Success Stories

Hi Lisa and Alex, I was going through some old boxes this morning and I spotted this old X-ray taken 6 months after major surgery to repair a ruptured patella ligiment. The injury was left untreated for 10 days as it was mis-diagnosed as a hairline fracture after a motorbike accident.

When this happened I was told there was doubt I would ever regian full use of my knee again. That was 24 years ago, I have done alot in that time, looking to get the most out of everything I do, but always feeling limited by the belief that my knee was weak. It was a convenient excuse. Since starting at CrossFit Auckland I have learned that I my knee is strong, it just needed to be used in the right way, trained and given a chance to grow strong. I suppose this is what functional movement is all about.

Looking back I realise that every squat, wall ball, run, jerk, clean, thruster, box jump, row, lunge, deadlift, even burpee is a privilege; one that I have earned. I’m turning 45 this year and have never felt fitter, stronger, more whole and capable than I do now – ever. CrossFit Auckland has been pivotal in my reaching this point.

Thank you for creating an environment where people can grow, challenge and push themselves beyond what they believe is possible.

It’s about more than just lifting heavy s–t! Thanks!

Hey guys, thought I would share this with you. I was looking at some photos from just before I started at CrossFit Auckland and I just about fell off my chair. I have to attribute almost all of this to you and your training methods. I remember then, my weight was about 95kg. I am now 78kg and am the fittest I have ever been. So cheers! You guys are awesome.

For most of my life, I’ve been very active with the outdoors and sports and believed myself to be a relatively fit person; that is until I met Alex and Lisa from CrossFit Auckland…

I did a month of PT with Alex and quickly discovered not only was I unfit but that general fitness had a whole new dimension and I soon found myself addicted to the personal achievement of becoming fit in an all round sense for the very first time in my life.

At 40, I am the fittest I have ever been in my life. My inspiration and motivation comes from the desire to remain a fit and active farther and husband. CrossFit Auckland is not elitist, it’s a community of people just like me training for a variety of personal reasons. Unlike conventional gyms, you seldom do the same workout which is one of the things I love about CrossFit; you can literally train for months and never do the same workout twice.

Whatever your age-group, gender or fitness level, I highly recommend CrossFit Auckland. Alex, Lisa and Michael are fantastic coaches with a great attitude towards their members. If your one of the thousands that have tried fitness programs or gyms before and for one reason or another quit, I recommend you trial CrossFit Auckland. As long as you have a little perseverance you will thrive here, it’s truly unique and very rewarding.  Hope to see you soon.

I started at CrossFit Auckland about a year ago after watching Close Up on TV1, they were interviewing the fittest woman in Australasia.

Inspired by that story, that was it for me the next day I was down at CrossFit Auckland, joined up and started the 12 week woman’s programme.  Having completed that and achieving fantastic results I went on and joined the “big kids” classes (WOD, workout of the day) and have been lovin it ever since.

CrossFit isn’t just for “athletes”.  Anybody who puts their mind to it can do it!  I’m no super fit athlete, just a Mum of 2 who wants to stay fit, strong and healthy.  I like their back to basics philosophy, no fancy gym equipment, I like the fact that they believe in the body should be trained as a whole, developing functional strength, promoting lean body mass and improving health.

All their workouts are always a challenge (and I’m not joking), never boring, they are all scalable so they fit everyone’s level.  Alex and Lisa are great coaches, they make you feel very welcome at the gym, it’s like a second home to most of us.

I thoroughly recommend the coaching @ CrossFit Auckland.  Alex and Lisa are so passionate about what they do, so if you are looking for a change to your regular gym routine or want to start something new, give it a go, you won’t regret it.

Stronger, fitter, faster, go

Good morning Lisa and Alex

You know you are obsessed with CrossFit when you start praying for your clients to cancel so you can get to a CrossFit Auckland class.

That’s not happening cause my clients are just as passionate as I am sigh sigh:)  Thanks for a awesome first experience of CrossFit Auckland Games for me.  I LOVED IT!!!!  So much that I am planning to up my training to 2x a week from next year so will join early January.

Lots of love and sore muscles

Hi,

Just wanted to say another big thanks to you and Alex for all the good  stuff I got out of the CrossFit Auckland Women’s course.

I’m now going fairly  regularly to Rapid CrossFit just down the road from us and often find  myself thinking, thank god for all the stuff I learned up at CrossFit Auckland!   It’s been such a great base for technique and discipline; I really do  believe I’d be floundering without all the skills that were drilled into  us during those 12 weeks.

