The 2019 Open ... @ CFQB
The CrossFit Open is easily one of the coolest event formats in all of sports. In lames terms - which is really as far as my expertise on the subject extend - it would allow anyone, from anywhere, who can complete the workouts on a professional level to funnel themselves from any corner of the globe, right to the Annual CrossFit Games, the sport of fitness’ very own super bowl.
In our own little corner of the world we have a CrossFit Box (Gym), CrossFit Qualicum Beach (CFQB as I will refer to it herein), and it’s run by a couple beautifully good people who are nothing less than extremely passionate about helping others live their best lives. Each year the member of CFQB gather for what is an incredibly exciting 5 weeks at the box. It works as follows; on Thursday nights the CrossFit Headquarters releases via live webcast, the weekly workout. Registered athletes then have until end of day Friday to complete the workout at a certified CrossFit affiliate, (which, CFQB is) and record their scores online. From there begins the funnelling and while some are trying their best to make it to the CrossFit Games some are trying their best to beat their current bests, a feat no less noble the the former.
For the February 2019 open I teamed up with CFQB’s owners Lucas & Maggy to hash out a rough schedule of the five weekly workouts with the goal that I was able to make it to each of the 5 daily classes, 6:30am, 9:30am, Noon, 4:30pm and 5:30pm, on different weeks of the open. I know that sounds confusing but as this post unfolds you’ll see that the light changes from time to time because the photos were taken over the course of that 5 week period.
From week to week the Open definitely has an ebb and flow to it. One of the things that I love most about CrossFit as fitness plan is that the exercises vary so much. So because The CrossFit Open is a series of competition workouts some weeks are more advanced techniques in lower volume, some weeks the workouts are more basic techniques required in higher volume. CrossFit Qualicum Beach is so great at making sure everyone scales their own WOD to suit their own skill level that you wind up with a very supportive environment of people all pushing their limits to achieve their best workout results. It’s a very exciting atmosphere to buzz around being a fly on the wall.
Photographically shooting at CFQb is a blessing and a curse. On one hand you have an entire bank of windows to provide that beautiful, natural light but on the other hand the space is tight and there are lots of nooks and crannies for athletes to hide and get tucked away in. Because everyone is working in a time sensitive arena and pushing themselves there are non do-overs. Moments come up quickly and happen organically and may only transpire once so you need to be ready so I watch the majority of the Open unfold through my camera’s viewfinder; waiting for the moments. In 2019’s Open one of my favourite stories and moments was the 4:30 class and the always competitive Wilson brothers, Al and Steve. This was Al’s first open back in the box after a battle with cancer so to be on hand to see the two of them competing with and against each other, with the year they had pushed though together, was a very special thing to see. Very inspiring.
Al Wilson getting his Open workout score sheet ready.
One thing that always strikes me while covering The Open for CFQB is how quickly the 5 weeks goes by. I can’t exactly put my finger on what it is or how it is, but somehow, here in our sleepy little beach town; Lucas & Maggy have created something very very special. CFQB has become home for a group of people or athletes really, new and established, young and not so young, who through suffering, growing, gaining, and learning together, have become a very close family.
If you’ve heard CrossFit is bad, or you’re worried about getting hurt doing it, or if you’re worried about not being good enough to try it, I can tell you first hand, STOP WORRYING; CrossFit Qualicum Beach is different. Hit them up at the contact info below and just go once. You will not regret it.
CrossFit Qualicum Beach
#101 - 166 First Ave,
Qualicum Beach , BC, V9K 1G9.
Or online at:
