Torture in the Tropics (Teams, Twins & Duo) began by wanting to showcase CrossFit, our ability to adapt to the unknown, and our capacity to endure AND have fun at the same time ... regardless of ability level! This is our story!

CrossFit Dungeon opened in September 2011, and Sharon joined the team in 2012. Being the only CrossFit Affiliate in Cairns at the time, we wanted to create an event to showcase to Cairns what CrossFit was all about. So in 2013, the very first "Torture in the Tropics" event was held in house. It sold out ... not surprisingly, seeing as we hosted 30 teams of 4 (120 athletes), in our small gym space.

We needed a bigger space!
So June 2014 saw Torture, move to the Cairns Showgrounds, with a double sided 4 bay rig, built to host 50 teams of 4, and an individual category with 16 competitors ... which sold out again! This is where we wanted to showcase Cairns and it surrounds ... So we decided to include some "outdoor activities" as events - a swim, and a hill run! It's safe to say the "outdoor activities" have been a staple in the programming each year in some capacity!

We needed to increase our capacity again!
So in 2015, at the Cairns Showgrounds, we implements a 10bay rig to accomodate 80 teams (320 competitors) .... and in a month of opening registrations, we sold out again! To show case the Cairns outdoors, that year we did a beach sprint & Sea Kayak event, as well as a sandbag and 10ft Wall climb over event!

Our goal has always been to provide a fun, challenging and rewarding experience for everyone competing, spectating, judging and participating in any way. As much as the requests came in for more allowances, we decided that we didn't want to drag out the day, having athletes wait longer between events, just to have more teams compete. 8 heats of 10 teams was just enough rest for everyone! So that's what it remained capped at each year. 

Therefore, to allow more people to compete, we decided to create another event. November of 2015 saw the birth of our "TitT Twins" competition. This saw teams of 2: Male-Male or Female-Female, competing in smaller scale in house competition. To showcase CrossFit athletes ability to adapt to the unknown ... we had a heavy Stones to shoulder sprint event! The competition was a success ... it sold out in 2 weeks ... so it was decided (by the crowd decision at presentations) to keep this event coming back as an annual event with Main Teams Event.

Our Story.

Meet Shaz & Malx

2016 to 2018 saw our special events consisting of Heavy Sled Pushes, Army Obstacle Courses, Slosh Balls, Agility Sprints, Water Snakes, Odd Object Work.

Unfortunately in 2019, we were unable to maintain our Competition location at the Showgrounds, and due to the late notice conflict, it meant that we were unable to host Main Torture Teams that year. Twins still went ahead in November that year. For 2020, the Cairns Netball Grounds had been secured ... and all was go, full steam ahead ... until Covid happened!

This was extremely devastating for Malx as he had created a workout he really wanted to test in a Male & Female combined category .... So, as soon as the Rona Restrictions were eased, we decided to create a new competition called "The Tortured Duo" ... a Male-Female partnered competition! [and no this wasn't created specifically so Malx could test his workout ... wink wink].

Each year, we have tried to keep events varied, challenging, and most importantly FUN. We haven't always hit the mark perfectly, but I think we've done a good job most of the time. I think you guys agree, cause each year, for each event, we sell out faster and faster ... and have less complaints! ;)