About Us
Our beginnings and our purpose
Our Mission
We want people to experience two of the greatest joys that climbing offers: the satisfaction of solving problems and the thrill of personal growth. Through these experiences, we also hope to nurture broader problem-solving skills that go beyond climbing itself. By improving their climbing skills, we hope climbers can enjoy the sport on a deeper level—both indoors and outdoors.
Although climbing is an individual sport, it allows people to share the same challenges. This creates natural opportunities for conversation and deeper communication. We believe that engaging with others through the climbing community can enrich people’s lives in meaningful ways.
One of our goals is to help develop the climbing industry, elevate climbing into a more mainstream sport, and ultimately create a world where climbers can make a living as climbers.
In London, the base of the climbing population has already grown. As more climbers reach the intermediate and advanced levels, we believe this will increase opportunities for exceptional climbers to earn a sustainable income through their achievements and involvement in the community.
Compared to the UK, we feel that the lack of internationally active talent in Japan is an issue. We hope to use climbing as a way to help more Japanese climbers gain opportunities to step into the international scene.
Japan also has a unique and rich culture. We hope to create a space where people who love Japan can enjoy and connect with Japanese culture through Sen.
As part of this vision, we aim to bring a high-level climbing gym to London that reflects the unique style, quality, and atmosphere found in Japanese.
The Meaning of Sen (千)
In Japanese, the literal meaning of ‘sen’ (千) is a ‘thousand’. However, it can also be used to symbolize abundance and infinite possibilities. We called our gym ‘Sen’ as our vision is to create a gym where climbers can push their limits and discover their own endless potential.
In Japanese, there is a form of expression known as "yojijukugo" (四字熟語)—four-character idioms that combine four kanji to convey deep meanings, values, or lessons in a compact and poetic way.
Among the many idioms that include the character "sen" (千), there are two that are especially meaningful in the context of climbing and that we want to emulate at Sen:
"Sensabanbetsu" (千差万別)
and
"Senrenbantan" (千練万鍛).
Senrenbantan
(千練万鍛)
This idiom, attributed to the legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi, means “a thousand trainings, ten thousand forgeings.” It symbolizes the process of refining one’s skills and character through relentless, disciplined practice over time.
In climbing, the same principle applies. Strength, technique, and mental resilience aren’t built overnight—they are forged through repeated effort, trial and error, and steady dedication. It's not about flashy results, but about understanding that consistent, thoughtful practice leads to long-term growth and achievement.
We hope every climber who visits our gym will carry this mindset with them: to trust in the process, commit to small daily efforts, and appreciate the quiet power of continuous improvement.
Sensabanbetsu
(千差万別)
This phrase translates roughly as “a thousand differences, ten thousand variations.” It expresses the idea that no two things—or people—are exactly the same.
In climbing, this is especially true. Height, gender, age, body type, and personal strengths and weaknesses all vary from one climber to another. Even when climbing the same problem, each individual will have a different “best solution” that suits them. We want climbers to enjoy this process of discovery—finding the method that works best for them.
While comparing ourselves with others can sometimes be a helpful way to learn and grow, we hope climbers don’t become overly fixated on surface-level comparisons like “Did I send it?” or “Am I stronger than others?” Balancing healthy competition with self-reflection is key. By focusing on your own progress and embracing your personal journey, you can unlock a deeper and more rewarding climbing experience.