So thanks again

I joined CrossFit Auckland Woman with the intent of simply ‘getting off the couch’.

It had been a couple of years (and a few extra kilos) since I had done any real exercise and I was fairly unfit, lacking stamina and, by comparison, low in energy. Because of my level of fitness I signed up to a first (then a second) CrossFit Auckland Woman’s programme.

• The first obvious thing to me (apart from not being able to sit down easily on the toilet/chair…couch, for 2 days after a squat workout!) was the encouragement Lisa and Alex gave to the team – irrespective of ability. They take a holistic view of exercise and would constantly link it back to real life – e.g. practicing thrusters will help you get that heavy suitcase onto the top shelf of your wardrobe or carrying these weights in each hand will get you stronger for carrying shopping!
• The second most important thing was the technique. Previously I would throw the weights on a bar at a gym and go for it… at CrossFit Auckland  the ‘not negotiable’ is the technique and protection from injury… we spent hours (no exaggeration) learning how to pick up a bar (or anything of heavy weight) from the floor. At a guess I would say that over half a class is spent on learning technique. Not once did I get an injury from doing what I was told! What I did get was fitter and more able to function in day to day life without ‘niggles’. Any injuries I might have had in the past have been assisted by the technique’s learned here. I understand more about how my body works.
• The third thing was nutrition – I had really become a bit of a vacuum cleaner for rubbish food – and put simply ‘bad in, bad out’ – The supporting nutritional advice got me out of bad habits and into good. Coupled with the exercise it was a winning combination.

So where am I at now?? I have had 2 weeks in the ‘big kids’ class. Following a similar format to the CrossFit Auckland Woman’s classes, there is a WOD (Workout of the Day) and while technique is still very important most people know how to do it – so the workouts are longer, more intense and just harder! Going to these classes initially scared me half to death! I really felt like the rookie…. But the people are so nice, I feel like part of the family where, what we do is personal and we do it together! While it could be competitive, competition tends to be focussed against you… pitched against myself, I am constantly improving and getting Personal Best times and weights.

If you are thinking that this might be too hard for you, or that you are not a muscle mutt… then this is probably exactly the right place for you – it will be hard! But it will be worth it. You will build muscle, but no one ever complained of a better toned body – did they?? So just do it, you will not regret it for a minute!

CrossFit enjoys a strong reputation among military and law enforcement forces around the world.

As a serving Police officer, I can attest that the emphasis on constantly varied and functional movements makes CrossFit ideal for keeping job-fit.

When I first turned up at CrossFit Auckland I thought I was reasonably fit. Two work-outs later and I knew that I was badly mistaken – and I was hooked.

A year later and I may never be ‘The Fittest Man Alive’, but I know that I will be crossfitting for the rest of my able-bodied life and will be much healthier and happier because of it. CrossFit Auckland will always be the place where I began the journey and Alex and Lisa have been terrific with their coaching and support.

Get along and try it. Bring a bit of heart-muscle, leave your pride at the door and the rewards will be many.

In February I made a decision to take on my brother in the  Gold Coast half ironman in October 2010.

My bro is fairly fit and was on his second year  of it. On advice I bought a carbon fibre high tech racing bike and headed off on  my first training ride. As a pen pushing 52 year old lawyer who sits in his  office all day or late into the night at meetings etc, I soon found I  didn’t have the strength to grab the bike by the throat and drive it up the  hills.

My daughter suggested “CrossFit” as a way to toughen up and noted  Crossfit was only 5 mins from my office at Albany. I went along to my first  class and was pleased to see a mixture of ages and both males and females. I was  surprised and a bit nervous  to find that even the older ones were  throwing weights around,doing chin ups,sit ups and even those horrible burpees.  I knew I couldn’t even do one chin up!.

They gave me an oversize rubberband  I could put over the bar and put my foot in to help me up, and to my relief  after asking around, I found  most of the others had been going for 3  months or more. I signed up.

As a lawyer I am trained to pull the most excruciating faces  and come up with pleas to mitigate the pain. Sadly the personal trainers at  Crossfit believe in “unreasonableness” (“that’s fine, we can stay here all  night until you finish”) and hence you do make progress. You also make some  great friends who encourage you along and share the  journey.

Seven months later, at the end of September I did my last  CrossFit session before heading to Oz. At the last session I was able to do 60  chin ups (6 at a time) unaided, could press 40kg above my head, do 200 metres of a  horrible exercise called lunges (comfortably), 200 sit-ups, 600 skips, 60 20kg kettlebell swings.

