The Black Sea Diaries – Chapter 3

By Surya Voinar-Fowler

Before I achieved my Master of Sport rank in OALC I held the belief that earning this title would be proof that I had mastered technical understanding and the physical and mental stamina necessary for success in this sport. While certainly there are elements of truth to this belief, I have since come to understand that in fact the knowledge and skill I acquired along the way were really just the foundation for learning kettlebell sport. MS rank is really only proof of my rudimentary understanding- it means that I have acquired just enough knowledge and skill to begin a deeper study of the sport. MS was my qualifying exam.

In order to continue to improve, I knew that I would have to take my understanding to the next level. In other words, it was time to go back to school. Topics of study: technique, pace, lockout, rack position, cleans, swings, hand position, snatch rotation, fixation, control of backswing, breathing, drop in jerk, prevention of energy leakage, etc. Thankfully, just as I acknowledged how much I still had to learn, my coaches Steve and Maya (always ten steps ahead of me), shared with me that there was the opportunity to study and learn from two of the greatest lifters in the world, Valery Fedorenko and Fedor Fuglev. While I was nervous about the idea of traveling all the way to the Ukraine and displaying my KB skills in front of such greats I was fortunate to have Maya by my side willing to take this journey with me. Together we embarked on what would ultimately be a transformative experience.

From the moment our plane touched down in Simferopol, I found myself in awe of each moment that unfolded.  Here’s just one example of how adventurous every day was in Crimea:

Driving to the gym on day two Valery turned around and said, “We gonna make a stop. Fedor wants you to meet some people.” Maya responded, “Okay, we’re ready.” Valery, “No, you not ready for this Maya.”

Without warning, the driver then turned the corner where the Mayor of the city, several law enforcement officers, and a group of singers dressed in traditional Ukrainian attire were ready to formally greet us and present Maya with an official gift as our group ambassador.  Maya turned to me and said, “but I don’t have lipstick on Surya.”  SPEECHLESS!  The Mayor stepped to the microphone and noted how honored they were that we would travel across the world to learn from Fedor Fuglev and that no one had ever done this before.  Stunned, Maya accepted the Mayor’s gift while exchanging our gift of chocolate and words of gratitude in return.

Afterward, we were treated to demonstrations from Fedor and his teammate Nikolay Jankovski as well as from several of Fedor’s impressive students. As I looked around the room each of the camp participants had the same shocked expression on our faces. How could we be so fortunate to spend time watching and learning from these amazing lifters?

I will never forget the electricity which sparked through the room every time Fedor took the platform. The power and ferocity which he displayed were exhilarating and inspiring.  I was struck by how he was able to be so gracious, patient, and generous with us as students in one moment and yet transition into an explosive competitor the moment he took to the platform.  Fedor held nothing back as a coach or as a lifter.  The morning was like having a VIP backstage pass to a jam session for the best bands of all time.

Each day Fedor and his team treated the participants to a different display of athletic achievement. Such amazing displays inspired the participants to take to the platform and display the skills we had learned thus far. We each saw this moment to step before Valery and Fedor as the ultimate opportunity — a critical piece of the camp experience.

One by one we lifted in front of them.  As we performed individually, Valery instructed us on each important element of the lift.  Each observation and piece of instruction were invaluable. It was truly unbelievable — to be there in the presence of these elite lifters in this intimate space receiving an education from two of the best in the world.  Together they made an incredible coaching team, Valery graciously translating for Fedor.  I should note though that while Fedor did not speak English nor did I speak Russian, the intensity, excitement, and generosity he displayed while coaching crossed all language barriers.  Every time Valery and Fedor spoke Maya and I found ourselves recording each line knowing that each piece of information had the potential to change what we understood about lifting and if applied correctly, would make us better lifters.

At times there were moments when Valery and Fedor would become deeply immersed in discussion and in those moments I found myself watching and listening. Often Valery shared that they were discussing possible technical adjustments each lifter could make.  Sometimes there would be agreement and at other times a debate would ensue as to how much or little an adjustment a lifter should make depending on unique body type, strengths, weaknesses, etc.

What I most appreciated in these moments of discussion and debate was the mutual respect that Valery and Fedor showed towards one another.  Each recognized that the viewpoint of the other was worthy of consideration and reflection. While technical adjustments were discussed, not once was the definition of a proper lockout or stabilization of the kettlebell overhead called into question.  Valery and Fedor both saw these as critical elements of any quality repetition, whether in jerk, snatch, or OALC.  I continue to be appreciative of the clear lifting standards the WKC/AKC requires- not only because it protects the physical safety of kettlebell athletes, but also because it insures that all competitors are judged by the same standard whether amateur or professional. The value of such a standard became even clearer as Fuglev shared how he had to develop variations on each lift in order to compete under different organizations throughout Europe.

As if hours of training and learning from these MSWC lifters each day was not enough each afternoon we were taken on a tour of one of the many beautiful parts of the areas around Crimea. One of the highlights for me was a breathtaking boat ride at dusk on the Black Sea. As we glided through the water, a warm breeze blowing, the smell of salt water in the air, and the soft sunlight on my face I felt such a sense of peace and gratitude come over me.

Kettlebell sport has been the gateway through which I have found lifelong friendships, physical and mental health, an avenue to travel the world, the opportunity to learn more about myself, as well as many other unexpected and wonderful surprises. I am so thankful to Valery Fedorenko for having brought this sport to the United States and for having the patience, perseverance, and character to build an organization which values the art of kettlebell lifting and holds its lifters to such high standards.

As our last day of training drew to a close I felt myself hold on to each passing moment. As we walked out of Fedor’s gym for the last time each of us expressed our appreciation for all we had learned in this special place and how bittersweet it was that our training with Valery and Fedor had come to end.

That afternoon we were taken on a tour of perhaps the most stunning landscape I have ever seen — a 2000 year old Monastery carved into the rocks of a mountainside.  As we traveled back to town in the van we had all shared each day (often times at speeds of over 100 mph) a deeply contented silence enveloped us.  In that moment, on that day, we were truly the luckiest lifters in the world.  We had been welcomed, taught by, and had the opportunity to share three unique days with true masters of kettlebell sport.  At this point in the trip it felt impossible that my heart could receive any more beauty, generosity, and kindness.  But more gifts were yet to come.

When the van came to a stop we were overjoyed to see that we had returned to Fedor’s gym!  Over the last three days we had each experienced the incredible energy which was housed in this training facility and were so happy to have one final opportunity to soak it in.  As the last rays of sunshine streamed in through the windows, Fedor entered the room and told Valery that he would like to give us some parting gifts.

One at a time each participant stepped forward only to be stunned by Fedor’s final act of generosity. We were each presented with one of his Ukrainian KB Team shirts that he had worn while winning one of his 15 World Class Championships.

I could feel my heart burst open as I received this gift. It is impossible to be prepared to receive as much as I had over the last three days. I could not comprehend how I could be so fortunate to have been able to participate in this experience. I was humbled by the opportunity to study with two true World Class Masters of Sport and learn not only about the nuances of elite KB lifting but also about the character of great lifters.

Tagged as: Fedor Fuglev, Ice Chamber Kettlebell Girls, ICKB Girls, Kettlebell Sport, Mayachela Garcia, Nikolay Jankovski, Surya Voinar-Fowler, Valery Fedorenko, World Kettlebell Club