12/27/2013
Why Our Teens Compete
We're about to host our second Varsity Gauntlet. It's a worldwide competition for teens and preteens who are good at movement.
Juvenile competition is positive: it increases interest for the teens, and puts them in the right environment to compete without judgment or parental pressure. The greatest thing about CrossFit competition? It ain't Little League.
As I wrote in Growing Up CrossFit, you won't hear parents booing their own kids at the Gauntlet. You won't see glaring, hear snide comments about 'coaches' favorites,' or feel the heat coming from angry parents. You'll see huge smiles, high-fives, cheering for other peoples' children. It puts a brand new face on sport.
The Varsity Gauntlet is really a skills competition: all athletes are tested for good movement before the day begins. If they're not good at an exercise, they scale the weight down or spend the day cheering. We will never put a teen in a situation they're unprepared to handle; intensity with BAD form is the opposite of what we're doing here. Every kid has a judge at all times.
Catalyst has a long history of coaching kids and teens. Doctors, physios and chiropractors all send their kids here because of our emphasis on technique and skill.
In preparation for a lifetime of fitness, we want to teach kids to perform under pressure. To fail well, not succeed at risk of injury. We want graceful, powerful youth. And we'll see it; I make that guarantee.
The Gauntlet has three divisions: Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Novice. Athletes (or their judges) may also choose to scale any workout (that means they can perform it at less weight if they like.)
January 25th is our next Varsity Gauntlet event. To register, click here. Trouble? Email [email protected], or call Melanie at 705-256-1344.
12/03/2013
Winter 2013: Junior Varsity and Varsity Schedule
Beginning December 1, Junior Varsity and Varsity groups will have their own separate class schedule!
Junior Varsity will continue to meet at 4:30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 10am on Saturdays.
Varsity will move to 5:30 on Tues/Thurs, and 11am on Saturdays.
Why the change?
We follow a template of long-term athletic development. Kids in the Junior Varsity group will focus on developing a well-rounded base of fitness through skill acquisition and games. At this age, vestibular development, neuromuscular coordination, balance, agility and gross motor coordination are key. We want the kids to LOVE exercise.
Varsity-aged athletes may be preparing for sport in school (or the Sport of Fitness, the Varsity Gauntlet competitions.) They train with the express purpose of developing speed, power, and a fitness level far beyond their peers. While we still encourage fun and participation over victory, many Varsity-aged athletes desire the 'sport' aspect of CrossFit.
Why now?
This is the 'best case scenario' we've always envisioned. Now we have the time, space and coaching staff necessary to fulfill our dream of providing the BEST possible training experience for kids.
Questions? Call Melanie or Cam at 705 256 1344.
09/18/2013
The Varsity Gauntlet at Catalyst
(1) Contact the host affiliate nearest to you to secure a tentative spot on their roster. Please indicate your gender and the division you in which you plan to compete. Once you have confirmed your spot, registration requires that you make a $50 donation to CrossFit for HOPE by sponsoring CrossFit Brand X. Note that individual hosts may have an additional entry fee; contact your host affiliate directly for this information.
(2) Within 24 hours of reserving a spot, email your donation receipt along with the Athlete registration, Publicity Release, and Waiver to[email protected] and your host affiliate. Include in the subject line the date and location of the Gauntlet in which you wish to participate.
Your registration is not final until you have done all of the above. Please complete your registration within 24 hours of reserving your spot or your chosen affiliate may be forced to release it. Registration closes on Tuesday, October 1, 2013!
- Carlsbad CrossFit (Carlsbad, CA): Rick Gonzalez
- CrossFit 3D (Manchester, UK): Rachel and Karl Steadman
- CrossFit Brand X (Ramona, CA): [email protected]
- CrossFit Catalyst (Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario): Chris Cooper
- CrossFit Caveman (Stafford, TX): Sharon Techiera
- CrossFit Del Campo (Fair Oaks, CA): Joe Ellis
- CrossFit Hawkes Bay (Hawkes Bay, NZ): Henry Heke
- CrossFit Impavidus (Ashburn, VA): Lori Parsons
- CrossFit Meridian (Meridian, ID): Jeremy Franklin
- CrossFit Reveille (Fort Worth, TX): Nikki Barker
- CrossFit Rockford (Loves Park, IL): Lynn Foster
- Hurricane CrossFit (Lake Charles, LA): John Wilson
** IMPORTANT NOTE: Affiliates may be added at our discretion. However, once registered, an athlete will not be able to transfer that registration to a new or different host. **
Novice – ages 12-14*
Junior Varsity – ages 13-16
Varsity – ages 13-18**
* 12-year-olds must be in middle school ** 18-year-olds must be in high school
