Bump, Set, Spike! Author: Calvin Hollingsworth In the world of recreational sports, new games are constantly emerging, but not all of them manage to capture the attention and enthusiasm of players and spectators alike. Spikeball, a relatively recent addition to the world of sports, has succeeded in doing just that. This thrilling, fast-paced game is gaining popularity all around the globe, and in this blog post, we will delve into what makes Spikeball so exciting and why you should consider giving it a try. Here are the basics of the game. Spikeball is a sport that can be played both casually and competitively. The game is played with a small, round net placed at ankle level, and the objective is to hit a small ball into the net in such a way that the opposing team cannot return it. Each team consists of two players, making it a dynamic and high-energy game that can be enjoyed by all ages and skill levels. You may be thinking to yourself, “Why is Spikeball so popular nowadays?” The nice thing is that it requires minimal equipment and can be played in various settings, from beaches to backyards, which makes it accessible to a wide audience. It is an excellent way to get active and enjoy outdoor time with friends, combining elements of agility, hand-eye coordination, and cardiovascular exercise. While Spikeball is easy to pick up and play, it also offers lots of room for improving your skills. Competitive Spikeball leagues and tournaments are gaining momentum across the globe. Playing in pairs fosters teamwork and communication between teammates, as you need to coordinate your efforts to win. Spikeball is a great social game. Whether you’re playing casually with friends at a picnic or participating in organized events, it’s an ideal way to meet new people and bond with others over a shared love for the game. Spikeball’s rapid rise to popularity is no accident. It combines elements of competition, physical activity, and social interaction, which makes it an ideal choice for those looking to enjoy a dynamic and engaging outdoor game. If you’re looking for a new sport to try or simply want to liven up your next gathering, consider giving Spikeball a shot. This exciting game might just become your new favorite pastime, whether you’re spiking for fun or competing at a higher level. For those of you who are interested in playing Spike Ball with us, we are hosting an event with our partner SD Roundnet on Saturday, November 4th, 2023. The event will start at 10 am to around 3 pm. We strongly encourage people of any skill level to attend. This event is going to be a blast and we look forward to seeing you there!
Sign Up for our December 18th Tournament
December 16th, 2023 Holiday Spikeball Hat Tournament in Pacific Beach Benefiting SDSL At-Risk Youth Programs
Tag: Activities
Soaring Through San Diego
An Adventure of a Lifetime! Blog Author: Calvin Hollingsworth San Diego, with its picturesque coastline, abundant sunshine, and gentle ocean breezes, is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. While many people flock to the beaches for sunbathing and water sports, a unique and thrilling adventure awaits those with a taste for the extraordinary: hang gliding. Nestled on the southwestern edge of the United States, this Southern California gem offers the perfect conditions for an exhilarating hang gliding experience. The Magic of Torrey Pines Gliderport If you’re ready to experience the sensation of flying without the constraints of a traditional aircraft, the Torrey Pines Gliderport is the place to be. Perched on the cliffs of La Jolla, this world-renowned site is not only a popular destination for local hang gliding enthusiasts but also a hub for visitors seeking an unforgettable adventure. The Perfect Setting The Torrey Pines Gliderport offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and the stunning coastline, making it a picturesque backdrop for your hang gliding adventure. As you soar through the skies, you’ll witness the mesmerizing sight of the waves crashing against the rugged cliffs and the golden beaches below. The vibrant blue of the ocean against the vivid greenery of the landscape creates a spectacular panorama that is truly unmatched. A Thrilling Experience Hang gliding is often described as the closest humans can come to experiencing true flight. Once you’re strapped into your glider, you’ll feel an immediate rush of adrenaline as you run towards the edge of the cliff and become airborne. The sensation of the wind in your face, the peaceful silence, and the majestic view will leave you breathless. If you’re new to hang gliding, you can opt for a tandem flight, where an experienced pilot will take you on a guided adventure. This is an excellent way to ease into the sport and enjoy the experience without any prior training. For those who wish to take it a step further, the Torrey Pines Gliderport offers lessons and courses to help you become a certified hang glider pilot. How awesome is that? The Best Time to Go Hang Gliding San Diego’s Mediterranean climate makes it a year-round destination for hang gliding. However, if you prefer mild weather and less wind, the spring and summer months are your best bet. Clear skies and gentle breezes create ideal conditions for a memorable flight. Memories That Last a Lifetime Hang gliding in San Diego offers an opportunity to create unforgettable memories and experience the exhilaration of flight in a way few other activities can provide. The combination of natural beauty, skilled instructors, and state-of-the-art equipment at the Torrey Pines Gliderport makes it a must-visit destination for adventure seekers. Whether you’re a seasoned hang glider or a novice looking to try something new, the stunning scenery and perfect flying conditions in San Diego will undoubtedly leave you with a sense of awe and wonder. So, why not take a leap of faith off the cliffs of Torrey Pines Gliderport and experience the thrill of hang gliding in “America’s Finest City”? It’s an adventure you’ll cherish for a lifetime. So, pack your sense of adventure and make your way to San Diego to soar like a bird above the stunning coastline. You won’t be disappointed by the magic of hang gliding in this beautiful part of the state.
