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Episodes
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Don’t forget your helmet!
Don’t forget your helmet!
Season 2
Paul Fatti - "Mountaineering is a mind game"
In this, the first episode of The Send Space season 2. Mienke speaks with the legendary South African climber Paul Fatti! Take a listen to find out about Paul and his earlier years of climbing in South Africa and some brief insights into his start with the Wits Mountain Club. From hitchhiking through Africa and climbing in Blouberg in his early years to scaling the Rommin route on The Troll Wall, the tallest wall in Europe. Stick around for some jaw dropping stories and some awesome insights into South African climbing history.
Season 1
Introducing the Send Space, SA's first climbing podcast
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. Head over to our "About us" page for more information on our vision for this brand.
The Olympic Picture Part 1, with Chris Cosser
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.
The Olympic Picture Part 2, with Erin and James
We Zoom with our local female Olympian and her coach to gain some insight into what it’s like to be 17 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, so head on over to our blog if you want some more insights about the people, places and brands mentioned.
Risk is a part of life, with Allister Fenton
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. 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.
The Olympic Picture Part 3, Chris Cosser gets real
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, visit https://goodbeta.co.za/olympics-here-we-come/.
Women are not just small men, with Jenni Commins
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.
Making an impact, with Friends & Allies
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.
Attaching self-worth to a number, with Kent Jennings
Mienke chats to Kent Jennings – (former) Head Routesetter at CityROCK Jhb and king of the thumbercling – with the aim of discussing women in routesetting. Naturally, we take many detours. Eventually we get on track and discuss what it takes to foster a more inclusive setting industry.
Twigs in your ears, with Allister Fenton
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.
Failure is part of the fun, with Aimée Clarke
Mienke is joined 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
An ode to climbing; a community episode
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! From poems, to short stories, to scary stories, we have it all.
Competitors cheering you on, with the Ugandan climbing team
We get continental and international in this episode with the Ugandan climbing team. Join us 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
That shared feeling; a community episode
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.
What makes a mentor? with Brigitte Pegado and Catherine Honegger
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).
The art of setting, with Katleho Pobe
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!
Bleeding on the rock, with Karine Bezuidenhout
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?
A seaside rescue mission, with Stephen and Kati
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.