#aroundtown

Our Favourite Summer Activities

Here at Ladner Village Physiotherapy, we like to stay active. Let’s introduce you to our therapist’s favourite summer activities and why you might want to give them a try!

Devon (Physiotherapist/ clinic owner):

Favourite activity: Ultimate frisbee

Why you may want to try it: Ultimate frisbee is one of few sports where players often don’t begin to play until they are adults. This is great as it means everyone starts on an even playing field. The ultimate frisbee community is welcoming and encouraging. According to Devon, ultimate frisbee might be the activity for you to try if you enjoy hard work, games of strategy, sprinting, sarcastic banter and a few cold drinks after the game!

Where to try it: the Vancouver Ultimate League plays on fields all over Vancouver and they also have a Surrey league.

Nicole (Physiotherapist/ clinic owner):

Favourite activity: Horseback riding

Why you may want to try it: Horseback riding is an activity perfect for animal lovers. Nicole loves horseback riding because she loves spending time around horses, being outside, and working on her core strength and balance. Horseback riding might be the right activity for you if you are looking for a new and challenging activity to try which is fairly low impact and a lot of fun!

Where to try it: Delta has so many barns and stables for horseback riding, from beginner to advanced level! Crescent Stables offers lessons to all ability levels as does Five Star Farms and Top Form Equestrian.

Sofy (Physiotherapist):

Favourite activity: Running

Why you may want to try it: Running is one of the most accessible activities around! All you need is a pair of runners and you’re good to go. Sofy enjoys running as it is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, explore the city, and there are always new ways to challenge yourself. She recently completed her first marathon!

Where to try it: Out your front door! If you’re looking for a clinic or a group to run with, the Run Inn out of Tsawwassen is a great group to join (they can also get your feet set up for success with the right shoes for your body).

Stephanie (Physiotherapist):

Favourite activity: Climbing

Why you may want to try it: Climbing is a fantastic way to challenge yourself and try something you may not have tried before. Outdoor climbing is an amazing way to explore our beautiful backyard and (literally) bring your exploring game to new heights! Stephanie loves climbing as it is a social activity where you can enjoy time with her friends, and you are able to challenge yourself by setting goals (or projects as they are called in the climbing world) to complete.

Where to try it: The Hive is a great place to try bouldering, a type of climbing with shorter walls, no ropes and thick crash pads. If you’d prefer to be roped in, try Coastal Climbing in Surrey.

Trevor (Physiotherapist):

Favourite activity: Golf

Why you may want to try it: Golf is the perfect mix between a challenging competitive sport and a great relaxing activity. Whether you hit up the driving range, play 18 holes, or even just go to a pitch and putt, golf is a fun social activity that can be accomidated to your skill level. Trevor enjoys golf as he likes spending time with friends, a good competition, and taking a break from the craziness of life for a few hours.

Where to try it: Try one of South Delta’s fabulous golf courses! We have The Links at Hampton Cove, Kings Links by the Sea, Tsawwassen Springs & Beach Grove Golf Club.

Anh (Physiotherapist):

Favourite activity: Tennis

Why you may want to try it: Tennis is a perfect summer sport! It’s very accessible, affordable, and a lot of fun! Anh enjoys playing tennis as it’s a great way to work on her hand eye coordination (which we hear could use some work!). One reason we love tennis is that it’s an easy to learn sport for people of all ages! You can easily bring your kids out to play (or run around and chase balls for you, either way, we don’t judge)!

Where to try it: South Delta has tennis facilities at several major parks in Ladner and Tsawwassen. We also have two tennis clubs, the Ladner Tennis Club and Tsawwassen Tennis Club, both offering tennis lessons, lit courts at night and tournaments.

Gabrielle (Register Massage Therapist):

Favourite activity: Swimming

Why you may want to try it: Swimming is a fantastic low-impact activity. Since you can float in the water, swimming takes pressure off your joints and allows you to move them into different ranges of motion than you may be able to out of the water. Swimming not only helps stretch muscles by allowing them to move more freely, but it’s also a full body strengthening workout! Gabrielle loves swimming because you can stay cool, hang out with your family, and it’s great for stiff joints!

