The popularity of the Okanagan Valley Throwdown, fuelled by Muscle MLK Canada, is leading to the event’s growth outside of Penticton.
Lyndie Hill, CEO of Hoodoo Adventures, which partners with Evolution Athletics out of Summerland, is creating a Throwdown Series to include Abbotsford, while also considering Prince George and Toronto. Along with the growing popularity, they have received good feedback from athletes and have a strong partnership with Spectra, which operates the South Okanagan Events Centre and the Abbotsford Centre as well as venues in Prince George and Toronto, scheduled to be built. Having that partnership allows them to move to event from one venue to another.
“It’s really exciting,” said Hill, adding that the Throwdown Series may go to Prince George in 2017.
Hill wants to see how it goes in Abbotsford first. She admitted there is some concern with those outside events impacting the athlete registration in Penticton, but added some athletes won’t always travel. She also said athletes, especially from the Lower Mainland, love coming to Penticton. Hoodoo Adventures is being careful with how much they grow the event.
They take the same approach with their own business, which is expanding to offer an indoor climbing facility, which has long been a dream of Hill’s.
The 5,000 square foot building is located at 131 Ellis St. and is set to open in mid February. It will feature a 2,000 square foot indoor climbing facility and will be the central tour booking office for Hoodoo Adventures. The family-friendly Outdoor Pursuits Centre will cater to school groups, kids parties and offer indoor activities year-round.
“We have this huge climbing community in the area and from what I have heard so far, lots of people are really excited about the centre. I have been getting lots of emails of people looking forward to supporting it,” Hill said to the Western News last December.
While the renovation work gets completed, Hoodoo Adventures is seeking partnerships and experienced staff. Aside from the difficult things to get done, Hill said they are excited.
“It’s such a unique thing to be able to bring to a community,” she said. “There is so many people excited about it. We’re looking forward to getting the doors open so they can play in there.”
Hill agreed that Hoodoo Adventures is booming, but said it takes time. People are starting to catch on and see the things that they do. Their events are gaining attention from sponsors, competitors and athletes as well as national media, including the Amazing Race Canada, which came to the Freaking Farmer event in 2015.
Hoodoo Adventures has four sides to its business — tours and courses, racing and events, youth programs and corporate and group events.