Well where to start? Suppose I can start off by saying it has been a very exciting year for our little box.
People have come and gone like the wind, you others enjoy the love/hate relationship so much you decided
to hang around a bit longer, some of you being with us since the start.
From Myself, Lah and all the trainers we would like to thank you all for being part of the whanau whanui and
for making CrossFit Rotorua a second home.
and just as many learning curves. I speak mainly
for myself when I say this but I’m sure many of
you would be able to relate in some capacity. We
had a lot of trials on certain aspects and are at a
stage where we feel all our systems and
tribulations are now bearing fruit and we look
forward to bringing you all an even better service
and experience in the New Year.
Reflecting on the many positives this year I’ll
start by congratulating all the new pepi, mamas
and papas. There were 6 new tamariki born in
2015 bringing our total to 9 since opening.
Gaz and Amy – Hudson Hirini
Jase and Mihi – Jack
Andrew and Emily – Christian
Geo and Polly – Ahipera
Marz and Ricky – Amelia
Te Raana and Cat – girl, (name unknown, no longer with us)
Myself and Lah – Mareikura
All very beautiful and healthy pepi. The other 2 born since the start are Baden and Jahma’s, Arley-Manu and
of course mine and Lahz other terror Thurston Ririwhenua.
I think it would be safe to say that there is a correlation between doing CF and having kids. Must be
something going on physiologically realigning the body with its natural homeostasis (proper functioning),
resulting in us all becoming healthier and stronger. However, I suspect it could be something a lot simpler,
basically you lose some weight, gain some muscle, feel and look sexier then PLOW kids born.
Other highlights that come to mind are the Paleo
challenges. Reason being the people that really
gave them a go actually got some awesome results.
Not to discount others but the 1st names that come
to mind are Mel and Norah.
If you didn’t know already Mel has lost over 40kg
since starting and is still battling out at the morning
classes. Norah on the other hand has lost a
significant amount of weight but has also managed
to pack on a whole heap of muscle, the two of you
are looking very sharp indeed, keep it up ladies.
The thing I love most about the challenges is the
social interaction between everyone and the awareness and education each challenge offers. We find
ourselves checking nutritional content and start to look at food in a different light.
Moving on we held some
awesome events, most
recently the ‘Frow-Down 4
Fawn’. We were all happy we
were able to help out one of
our own whanau members at
a very difficult and private
time for them. It was heartwarming to see everyone pull
together for the kaupapa and
we would gladly do it all again
in an instant and do the same
for any of our members.
Other events earlier in the year included the CF open, the top Female and Male honours went to Nic and
Baden, and previous winners were Gaz and Hana. I enjoyed the gatherings, WoD’s and munchies afterwards.
We look forward to doing the same thing next year, hopefully we can rope in a few more people and
possibly get a few to the games.
Looking back to mid 2015 we helped out fellow athletes by holding fundraiser wods which many of you
jumped in on. One in particular the ‘Tu Pakari, Tu Maia’ fundraiser for our rellies over in Gisborne. The young
fullas Tuteari and Anaru were in need of some help to get to the team gauntlet over in the USA.
So we jumped in and held a comp for them at our box, it was a success to say the least and the young fullas
finished with some great results.
And then there was our 2nd Birthday. Although the roads were blocked by storms etc people from a far still
turned out to celebrate with us.
The WoD’s for the bday comp were extremely challenging but the aim was to push you all in an environment
you were comfortable in and it was good to see people having a go.
:
So many people to be proud of. All of you that gave a comp a go, should give yourselves a humoungsaurus
pat on the back. It’s a nerve racking experience but at the same time an awesome way to learn a few things
about yourself, all of which makes you a better person and athlete.
I have many ‘wow’ moments thinking about all our athletes but one of my fav’s is of my aunty (yeah I’ll claim
her) Sonya Norton. If you didn’t know, she went to watch her iron man hubby Laurie Dogg and the scaled
team. The team was short one female so there she went, pulled up her socks, put on her nanos and was into
it, out there jamming in the scaled team. What a super effort! One of the WoD’s, the ‘taniwha’ had everyone
on the edge of the seat and praying to the almighty that no one would get hurt, thankfully no one did.
