As a child I never needed an excuse to get out onto Dartmoor to enjoy the freedom and space. This was partly due to living in the middle of the moor on a farm and to being a keen horse rider - there is no better way to keep horses fit than galloping up to the tors. When I reached my teenage years I discovered I lived in the perfect place to get myself fit too, using the natural terrain for many running sessions. Due to my natural affinity with the outdoors I always found it slightly baffling that people would want to trace steps of those before them and search under rocks to find a letter box. I could not understand why these walkers needed to get a stamp in a book to motivate them to enjoy the stunning scenery.
Many things have changed recently: I no longer have a horse to keep fit and I do not have any races I need to train for myself. One factor that has not changed is my affinity with the outdoors but sadly I often feel I need a reason to go out and enjoy it. When at home the dogs make for the perfect excuse but I need something more permanent and I might have found the solution.
Ironically I discovered the sport of orienteering whilst abroad at a sporting convention. It seems it has a large international presence but, more importantly to us, it has a large local presence too. The Devon Orienteering club was started thirty five years ago. It is reassuring to see that the club and the sport have not remained in the seventies. The Devon club boasts a significant increase in membership over the last five years, especially in the younger age group. That said it is not a sport that discriminates in any form and it is one of the most all inclusive events available in our county.
I have foggy memories of traipsing around playing fields and woods in the rain carrying a soggy piece of paper and a pencil whilst on a school activity camp looking for certain landmarks. The weather might not have changed but my feelings towards orienteering have. The sport has moved with the times and an electronic tagging system is now used to track how long you are on the course for as well as ensuring all checkpoints are reached.
The mention of technology and tracking could all sound a little daunting but it could not be further from the truth. There are not many competitions that you can turn up to with no previous training or experience and actually participate. As long as you are dressed in comfortable clothes, possibly a waterproof and have suitable footwear everything else required can be borrowed on the day. All ages and abilities are welcome with courses of varying difficulties and lengths available - there are classes for the under ten years through to the eighty plus. Maps are drawn up by the organisers with specific keys and symbols that are clearly explained; for the very young a small course with a rope to follow is used.
The Devon Orienteering club uses a few permanent courses for its events spread across the county as well as a variety of other venues and terrains. The majority of the events will give the participants an opportunity to discover different countryside; whether that is woodland, moorland or even coastal terrain but if getting your feet muddy does not appeal there are events held in parks and urban areas as well.
If running or walking sound a little on the tame side it can easily be spiced up. Several night events are held across the southwest and there's even the option of doing specific races on a mountain bike. If I was still in search of an excuse to enjoy the outdoors orienteering has to be an exciting solution.
Saturday, May 24, 2014
Cruise sports
I am venturing a little further afield than Devon for this months piece - in fact all the way to Asia. I will use the term 'sport' loosely when explaining the two games I have recently been introduced to: shuffleboard and quoits.
Last month I was invited onto a cruise ship to talk about my sporting journey and experiences. It is not the most obvious place to find sports fans and so I have to admit I was a little worried as to the kind of reception I would receive. As it turned out, although the average passenger had probably retired a while ago their interest in sport and keeping fit and healthy was still high on the agenda. Of the eight days I was onboard the cruise ship, four of those were spent at sea as we followed the coast from Hong Kong to Thailand therefore I had to find activities to keep myself entertained. After a few laps of the 110 metre 'jogging track' I realised I needed be a little more open minded in my approach to sport and I headed to the top deck to find a surprisingly competitive environment amongst the passengers.
On the port side were two elongated wooden courts twelve metres long and less than two metres wide with circles drawn on at either end; similar to that of a curling court. On it lay eight donut shaped ropes half of them red and the other half yellow. I was soon informed this was a court for playing deck quoits, a game that is thought to have originated in Ancient Greece. It supposedly began as a poor citizens sport. When working men could not afford a real discus they used to throw bent horse shoes. The Roman army brought it through Europe to Britain and eventually it changed from being a game challenging strength to a game testing skill and accuracy using hoops thrown onto a central peg. The sport of quoits had official rules written in 1881as it became increasingly popular towards the end of the nineteenth century. Other varieties also developed to enable an indoor game that would allow women and children to play as well as pubs to continue tournaments throughout the winter months. From this another style, known as deck quoits, formed in the 1930's in order to entertain passengers on cruise ships and it seems it is still doing so today. After many tips from the onlooking passengers - I was told it is similar to bowls although unfortunately this did not help me at all - I had mastered the game well enough to enjoy myself and most importantly to be competitive.
