An Australian Kettlebell Federation? (long)

[Paul in Hobart]

Greetings all highly conditioned members!

It has been suggested to me that to further promote kettlebells in this country a kettlebell sport (girevoy sport) group be formed. I know , I know , we have only just got our minds around a TSC concept BUT I think it would be worth forming an AKF. We need to get our tentacles into as many sports as possible , and yes, that is happening - albeit slowly as we up against decades of traditional western training.

Having observed the interest in the TSC and also the readiness for a number of us Ozzers to stick our hands up & necks out for a challenge, I think the time is ripe to set up an AKF.

How would this work? First check out the American chapter

http://nakf.net/html/rules.html

OK - this is the offer. I set up the AKF. That is the easy part- I hope We get members - just a show of strength if you like. You don't have to be serious about Girevoy Sport ; an interest in competitive KBing is all that's needed.
We don't charge membership (at least initially and even then only to cover any obvious and necessary costs). We follow the NAKF rules (see link above) and guidance for running comps IF & WHEN THESE EVENTUATE!

From my perspective , at this stage I do nothing other than form a federation (of 1!) and wait for members. Once a nucleus is formed , we get some links/info on Girevoy Sport and how to train for it. Disseminate this info around. Then if anyone is interested in a comp , say 6 months distant from TSC's , we see if we can pull one together in the various states. I think the interest would be there though my suggestion would be to have a true GS comp (Long cycle C&J or 2 KB C&J+snatch) PLUS a division for those folk who maybe just want to do the snatch and perhaps only have access to one bell. Check out the NAKF result sheets for how it would look (though they don't have a snatch-only section). I am trying to bear in mind that snatch is relatively easy , jerk is more technical and can't be learnt in a weekend.

Running a comp can be easy or hard depending upon how serious we are in the embryonic stages. Once again see the list of requirements of the NAKF. But early on , you could run a solo backyard show +/- videoed , and post the results. You would have to be honest though! In the early stages of the USA meets there were only a handful of competitors in each center...sometimes only 2. If I held a comp in Hobart tomorrow it would be just me!(It'll be just me in tas for the TSC).

What I am looking at is the bigger picture. You crossfitters can have something else to aim for (just to keep things varied and to assess progress - it's NOT about "winning" - just one look at the Russian results will make your willy feel the size of a bees!). It's just about having a go and getting your mates involved. I am pretty sure with my Oly lifting past I could bleed some folk from the local Oly community to "have a go".

Well whaddya reckon? (BTW I thought better than to call it the Federation Of Girevoy Sport (FAGS)!)

Rick , the NAKF have their own forum but with permission , could yours be used as for the TSC? (You might sell some matching bells...) I don't have the knowledge/time for websites just yet.

If someone else is busting to get onboard , feel free. Otherwise , I am de king & el presidente for now.
cheers
paul

[Acd]

If enough people are into the sport then go for it.
OK thats said, My own reservations
I see KBs as tools not a sport as such(although I know it is a sport),just as I see Crossfit as a methodollogy to be applied rather then a rigid format that requires a comp circuit with particular goals.

I understand that for some here this is your sport,like the TSC you train for it ,that is your end goal.

I can see many of these tools and styles of training leading to something a little bigger IMHO more complete if people want a competitive format.

That is ofcause Strongman Comps

Why keep this stuff in their little categories where divisions form.Kill the specialisation.Its all about picking stuff up and putting it back down.
Have your KB events and your TSC plus your Keg carries,Draging Trucks,Farmers walks,Sandbag runs,Log tossing Tire Flips etc at the one event under the one Organisation.

An event could have all participants involved in all events for a all round score.Format and order would be decided 2 weeks before involing all disciplines or a select number from BWE to Max Strength.

Alternatively maybe its better to start small with KB with future intentions to expand into other functionally based competitive events.

Just some ideas and different perspective.

