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!
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December 16th, 2023 Holiday Spikeball Hat Tournament in Pacific Beach Benefiting SDSL At-Risk Youth Programs
Tag: Fitness
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.
What is Social Capital and Why is it So Important?
We, at San Diego Social Leagues, we bring community and lasting relationships in our communities through sports and fitness programs. Come, join us and help us make San Diego a brighter and happier community.