: CityROCK, Friends and Allies, and the Climbing Barn. Want a limited edition Send Space t-shirt? Order here. And finally, try the ScallyWags training programme for yourself! Watch the comp finals here: Speed: https://www.instagram.com/p/CXii33OqjUR/ Ladies’ final boulders: https://www.instagram.com/p/CXlfI1xoGxs/ Men's final boulders: https://www.instagram.com/p/CXloTXqqita/ Lead: https://www.instagram.com/p/CXoGAX8KHcG/

This special 10th instalment features stories from our listeners as they share what climbing means to them. This community episode is packed with passion, adventure, and STOKE for the South African climbing scene! Jemma Falkov reads an excerpt from Andy de Klerk’s short-story anthology, Sharper Edges. Allister Fenton interviews Jess Lear about her first multi-pitch experience at Mount Everest, KZN. Rahul Rajcoomar share’s his love of climbing with the world. Derisha Govender gives us a short-person's perspective on episode 7 And titles this community episode as "an ode to climbing." Marno Kotze’s tells us of his trad-ventures in Magaliesburg kloofs. And Aimee Clarke ends with a poem. Finally, we are gifted with new outro music, a sweet ukulele tune compliments of Benji Dorfan from the band Hiding Bigfoot.

Mienke is joined on the couch by Aimee – Mienke’s first climbing partner and Send Space co-founder (or ‘hostage’, as she calls it). They get rather piddled and talk about climbing partnerships, business partnerships, and open belaytionships with a whole lot of laughter in between. Grab a drink and get to know us a bit better, and while you’re at it get 10% off your next Black Diamond purchase with the code “BD4BUDDIES” at checkout. [Warning: Explicit language - Aimee does not hold back] Mentioned in this episode: Order a Send Space T-shirt, read about Boven Open Weekend, watch our original IG Live, join CityROCK’s Climb Like a Girl initiative, or join Bennie de Wet for a tradventure by mailing benniedewet@gmail.com or mcsajhb@gmail.com. Advertisers in this episode include Black Diamond and the Send Space. Want the ad-free episode? Subscribe to the Send Space on Patreon.

This is a continuation of episode 3, although you don’t need to have heard part 1 to enjoy part 2! Our conversation with Al digs into the evolution of the climbing scene in South Africa, experienced by Allister as he moved from working at Drifters, to CityROCK, to Friends and Allies. We also hear about the ins and outs of climbing in Blouberg - a truly epic tradventure location. Advertisers in this episode include GoodBETA and the Send Space. Want the ad-free episode? Subscribe to the Send Space on Patreon.

Mienke chats to Kent Jennings – Head Routesetter at CityROCK Jhb and king of the thumbercling – with the aim of discussing women in routesetting. Naturally, we take many detours and end up discussing grading, sandbagging, Kent’s personality, the setting “boys club”, and the Olympic boulders. Eventually we get on track and discuss what it takes to foster a more inclusive setting industry. For more info on the things mentioned in this episode, learn about the Olympics rising sun boulder problem, Bloc11, and CityROCK. Advertisers in this episode include GoodBETA, Yael’s Yarns, and the Send Space. Want to feature in our community episode? Here’s how.

We sit down with the names and faces behind Jozi’s latest climbing gym – Friends and Allies. Featuring not one but FOUR guests, we dig deep into the business of climbing and the creative processes involved in forming this unique space which may be small, but packs big ambitions. For more info about the things mentioned in this podcast, check out: Boven Open Weekend, Scallywags Climbing, Mumma Mushroom Design, Bloc11, Dream Higher and CityROCK. Advertisers in this episode include GoodBETA, Wazoogles Superfood, the MCSA and the Send Space. Want the full-length episode? Subscribe to the Send Space on Patreon.

Welcome to our Women's Month episode featuring Jenni Commins – local climber and so much more! We talk about the nuances of being a female climber, from motherhood, to body image, to menstrual cycles. Get ready for some epic personal insights from Mienke, as well as some EXCITING announcements about the Send Space. For more info about things in this podcast: read about trekking in the Cordillera Blanca, read Touching the Void, and while you’re at it, show us some love and subscribe on Patreon.

Enjoy the second half of Mienke’s interview with our male Olympian, Chris Cosser. We dig deep into a range of topics from diversity in climbing, the Olympic ego, his training schedule and his mental health leading up to Tokyo2020. For an update on Chris since this interview took place, and further info on the Olympics, read this blog on GoodBETA. If you are curious about some things mentioned in this episode, you can learn more about Bloc11 and Dream Higher; read about Tomoa Nagasaki; watch the African Continental Championship Dec 2020; and watch the IFSC Boulder World Cup Meiringen 2021.

Allister reveals his rather unconventional and passionate entry into the climbing world, and then deep-dives into issues of safety and ethics when it comes to trad and free solo. As a child, he made his own harness. As an adult, he has free soloed multiple times. Listen to this episode to get to know Allister and see if you agree that he remains a safety-conscious and highly-respected part of the South African climbing scene. Like the episode? Why not support the podcast?

We had a Zoom call with our local female Olympian Erin Stekerkenberg and her coach James Barnes to gain some insight into what it’s like to be 18 and preparing to represent SA in the first climbing Olympics. In true Mienke style, there are some detours in the conversation along the way as we dig into some pressing issues of the climbing community. We cover a lot in a short space of time so here are some links to a few things mentioned: Youth Day in South Africa, KZN MCSA, Shongweni Climbing, Umgeni Valley Climbing, City Rock, Southern Rock, RAM, Black Diamond.

Host Mienke Richter chats to Chris Cosser, South Africa’s first male Olympic climber, ahead of Tokyo 2021.  We get to know him, he gets to know us, and we discuss some epic issues facing the climbing community as the sport inevitably grows and changes. Chris was the ideal first guest, and was almost more of a co-host which really sets the scene for this show, since we aim to inspire debate, discussion and collaboration in our community.  This is our pilot episode, which was recorded on Mienke’s couch at her home in Johannesburg.  We would love your feedback!  Visit www.thesendspace.org or follow us on Instagram: @send.space.

Wondering how this show came to be? What drove us to create the Send Space? Our first guest, Chris Cosser, was curious too! Listen to this quick snippet (from our first interview ever) to get an idea of what the Send Space is all about! Our host, Mienke Richter, explains her vision to Africa’s first male Olympic climber, and to you. Follow @send.space on Instagram or visit www.thesendspace.org to get to know us better.