Test Your Strength at a Strongman Competition...
The sport of Strongman involves strength athletes who are dedicated to pushing to the limits of their performance. Feats of strength were first popularized in the 19th century. Circus and stage performers would entertain crowds by ripping phone books in half, bending bars overhead, breaking chains across their chests and even blowing up rubber hot water bottles! Since then the sport of heavy lifting has spun off in multiple directions including Olympic Weightlifting, Power lifting, Bodybuilding and Highland Games to name a few. Late in the 20th century a cult following of “extreme” strength athletes took on the sport that is now known as Strongman. It has since grown into an internationally recognized sport with a huge fan base involving young and old. The combination of athlete’s strength, endurance and sear tenacity has entertained literally hundreds of thousands of fans over the years. Kamloops resident Robin Wright has become a recognized BCEA Events Promoter and Producer for Strongman, Femsport www.femsport.tv and Highland Games putting on events throughout BC for men and women to compete.
StrongmanStrongman events include: Atlas Stone Lift, Car Dead Lift, Truck Pull, Tire Flipping, Static Holds, Log Presses and toting heavy objects. Maximum weights, distances and reps are used to measure the athlete’s prowess. Check out www.bcstrongman.com
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FEMSPORT
FEMSPORT was founded in September 2001 by Nancy Lockington with the mission of providing a unique community event which challenges female athletes and non-athletes alike to test their strength, agility, power, endurance, and speed. Any female 19+, at any fitness level can test their strength, agility, power, endurance, and speed by competing in such events as: Inverted Rows, Kettlebell Lift, Tire Flip, Box Jumps, Tire Flip and an obstacle course that involves carrying water jugs and balancing on a beam and often ends with pushing a car across the finish line. Check out www.femsport.tv
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Highland GamesOral tradition holds that some version of the Highland Games has been in existence within the Celtic/Gaelic Community since before the dawn of Christianity. In those days, the gatherings were essentially "war games" designed to select the best warriors in each family tribe or "clan".
The 11th Century saw the first Games in Scotland organized and designated as a sporting event. During the reign of King Malcolm III (1058-1093), a fairly flat meadowland, the Brae O¹Mar, along the river Dee, was used for a royal contest to find the swiftest and strongest in the kingdom... fast, with the necessary stamina to carry Malcolm's messages across the land. Games were held throughout Scotland until the Battle of Culloden in 1746. After Bonnie Prince Charlie¹s defeat by the English, the Act of Proscription banned playing of the bagpipe, wearing of the kilt, gathering together of the people, and the carrying of arms under the penalty of deportation or death. That effectively squelched a good part of the Highland culture, and literally destroyed the old clan structure. After the repeal of the Proscription, in the latter part of the 18th Century, Highland Societies began forming, and in 1781 the first society “Gathering” was held at Falkirk. The success of this venture led to the Gathering of the Clans and the Highland Games as we know them today. By the end of the 1820s Games were once again being held throughout Scotland.
Events include: Tossing the Caber, Sheaf Toss, Weight Throws, Weight Toss, Stone Throw, Braemar Stone, Hammer Throw, Farmer's Walk, Battle Axe Throw and a Tug-O-War. Events are held throughout the spring and summer around the Central Interior of BC. Visit their website at www.xathletes.ca to register for an event or to check out the events calendar to come out and support the athletes. |
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To learn about other interesting off the beaten path places to visit in the Southern Interior of British Columbia, buy my book Teresa the Traveler Tells You WHERE TO GO AND HOW TO GET THERE. Available online in print and e-book!
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