Eric Bowers: Ninja Warrior

Eric Bowers propels off the wall during a Ninja competition.

Eric challenges the swings at one of the Ninja gyms he regulars.

Eric placed third in the World Ninja League (WNL) tournament’s Northeast All-Stars for the Flow Course.

Eric on the wall.

Taylor PE teachers Deborah Robinson and Eric Bowers with the Ninja Nation climbing equipment.

Eric Bowers works with students to master the course.

Taylor students learn agility on the Ninja course.

Taylor tigers practice supporting each other on the Ninja equipment.

For most people, obstacles are things to either overcome or avoid. But for Eric Bowers, one of Taylor’s physical education teachers, he takes on obstacles head first and with a fervor.

Eric is a Ninja Warrior.

Just like the super athletic competitors seen on the popular TV show, Eric has dedicated his free time to the sport of swinging, jumping, spinning and balancing on a course that tests his strength, speed, balance, agility, and endurance.

For the past four years, Eric has competed up and down the east coast in the World Ninja League (WNL) tournaments placing first in a handful of qualifying competitions and coming in third at the Northeast All-Stars for the Flow Course.

Ninja training started while he was in high school as a way to improve his mental health but the sport took hold and quickly turned into something new and completely different for him. “Little did I know that I would fall in love with the sport and the community within it,” says Eric.

Sharing his sport with his students

Eric’s enthusiasm for the sport has carried over to his work at Taylor, where for the past two years, he along with the support of Taylor’s PTA, brought a Ninja Warrior-style obstacle course to the school’s gym for a chance to share a part of his life and a chance to try out this sport with his students. During Ninja Warrior Week, students got a taste of what it was like to climb, swing, and spin across the two structures during their regular PE classes.

The climbing structure was also made available during the week to Taylor families for Taylor Ninja Nights, introducing the sport to multi-generations of Taylor Tigers.

Eric sees this sport as a way to help his students stay determined in completing a task, learn good sportsmanship and how to better support their peers.

Ninja ambitions

His personal goal is to make it to Stage 3 at the WNL World Championships and one day be on the “American Ninja Warrior” show.  But his ultimate goal, he says,  “is to be a positive leader and role model for the sport and my students.”

“The most enjoyable thing about competing”, says Eric, “is getting to see what you’re capable of and see your training pay off. Another is being able to watch and learn from your competitors and being a part of such a supportive community.”