Lyndie Hill is very excited for the debut of the Okanagan Valley Throwdown on Feb.8 at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
That excitement stems from selling out 210 competitor spots, which Hill of Hoodoo Adventures and co-coordinator of the Okanagan Valley Throwdown said took less than a month to do.
“It’s pretty rare that you sell something out in the first year,” said Hill. “I know because we put a lot of events on. We’re really excited and it’s nice that we know a month out what to prepare for.”
Hoodoo Adventures partnered up with CrossFit South Okanagan and Global Spectrum Facility Management to put the event on. This is mainly for people who already take part in CrossFit either competitively or recreationally. This event combines Olympic weightlifting, gymnastics, and high intensity interval training along with other sport specific movements and challenges will attract men and women, recreational groups, masters (over 40) and teams. Hill said what attracts spectators is watching athletes pushing themselves to their limit. She also said it will be neat to see how much weight they lift.
Of the 210 competitors, only a few are from Penticton. Athletes are coming in from Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, north Okanagan, Kamloops and Nelson.
What has excited Hill about this is it’s a fast growing sport and new for the area.
“It’s neat to get involved with Global Spectrum,” she said, adding that they want to expand it to a two-day event next year. “We usually do outdoor activities. To have a venue like that is pretty exciting to work with.”
Ticket for the event can be purchased at the Valley First Ticket Box at the SOEC. Single tickets are $5, and are $15 for a family (four). Half of the ticket proceeds will be going to the South Okanagan Children’s Charity.