クライミングを通じて
クライミングを通して「課題を解決する楽しさ」と「自己の成長を実感する楽しさ」を、多くの人に体験してもらいたいと考えています。また、これらの経験を通じて、クライミングの枠を超えた一般的な課題解決能力が育まれることを願っています。
クライミングは個人で取り組むスポーツでありながら、同じ課題を通じて他者と感情や経験を共有することのできるスポーツです。特に自然の岩を登る場面では、時にお互いの命を預け合うような信頼関係が求められることもあります。そのため、自然と会話が生まれ、深いコミュニケーションが育まれます。私たちは、クライミングコミュニティの中で多くの人と関わり合うことで、人生がより豊かになることを信じています。
私たちは、クライミング業界を発展させ、クライミングをよりメジャーなスポーツへと押し上げていきたいと考えています。そしてより多くのプロクライマーが生まれ、活躍できる社会をつくることを目指しています。
ロンドンにおいては、クライミングの裾野は急速な速度で広がっています。今後、中上級者が増えていくことで、トップクライマーが活動を通じて収入を得やすくなる環境も整っていくと期待しています。
一方、日本においては国際的に活躍できる人材の数がまだまだ少ないと感じています。クライミングを通じて、日本人がより多く世界に羽ばたける環境を作りたいと考えています。
また、日本には独自の魅力的なカルチャーがあります。私たちは、ロンドンにジムを構えることで、日本文化が好きな人々に向けて、クライミングを通じてその文化を楽しんでもらえる場所を提供したいとも考えています。
Hayato Furusugi
I first encountered climbing in 2015 in Japan, but I really got into it in 2018. Since then, I mainly climbed indoors to participate in amateur competitions. I mainly trained at Lost Canyon in Utsunomiya and visited over 50 climbing gyms in Japan. After I moved to the UK in 2021, I started to climb outdoors more. My short term climbing goal is to send some of my projects (8B/B+’s) in Europe. My long term goal is to send 8C before I am 40.
Outdoors
8B: The Ace, Keen Roof Nachos’ Start, Merlin’s Beard
8A+: Autobahn, Atomic Smasher Direct SS, Merlin’s Beard Lite, Keen Roof
8A: The Thick End of the Wedge, Back Street Mime Artist, Full Power, Tsunami, Bizarre Ride, Tourniquet, Verna, Myrtle, The Sword in the Stone, Jason’s Roof, Barlog, Stoned Temple Pilots, Super Supernova, Cosmos etc.
Climbing Experience
Indoors
1st Place: 2019 The Beast at Rocky Climbing Gym in Japan
1st place: 2019 Autumn Chalenge at Lost Canyon in Japan
4th place: 2021 Autumn Series Competition at Stronghold Tottenham Hale
1st place: 2022 LCC League at Harrowal
Sponsorship
La Sportiva 2022-2023
Beyond Hope 2023-
経歴
高校中退後、独学で大学へ進学、修士号医科学 (京都)を修了。カルビー株式会社、研究開発本部にて4年勤務後に退社。YMS にて2021年に渡英し、2023年に日本に帰国。現在のパートナーと Partner Visa を取得し2024年に再度渡英。
2015年 クライミングとの出会い (アドスムム新京極)
2018年- クライミングを本格的にスタート (Lost Canyon)
多くのアマチュアコンペに参加。
Rocky Beast 2019 優勝
TNFC 2019 Div.3 本戦出場
2021年 Cosmos 8A 完登 (Spain)
2022年 LCC League 優勝
2023年 The Joker 8A, The thick end of the wedge 8A 等を完登
Beyond Hope とアスリート(スポンサーシップ)契約
2024年 The Ace 8B, Keen Roof Natchos’ 8B 等を完登
短期的には8B+、将来的には8Cを目標。
Mabel Lew
Originally from Malaysia, I started bouldering in London when I was 30. My local gym, Vauxwall West, quickly became my second home and when Hayato introduced me to the spray wall and to outdoor climbing, I couldn’t stop following the white rabbit. My lifetime goal is to send 7C+. One day…
I stepped away from my online cake shop to work at Vauwall West. Finally, I hope I can bring together my two loves at Sen.
Outdoors
7B+: Walnut Whip, Purple Pants into Watchtower
7B: Jerry’s Traverse, Ultimate Retro Party, Plinth Eyed, Late Junction, Goose Grease, Ned’s Problem, Soft on the G, E Honda, Close Contact (droite), Cracked Up, Kudos, Purple Pants Eliminate, All Along the Watchtower, Dabrat, Frizbee, Eagle Eyed, Asylum Sika, Profundo, etc
Qualifications
Climbing Wall Instructor
Foundation Coach