Even though my brother did beat me, I did the 1.9m swim, 90km  ride and 21km run, in 6hrs, 29mins and 39secs. That  was a nice 1secs faster than my brother’s first go at it. I can dine on that  forever!!

As an athlete regularly competing in Outrigger Canoe Paddling events both nationally and internationally both requires a great deal of strength and fitness.

Alex, Lisa and their team of coaches at CrossFit Auckland have helped me significantly in helping achieve my individual success and also enhanced every aspect of my performance as an athlete.  I have been amazed at the strength and conditioning gains CrossFit training has made with the added benefit of becoming more efficient and maximising my time on and off the water; I’m undoubtedly stronger than what I was a year ago, and only spend half the time training in a gym that I did before.

The workouts are varied and dynamic.  One day I may jump rope, lift weights (Olympic style) while the next day, run shuttle runs, do pull ups and or muscle ups.  The end result is improved functional movement; a key factor in being able to transfer your power and strength to moving a canoe as efficiently and as fast as possible while competing.

CrossFit Auckland can help any athlete who wants to get fitter, faster and stronger which will enhance your performance and assist in achieving goals.  I guarantee you will get huge benefits from this form of training.

My name is Chari Mouton and I’m a Physiotherapist living in Brisbane. I did a session with you guys through my AUT course in November 2009 with Nigel Harris (good old Fran!!).

I just wanted to tell you that since that session I have become a Crossfit junkie!! Absoultely love it!! I currently use the Auckland website for the WOD and perform them at my normal gym! Since I arrived back I have gone from being able to do 10 max male push ups, to now being able to do 50 non-stop, and can deadlift 15kg over my body weight!! I am absolutely thrilled!! I’ve never been as fit as I am now! And I saw results in no time!!

I just wanted to say that I have recommended Crossfit to soooo many people now and to a lot of my patients!! Its great for functional strengthening and so time efficient!! Keep up the good work and I wish you all the very best for the future!!

Cheers

Hi Alex and Lisa,

At the beginning of my time at Crossfit – you promised ‘strength and endurance’.  I think it was very successful!!

Thought that you might like to know that thanks to my time and effort, and your tutoring with  ‘CrossFit for Women’- I managed the 3 day Humpridge Track before Xmas – no problems at all.

I was very chuffed – long days (19 kms) and steep on the first day. Beautiful walk. I then <strong>celebrated my 60th Birthday </strong>with a climb to the top of Ruapehu Saturday 9th Jan on a stunning day – amazing at the top, the views and the colour of the crater lake.

The Humpridge was interesting in that 1 of us cycled and walked for fitness, 1 of us walked and had recently done a couple of half marathons, and I had done CrossFit (no walking or marathons); I probably managed best of the 3 of us!  The strength and endurance was just what was needed.

Kind regards to you both.

Hey Lisa and Alex.

I just wanted to say a big thanks to you both.  This has been a big week for PRs and overall progress for me at CFAK:

• Monday my CrossFit Total went from 166 to 217.5 with PRs on my Back Squat and Shoulder Press
• Saturday I was happy with my I AM CROSSFIT Checkout Beep Test and   300 results, especially when I look back to my very first check-in   results:
• <strong>First ever check-in: </strong>pull-ups on Green band, push-ups with Green band, 8kg on DB and it took me 20:46 / Beep Test 5.2
• <strong>Last check-out: </strong>pull-ups on Red band, strict push-ups, 12.5kg on DB and it took me 18:00 / Beep Test 8.1
• Today was a PR on my FGB score with 225 (last best score was  212!) -  thereby demonstrating that I have achieved one of my I AM  CROSSFIT  goals for conquering Wall Balls.

Thanks to you both for having the club and community and giving the   mental and emotional support that makes this kind of week and all the   empowerment and joy that comes with these achievements possible.  Alex -   a special thanks to you for the thought and encouragement and pushing   that goes into my Thursday sessions with you as well as the shoulder   rehab.

Keep it coming guys!!! xo

Joe started with CrossFit in March 2009 at age 12 with the specific objectives of improving his stamina, strength and fitness to support his performance for school and North Harbour representatives at hockey and cricket.

Joe loves his personal coaching sessions and looks forward to the new challenges presented each week.

I believe that the one on one coaching sessions have directly led to Joe being recognized as a North Harbour U13 representative for hockey and for his appointment prior to injury to the North Harbour A cricket team.

