On January 23, 2009, an unlikely date to start an outdoor fitness business, Boot Camp by the Beach was born.

On January 23, 2009, an unlikely date to start an outdoor fitness business, Boot Camp by the Beach was born. Rye resident and personal trainer Lee Sandford sought to create a fun and varied workout, and by starting on that frigid day, created the enduring ethos and phrase that she has had to repeat often since: “Yes, we go ahead in all weather!”  

The beautiful setting of the park isn’t only an inspiring backdrop for class, it provides its own natural and inherent challenge to the workouts Sandford designs: the sand, which can be frozen or feel like quick-sand; the varying grades of grassy hills; or the quarter-mile path around the duck pond, Monday’s “duck pond challenge” usually prompting the most groans from Boot campers. A friend and particularly dedicated Boot Camper, Julie McGuire, also of Rye, was recruited to take the program to Crawford Park in Rye Brook, so between the two locations, Boot Camp is available six mornings per week.

This year’s anniversary workout saw a cold but sunny day for the morning celebration, which was followed up with an evening celebration of snacks, wine, and Boot Campers enjoying the chance to not be layered up in workout gear! Toasts and messages from current and erstwhile Boot Campers included Leigh Ann Kowalchick-Porphy of Harrison (“Boot Camp changes the lives of all who take a moment to walk onto that beach”); and Debra Julian of Rye (“No other class can compare. The best part is the camaraderie. When I run into those amazing friends we just say ‘Hi’ knowingly, because we killed it on a freezing January day together!”

And of course, where do you think Boot Campers were on the morning winter storm Juno hit, when everyone else was buying milk? Nine brave souls turned up for class for a last chance to ward off impending cabin fever!