Non-contact boxing for Parkinson’s agility training

Budding boxers at the Counterpunch NZ training weekend.

Wairarapa Boxing Academy has generously supported Parkinson’s Wairarapa over the past few years by allowing the to hold weekly exercise classes in their gym. 

In late April the two joined forces with Counterpunch New Zealand to bring non-contact boxing to the region. 

The weekend wouldn’t have been the great success it was without the financial help of Smash Fit Gym in Auckland and the United Lodge of Masterton (Freemasons).

A crowd turned up at the Wairarapa Boxing Academy on the Saturday to hear Lisa (Gombinsky) Roach talk about the benefits of keeping fit and exercising, and about Counterpunch Boxing, a high-intensity, non-contact, specifically designed programme for people with Parkinson’s.

Lisa came to Wairarapa to train coaches of the Wairarapa Boxing Academy on Counterpunch for Parkinson’s. A Canadian-born rehab therapist, she has joined former New Zealand heavyweight boxing champion Shane Cameron to create Auckland-based Counterpunch Parkinson’s 

Newly-trained coaches Laurence Titter and Abel Ripine put an even larger group of budding boxers through their paces during a Counterpunch class on the Sunday. The session was crafted to improve posture, balance, gait, size and speed of movement, strength, agility and flexibility in a fun and supportive way.

It was judged an awesome weekend – thanks to all who participated in and supported this new Parkinson’s activity. Come and give Counterpunch Boxing a go. 

For more information: Laurence Titter at  Wairarapa Boxing Academy, office@wairarapaboxingacademy.org.nz

Information about Parkinson’s in the Wairarapa: please check our Facebook page (facebook.com/ParkinsonsWairarapa) or contact the local Action Group:

wai.parkinsons@gmail.com and 027-264-8623.