Across on the starboard side of the top deck there were two more similar sized courts with a triangular score zone drawn on them with the numbers one to ten, these were for playing deck shuffleboard. This game can trace it's origins back some five hundred years with evidence to suggest it was an upper class activity. Henry VIII was said to be a keen player himself and supposedly banned commoners from playing the game. The modern version is played with a stick, known as a tang, along with pucks also known as biscuits and follows a similar format to the original. The aim of the game is to slide your four biscuits along the board one at a time using the stick in an attempt to land on the highest scoring zone. It then becomes very tactical as you can also knock your opponents biscuits out of the scoring zone. As its name suggests deck shuffle board is limited to boats although the land version of the sport is played internationally and hosted its first world championships in 1981.
Both of these games, which can be played as an individual or in teams of two, do not require a great deal of physical exertion but do require a reasonable amount of skill. As fun and competitive as shuffleboard and quoits are, if I want to carry on returning to the 'all you can eat' cruise buffet I think it is time I revert to a slightly more physically demanding sport.
Last month I was invited onto a cruise ship to talk about my sporting journey and experiences. It is not the most obvious place to find sports fans and so I have to admit I was a little worried as to the kind of reception I would receive. As it turned out, although the average passenger had probably retired a while ago their interest in sport and keeping fit and healthy was still high on the agenda. Of the eight days I was onboard the cruise ship, four of those were spent at sea as we followed the coast from Hong Kong to Thailand therefore I had to find activities to keep myself entertained. After a few laps of the 110 metre 'jogging track' I realised I needed be a little more open minded in my approach to sport and I headed to the top deck to find a surprisingly competitive environment amongst the passengers.
On the port side were two elongated wooden courts twelve metres long and less than two metres wide with circles drawn on at either end; similar to that of a curling court. On it lay eight donut shaped ropes half of them red and the other half yellow. I was soon informed this was a court for playing deck quoits, a game that is thought to have originated in Ancient Greece. It supposedly began as a poor citizens sport. When working men could not afford a real discus they used to throw bent horse shoes. The Roman army brought it through Europe to Britain and eventually it changed from being a game challenging strength to a game testing skill and accuracy using hoops thrown onto a central peg. The sport of quoits had official rules written in 1881as it became increasingly popular towards the end of the nineteenth century. Other varieties also developed to enable an indoor game that would allow women and children to play as well as pubs to continue tournaments throughout the winter months. From this another style, known as deck quoits, formed in the 1930's in order to entertain passengers on cruise ships and it seems it is still doing so today. After many tips from the onlooking passengers - I was told it is similar to bowls although unfortunately this did not help me at all - I had mastered the game well enough to enjoy myself and most importantly to be competitive.
Across on the starboard side of the top deck there were two more similar sized courts with a triangular score zone drawn on them with the numbers one to ten, these were for playing deck shuffleboard. This game can trace it's origins back some five hundred years with evidence to suggest it was an upper class activity. Henry VIII was said to be a keen player himself and supposedly banned commoners from playing the game. The modern version is played with a stick, known as a tang, along with pucks also known as biscuits and follows a similar format to the original. The aim of the game is to slide your four biscuits along the board one at a time using the stick in an attempt to land on the highest scoring zone. It then becomes very tactical as you can also knock your opponents biscuits out of the scoring zone. As its name suggests deck shuffle board is limited to boats although the land version of the sport is played internationally and hosted its first world championships in 1981.
Both of these games, which can be played as an individual or in teams of two, do not require a great deal of physical exertion but do require a reasonable amount of skill. As fun and competitive as shuffleboard and quoits are, if I want to carry on returning to the 'all you can eat' cruise buffet I think it is time I revert to a slightly more physically demanding sport.
Rowing
My first introduction to rowing or should I say rowers was in the Olympic Village, Beijing. The day I flew into China with the Modern Pentathlon team happened to coincide with the rowers returning from their venue outside of the Olympic park; they were ready to celebrate and enjoy this unique environment whilst we were nervously stepping into this enormous sporting arena for the first time. As a result of Beijing I developed some strong friendships with several of the rowing team and got an insight into this incredibly tough sport.
Other than my slim knowledge of Olympic rowing, the closest I have actually come to experiencing the sport is a few gym sessions on an indoor rowing machine and one trial in an offshore rowing boat. I have always been slightly daunted by the rowing scene as with a huge variety of disciplines it could seem a sport better left to the professionals. I am pleased to say that there are many who do not have these misconceptions as evidenced by the eleven clubs based on the South Devon coast.
