Athletes from one of the fastest growing sports in the world will be on display this weekend at the South Okanagan Events Centre for the Okanagan Valley Throwdown.
Crossfit combines Olympic weightlifting, gymnastics and high intensity interval training along with many other sport-specific movements and challenges. It rolls skill, strength, speed, stamina, agility, balance and co-ordination all into one.
“We have a new category this year of teams where individuals will show their strength and their communication on working on tasks together. There will be people lifting 100 to 350 pounds of weight above their heads, which will be quite impressive,” said one of the organizers, Sean Cassidy.
The lead strength and conditioning trainer at Crossfit Okanagan added this is one of the largest indoor venues for this style of event in North America. Everyone from rookies to seasoned Crossfit athletes will be competing. Cassidy said they will have at least four competitors who have qualified for the Crossfit Games and one woman from the North Okanagan, Erica Livett, who will be a standout.
The event itself has grown to include vendors and has almost doubled in size in competitors from last year. Cassidy said he started Crossfit training almost four years ago coming from a martial arts background. It was while attending the University of Lethbridge he discovered it. He said it was the camaraderie of the team around you but also having to perform to your own highest potential that had him hooked.
“It is really cool to see everyone competing but nowhere near their full potential. I think it has caught on so well here because there is a lot of focus on health and vitality in this area and that strong sense of community,” said Cassidy. “Ego in this sport just doesn’t fly at all. With the varied and range of movements you are not going to be the best every day in every event. It keeps you humble.”
The Okanagan Valley Throwdown takes place Feb. 7 and 8 at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
Teams will compete together in all events and there will be a new pairs division and two masters divisions (39-44 and 45 and up).
Spectator tickets are $5 per person for a day pass, $8 per person for a weekend pass and $20 for a family of four weekend pass.
Half of the funds raised through the ticket sales are going towards charity.
