Our Team

  • ANDREW CHEN

    Coaching Director

    As the creator of Boulder Lab’s Youth program and head coach, Andrew takes the Junior Elite program, coaching some of Australia’s best youth athletes.

    He is a coach for the Australian National team and is currently studying a Master of High Performance Sport. When he’s not at the gym (a rarity) you’ll find him working to push Australian climbing in his role at Sport Climbing Australia.

    He has a big passion for experiential pedagogy backed by no-nonsense, evidence-based practice, and is a strong advocate for self-learning.

    An intrepid adventurer, Andrew has climbed around the globe in all disciplines of climbing from bouldering to ice and alpine, and strives to not only bring excellence to the sport but also pass on his love of the outdoors.

  • PAT KLEIN

    Director

    Pat is our resident king of slopers and Director of Boulder Lab. A long history of competition at elite levels in various sports brought Pat to climbing. He has coached and worked with Australia’s very best, and is now paving the future of the climbing industry.

    A self described data nerd, Pat is always trying to adapt and pioneer new climbing training methodology. His background of exercise physiology and biomedical science underpins his coaching and training philosophies.

    Pat is a member of the High Performance Committee at Sport Climbing Australia pushing to contemporise climbing in Australia.

    When he isn’t busy running Boulder Lab (and even when he is), you’ll find Pat sneaking off to the Grampians, tinkering with things or writing up training plans.

  • SARAH MCKINNON

    Strength Coach and Youth Squad Coach (Clayton)

    Boulder Lab’s General Manager and former competitive Powerlifter and Elite Coach, Sarah hails from a strength training background that has translated into her personal climbing, and her philosophies around coaching.

    Sarah is our resident in-house strength coach for all levels, and if you want to pick her brain she is always happy to chat all things about strength and movement.

    Sarah and Trenton are Clayton’s dynamite duo Youth Squad, Development Squad and Senior Squad coaches, believing technical proficiency, strength, and psych play equal parts in climbing hard.

  • TRENTON JOHNSON-BOE

    U12’s Coach & Youth Squad Coach (Clayton)

    Our U12s coach is none other than Trenton, whose passion and charisma is known and widely beloved by all who have the pleasure of knowing him. His psych for climbing and knowledge makes him an excellent educator and coach. You’ll find Trenton in his u12’s classes pumping everyone up and coming up with novel ways to challenge each and every individual.

    He also coaches Clayton’s Youth, Development and Senior squads alongside Sarah, often spotted climbing (and laughing) with the squads during class to help challenge them.

  • DEXTER HOSGOOD

    Kinder Lab Coach (Clayton)

    Hailing from a background in Martial Arts and Kickboxing, Dexter’s approach to climbing is focus, discipline, and mobility, the perfect compliment to Trent, completing our Kinder Lab program. Alongside Trent, Dexter takes our Kinder Lab Mini Monkey’s, Super Monkey’s and helped develop our newest program of Under 12 Elite, a pathway into the Youth Squad. Dexter is currently studying his Personal Training Certificate 4, and is keen to impart his extensive climbing knowledge onto the next generation

  • RACH BENNETT

    Youth Squad Coach (Brunswick)

    A former gymnast and long time gymnastics coach, Rachael delved into climbing and progressed rapidly with her strength, agility and ability to just try hard. She is one of our routesetters and alongside Lachie takes the Ferntree Gully Youth Squad and Development Squad.

    You can’t miss Rachael’s huge smile when she’s coaching, showing her passion for passing along her experience.

  • STAN BROWNING

    Private Coaching (Brunswick)

    As one of our most experience competition routesetters, Stanley Browning, is now lending his skills to you as one of the new Lab coaches at Brunswick. With extensive knowledge of movement in climbing, route reading, dynamism and slab technique; Stan is the perfect coach to push through those pesky plateaus.

    With over 4 years setting experience he is a valuable resource when it comes to identifying sequences in the gym, as well as looking after your body on and off the wall with injury prevention and training tips.

    If you want to rediscover your psych for indoor bouldering and push your limits in the sport, book asap as there are limited spots available. Book now!

  • CHARLOTTE GARDEN

    Private Coaching (Brunswick, Clayton, FTG)

    Charlotte Garden (CharGar) has arrived in Melbourne and is coaching exclusively for Boulder Lab. With over 20 years climbing experience, including high level competition climbing for the World Cup as part of the British Climbing Team and climbing guiding in the Grampians, Charlotte is the ideal coach for all styles of climbing.

    Charlotte’s approach encompasses the physical, technical and mental aspects of climbing. With her vast experience she can guide you through tailored sessions to suit your individual needs.

    Don’t miss out on capitalising on Charlottes wealth of knowledge and experience! Book now!

  • LACHIE HARRIS

    Youth Squad Coach (FTG)

    Having been a squad kid (crusher) himself back in the day (at Bayside Rock), Lachie provides a unique perspective of understanding coaching from both sides. With over a decade of climbing experience, an amazing understanding of movement on the wall and an incredibly approachable personality, Lachie is a wonderful new addition to the FTG Youth Squad coaching team.

  • NADIA PAVLOVA

    Physiotherapist

    Nadia is a passionate physiotherapist who loves unravelling a tricky injury and helping you understand what your body can do! She also runs our weekly mobility classes to aid in recovery and building body control.

    Nadia has had her fair share of niggles from climbing and Ninja training and knows how frustrating the rehab process can be. She can provide you with simple solutions that work, so you can get back on the wall sooner.

    Nadia has a breadth of experience working with climbers from all disciplines, youth athletes as part of elite sports pathway programs and athletes in body control sports of Ninja and Calisthenics.You can learn more about Nadia here.