Winter Games 2010

Features — By shannon on January 8, 2010 at 4:23 pm

Unleash your inner athlete this season through these unique activities.

By Susan Haine

Come wind and snow and sleet and hail…oh, let’s face it. Most of us simply are not going to brave the elements this winter to go for a leisurely bike ride along the Delaware River, or a jog in Valley Forge Park. It is altogether too easy during the cold of the season to cozy up to comfort food after work, snuggle up with a blanket in front a freshly lit fire, and enjoy one too many cups of cocoa.

Yes, it is tempting to bask in the glow of the television this time of year, but perhaps it’s time for some of the season’s regularly scheduled programming to serve as an inspiration for activity—the 2010 Winter Games. Perhaps bobsledding and the biathlonare out of the question, but suchsports as figure skating, snowboarding, and curling and other exciting and unusual indoor activities are all easily accessible locally, and can get you and your family off the couch and into shape while having fun. Here is a guide to some winter activities you may enjoy in 2010.

Figure Skating

Janet Rosen recalls wanting to figure skate since she was a child. “I saw Peggy Fleming and thought ‘I want to be her when I grow up.’” But it wasn’t until her own kids were grown that Rosen was able to pursue figure skating. At 45, she began taking adult group lessons at the Philadelphia Skating Club and Humane Society in Ardmore, the oldest skating club in the United States. She enjoyed the lessons so much, she decided to pursue the sport—which she describes as great, amazing and difficult in the same sentence—even further, taking individual lessons and then going on to competition. It’s something, she says, anyone can do at any age.

“I like to say there are two kinds of skaters. There are those who have skated since a young age, and then those I like to call adult-onset skaters: these are the people who start figure skating later in life, and dedicate the time and energy into the sport for their own enjoyment.”

Today, Rosen is captain of the synchronized skating team Philly Spirit, which is coached by former Olympian John Thomas. Synchronized skating is quickly growing in popularity, and there is currently even a petition to have it entered as an Olympic sport, and Philly Spirit accommodates skaters of different levels of experience, some who have skated for decades, others who have more recently taken up figure skating.

Her advice for those interested in taking up the sport at any age: Just try it. “Find a skating club, take group lessons and see how you like it,” she says. “Get out and practice, practice, practice.”

To learn more about Philly Spirit, or if you’re interested in joining, visit www.phillyspirit.net.

Snow Sports

It’s fun to get out in the snow for traditional winter activities like snowboarding and skiing, but sometimes a trip to the Pocono Mountains is out of the question. Did you know that you can hit the slopes right in Montgomery County?

Located in Schwenksville, Spring Mountain Ski Area provides area residents with the opportunity to ski, snowboard or tube right in their own backyard—whether Mother Nature is cooperating with white powder or not. Spring Mountain’s snowmakers guarantee a snowy day for your outing. You can hit the bunny slopes with your kids, or take a lesson or two, without having to worry about a long drive home. www.springmountainadventures.com

Fencing

Core strength, flexibility, agility, and a touch of swashbuckling fun—at Bucks County Academy of Fencing, located in Lambertville, people of all ages and all levels of athleticism will find an experience you’re sure to remember.

“People fence for the same reasons they play tennis or any other sport,” says founder Mark Holbrow. “They’re attracted to it for a variety of reasons. Kids associate it with what they see on TV and in the movies: action heroes, pirates, Star Wars. Often, adults are attracted to the sport because it has a very rich history. Or they’re tired of the same old routine at the gym and need something new.

While fencing is a summer Olympic sport, it is an activity that can be enjoyed year-round, by participants ages 8 and older. The benefits of fencing for children aren’t just about activity, notes co-owner Lisa Martini. They also learn good sportsmanship, the history of the sport, safety, etiquette, how to take care of their own equipment, and the opportunity to interact with other kids. It’s also a very individual activity, where participants are not dependent on or responsible for the actions of a team, only their own actions.

Holbrow notes that he has students who began the sport in their 40s and 50s who have gone on to compete internationally.

“It is a very technical discipline,” Holbrow says. “I like to say the physical demands are the same as those for tennis, but with a greater range of motion. What’s great about fencing is that those who are naturally athletic don’t necessarily pick it up easily—the movement doesn’t come naturally. Because of that, people at every level can take it up as a sport.” www.bcfa.com

Curling

The Olympic sport of curling has gained a cult following in recent years, and if you’re one of the millions of viewers who have developed a fascination with this activity, perhaps you should look into the Philadelphia Curling Club in Paoli. Founded in 1957, this private organization is the only club of its kind in Southeast Pennsylvania. Join and take a beginner class to learn the art of curling. Before long, you may even find yourself taking part in a competition or two. www.philadelphiacurlingclub.org

Rock Climbing

With the right motivation and training, you can scale mountains—literally, and both indoors and out. Looking for the perfect place to start training? Try Doylestown Rock Gym.

“Indoor climbing becomes especially popular in the winter when the days are short and cold,” says Dana Caracciolo, General Manager. “It is a great activity for anyone looking to challenge themselves both physically and mentally. Not only do you have to do the physical act of climbing but you also need to use problem solving skills in choosing the right handholds to get you up the wall. There is great exhilaration in getting to the top or conquering a challenging wall.”

With more than 12,000 square feet of climbing surface for participants of all levels, Doylestown Rock Gym is a prime option for anyone interested in getting out and up this winter, especially those who want to prepare to climb in prime outdoor locations in Bucks County, such as Ralph Stover State Park, once the weather heats up.

Caracciolo notes that this is a workout that doesn’t necessarily feel like a workout. “It integrates strength training and aerobic activity in a fun way. Sometimes climbers are so engaged in what they are doing that they don’t realize what good workout they are getting.” www.doylestownrockgym.com

Bikram Yoga

For a challenging experience that enlightens the body and the soul, yoga has been a popular choice during the past decade. And when it comes to pushing themselves farther in their yoga experiences, some like it hot. Very hot. More than 100 degrees hot. Heat that is sure to help reduce winter’s chill. Bikram yoga, also known as hot yoga, is done in a heated studio, at about 105 degrees, which allows the participant to move deeper into poses, and helps the body to expel toxins. A very challenging form of yoga, hot yoga is not for the inexperienced participant. Classes are available at Flip Dog Yoga in Peddler’s Village. www.flipdogyoga.com

Susan Haine is a freelance writer and lives in Conshohocken, PA.