Marcus Irwin
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Now I Want To Teach Articles Marcus
Irwin After another great Blackpool experience this year I was reminded by a fellow presenter of a not so smooth and fun event we had both attended. Picture this… if you can. You are inside a massive concrete stadium. Super high ceilings, concrete floor, an echo, echo, echooooo that still rings in my ears to this day. Oh…and no walls! No walls? No problem. To accommodate classes, on the two at a time schedule, two temporary halls were being constructed. Now, what do you think said construction was being formed from? Steel? Nope. Wood? Guess again. Fabric? You got it. In the middle of the tent were two stages constructed from dining and ping-pong tables bound together with rope. These two stages were placed back to back with a curtain behind each. A small area behind each curtain remained for what would be known as the ‘sound room’. Needless to say – fabric not being the most sound proof of materials –there was certainly a lot of sound! When a presenter needed a change in music they were required to communicate via a conveniently located split behind them in the curtains to the ‘sound guy’. Just keep the people moving, calmly turn around stick your head through the hole and voila! Problem one - The sound guy was controlling both tents simultaneously. His decks were stacked on top of one another making it slightly difficult to differentiate which deck was for which room. Problem two - Sound guy does not speak English. Problem three - Even if sound guy could speak English he wouldn’t be able to hear you over the roar of music and echo. Consequently after much yelling and ranting, sound guy understands that the upturned fast circling finger, isn’t actually an insult but a signal to speed up the music. Problem four - Which deck is which? Eeni meeni miny mo. Which brings us to… Problem five - Second slit in curtain being now filled by a red faced and flustered second presenter, signaling furiously with her finger in the other direction. Problem six - Is it wise to schedule a stretch class next to a techno aerobic class, in a tent, only to have your non English speaking, confused and not to mention by this time deaf sound guy speed up your lovely relaxing Chariots of Fire music to 180bpm? Makes you appreciate what we’ve got at home…
Moscow Russia World Class 18-19th September Highlights – This was in my opinion the best event I have ever witnessed. It was held in the Royal Opera Auditorium in Red Square. The main ballroom could either be filled with plush seating or revolved (over a 45 minute period) to reveal a spectacular sprung wooden floor that was to die for to die for. Organisers spent enough Roubles to buy a small village (see photo) on the backdrop for the main stage. Due to the recent bombs in Moscow security was incredible. Each delegate was searched going in and out of event. Plus each presenter had a personal bodyguard and driver. Lookout Madonna. Trends – Russian instructors have only really had five years of aerobic experience so they have learnt the latest methods and aren’t encumbered by some of our past, less effective teaching methods. Consequently their skills are flawless. All delegates looked like ex Olympic athletes with perfect posture and form. Gossip – The convention-hotel receptionists had a deal going with the local ladies of the night. They would inform them when male guests returned to their rooms so they could telephone you with their offer of specialized room service! Oslo Norway Fitness to Perfection 25-26th September Highlights – The most memorable event in history. Picture this - Event over-booked by 300 people. My first class had 500 people in a 250 capacity room with failing air-conditioners. At least 50 people fell either slipping or fainting. Half way through first class, an organiser entered asking for a mass evacuation as the relentless rain had entered the building affecting the electrical system and was liable to create an explosion! Imagine 700 hundred sweaty Norwegians huddled together in the street in the pouring rain, being told the event was CANCELLED after half one class…not happy. Plan B was hastily formulated. The entire 2-day event was held the next day between 2pm and 5pm. With each class having to be less than 25 minutes in duration or else the hook came out. It was just enough time to teach a couple of blocks before the next presenter jogged on… Trends – Some very quick teaching and teamwork ensured the delegates had an unforgettable 3-HOUR convention. It just goes to show that something great can come from a bad situation as long as you are open-minded. Gossip – I don’t think I can top the above… Barcelona Spain AEFA 2 - 3rd October Highlights – Held at the Olympic Stadium, surely one of the most magnificent event sites. The presenter list consisted of twelve Latin divas and hunks and one white boy…guess whom? At the final mega-class with all presenters teaching, organizers gave out lucky door prizes including t-shirts, free conventions AND a Mercedes Smart car. Hands up who wants the information on this event for next year? The culmination of the mega-class was a 500-person conga line around the Olympic Village. Trends – The Spanish style never ceases to amaze me. They’re mantra of ‘if it spins it is good’ was put to great use by all concerned. Step again was out of control with high speeds and little or no regard for intensity or safety. I was told that no one ever uses the bricks under the platform as the height supposedly inhibits your creativity? But when you see how happy the masses are when performing it their way you can’t help but think - different strokes for different folks. Gossip – The Spanish organizers expect that all visiting guests keep up with their way of life. That includes dinner at midnight and partying till just before your first class the next morning. Fortunately they aren’t too pretty on the mornings after, so classes tend not to start until 10am…civilized |