Allow me to summarise: there are two significant divisions which are divided by the type of seat, whether it is fixed or sliding. The sliding seats include fine boats such as those seen at the Olympics and also the offshore variety; then there are fixed seat boats such as Pilot Gigs. Since Great Britain's success at London 2012, especially with the Westcountry's Helen Glover winning our first gold at Dorney Lake, rowing has had an influx of participants. The British rowing association oversee this development and help to coordinate between the various clubs including initiating learn to row programmes. Just last month there were five hundred school children from Plymouth taking part in an indoor rowing competition and every secondary school has access to this programme.
The most popular discipline amongst adults in the Westcountry is Pilot Gig boat rowing. I have to confess it originated from our neighbours in 1790 when pilots were needed to guide the big ships into Cornish Harbours. As each ship only needed one pilot it became a race to deliver your pilot first and therefore get paid. The type of boat and its structure of six crew and a cox has not changed - the newly built boats still have to all fit the exact template before being signed off. This type of rowing has remained dominant in the Westcountry but it is a growing sport with the world championships hosting nearly one hundred and forty teams including countries such as Holland and Ireland.
The South Hams offer a selection of Gig rowing clubs and one of these is the Turnchapel based Cattewater club. I spoke to Chairman David Wynn who explained the sport as being competitive yet social. His club owns Pilgrim and Drake, whilst waiting for Catalina to be built, these boats are made from Elm costing £22k and once ready for the water the work does not stop there as maintenance of these unique wooden crafts is ongoing. To meet the demand from club members they have invested in two plastic boats for training, although a rota is still required in order to give everyone the opportunity to row whether for training or socially.
With the nature of the sport being a healthy combination of a strong physical workout alongside a fun social scene it does seem to attract members from all walks of life. David links this to people searching for a physical release from the stresses of everyday work. This year they have organised training sessions throughout the winter, with selection for the three men's and three women's teams being competitive they are hoping for some strong results in this upcoming regatta season. He told me it takes about four years to perfect the technique and a successful gig rower needs to have equally strong fitness, technique and timing. If all of this sounds too much commitment then there are recreational rowing opportunities and a new taster session initiative to encourage first timers to come and try out this unique sport. Although the boats are expensive this is a sport that is highly accessible to all. I have been assured you need only bring some warm layers, a pair of old trainers and a 'have a go' attitude to be guaranteed some fun on the Devon coast.
Other than my slim knowledge of Olympic rowing, the closest I have actually come to experiencing the sport is a few gym sessions on an indoor rowing machine and one trial in an offshore rowing boat. I have always been slightly daunted by the rowing scene as with a huge variety of disciplines it could seem a sport better left to the professionals. I am pleased to say that there are many who do not have these misconceptions as evidenced by the eleven clubs based on the South Devon coast.
Allow me to summarise: there are two significant divisions which are divided by the type of seat, whether it is fixed or sliding. The sliding seats include fine boats such as those seen at the Olympics and also the offshore variety; then there are fixed seat boats such as Pilot Gigs. Since Great Britain's success at London 2012, especially with the Westcountry's Helen Glover winning our first gold at Dorney Lake, rowing has had an influx of participants. The British rowing association oversee this development and help to coordinate between the various clubs including initiating learn to row programmes. Just last month there were five hundred school children from Plymouth taking part in an indoor rowing competition and every secondary school has access to this programme.
The most popular discipline amongst adults in the Westcountry is Pilot Gig boat rowing. I have to confess it originated from our neighbours in 1790 when pilots were needed to guide the big ships into Cornish Harbours. As each ship only needed one pilot it became a race to deliver your pilot first and therefore get paid. The type of boat and its structure of six crew and a cox has not changed - the newly built boats still have to all fit the exact template before being signed off. This type of rowing has remained dominant in the Westcountry but it is a growing sport with the world championships hosting nearly one hundred and forty teams including countries such as Holland and Ireland.
The South Hams offer a selection of Gig rowing clubs and one of these is the Turnchapel based Cattewater club. I spoke to Chairman David Wynn who explained the sport as being competitive yet social. His club owns Pilgrim and Drake, whilst waiting for Catalina to be built, these boats are made from Elm costing £22k and once ready for the water the work does not stop there as maintenance of these unique wooden crafts is ongoing. To meet the demand from club members they have invested in two plastic boats for training, although a rota is still required in order to give everyone the opportunity to row whether for training or socially.
With the nature of the sport being a healthy combination of a strong physical workout alongside a fun social scene it does seem to attract members from all walks of life. David links this to people searching for a physical release from the stresses of everyday work. This year they have organised training sessions throughout the winter, with selection for the three men's and three women's teams being competitive they are hoping for some strong results in this upcoming regatta season. He told me it takes about four years to perfect the technique and a successful gig rower needs to have equally strong fitness, technique and timing. If all of this sounds too much commitment then there are recreational rowing opportunities and a new taster session initiative to encourage first timers to come and try out this unique sport. Although the boats are expensive this is a sport that is highly accessible to all. I have been assured you need only bring some warm layers, a pair of old trainers and a 'have a go' attitude to be guaranteed some fun on the Devon coast.
