Team mates Kevin Aikman, left, and Josh Ostern during the 2TOA Aotearoa Crossfit Comp at Energy Events Centre. Photo/Stephen Parker
Team mates Kevin Aikman, left, and Josh Ostern during the 2TOA Aotearoa Crossfit Comp at Energy Events Centre. Photo/Stephen Parker
Crossfit Rotorua held its biggest 2TOA Aotearoa competition to date at the weekend - something owner Munro Waerea says wouldn't be possible without its members.
The two-day competition, which involved metabolic conditioning activities at Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake) on Friday and traditional crossfit workouts at Rotorua's Energy Events Centre on Saturday, consisted of 406 competitors from around New Zealand and about 2000 spectators through the doors.
Waerea says the number of competitors had increased by about 70 teams of 140 people and spectator numbers had doubled from the inaugural event last year.
Rotorua's 2TOA Aotearoa is New Zealand's first same-gender pairs crossfit competition and Waerea says those who have made it a success are members.
"They're the ones that volunteered ... they were on their feet for the whole two days, our sponsors as well, they played a huge part in executing the competition," Waerea says.
He says without them, the tournament would not have been able to go ahead.
But 2TOA, which translates to two-person strength, did go ahead and Waerea says after a lot of preparation it was "awesome" and a "really good" event.
Image 1 of 8: 2TOA Aotearoa Crossfit Comp at Energy Events Centre.
He estimates that about 80 per cent of competitors came from out of town, including Canterbury, Masterton and up north as well as 40 teams from Gisborne, and being able to showcase different parts of Rotorua with the estimated 2500 visitors was a great way to promote Rotorua.
Waerea says feedback he has received from both local and visiting participants has been positive, with everyone enjoying both the traditional crossfit events and the outdoor ones.
"The sun turned it on for us at the Blue Lake, we were able to take it outdoors."
"Everyone enjoyed the outdoor aspect."
On top of being the only gender pairs competition, Waerea says there aren't many crossfit competitions in general in New Zealand to be able to take part in.
"We give them an option and just to pit themselves against top athletes. We've got some of New Zealand's best competing."
Waerea says there were many wins taken over the weekend, across varied divisions, with Rotorua athletes taking awards across just about every event including the teenage girls who came first in their category and the boys securing a second spot.
"It was good for them to see where they are in terms of the rest of New Zealand."
Meanwhile, although the competition is over the year, much to the relief of those in charge of organising the event, Waerea says they are already looking towards the future and ways of improving the event.
He says due to the competition growing in popularity they are considering options for next year which may include having full-day competitions and expanding to Sunday. However, he says he understands people like having the Sunday off to be able to explore the area.
2TOA 2018 Results: RX Female 1st: Lat 39, Crossfit Latitude 39 2nd: Hamiltonians, Crossfit Kotahi CF Te Rapa 3rd: WOD Wahine's, Crossfit West Auckland
