FENCING

Today was another good day.  I have been trying for years to learn Fencing, one of the original Olympic Sports, and I finally got connected with Charlotte Fencing Academy.  Brian Toomey came out to my school for a "learn Fencing in an hour" session which prepared me for my first ever duel.  Speaking of duel, I found it interesting to learn the history of Fencing, which involved originally dueling to the death!  Luckily, society decided that was not the best idea.  After an explanation of all the basics, it was time to get real and get the equipment on.  I placed several layers of what looked like a straight jacket on, gloves, and a face mask with a metal screen.  I was actually dizzy looking out of it at first.  I was ready to poke someone nonetheless!  And then Brian approached me for my first practice.  I'm not going to lie to you, I was a little nervous when a guy with a dark screened mask approached me with a sword or foil as it is called.  Even though he assured me that Fencing is one of the safest sports around, a foil pointing at you is a little unnerving.  I, however, had a foil as well and was ready to lunge.  I paired up with some of our staff members in a one on one match to the death.....or to the poke.  Yes I got poked a few times but scored a few of my own as well.  This was a lot of fun today.  I loved the sound of the foils clinking together and the thrill of the one on one competition.  Thanks again Brian  for teaching me a new sport!

Nascar Racing....riding

My challenge really got "revved" up today as I participated in the Nascar Racing experience at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.  I was able to ride alongside a professional driver or at least that is what I called him since we were literally inches I think from the wall at 185 miles an hour on the track.  I tried to get a video but it is hard to work a phone at that speed.  So what did I take from this experience....... Racing IS A SPORT!!!  No doubt.  What an exhilarating experience going that fast and we were not even in a race.  How do those drivers do it and come away unharmed.  Unbelievable.  Besides the gas fumes in my face for all of  3 minutes, the ride was incredible and I think I am finally a race fan now after growing up in a racing town.

SQUASH!

Today was a great day.  Another sport learned!  As you know, my whole mission is to find new and upcoming sports and activities that keep our community active.  And here is a great one, Squash.  What is it?? Well I always hate to compare sports.  Most passionate players of sport do not want to be compared to something else and squash is a very popular sport from England in and of itself.  But to be honest it is very similar to Racquetball.  After reading about a group starting a Squash club in Charlotte, I had to try it out.  I took my kids and some friends to participate in their open house today.  I was ready  to "squash" some competition.........ok, moving on.   However, with most things I've played, I was challenged.  So after one day of playing a pick up game at the Charlotte Squash Club's new and beautiful facility, here is what I know.

Squash uses longer rackets than racquetball, has a smaller and slower ball, is played on a shorter court but a similar width court as racquetball, and the scoring is to 11, not 15.

I really liked this sport.  I read that in 2003, it was ranked the #1 healthiest sport to play.  I definitely worked up a sweat in the few minutes playing on court and I really felt more successful at it than racquetball, which means I was able to track the slower moving ball better in this sport.  

And it didn't hurt that I won a raffle at the open house and selected a brand new racket and my sons won a ball and protection glasses!  BONUS!

Thank you Jim for letting me try a new sport today!