Whiff whaff
Cigars and champagne are two less than healthy indulgences that one would not commonly associate with sport, especially not an Olympic sport. The British, however, have a history of looking at things from a different angle as the Mayor of London Boris Johnson famously explained when London won the Olympic bid: "The French looked at a dining table to have dinner on and we looked at a dining table to play whiff whaff on". The sport of whiff whaff, ping pong or table tennis, as it is now officially known, derived from dinner parties hosted by the English upper classes in the 1880s. The dining table was cleared, champagne corks were carved into balls, cigar box lids became bats and the after dinner entertainment commenced.
The sport originated with our upper classes but is now played by 2.4 million people in the UK with around 40 million playing globally making it the sport with the most participants world wide. Table tennis held its first world championships in London in 1926 although did not become an Olympic sport until 1988. The attraction is simple: it is fast, fun and cheap - the modern bats and balls are thankfully more affordable than champagne and cigars. So how did we lose control of a sport that we invented?
For sometime now, China has dominated the world of table tennis and the only notable exceptions have been Chinese players gaining citizenship in other countries. One of their top athletes Zhang Jike said he grew up playing football but realised that had far less potential than table tennis in his country where the sport is immensely popular. The Chinese monopolise the sport the sport to such an extent that some have suggested they should provide training camps and inside knowledge to rival countries in order to make it more competitive and exciting on the world stage.
Sport of any sort has so many proven benefits but some can be inaccessible, expensive, weather dependant or only suitable for certain ages or fitness. Top level table tennis players require speed, power, agility and strength yet anyone can pick up a bat and have a go. It was in a village hall that Devon's Paralympian David Wetherill found his love for the sport. David was born with a rare bone development disorder called Multiple Epiphyseal Dsyplasia and was told by a doctor, at the time of diagnosis, that he would be wheelchair bound by the time he was a teenager. Having always been a keen swimmer and footballer, he discovered his love for table tennis at the age of ten thanks to his father who ran the local club. When David could no longer play football he chose to focus his fast reactions and competitive nature on table tennis. It helped him through school, identifying himself as a sportsman not a disabled person, and most significantly it was the appetite to succeed that drove him. In 2002 following a talk from another Paralympian, David decided to take it seriously and three years later, the year that London won the bid to host the Olympics, he competed in his first international. Having competed in Beijing and London, David is now targeting the Rio Olympics in 2016 to win that elusive medal. The next stepping stone on that journey are the world championships this September in yes, you guessed it, China.
This once traditionally English sport is yet again growing in popularity. "PingPong" bars are popping up in London and there are now 750 table tennis
clubs throughout the country. Devon has seen a direct effect from the London games and one Plymouth club especially, part of the Olympic table tennis floor, is now being used by Woolwell TT Club. The founder Kev Buddell has noticed the growth of the sport and with the help of Sport England has managed to expand Woolwell TT Club. It now has thirty five tables available on club nights including a squad of twenty athletes who are training to compete at the nationals.
The top level athletes usually start from a very young age but this shouldn’t discourage anyone from taking up the sport. Woolwell TT club recently had a gentleman take up the sport at the age of seventy so it really is never too late.
The sport originated with our upper classes but is now played by 2.4 million people in the UK with around 40 million playing globally making it the sport with the most participants world wide. Table tennis held its first world championships in London in 1926 although did not become an Olympic sport until 1988. The attraction is simple: it is fast, fun and cheap - the modern bats and balls are thankfully more affordable than champagne and cigars. So how did we lose control of a sport that we invented?
For sometime now, China has dominated the world of table tennis and the only notable exceptions have been Chinese players gaining citizenship in other countries. One of their top athletes Zhang Jike said he grew up playing football but realised that had far less potential than table tennis in his country where the sport is immensely popular. The Chinese monopolise the sport the sport to such an extent that some have suggested they should provide training camps and inside knowledge to rival countries in order to make it more competitive and exciting on the world stage.