Joe’s cricket coach has acknowledged that Joe puts 100% into his fitness training to the point where he would win the CrossFit PUKIE award! We encourage this! Last week Joe was the first in his year to finish the Round the Bays run in 46 minutes– long distance running is not something we have targeted but the lessons he has learned at CrossFit Auckland have facilitated his ability to beat not just his class mates but his teachers.

Since Joe joined CrossFit Auckland his older brother Bobby Mayes (aged 17) and I have joined the Class Workout programme. We strongly recommend CrossFit Auckland to everyone irrespective of age, fitness or location.

William began CrossFit in February 2010 as part of the CrossFit Auckland Teens programme.

William has both dyslexia and dyspraxia and began the programme with poor core strength and week physical fitness. The changes have been dramatic.

Academically, William has been able to focus better in class, organize himself and his items, and achieve mostly A’s in the first term report. Physically, William traditionally finishes last in the yearly cross country competition. This year, he was able to finish the race, without stopping, with another 15 students behind him.

He does enjoy sport, but due to his dyspraxia, struggles with normal co-ordination activities. During cricket this season he scored the team’s 3rd highest run score and began regularly taking wickets. It has been remarkable the change in his ability to concentrate, focus, and co-ordinate during sports.

And to my surprise, after each session, whether it be a group CrossFit Auckland Teens session or a private coaching session, he is on a high. He loves it.  I believe the change in his ability is due to CrossFit’s focus on core strength and co-ordination activities, linking the right and left brain functions. I have now begun personal coaching at CrossFit Auckland myself – it looks like too much fun.

CrossFit isn’t just for “athletes”. Anybody can do it…including pregnant women.

I had been going to CrossFit Auckland for about two months when I became pregnant with my first child. After reading a couple of books and websites I decided to quit CrossFit, as they all talked about “taking things easy” and not doing anything strenuous – which definitely ruled out CrossFit!

I spoke to Lisa, who gave me some really good advice that I could continue CrossFit at my current capacity providing I had doctors clearance and was in good health.  But I would need to ensure I didn’t overdo it, taking small breaks and listening to my body. So I decided to keep going and see what happened.

What happened was a further three and a half months of excellent exercise. The coaches were really fantastic. They all kept a close eye on me, ensuring I didn’t overheat, run out of breath or push myself too hard (something that was hard to do after punishing myself previously at CrossFit). I could do all the same exercises and workouts, but just had to take a little longer, and reduce the weights or reps on occasion. As I neared the end of my second trimester and the bump started to get in the way, the coaches always had plenty of ideas to alter the WODs to ensure I still got a great workout, while keeping me and the baby safe.

I finished at CrossFit Auckland about halfway through my pregnancy. I am really grateful that Lisa convinced me to keep going. I got to keep up a good level of fitness, and it helped me keep my weight gain well within the recommended guidelines. Because the movements done at CrossFit mimic everyday movements I believe continuing CrossFit helped my body adjust and cope with the physical changes of pregnancy.

And working out at CrossFit Auckland ensured that I was receiving professional guidance and supervision the whole time. Thanks heaps to Lisa, Alex and the team – without your guidance I would have chucked it all in immediately and missed out on all the health and fitness benefits I got through the early stages of my pregnancy.

Well its compliments to CrossFit Auckland, I’m in the best shape of my life (at 34!). Amazing what you can achieve in 3-4 months of CrossFit training! Loving it!

I’ve included CrossFit into my weekly training for over 3 months now and I am blown away with the results I’ve achieved in such a short period of time. Being exposed to such a variety of physical skills has excelled my fitness to a new level which I haven’t reached before!  CrossFit is always challenging, but at the same time fun! It’s a great environment to train and push your self in, with great support from both coaches and other athletes. I’ve now set a goal to compete at the 2011 CrossFit Games.

CrossFit Auckland has changed the way I look at fitness!

I’ve achieved more than I ever imagined and in such a short time! Alex is an awesome trainer – amazing at both encouraging and challenging us to stretch ourselves My heart throbs as I arrive to do each WOD… the unknown exciting, or do I mean slightly scary?!

I haven’t been this fit in fifteen years and it feels good! I find myself empowered to step out in other areas of my life. Thank you CrossFit Auckland!!

I live for CrossFit.  I have never been in so much pain, so exhausted and so frustrated.