One fulla definitely worth a mention is coach Gaz. This chap grinds
away mostly by himself in the late hours of the night, never
mucking around and just getting shit done. His no nonsense
approach, commitment and training have seen him gain entry to 2
top level finals comps. One being an Olympic weightlifting comp
requiring him to finish in the top 15 in NZ and the other the
prestigious NZ Battle of the Fittest. Both were 1st’s for any athlete
from Rotorua. Congrats on all your feats Gaz! Pretty sure we’re
only seeing the beginning of greatness.
Another is coach Hana, currently on a break
from the box due to her awesomeness on the
rugby field. Like Gaz she made it to the final
stages of the Weightlifting comp, her other
notable achievement’s is not only starring in
the BOP rugby 15’s and 7’s teams but being
added to the wider training squad of the NZ
team. Hope to see you crack it girl!
Billy Hill gets a mention for his stellar effort at
a Masters Comp for placing 2nd. He didn’t
even know where he actually finished until he
got back home. Billy is another grinder doing a
lot of his own training in between catching
bad guys.
I guess you can see a pattern in all of these
extraordinary athlete’s, they put in the extra
work. Its as simple as that.
These super humans are extraordinary but I also love watching and hearing of all the
little improvements people make, whether its simply being able to air squat to full depth
or someone cracking their 1st muscle up. It is all truly inspirational! Our box is full of deadly athletes and I’m
confident we’ll see more of you competing at top level soon. Some days are really difficult to find motivation
and time for myself to train, I think about you all, the effort, the sweat and the pain and then I find all the
motivation I need, so thank you all for being awesome athletes and teachers.
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FREE WiFi for members! That’s right. The password will be changed now and again so make sure to
keep an eye on our CFR members page or the white board at the box.
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Boot Camp. Not actual Boot camp but something similar to it. This will take groups into parks using
CF methodology, Zuu, Ankorr and a mixture of team building exercises and drills. 0 - little barbell
work but a lot of alternative tools and equipment.
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Mummy’s only classes or CruzeFit classes will start with one class a week and see how it goes. Will
be strictly for beginners, mums and bubs’s and those wanting to take things slowly and cautiously.
Strictly no Rx or Adv members allowed.
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Profiling. We will be running a ‘Do you know’ profiles of all our members every now and then. Just
something to celebrate each and every one of you. This should help us all to get to no one another a
bit better.
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M.O.M or Member of the Month. We have teamed up with Phil and the team at Pita Pit who will
provide some meal vouchers to those putting in the effort at the box. We look to establish a long
term relationship with Phil and his team, so many more benefits and surprises to come.
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Social Club. Yes we will be starting up our very own social club which will be run by you, the
members. Ideas and nominations are all encouraged.
This will also be the organisation organising our end of year ‘CF Masters Trip’ (30+) to the Gold Coast
(bout 1st week of November). Of course ALL are invited but beware that if you intend on coming you
will pitch in and do your part to help fundraise etc. We already have about 10 people keen.
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Comps. Weekly In-house throw downs and invitations to other boxes to come join.
We will also be looking at travelling to other boxes too.
BOP regional comp. We have pretty strong relationships with the 2 boxes in Papamoa, 2 in
Whakatane , Limitless Fitness (formerly CF Ruark) and 1 in Taupo not to mention the other little
gyms around Tokoroa etc. So, we will look at developing a comp amongst our region, with an
ultimate aim of strengthening and supporting the smaller boxes.
A lot more to come but that’s just a taste at the moment.
As I sign off I want to acknowledge my partner Lah who does a lot of background work that would
otherwise go unnoticed. She does a tremendous job in not only looking at ways to improve the
systems at the box, but also does the cleaning and admin all the while looking after our kids, so a
huge thank you for all your work Lah.
I would like to also thank my awesome trainer’s, Bush, Flynn, Gaz and Genevieve, you guys set the
standard and bring out the best in our members, thank you all team. We are very lucky to have
trainers of your ability and calibre.
To the professional hygiene specialists Ants and Nic, Thank you both for your attention to detail and
endeavouring to keep the place in tip top condition, most days hehe.
Lastly to the members, you are the ‘Pu manawa’ or heartbeat of the box, without you all there is no
CFR.
Hope you all enjoyed the year, it’s time to smash this one!
Munz