Sport of any sort has so many proven benefits but some can be inaccessible, expensive, weather dependant or only suitable for certain ages or fitness. Top level table tennis players require speed, power, agility and strength yet anyone can pick up a bat and have a go. It was in a village hall that Devon's Paralympian David Wetherill found his love for the sport. David was born with a rare bone development disorder called Multiple Epiphyseal Dsyplasia and was told by a doctor, at the time of diagnosis, that he would be wheelchair bound by the time he was a teenager. Having always been a keen swimmer and footballer, he discovered his love for table tennis at the age of ten thanks to his father who ran the local club. When David could no longer play football he chose to focus his fast reactions and competitive nature on table tennis. It helped him through school, identifying himself as a sportsman not a disabled person, and most significantly it was the appetite to succeed that drove him. In 2002 following a talk from another Paralympian, David decided to take it seriously and three years later, the year that London won the bid to host the Olympics, he competed in his first international. Having competed in Beijing and London, David is now targeting the Rio Olympics in 2016 to win that elusive medal. The next stepping stone on that journey are the world championships this September in yes, you guessed it, China.
This once traditionally English sport is yet again growing in popularity. "PingPong" bars are popping up in London and there are now 750 table tennis
clubs throughout the country. Devon has seen a direct effect from the London games and one Plymouth club especially, part of the Olympic table tennis floor, is now being used by Woolwell TT Club. The founder Kev Buddell has noticed the growth of the sport and with the help of Sport England has managed to expand Woolwell TT Club. It now has thirty five tables available on club nights including a squad of twenty athletes who are training to compete at the nationals.
The top level athletes usually start from a very young age but this shouldn’t discourage anyone from taking up the sport. Woolwell TT club recently had a gentleman take up the sport at the age of seventy so it really is never too late.
Winter sport
This might not seem like the best time of year to be visiting the Devon Riviera but with the Sochi Olympics just around the corner there could be something of surprising interest. Torquay is one of the mildest places in the country yet it boasts the oldest functioning dry ski slope in the world that has just celebrated its fifty-year anniversary.
Interest in winter sports is growing fast with the build up to the Winter Olympics. We have a variety of medal winning potential in curling, speed skating, bobsleigh, bobskeleton as well as the newer downhill events such as freestyle and ski or board cross. All of the aforementioned sports have won medals for Great Britain on the World stage including a recent promising performance from the men's bobsleigh team who won Silver at the Lake Placid World Cup; the first British podium finish in sixteen years.
As a Modern Pentathlete I understand the difficulties associated with a minority sport: funding is always a challenge and there is the added issue of finding facilities. For my sport you do need a variety of facilities although I think finding one suitable venue for most winter sports is considerably more difficult. From training at Bath University I have become well acquainted with some of the potential Sochi Olympians. A push track was built in 2002 and combined with the world-class support team based at the University it is a medal winning formula as proven by Britain's sole medallist in Vancouver who came through this system - hopefully there will be more to follow this time around.
Historically the majority of athletes representing Great Britain in winter sports seem to be from Scotland. Our stunning hills on Dartmoor do not quite lend themselves to a ski run and our supposedly milder climate does not provide us with regular snow. We do, however, have one significant factor to our advantage: strong military links. Thanks to British military support to winter sports Devon can proudly claim Major Andrew Clarke RA - an international telemark skier and chairman of the International Ski Federation who is helping to develop this World Championship level event.
Some of my earliest memories are tobogganing on Dartmoor include an uncontrolled tandem run into a gorse bush; luckily for me my sister was in the front seat. I also distinctly remember my first skiing experience on the somewhat less picturesque Plymouth dry slope. Most of our European neighbours would laugh at us donning our snow attire to ski or snowboard down a few hundred metres of an off-white plastic bristled piste. We are unlikely to compete with their downhill skiers but with the introduction of the more artistic ski and snowboard events where snow domes and water parks can be used to practise, Britain is not far behind. Sport England is beginning to invest more funds including the recent initiative "go ski go board" launched to encourage more people of all ages and abilities to make the most of the facilities on offer in the UK.
In our area we are spoilt with artificial ski venues in Exeter, Plymouth and Torquay. There are ski and board sessions held everyday of the week for all ages and all abilities. With half term coming up there are kids days available as well as party packages. At the other end of the spectrum these facilities offer everything from coffee mornings and social evenings through to race training sessions as well as adaptive skiing opportunities.
We have Devon's Sir Fred Pontin and the harsh winter of 1962/3 to thank for all of the artificial ski slopes across the UK. Apparently the people of Devon were so impressed by the snow throughout that winter that Sir Fred decided to build an artificial slope at his Torquay holiday camp. This was the first permanent slope in the UK and created a model for others to follow including a temporary 240ft run erected inside Alexandra Palace for an international tournament. Whether you want to try skiing for the first time, have some lessons to refresh, get fit before a holiday or you're simply feeling inspired by the Winter Olympics; as a result of a Devon holiday camp supremo you can do all of the above without leaving the county.