Yet never have I felt so exhilarated, so inspired, so rewarded. In the 6 weeks that I’ve been doing it, I’m fitter, stronger and slimmer than I’ve been in years!!  I’m a CrossFit Addict!!

Wow, what an amazing last 8 months.  My first day at CrossFit Auckland was definitely one to remember; sweat, tears, a realization of how unfit I was, couldn’t even do a single pull-up!!

Its amazing to think how far I’ve come in such a small amount of time.

And now not only have I smashed all my goals out of the park, I’m off to represent New Zealand at the Australasian Regional CrossFit Games in Sydney.

Oh and now I can do free Pull ups and Deadlift 125kg!  Not only has CrossFit Auckland made me fitter, stronger and healthier, but it has truly changed my outlook on life…

I would just like to say that I am really enjoying the classes and definitely feel the progress in myself…

I plan to become a member after this CFAK Women and will keep enjoying it alongside my beautiful husband whom has really taken to CrossFit Auckland and speaks about it religiously to family and friends!!!

Thank you to Alex and Lisa (and the CrossFit Team) there has been a great healthy change in my family.

Look forward to next workout class!! Regards

To me CrossFit means being the strongest, fastest, fittest most energetic you can be.  After 1 month I have achieved better results than after 6 months one on one with a personal trainer.

CrossFit doesn’t discriminate against weight, age or gender it’s the best fitness environment for everyone.  CrossFit makes you reach and break through fitness boundaries that you thought you could never do – when I started CrossFit I thought I knew where my breaking point was, I was wrong!

It doesn’t just train your body it helps you change your mindset of how far you can push yourself – with this type of training your limits are pushed to the extreme every workout.

CrossFit pushes me beyond my physical and mental limits. The workouts are demanding.

CrossFit is my drug of choice. It is seriously addictive.

After training at CrossFit Auckland for about 5 weeks, I noticed a huge change in my speed, strength, muscular endurance and body shape. Probably the biggest change I noticed was the change in my attitude.

With having a 24/7 smile on my face and truckloads of energy, I can safely say CrossFit has changed my life for the better in more ways than one. I recommend CrossFit to anyone that has ever dreamed of being more than ordinary.

If your dreams don’t scare the crap out of you, then they are just not high enough.

Since leaving the NZ Army and shifting to Auckland to become a Fire Fighter, I found that i needed to find something as mentally and physically challenging as the NZ Army and my job as a Fire fighter, CrossFit has well and truly meet all of this and more, with helping maintain my fitness level for everyday tasks that I may encounter.

I have been having an amazing time at CrossFit Auckland. I had my reservations about doing the 12 week Women’s programme due to training for the Auckland Marathon.

However this is the perfect cross training for me. I thought I was moderately fit and strong but Alex has well and truly put me in my place (he has put the fear of Fran in me!).

Thank you for this wonderful journey that will not finish at the end of the 12 weeks. I’m here for good!

Again, thanks guys!

I am 55 years old and started CrossFit 5 weeks ago.

I found the first week very scary but with the endless patience and boundless enthusiasm of Alex I am now doing things I wouldn’t have thought possible!!

The workouts are always a challenge, never boring and knock every other gym into a cocked hat.

I can’t wait to see what shape I will be in after the 12 weeks are up. Alex and Lisa, your enthusiasm is contagious and you are to be congratulated on running an excellent programme.  Thank you.

I want other people like me to know that I am no super fit athlete, just an ordinary middle aged mum – CrossFit does work for everyone no matter your age or stage in life.

I’m not sure about my weight loss because I haven’t been taking my measurements or weighing myself but I have definitely noticed that my clothes are getting looser and my body shape is changing. I’m sure I have lost body fat because I feel a lot more toned.

Weight loss was one of my goals to begin with – I used to be quite obsessive about the scales and would get really frustrated if I didn’t see my weight going down but now I don’t care what I weigh I just want to look and feel good, improve my fitness and increase my strength.

I love CrossFit  – it is the only fitness programme I have done where I have seen such great results in such a short space of time and is also enjoyable and makes you feel so good. It’s changed the whole way I look at diet and exercise and I would recommend it to anyone.

“I’ve trained everywhere with everyone, these guys are the best hands down.”

“CrossFit is my training program.”

“Alex Porter has been my trainer for the last two years and still the fitness sessions are fun and exciting. With his wide range of knowledge in health and fitness Alex is able to advise his clients on how to achieve their desired results.”

“After only 8 weeks from when I started training with Alex, I reached the best condition of my life.

I have more energy than I have ever experienced .

