Friendship and fun are at the heart of these early workouts

• November project is all over the world
• Workouts are themed
• Just show up at the sails

While most of Kelowna is still in bed Wednesday mornings, a dedicated group of fitness enthusiasts are up before the crack of dawn.

Passers-by may notice an enthusiastic group running, doing burpees, squatting, and high-fiving downtown by the sail.

“This is November Project. We’ve been gathering for the last six years. It’s a free community workout,” longtime participant Kim Jollymore, told Kelowna10.

“Some people don’t like the fact we get up at 6:29 but it’s a great way to get your day started, meet lots of great friends, and just have some fun.”

One of November Project’s founders, Brogan Graham, visited Kelowna recently and led the group exercise. Jollymore explained how Graham was a student at Boston University.

After graduation, Graham and a friend wanted to keep each other accountable to their fitness over the month of November. After inviting more and more people, November Project exploded in popularity.

It has now expanded into 53 cities in nine countries around the world, according to Jollymore. She said if a member travels to another city they can look online to see if the project is there to join.

Despite the name, they meet weekly every month, rain, or shine.

Kwame Boateng has been attending for four years and leading the activities for about three. Kelowna10 asked him why he chooses to wake up so early to workout.

“That’s a fantastic question. I haven’t figured it out yet,” he said with a laugh.

“It’s before everybody gets into the workday. It’s a great way to get something started, especially on a Wednesday being that it is hump day for most people.”

Organizers like to bring fun by introducing themes to their morning circuits. When Kelowna10 caught up with them, Valentine’s Day was approaching so their theme was playing out a love life.

One station was first date, another was meeting the parents, and so on. Each station was at a different downtown landmark and had different exercises assigned.

Their themes can revolve around upcoming holidays. One hot summer morning they set up a slip’n slide at City Park.

Because fun and comradery is at the heart of these meetups, they also host social events outside of Wednesday mornings like hiking, curling, skating, community fundraising, etc.

Anyone interested in trying it out is encouraged to just show up ready to workout at the sails.

“We emphasize that all fitness levels can come and do this,” Boateng said. “The objective is to show up, that’s it. So long as you show up you probably are going to do something. And that something is better than nothing.”