Interest in winter sports is growing fast with the build up to the Winter Olympics. We have a variety of medal winning potential in curling, speed skating, bobsleigh, bobskeleton as well as the newer downhill events such as freestyle and ski or board cross. All of the aforementioned sports have won medals for Great Britain on the World stage including a recent promising performance from the men's bobsleigh team who won Silver at the Lake Placid World Cup; the first British podium finish in sixteen years.
As a Modern Pentathlete I understand the difficulties associated with a minority sport: funding is always a challenge and there is the added issue of finding facilities. For my sport you do need a variety of facilities although I think finding one suitable venue for most winter sports is considerably more difficult. From training at Bath University I have become well acquainted with some of the potential Sochi Olympians. A push track was built in 2002 and combined with the world-class support team based at the University it is a medal winning formula as proven by Britain's sole medallist in Vancouver who came through this system - hopefully there will be more to follow this time around.
Historically the majority of athletes representing Great Britain in winter sports seem to be from Scotland. Our stunning hills on Dartmoor do not quite lend themselves to a ski run and our supposedly milder climate does not provide us with regular snow. We do, however, have one significant factor to our advantage: strong military links. Thanks to British military support to winter sports Devon can proudly claim Major Andrew Clarke RA - an international telemark skier and chairman of the International Ski Federation who is helping to develop this World Championship level event.
Some of my earliest memories are tobogganing on Dartmoor include an uncontrolled tandem run into a gorse bush; luckily for me my sister was in the front seat. I also distinctly remember my first skiing experience on the somewhat less picturesque Plymouth dry slope. Most of our European neighbours would laugh at us donning our snow attire to ski or snowboard down a few hundred metres of an off-white plastic bristled piste. We are unlikely to compete with their downhill skiers but with the introduction of the more artistic ski and snowboard events where snow domes and water parks can be used to practise, Britain is not far behind. Sport England is beginning to invest more funds including the recent initiative "go ski go board" launched to encourage more people of all ages and abilities to make the most of the facilities on offer in the UK.
In our area we are spoilt with artificial ski venues in Exeter, Plymouth and Torquay. There are ski and board sessions held everyday of the week for all ages and all abilities. With half term coming up there are kids days available as well as party packages. At the other end of the spectrum these facilities offer everything from coffee mornings and social evenings through to race training sessions as well as adaptive skiing opportunities.
We have Devon's Sir Fred Pontin and the harsh winter of 1962/3 to thank for all of the artificial ski slopes across the UK. Apparently the people of Devon were so impressed by the snow throughout that winter that Sir Fred decided to build an artificial slope at his Torquay holiday camp. This was the first permanent slope in the UK and created a model for others to follow including a temporary 240ft run erected inside Alexandra Palace for an international tournament. Whether you want to try skiing for the first time, have some lessons to refresh, get fit before a holiday or you're simply feeling inspired by the Winter Olympics; as a result of a Devon holiday camp supremo you can do all of the above without leaving the county.
Rugby
I could not hold off much longer, I need to share my love of rugby. This is a sport that I can not pretend to have any experience of playing, unless I can count touch rugby for one term at school? I should probably also confess that until recently I was not a massive fan of spectating either, this was nothing against rugby but more due to the fact that I prefer to do rather than watch when it comes to sport. However as I have matured I have been drawn more into this sport for many reasons, the initial one maybe only the female reader will understand, but far more importantly I enjoy the game for its fine example of sportsmanship and professionalism.
I will try not to harp on about the wonderful part of the world we live in, I am pretty sure I would be preaching to the converted, yet every month with each new sport I realise just how much we have going for us in Devon. Rugby really is no exception and a lot of that is due to the recent rise of the Exeter Chiefs into the premiership. I still find it hard to believe that since winning the Championship play offs as the underdogs four seasons ago the club have gone from strength to strength and proved many critics wrong as they continue to cement themselves among the long established top flight clubs.
A few years ago when the construction of Sandy Park, the new home of Exeter Chiefs, was being built I do remember thinking is this really necessary, will enough people really come to a home game? I was soon to be proven wrong and it seems that the wonderful facility has been widely recognised. There was the exciting announcement that Sandy Park will host some of the 2015 World Cup matches and more recently we heard that the LV cup final this season will be played there. It is no surprise then that the club has just scooped an award for rugby venue of the year, the view from the Grandstand out over Dartmoor should win that alone.
It could appear that Exeter Chiefs have the money that is now always a prerequisite to competing in the top level professional sport and that is the sole reason that they have managed to remain in the Premiership. As much as finances do play a big part in sport, at the end of the day it is about the talent and most importantly the team bond. As an athlete I experienced the sheer importance of a team around me, it was the strong local support that really made the difference, this is demonstrated clearly by the Devon club and their set up.