I am fitter, faster, leaner and stronger than I have ever been before.

I am consistently learning new tips every time I train with Alex.”

“The training sessions are intense and challenging but really enjoyable!”

“Alex introduced me to CrossFit training 6 months ago. In this time I have become fitter, faster and stronger than I have ever been before. This innovative training system has made working out fun and challenging but most importantly performance enhancing. CrossFit has changed my philosophy on training.”

“The results were life changing and from that point I have continued with Alex as a personal trainer.”

“There is NO better fitness program for fire fighters or law enforcement.”

“We have had great success over the years, with ‘personal bests’ and improvements being reached consistently.”

“Alex has been my friend and agent for several years, and was my strength trainer leading up to several big wins, including winning the K-1 Max. I noticed great improvements in both my power and recovery. Now I realise how important it is to have quality strength training as part of the winning formula!”

I wanted to record my thanks for such a great intro to CrossFit.

It was a leap of faith to sign on and after the first week I wondered what on earth I had got myself into!

But I kept on turning up and you kept pushing me and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I have made for a long time.  I had almost given up on my ability to get fit again and to lose any weight and now look at me!!

I have to say that your enthusiasm for what you do is contagious and you have that skill of pushing people just far enough.  I owe you a heap of thanks.

Roll on the big boys class!!  Thanks again.

I compete in the sport of Outrigger Canoe Racing.  For those of you who do not know much about it, it is a type of canoe with a lateral support float known as an outrigger which is fastened to one side of the main hull.  The most common types of outrigger canoes you will see in New Zealand are 6 man, 2 man and 1 man canoes.  I use a paddle, singled sided for several strokes then change to the other side.

I have successfully competed internationally representing New Zealand in both sprint racing (500m and 1500m) and distance racing (10km – 70km), receiving podium finishes at world Sprint level and notable distance races.

For the last several years I have competed in a race in Hawaii called “Nga Wahine O Ke Kai” (they call it the un-official world long distance championships): it’s an exhilarating 69km surfing ocean race from the Island of Molokai to O’ahu across the Kaiwi Channel.  10 athletes make up a team, of which 6 are paddling at any given time.  The other 4 athletes are in a support boat preparing to switch into the canoe.

Every 15minutes or so the support boat goes ahead of the canoe and drops off the replacement paddlers in the ocean, substituting paddlers in the canoe,   switching paddlers in and out of the canoe happens simultaneously: you only have 1 chance  getting in the canoe so it’s critical no mistakes are made. If you were to think of this race in terms of ‘CrossFit’; then it’s like doing a 30min WOD, having 15minutes break between each one over a period of 6 hours!

My build up to the 2010 ‘Nga Wahine O Ke Kai’ campaign was quite different compared to the 2009 training schedule.  Last year I was privileged to have been part of a top open Australian crew.  This year they officially represented Australia so my passport and accent did not qualify me!  Following the programme last year, I found my self on the water 7-10 times per week, clocking up a massive 100-120km per week, with 3 gym sessions and at least 1-2 runs per week, a very hard schedule to keep up when you work 40-50 hours per week.  I have never gone into this race so conditioned as this, or so I thought, until I found CrossFit!

My 2010 training programme was almost the reversal of last years.  I was at CrossFit Auckland ‘banging out’ up to 7 WOD’s per week (including strength training) and on the water up to 4-5 times per week clocking up to 60-70km.  It was a gamble going into this race with such a different build up, I knew though in the back of my mind I’ve never been as fit or as strong ever in my life, so surely I should be O.K!

There were 83 canoes on the start line this year.  Our team, “Hawaii, New Zealand Team RevoluSun” entered in the Masters Division (over 40’s).  It was an intense race the entire way, constantly jostling for positions with other crews.  We crossed the line in a time of 6hours and 4minutes, first master’s crew and 4th canoe across the line!  We were a mere 1minute and 4 seconds behind the 3rd Open Team and 10min behind the winning open team.  This was truly no mean feat, a notable performance.

I felt strong and focused throughout the race; alongside my team mates I believe we had a near perfect race.  CrossFit most certainly was the winner on the day.  I’m sold on this type of training for my sport and it most certainly now has a permanent role in my training programme as well as encouraging other athletes in outrigger canoe racing to make it a part of their training schedule too.

Thank you Alex and Lisa at CrossFit Auckland in giving me the opportunity to train at your facilities and for the numerous coaching and guidance given to me over the last year, not to mention all the club members whom I train with.  Thank you again.