There were 28 lifters at the third annual Grip, Strength, Invitational in Nanaimo and momentum in the sport is strong enough to ensure the event will return for a fourth year in 2020. (Dan Marshall/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Dan Marshall

Crazy for Kettlebell

Continued growth for Grip, Strength, Invitational kettlebell event

Sep 19, 2019 | 6:59 PM

NANAIMO — The biggest event for local kettlebell lifters is now complete.

There were 28 competitors who took part in the third annual Grip, Strength Invitational on Sept. 14.

Many of the lifters were from Vancouver Island but others came from as far away as Kelowna and Seattle.

Organizer and competitor Rachel Robertson said it was an amazing weekend.

“We had a few more lifters this year because each year it keeps growing and growing. The feedback that we have gotten from the competition, the positive vibe, the encouragement that each lifter has felt, the fun that they had, that’s really why we do it.”

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The athletes ranged in age from 17-63 with many personal bests achieved.

Robertson said the Grip, Strength, Invitational focused on the grassroots of the sport and building the kettlebell community.

The competitors were tracked using the International Kettlebell Organization ranking tables which can be used for qualification at other events and gives the athletes a picture of where they stand versus other lifters internationally.

The three main lifts in kettlebell are the clean and jerk, snatch, and long cycle.

At the Grip, Strength invitational there was either a five or ten minute time limit for all the athletes to complete their reps.

Solomon Macys, Corissa Sivorot, Misty Tyers and Todd Schweb all set personal records at the Nanaimo competition.

Kettlebell lifting checks boxes for being good for fitness and adding a competitive element according to Robertson.

“We really emphasize, liking what your doing and having measurable goals. You can see progress as you develop and continue with it. Sometimes people struggle with fitness because they’re so concerned about physical appearance. Kettlebell allows people to step away from that and focus on personal goals.”

Other events in the region in the near future are the Westshore Kettlebell Open on Oct. 12, the Wild + United Kettlebell Competition Nov. 2, and the Seattle Kettlebell Pro-am on Dec. 7.

Aside from hosting Nanaimo’s only annual kettlebell event Robertson and Macys train about 10-20 people a day at the Nanaimo Kettlebell Club.

Those numbers are slowly growing but the pair do like to train smaller groups so they can provide more one on one instruction.

After positive feedback already and a desire to continue to grow grassroots interest in kettlebell, Robertson confirmed that the Grip, Strength, Invitational will be back for a fourth year in 2020.

dan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On twitter: @danmarshall77