Exeter Chiefs have been led up through by coach Rob Baxter who demonstrates the importance of community and continuity. He has also ensured it continues through to the players with the investment in the youth and academy sectors already paying off. Last summer saw the England juniors winning their World Cup with a team consisting of five Chiefs players. I spoke to Henry Slade from that victorious team who talked to me about the impact of having a Premiership team local to his home:
"It gave me the opportunity to be part of the academy set up whilst still at school which enabled me to balance my studies in Plymouth whilst training in Exeter. This opportunity has certainly played a large part in my rugby career so far and for so many of my team mates too. As a result of coming up through the system with many of the other guys there is a really great bond that makes a difference when playing together in matches."
There are also numerous opportunities for children to get involved in this sport, whether through their local school, club or other organisations. Rugby demonstrates so many qualities needed in everyday life, this has been identified locally by the Chiefs who now run a comprehensive community programme across all of Devon and Cornwall.
If though like me you are past your prime rugby playing days then fear not as an afternoon out at the rugby, as long as you are adequately wrapped up, provides a wonderful combination of top level sport with the perfect excuse for a social opportunity.
I will try not to harp on about the wonderful part of the world we live in, I am pretty sure I would be preaching to the converted, yet every month with each new sport I realise just how much we have going for us in Devon. Rugby really is no exception and a lot of that is due to the recent rise of the Exeter Chiefs into the premiership. I still find it hard to believe that since winning the Championship play offs as the underdogs four seasons ago the club have gone from strength to strength and proved many critics wrong as they continue to cement themselves among the long established top flight clubs.
A few years ago when the construction of Sandy Park, the new home of Exeter Chiefs, was being built I do remember thinking is this really necessary, will enough people really come to a home game? I was soon to be proven wrong and it seems that the wonderful facility has been widely recognised. There was the exciting announcement that Sandy Park will host some of the 2015 World Cup matches and more recently we heard that the LV cup final this season will be played there. It is no surprise then that the club has just scooped an award for rugby venue of the year, the view from the Grandstand out over Dartmoor should win that alone.
It could appear that Exeter Chiefs have the money that is now always a prerequisite to competing in the top level professional sport and that is the sole reason that they have managed to remain in the Premiership. As much as finances do play a big part in sport, at the end of the day it is about the talent and most importantly the team bond. As an athlete I experienced the sheer importance of a team around me, it was the strong local support that really made the difference, this is demonstrated clearly by the Devon club and their set up.
Exeter Chiefs have been led up through by coach Rob Baxter who demonstrates the importance of community and continuity. He has also ensured it continues through to the players with the investment in the youth and academy sectors already paying off. Last summer saw the England juniors winning their World Cup with a team consisting of five Chiefs players. I spoke to Henry Slade from that victorious team who talked to me about the impact of having a Premiership team local to his home:
"It gave me the opportunity to be part of the academy set up whilst still at school which enabled me to balance my studies in Plymouth whilst training in Exeter. This opportunity has certainly played a large part in my rugby career so far and for so many of my team mates too. As a result of coming up through the system with many of the other guys there is a really great bond that makes a difference when playing together in matches."
There are also numerous opportunities for children to get involved in this sport, whether through their local school, club or other organisations. Rugby demonstrates so many qualities needed in everyday life, this has been identified locally by the Chiefs who now run a comprehensive community programme across all of Devon and Cornwall.
If though like me you are past your prime rugby playing days then fear not as an afternoon out at the rugby, as long as you are adequately wrapped up, provides a wonderful combination of top level sport with the perfect excuse for a social opportunity.
Sailing
I did not need to look far to find a relevant sport to focus on for Devon Life's November town of interest. Growing up in Devon I have associated Topsham with sailing, I remember seeing it from down the river when going to test out an RS400 racing dinghy with my father. There is something about the sound of the shrouds clinking against the masts that brings back strong childhood memories but I also have the fear that sailing clubs will have an air of snobbery to them. With Topsham being in a seemingly affluent area I had already labelled it, however I hoped I would be proven wrong.
As Brits we have a proud history when it comes to sailing. Our nautical reputation began centuries ago with our famous naval fleets commanding the oceans, fast forward to the present day and our dominance remains evident with numerous Olympic sailing medals to boot. More proof of our rich heritage in this sport is represented by our invention of the America's cup, the oldest trophy in sport, unfortunately though, since its inception it has yet to return to our shores. Just over a month ago we witnessed one of the most exciting comebacks in the race's 162 year history. Sir Ben Ainslie brought Team Oracle USA from a disastrous 8-2 down, to win the next seven races and therefore clinch the series title. This result has reignited the flame for a British boat to enter the next competition. The bid, which is being led by Sir Ben, is struggling to find the enormous financial backing required for such an event. It is due to examples like these combined with the stereotype of old boys in blazers residing in their posh yacht clubs that can cause sailing to have an elitist reputation, I wanted to discover the truth.
