Capilano finally gets KO’d
Greta Kooy // Campus Life Editor
Twice a week, Capilano University students can partake in one of the most unorthodox stress- relieving activities available on campus: boxing.
This past October, business student Dominic Guieb and psychology student Eiren Quintero launched SuperFly Boxing, a student-led boxing program operated in the multi-purpose room behind the Sportsplex. Students can attend two versions of SuperFly; Mondays, led by Quintero, are dedicated to technique and fundamentals and Thursdays, led by Guieb, offer more of a boot-camp style of experience. Both classes last for an hour, starting at 11:30 a.m.
Quintero has long tried to bring boxing to campus. “I tried to do it for two years,” he said. For him, finding out about Guieb’s shared interest in the sport not only provided a common identity, but also an opportunity to finally pursue his goal of bringing boxing to CapU.
“I tried to do it again this year, and they told me there was someone else working on it, too,” Quintero said. “”I saw that he [Guieb] was also experienced, and we bonded in the way we taught technique. I saw that he was just as passionate as I am about the sport. Let’s do our best to try and make this happen.”
Since their fateful meeting, the two have started a boxing program that has otherwise been foreign to the CapU campus. “It’s a community of boxers,” said Guieb. “It pushes you.” For many students, particularly during this time of the year, that push just might be the missing link in getting through a Shaq-sized stress week – or month.
It’s during this time of the semester when all the school work, readings, assignments and other projects that were cast aside are finally starting to catch up. The days are shorter and time feels less abundant. Tomorrow is suddenly today, and final exams are cruelly waiting around the corner. By all accounts, this is the worst time of the year for most students.
Students have developed and mastered many ways to cope with school-induced stress. Everything and anything that can be binged is binged – eating, drinking, smoking, sleeping, Netflix originals, even tears – whatever is available to help subside the weight of school. If none of these things end up working out, well, there’s always an option to get physical – to start punching things.
“When you’re boxing, you can’t think about anything else except for the person in front of you,” said Quintero, “It’s very stress relieving.”
So far, class sizes at SuperFly are small, allowing each participant to get the most out of the new resource. Both instructors are keen on doing individual pad practice with every participant, a necessary routine to ensure that no one gets accidentally punched in the face.
Classes are free to attend. However, space is limited and any interested student looking to spend their class breaks boxing are encouraged to reserve a spot. Simply comment “Hell Yeah” on Super y’s latest Facebook posts by visiting their “SuperFly Boxing at CapU” page.
Boxing gloves are provided, but attendees are required to bring their own hand wraps. The two had to invest in gloves, but were fortunate to get a club deal from Mikado Martial Arts Store in East Vancouver. Students can also buy hand wraps from either Guieb or Quintero prior to the start of every session for just $10.