[imported_Rick]

Paul
Maybe down the track a sport like this could have a following, but currently I'm just not sure who'd be interested in competing. I personally have no intention of competing however I'm more than happy to give support when needed. We can set up a specific forum for discussion and test the water. You never know, I may have under estimated the interest?

I have to agree with ACD here. I think girevoy sport is perhaps abit too much of a niche to have its own place on a sporting events calendar.

I think for a competitive sport to grow it needs to have varied and continuous support both financially and in the media. A strongman/overall fitness competition could have KBs as an event and i think it would attract more of a crowd which would lead to it becoming a permanent fixture.

As crossfit is a tool, i think its structure lends itself quite well to competitive areas. Kinda like a decathlon but in more left-field events.

The fact that the exercises are so generalised/easy to master means more competitors would be likely to turn up. Id like to draw athletes from all sports, this may form a good backing to show how this training and these tools are to a variety of sports.

Id love to see a crossfit event supported by Australian Kettlebells and sponsored by some other big company (food, cars etc). I am imagining devisions such as: Army vs Navy, Police vs Fire Dept. Civilian open.

Each even is ranked individually with an overall winner over say 10 events.

Any comments?

-James

James - I hear where you are coming from! A big fitness rodeo would be great if someone footed the liability insurance bill.

My take on GS is that as a do it yourselfer the sport has great appeal. Yes , it is a bit limited but so is clay target shooting , archery and other "single athlete" pursuits. But GS competitors also do crossfit like crazy ; swimming , cycling, running , soccer etc so they are not one dimensional and many could no doubt excel at many other sports.

The appeal of GS is that it is cheap , you can teach yourself and practise all year round at home (or with others) and that the mental & physical challenges are right up there with other sports. You can do it over a lifetime and note the gradual improvement...and continue to compete in other sports.

For most it is far too gruelling...but having tried mountain running and other mentally/physical brutal pursuits, it is compatible with long term joint health , as long as training is mindful.

As a test of human strength endurance it is has few equals . maybe it could be used as a "circus" demo sport around the traps in Aussy? The average Mr Strong/fit guy would fancy himself to have a try on the day.

Yes it's probably a bit too nichy but I'll do my best to promote. I'm trying to get an invite to the world masters snatch comp in Germany but don't hold your breath. Several bridges to cross first.

"Poor man's oly lifting" - not a bad analogy.

btw we all need to get "out there" to the services to start a national/state TSC amongst the firies , police etc
Paul

I like the idea about the TSC getting "out there" with the services.

Perhaps that could be a gentle introduction into this style of fitness. If they dont have alot of experience with KBs, they can still catch up on the pull-ups and DL while seeing what KBs are all about.

Is there not an emergency services games event already? if so, could we get in on that?

-James

So there is:

http://www.anzpolicegames.asn.au/home/home.cfm

The most similar to the TSC would be the TCA (toughest competitor alive)

http://www.anzpolicegames.asn.au/files/ ... etitor.pdf (http://www.anzpolicegames.asn.au/files/sports/toughest_competitor.pdf)

The following events:
1 - 5km Cross Country Run
2 - 100 Metre Sprint
3 - Shot Put
4 - 10 Metre Rope Climb
5 - Bench Press
6 - Chin-ups
7 - Obstacle Course
8 - 200 Metre Swim

Not bad

[rapture]

it would be better if it was non stop, but not bad, not bad

[Acd]

When I was in the Service there was the DOG Squad,Duke of Gloucester Cup.
A Couple of Days of continous Hell,stetcher Carrries, ammo runs, nav distance work.
It would be good to take a selection from all these Comp(Strong Man,KB, DOG,Crossfit) and come up with a Event that would draw Civies and Service personal alike.

All this would only draw a small crowd to begin with,but its got to start somewhere.
TSC may just be the beginings

[vladimir]

Saw this on news.com.au today, british version of the challenge. Check it out:

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,17 ... 62,00.html (http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,17993185-13762,00.html)