Boosting Your Mental Health Through Exercise
Boosting Your Mental Health Through Physical Exercise Blog Post Author: Calvin Hollingsworth Mental Health has received quite the buzz in recent years. There are many ways we can improve our overall mental and emotional well-being. I have mentioned this in previous blog posts on various things we can do to be mentally and emotionally healthier. This post will focus on what consistent physical exercise can do to improve yourself mentally and emotionally. Exercise in any form, helps the brain release endorphins that help improve your mood, thus improving your overall mental health. The best example I can give to you is what exercise has done for me in my life. I have struggled with depression most of my adult life. My depression led to a lack of ambition, isolating myself from others, and being deep in negative thoughts of self-loathing and mental anguish. I ate food that wasn’t great for me, which led to me gaining a lot of weight and being obese for most of my life. Shortly after graduating from college, I had a goal to join the Navy. I busted my butt with the help of loved ones. Over time and much sacrifice, I lost nearly 60 pounds. To make a very long story short, a career in the Navy never worked out due to medical issues. Despite being unable to join, I still decided I wanted to continue my trajectory of healthy living instead of reverting to gaining the weight I worked so hard to lose. Doing aerobic and anaerobic exercise, while being more active throughout the day has been able to help me to keep my depression and lack of motivation at bay. Though some days are better than others, through my consistency at exercising, I have been able to be more happy and feel a great sense of accomplishment having a solid workout was the highlight of my day because I was able to conquer my inner demons that day. My depression doesn’t last as long when I exercise. We all go through hardships in our lives that demand so much of our time, energy, or stress which can make life too much for us to bear. This leads to many people suffering from imbalance in their lives. Though exercise is not the cure-all for all mental issues, it is one of the greatest things for you to do to improve your health both physically and mentally. You will be able to have more energy throughout your day which will help you to be more productive. Who doesn’t want to be more productive? As I have stressed in many previous blog posts, consistency is key to success. It’s human nature to want to take the easy way out in life. If you want to grow and improve, you need to meet adversity head-on and muster the strength to overcome that said adversity. It’s hard to exercise, that is the point. The point is to push yourself past your limits by developing an unyielding mindset that you can accomplish anything you set yourself to do. Again, all it takes is consistency and self-discipline. Before you know it, you will be in the best physical and mental shape of your life and you will want to conquer the world!
