Our Mission:
At CrossFit Qualicum Beach, we are dedicated to creating a positive, supportive and inspiring environment where athletes are motivated to be better every day. We strive to build a strong community of like-minded individuals, where the needs of each athlete can be met through access to both our services as well as the communal knowledge and expertise of our diverse membership and training team. This community-driven model, paired with trainers who are dedicated to continuous learning and growth, creates the base environment from which our athletes become confident, strong and empowered.
Our Mission:
At CrossFit Qualicum Beach, we are dedicated to creating a positive, supportive and inspiring environment where every athlete is motivated to be the best version of themselves. We strive to build a strong community of like-minded individuals, where the needs of each athlete can be met through access to both our services as well as the communal knowledge and expertise of our diverse membership. This community-driven model, paired with coaches who are dedicated to continuous learning and growth, creates the base environment from which our athletes become confident, strong and empowered.
About Our Box
box noun [boks] – a compartment or section in a public place, shut off for the accommodation of a small number of people.
CrossFit facilities are typically referred to as “a box”. Many are located in industrial areas, and the building itself resembles a large, open warehouse. Although we at CFQB still refer to our space as a box, our location in quaint downtown Qualicum Beach brings a brighter, more welcoming environment to the members of our facility.
But that’s not the only reason we refrain from calling ourselves a gym. There are several distinct differences between a traditional gym and a CrossFit box.
Most importantly, CFQB represents community. It’s a place where friends and family can get fit in a safe and supportive environment, where we encourage each other to achieve and celebrate our goals, and do things we never thought possible. Our box is also a place where we can go to be inspired by others; where we feel comfortable taking our children so they can witness firsthand the positive effects of a healthy lifestyle, hard work, and the many benefits of surrounding oneself with powerful, happy people.
READY TO TRAIN YOU!
Meet Our Trainers
Lucas Bugg — Coach
“MY GOAL AS A CROSSFIT TRAINER IS TO CHANGE LIVES FOR THE BETTER, AS I HAVE MY OWN. I HOPE TO CREATE AN UNSTOPPABLE AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT WHERE EVERYONE IS CHALLENGED, SUCCESSFUL, AND INSPIRED TO ACHIEVE RESULTS AND LIVE THEIR BEST LIFE.”
With tattoos, a bald head, seasonal beard and a pearly white smile, Lucas is the Founder and Co-owner of CFQB who believes in hard work, honesty and unicorns. Coach, as he is often referred to, opened this business for all the right reasons, as his main joys in life are watching the members of CFQB become better everyday and spending time with his adoring wife (who definitely didn’t write this).
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Growing up in the small town of Sidney, just outside of Victoria, Lucas always wondered if he would end up back on the island and back in a small town. After high school graduation, the call of the city took him to Vancouver where he lived for 20 years. He worked in the Hospitality & Tourism industry as a young man and then moved into sales. Quickly, he realized two things: 1. He enjoyed helping people make decisions that made them happy, and 2. That’s not what the sales industry is about. The final chapter of his sales journey was as a precious metals broker, where he helped many people become wealthy and prosperous, but still something didn’t feel right. It wasn’t until a near death experience of a burst appendix that Lucas finally decided to pursue his true passion: brokering the sale of happiness, health and wellness. Moving back to the Island, Lucas settled on Qualicum Beach and opened the doors of CFQB in May 2014. Prior to this, he completed a 500hr Apprenticeship under the then Regional Director of CrossFit for Canada West, Dave Kitchen, at his affiliate CrossFit North Vancouver. He learned from Dave and Head Coach Chris Shaalo about community and virtuosity. He was inspired by the affiliate model and seeing the impact a business like this can have on it’s members. Opening his own business in a small town was a risk, but it was one he was willing to take. His future wife and business partner was among the first 20 people to join, creating yet another life altering change with the decision to chase his dreams. Now Lucas enjoys coaching group classes, leading new members through our Foundations program, and developing the amazing team of Trainers at CFQB. With a background as a Sports Nutrition Specialist and certification through Precision Nutrition, Lucas is the main Nutrition Coach at the box, working with individuals of all ages, competitors, associations, corporations and teams to offer insight into how healthy living can truly change your life.
Maggie Bugg – Box Mom
Co-owner, CF-L2
A lover of pickles, books, Halloween, and detailed coaching, Maggie’s classes are always executed in full colour! Born and raised in Qualicum Beach, CFQB’s Co-owner is passionate about helping others to become the best version of themselves.
