There's a new local way to potentially fall in love in Squamish, that just might knock your socks off, in the best way possible.
Roundhouse Martial Arts is hosting its first Speed Dating Boxing Class on Saturday, Feb. 15.
Roundhouse's Candace Fan and co-owner Cole Smith—who were married in November— say the event is a fun and different way for locals to meet in a town that is not always the easiest place to find love.
"I actually was going out for coffee with a girlfriend, and me and her both, obviously, have our partners, but we were just talking about how difficult it is in 麻豆社国产to date, and we've heard so many different stories," Fan said. "If only there were something [else] that was an easy way for people to get to know each other."
The friend brought up the, and the idea for a boxing version evolved from there.
Another catalyst to make the class happen was that four members of Roundhouse have become couples.
They met working out, and began dating, Cole said.
"We felt like they all deserved each other. That was a little bit of the inspiration."
The class, which has a $5 entry fee, is for singles aged 28 to 39.
The pair decided to do it the day after Valentine’s Day rather than on the romantic holiday to take some of the pressure off of making a forever match.
Cole said the first 15 minutes will be a warm-up icebreaker.
During the class, attendees will get topics of conversation and Cole, who will lead the class, will guide folks through some basic easy boxing moves.
“We feel like exercising while you're talking, it’s just a little bit easier than sitting there talking. It's a little bit more fun, with lively music going and stuff like that,” said Cole.
The idea is that boxing becomes the common ground. Attendees don't have to worry about what to talk about, as the topic prompts will guide them through.
At the end of the event, slips of paper will be handed to the organizers, who can connect pairs who are interested in each other.
Fan said that people can come in workout gear, but Cole added they might want to bring date-night clothes for after the event, in case things go well.
Though Cole and Fan met each other at The Roxy in Vancouver a decade ago, they know from friends that online dating is more common now but not easy or as authentic as meeting over a shared activity.
"I think people are craving more of that organic storyline, and so we want to give them that. And then this is such a neat opportunity to be like, Oh, 'I met him at a boxing class,'" Fan said, adding that it is also just an opportunity to try something new.
"And maybe learn that you like boxing,” Cole added with a laugh.
So far, there are more women than men signing up, but they expect local guys will be soon to follow.
They are expecting 12 women and 12 men.
The pair plan to hold more speed dating boxing classes and are considering expanding to hold friend speed dating events for people who are newer to town to make local platonic connections.
"Then everyone comes with the objective of meeting friends, whereas sometimes people just come to the gym with the objective of just working out. So you never know where people stand," she said.
The Feb. 15 Speed Dating event runs from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. (doors open at 5 p.m.) at 38147 Cleveland Ave, unit #201.
Find out more and get your ticket on Eventbrite under