Where to try it: If lap swimming is your thing, your best local options this summer are Winskill Aquatic and Fitness Centre and the Ladner Outdoor Pool (the Ladner Leisure Centre will be closing at some point for several months, but we don’t know when that will happen as of yet). I’d also encourage you to get into nature and try swimming at Centennial Beach (warm and shallow for daaaaays).

Kheya (Registered Kinesiologist):

Favourite activity: Volleyball

Why you may want to try it: Volleyball is a fun, challenging, and quick moving team sport. Volleyball is a blast because you can play it indoors, outdoors, or even on the beach! Kheya loves volleyball as she loves the amount of teamwork involved, being outside, and the rush you get after getting a great hit or block in. Volleyball is great a great way to meet new people and be involved in the community as everyone all supportive, friendly, and welcoming.  

Where to try it: Volleyball BC offers several leagues for various ability levels all over Metro Vancouver. Urban Rec offers a beach volleyball league in Ladner.

We hope you enjoyed learning a little bit about our practitioner’s favourite summer activities and may even feel inspired to try a few of them for yourself!

If you have any aches or limitations preventing you from trying these activities, come visit one of our therapists to get the help you need to get back to it!

To book an appointment, call (778) 630-8800, email us or book online.

Spring in Delta!

Daffodils!

Daffodils!

Spring is here! Fine, it’s not TECHNICALLY spring, but:

  • My crocuses (croci?) are in full bloom

  • My daffodils are emerging

  • I saw some robins on my lawn yesterday

All these things add to spring! If you’re anything like me, spring energizes you and gets you excited for the warm weather ahead.

With that in mind, I thought I’d put together a list of the things around town I’m excited to do, try and participate in this year!

The Delta Triathlon

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It’s back! After 3 years of cancellations, this popular event has historically sold out quickly. The course starts at the Ladner Leisure Pool with the swim and continues with the bike and run through the very flat side streets of Ladner.

Never tried a triathlon? This is a great one to see if it’s for you! The swim portion is 600m, the bike ride is 18.5km and the run is 5km. There’s also kids and youth divisions for those 8 years old and over.

Registration opens for Delta residents this Thursday, March 5th at 9am. Non-Delta residents can register two weeks later on Thursday, March 19th.

For more information, visit the City of Delta’s website.

Bike to Barnside Brewing

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So this little brewery opened up in Ladner a few months ago and I have to say, I’m intrigued. Not only is it an easy bike ride from downtown Ladner but it’s gotten great reviews from friends. They brew on site with ingredients farmed locally - what’s not to love? Not only that, but they have a cranberry tart ale I’m dying to try!

I’ve heard rumours of grilled cheese sandwiches and charcuterie plates available as well. Maybe some food trucks will show up this summer? One can hope!

Sustainable Workshop Series - Gardening

Every spring, the City of Delta puts on a series of workshops focusing on sustainable gardening practices - honestly, I had no idea! This year, workshops focus on vegetable & herb gardening, mason bees, managing garden pests, backyard composting, soil management and more!

Gardening has so many benefits beyond the obvious sustainable and environmental reasons. A Swedish study linked gardening with improved cardiovascular health and increased longevity regardless of regular exercise. A Dutch study associated half an hour of gardening with a significant reduction in acute stress, suggesting a stressful day at the office can be (at least somewhat) mitigated by a good dig in the dirt. A study out of the University of Pennsylvania suggested regular gardening improves sleep as exposure to natural light helped regulate circadian rhythms. (Side note - this review of the literature has convinced me to start gardening.)

The best part? They’re free! All you have to do is sign up here.

Watershed Creek Fish Release

This one is a great event for the whole family. On Sunday, April 19th from 12-2pm, over 25,000 chum salmon fry will be released into Watershed Creek. It’s fun, it’s free and it’s a chance to see how we can support our local ecosystems.

Plus, you’re in the gorgeous Watershed Park! Bring your mountain bike or your hiking shoes and make a day of it!


That’s my list! What are you excited for this spring? Leave a comment below!

Stay tuned for the continuation of Nicole’s series on Injury Prevention in Running, with Part 3 landing here on the blog next week!