More Than Fitness

The Durban North and Umhlanga communities are fortunate to have people like Claude and Trish Eksteen, whose work goes beyond fitness. Through their Adventure Obstacle Training (A.O.T.) and encouragement, they help people raise their perceived ceilings and overcome personal barriers.

They've built more than a training programme. At its heart is a family-centred community where people come together through fitness, form meaningful connections, build lasting relationships and, one life at a time, discover a place where they truly belong.

But what is A.O.T.? Trish explains that it is full-body functional fitness – old-school, army-style training involving activities such as cargo nets, monkey bars and crawling. It requires participants to connect with their inner child and move in ways their bodies are naturally built to move.

The couple founded A.O.T. 11 years ago, on 2 March 2015, with their first venue being Northlands Primary School. In the early days, they would drive down from Hillcrest at 5:00 to sometimes train a grand total of one person who showed up. But they persevered and today have a vibrant community of obstacle adventurers who gather three afternoons a week at Danville Park Girls' High School to get their adventure on.

Claude and Trish are accomplished athletes who have competed at the highest level locally and internationally in running and Obstacle Course Racing (OCR). Over the years, they have also fought hard for the sport of OCR in South Africa. Seeing it finally recognised by the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and included in the 2028 Olympic Games as part of the modern pentathlon gives them great joy.

But A.O.T. is not about high-level athletes and achievements – although there are some top national racing snakes in the group.

"We love what we do," Trish explains. We see obstacles as a metaphor for life. It's a map for what we do."

Through A.O.T., they teach people to overcome their individual obstacles and fears. Participants often see improvements within weeks, which motivates them to keep going. The rewards and frustrations of tackling obstacles translate into daily life, while the training encourages people to step out of their comfort zones and take risks in a safe environment.

Many people have seen tectonic shifts in their personal lives since taking up the training. "We even have a recovering addict who has transformed into a top-ten Warrior Race athlete nationally," says Trish.

Claude and Trish have been competing in OCR events for 13 years. Between them, they hold the most Black Ops Elite wins in South African history, and Claude – a former international professional triathlete – has never lost an Impi race. Yet they view their greatest success as the families they have seen strengthened through participation in their training groups.

"We've seen families reunited and marriages restored," says Trish. They are also involved in several pay-it-forward fundraising initiatives. Seven-time Dusi Canoe Marathon champion, Martin Dreyer's Change a Life Academy paddlers train free of charge at A.O.T. The academy empowers talented, underprivileged youth from KwaZulu-Natal's Valley of a Thousand Hills through elite canoe training, producing top finishers in the Dusi Canoe Marathon.

Claude and Trish also offer kids' training sessions on Mondays and Thursdays. Using the same equipment as the adults, the children do their own drills while the adults train alongside them. A.O.T. accommodates children aged five to 11 in the kids' group, while those 12 and older train with the adults.

While the athletes sweat it out and get stoked on adventure, grandparents often enjoy a late-afternoon picnic on the field or kick a ball around with the little ones, creating a truly family-first atmosphere.

Trish says they also host kids' birthday parties and holiday clubs. "It really helps parents because it gets the kids out of the house and there's no need for mom to clean up afterwards," she says.

Instagram: adventureobstacle
Words by: Jacqueline Herbst