Before I had kids, I was obsessed with ultimate frisbee. WAY before kids, I played 4 nights of double headers per week and spent at least one weekend a month in the summers playing in tournaments. More than anything else, it was soul filling. Sure, the exercise was great. But there was something about the people and the sport that gave me a sense of belonging, of self.
I haven’t been able to play in years. I get twinges of going back but I think that ship has sailed. This leaves me with a dilemma: what do I do now? I’ve been searching for something to inspire and excite me again. If you’re like me, you might be looking for that something too - something that fits your new life with its new needs and constraints. Here are some ideas:
The green route is my current nemesis!
Rock Climbing - Bouldering at the Hive has excited me in a way I haven’t felt in years. With walls about 18 feet high, you climb a specific route without any ropes, landing on thick crash pads below you if you fall. Not only is the upper body workout phenomenal, the social aspect of analysing and figuring out a route with friends is great. I don’t have to commit hours to it or plan much - I can just fit it in somewhere in my week. My family has even gotten into it - it’s turning into one of our favourite things to do on a lazy Sunday. And as my best friend says, it’s like solving a puzzle with your body - what’s not to like about that?
Swimming - There’s something blissful about the water. Whether you’re swimming laps, joining an aquacize class or water running, the water just feels good on your body. I can get into an almost meditative-like zone when swimming laps, rhythmically counting my breaths as I zone out. The local pools, including the Ladner Leisure Centre and Winskill, have lots of options in their schedules that can work around families and obligations. If you’re more adventurous. slip on a wetsuit and hit the ocean - nothing like a brisk swim in the bay to make you feel alive!
Rowing and Dragon Boating - I recently ran across the Abreast in a Boat group at the Ladner Village Market. Back in my undergrad days, I was an ardent participant in Day of the Longboat, a dragon boating intermural competition held every September at UBC. Seeing this dragon boating group reminded me how much fun it is. Abreast in a Boat is dragon boating specifically for survivors of breast cancer - if that’s you, it’s definitely worth checking out this incredible group of supportive and inspiring women, especially considering they now have a group that paddles out of Deas Island. Otherwise, check out The Dragon Zone for dragon boating in Vancouver or the Delta Deas Rowing Club for some local paddling.
Pickleball - A cross between badminton and tennis, pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in Canada. It’s gotten so popular that Delta has even built dedicated outdoor courts at Memorial Park in Ladner. The Delta Pickleball Association is a fantastic resource for those thinking of trying this sport out - they also provide lessons free to members!
Lawn Bowling - If you’re looking for something that is social and challenging without being too energy draining, lawn bowling is a fabulous option. With clubs in both Ladner and Tsawwassen, lawn bowling combines a high degree of hand-eye coordination, depth perception and balance, all while having a great laugh with your competition.
Yoga - If you haven’t tried yoga, you’re doing yourself a disservice. There is a type of yoga for everyone: super bendy people who need more control through their joints; super inflexible people that can only wave at their toes from a great distance; people who chronically injured and need to work on their balance and other deficits (hey, that’s me!)…. In my experience, finding the type and style of yoga for you is all about trial and error. If yoga is something you’re interested in, try a bunch of different styles and instructors until you find the one for you. To find a yoga studio, walk 100 feet in any direction and you’ll probably be close.
Have you found something new that excites and inspires you? Let us know by commenting below!
If your new sport has given you some new injuries, give us a shout at (778) 630-8800 or ladnervillagephysio.com.