In Pursuit of the Perfect Wave
The Pursuit of the Perfect Wave Blog Post Author: Calvin Hollingsworth Picture this in your mind’s eye. The weather conditions are perfect. There is not a cloud in the sky with a cool gentle breeze when you leave your house. You check on your phone the weather conditions and find out that it is the perfect day to go to the beach to go surf. You run to the beach catch a few solid swells, and be stoked on life. This is what surfing is all about, the pursuit of getting the perfect wave and having fun while you do it. Surfing has been the most popular ocean sport for a very long time. Even though I am not a surfer, I have always loved the surfing culture. Most of the people I know who surf are some of the nicest and most relaxed human beings I have ever met. They give off this persona that they don’t have a care in the world and are stress-free. All of my brothers are huge into surfing and even my sisters have gotten into it in recent years. My brothers watch every pro surfing competition and know pretty much every professional surfer like the back of their hand. I have asked many people that I know what is it about surfing that is so addictive? Is it catching the best wave of the day? Is it being with your best friends and enjoying each other’s company in between wave sets? What is it that gets you so pumped to surf? The response has a very common theme with everyone I have asked and it is this. It is a way for them to be one with the ocean and to have a brief escape from reality and the stresses of life. It is deeply therapeutic and will boost your mental health. These are some of the reasons why I love the overall ethos of the sport! Think about it. Even if you are with friends, you still have plenty of alone time waiting for the next set to roll in. You are deep in your own thoughts, often in self-reflection. You experience this euphoric high being in the ocean and enjoying the nature around you. If you are lucky, you may catch a glimpse of some dolphins joining you in catching some waves. Plus, you’re getting one of the best forms of exercise. There is no wonder why this sport is so popular and beloved by people throughout the world, whether they surf or not. Surfing is a great recreational sport. The wonderful thing is that it doesn’t matter your skill level. You could be a professional surfer or it can be your first time and you still will have an absolute blast. No one will laugh or judge you, they usually are so stoked to see you catch your first wave. You will get an insane cardio and full-body workout which is also a huge plus. And when the weather conditions are just right, you will be able to have an adventure that you will never forget which will keep you wanting more. So what are you waiting for? Find a beach, rent a board, and learn how to surf. You won’t regret it.
La Jolla – The Jewel of San Diego
La Jolla: The Jewel of San Diego Author by: Calvin Hollingsworth La Jolla holds a special place in my heart. It helped me to see the beauty in life. At one point, I was going through some mental health struggles where I lost motivation to do much of anything. During this time, I was working the graveyard shift and wasn’t making much money and I felt like my life was fading away since I felt I wasn’t getting ahead in my life and had no energy. So, I decided to do something about it and bought my youngest brother and myself 2 GoPro cameras to add some excitement to my mundane life. Going on random adventures with my brother with my GoPro in hand gave me some purpose in my life and some never-to-forget moments and make memories with the people I love. We went to La Jolla Cove with my brother to test out our new cameras, since my brother and I loved going to the beach. During that time, snorkeling became one of my new favorite recreational hobbies. It felt like we would go snorkel in La Jolla several times a month during the summer and bring our friends to come share experiences with us. As soon as we came home, we would check out our video footage and create short videos to share with our family and friends. These are simple memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life. For me, snorkeling is therapeutic. There is nothing like it being in nature. It is like being a fly on the wall while you witness the hustle and bustle of the animals around you. What is epic about La Jolla, especially the cove, is there is so much marine life everywhere. There were countless seals and sea lions, a wide variety of fish, and even on rare occasions, leopard sharks which makes your snorkel adventure an absolute blast! Checking out the tide pools is also great fun too. You never know what you will find at the pools. Sometimes, you will see loads of sea anemones or even sea slugs on occasion. Its so much fun especially when you have children since it’s a fairly safe activity when the tides are low. The town of La Jolla is a wonderful place to visit with a plethora of nearby shops, small art museums, and delicious selections of restaurants and cafes. The parks here are unique because there are bizarre-looking trees everywhere that remind me of trees that look like they would fit perfectly in a Dr. Suess book. There are plenty of rental shops for snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, and biking which is convenient for those who are visiting or don’t have the right gear. Like most of San Diego, La Jolla is a fun spot to explore year-round which helps with it’s mostly mild weather. So, go rent some snorkel gear, bring a family member or friend, and go check out San Diego’s La Jolla Cove. There is never a dull moment visiting this area of San Diego. Adventure awaits and you won’t be disappointed!