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Maggie’s background is in teaching, having graduated from UVic with her Bachelor of Education in 2011. Her love of facilitating learning and growth can now be seen in her CF group classes! When she isn’t teaching athletes at the gym, she is likely behind her laptop replying to emails, writing blog posts, or creating new and exciting programs for the gym. She completed her CF-L1 and CF Kids courses in 2014, and later her CF-L2 in 2017. Maggie is pleased to manage an amazing team of Trainers at CFQB and absolutely adores being an entrepreneur in her hometown. Bringing her flair for silliness, superheroes, space travel, and smiles to the box, Maggie believes that CrossFit QB is a great place for anyone looking to improve their lives while surrounded by like-minded people. She is excited to help Padawans of all ages grow into true Jedi Masters.
Denyse Kohse
CF-L2
When she isn’t at CFQB, you can find this fast moving momma chasing around her two beautiful daughters and their dog Pepper or running into burning buildings as a Fire Officer with the QB Fire Dept.
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Born and raised in Qualicum Beach, Denyse has been a member of our Fire Department since her 19th birthday, first becoming an Officer in 2018. Besides the honour in serving her community, Denyse loves the opportunity to push herself both mentally and physically. And it’s no wonder she made the jump to CrossFit training, as she believes the main tenets of CF (constantly varied, high intensity, functional movements) are also seen throughout Fire Fighting. She isn’t afraid of a heavy carry or an adrenaline rush, and is no stranger to finding herself in a heap on the floor! In her youth, Denyse was an avid barrel racer and horseback rider, enjoying the speed and power of the sport. Her interests shifted after high school, and she began learning how to increase her strength and coordination to perform tricks and combinations through pole dancing. It was during this time she stumbled into CrossFit. One class and she was hooked! In a desire to enhance her knowledge of CF methodology and training, as well as learn how to support others seeking improvements in functional fitness, Denyse took her CFL1 in 2018. She loves coaching and helping offer our members the best hour of their day – “I love how happy the workouts make everybody! The hardest part is just getting here and walking through the door.”
Mark Rands
4,736 miles from his childhood home in Ipswitch, England, Mark brings a dashing accent and a love of “footie” to his classes at CFQB. He is quick to laugh, a stickler for safe movement, and loves a good challenge.
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Mark joined us as an athlete back in 2017 and is now the main coach of our Vintage and Lite programs. He received his CF-L1 in 2015, keen to join the training team and share his love of fitness, sport, and functional movement with athletes of all ages. Having been a semi-professional football player in the UK (the sport we know as soccer), Mark spent many years of his adult life coaching the sport. He obtained both the Football Association Coaching Certification in the UK and UEFA Pre -B Certification in Canada for the sport. Mark has coached many youth and adult teams in England, Scotland and in Canada, including many Victoria Boys teams, and the Oceanside Girls U16/U18 teams here locally. Finding CrossFit as an athlete gave Mark a great stress-reliever from his work in Social Housing, and an effective foundation for his other athletic pursuits, namely trail and hill running, and playing on an over 50s soccer team. Mark has a strong work ethic and values determination and a willingness to try. With experience in seniors fitness at various care homes, Mark has seen the difference exercise can make on attitude and overall well-being. He believes fitness can allow us to live a more varied and fulfilling life and wants to be a part of making that possible for everyone, no matter their age. Mark’s advice to anyone interested in joining CFQB? “There can be a fear of the gym or the intensity in what we do, but there is always a place to start and it’s surprising what you can do. You’ve just gotta take that first step – you’ve got nothing to lose!”
Mike Esson
CF-L1
Farmer Mike is no stranger to hard work, having grown up on a cattle and grain farm in Saskatchewan. Since trading his tractor and combine for barbells and rowers, Mike has fallen in love with CrossFit as both an athlete and trainer and boy are we glad to hear it!
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Formerly a Corporal with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Mike has lived in many different towns and cities throughout BC, but the Oceanside area has since become a favourite. Retiring after 19 years, Mike and his family eventually found themselves on Vancouver Island after a few years spent in Kamloops. It was there he was first introduced to the magic of working out in a CrossFit Affiliate, but it wasn’t his first exposure to the sport. Mike began following CrossFit programming back in 2007 but never lived near an actual box to attend classes. Once experiencing the community and culture at CrossFit Kamloops, Mike was hooked! It wasn’t until he moved to the island and joined us here as an athlete at CFQB that he considered getting into coaching. Mike is a charismatic natural leader who loves helping others – becoming a CF Trainer was a no-brainer! He obtained his CFL1 in 2024 and loves training members at CFQB, especially folks new to CrossFit. His advice to anyone interested in joining? “Our community provides so much support for each other. Everyone wants to help! This will be the most welcoming gym atmosphere you will ever walk into.” When Mike isn’t throwing down in a workout or helping athletes improve their fitness, you’re likely to find him on a ski hill, riding a bike down a mountain, or helping out with his sons’ sports teams. Mike always has a smile on his face, a high five in his back pocket, and thoughtful words of encouragement. Next time you see him, pick his brain about digging up bones. He’s essentially Indiana Jones.