I am pleased to say all of my preconceptions were blown away before I even arrived at Topsham sailing club. After an encouraging phone call I headed down to the club to speak to the Commodore Colin Leach, straight after one of their mid week races. With the nights dramatically pulling in and summer already a distant memory, I was pleasantly surprised by the size of the fleet that was returning from an evening out on the water.
It turns out if I had arrived a couple of hours earlier I would have been invited to join a crew in one of the racing boats, irrelevant of my experience - this really does prove my original view to be completely misconstrued. There is no dashing off home for the majority of the sailors as they head into the club house to make the most of the home cooked food. The kitchen and bar are run by the members using a rota system, this ensures reasonably priced drinks and wholesome food. I immediately feel welcome and it is obvious that the social side is as important as the time on the river to this club and its members.
As significant as the social activities might be, ultimately I wanted to know more about what is on offer beyond the walls of the clubhouse. The river Ex with its fast moving tides and deep mud banks might not seem the obvious location for a club that offers dinghy sailing through to small yachts, but it can make the racing that bit more exciting. The predominant category at the Topsham club is the Yawl, a boat described by the commodore as the geriatric one design - basically a dinghy that is apparently not only straightforward to sail but also nigh on impossible to capsize. This could easily be a reflection of the demographic but I am relieved to hear that all ages are welcome from children sailing the club owned Toppers through to pensioners still racing the Yawls.
The club may cater for all ages and abilities but if not already part of the sailing community I wanted to know where one should start. I was reassured to hear that no prior sailing knowledge or equipment is required, if all you turn up with is enthusiasm and a smile you will no doubt fit right in. The Commodore summed up the clubs ethos perfectly; "the more you put in the more you get out" and how well demonstrated that was.
As Brits we have a proud history when it comes to sailing. Our nautical reputation began centuries ago with our famous naval fleets commanding the oceans, fast forward to the present day and our dominance remains evident with numerous Olympic sailing medals to boot. More proof of our rich heritage in this sport is represented by our invention of the America's cup, the oldest trophy in sport, unfortunately though, since its inception it has yet to return to our shores. Just over a month ago we witnessed one of the most exciting comebacks in the race's 162 year history. Sir Ben Ainslie brought Team Oracle USA from a disastrous 8-2 down, to win the next seven races and therefore clinch the series title. This result has reignited the flame for a British boat to enter the next competition. The bid, which is being led by Sir Ben, is struggling to find the enormous financial backing required for such an event. It is due to examples like these combined with the stereotype of old boys in blazers residing in their posh yacht clubs that can cause sailing to have an elitist reputation, I wanted to discover the truth.
I am pleased to say all of my preconceptions were blown away before I even arrived at Topsham sailing club. After an encouraging phone call I headed down to the club to speak to the Commodore Colin Leach, straight after one of their mid week races. With the nights dramatically pulling in and summer already a distant memory, I was pleasantly surprised by the size of the fleet that was returning from an evening out on the water.
It turns out if I had arrived a couple of hours earlier I would have been invited to join a crew in one of the racing boats, irrelevant of my experience - this really does prove my original view to be completely misconstrued. There is no dashing off home for the majority of the sailors as they head into the club house to make the most of the home cooked food. The kitchen and bar are run by the members using a rota system, this ensures reasonably priced drinks and wholesome food. I immediately feel welcome and it is obvious that the social side is as important as the time on the river to this club and its members.
As significant as the social activities might be, ultimately I wanted to know more about what is on offer beyond the walls of the clubhouse. The river Ex with its fast moving tides and deep mud banks might not seem the obvious location for a club that offers dinghy sailing through to small yachts, but it can make the racing that bit more exciting. The predominant category at the Topsham club is the Yawl, a boat described by the commodore as the geriatric one design - basically a dinghy that is apparently not only straightforward to sail but also nigh on impossible to capsize. This could easily be a reflection of the demographic but I am relieved to hear that all ages are welcome from children sailing the club owned Toppers through to pensioners still racing the Yawls.
The club may cater for all ages and abilities but if not already part of the sailing community I wanted to know where one should start. I was reassured to hear that no prior sailing knowledge or equipment is required, if all you turn up with is enthusiasm and a smile you will no doubt fit right in. The Commodore summed up the clubs ethos perfectly; "the more you put in the more you get out" and how well demonstrated that was.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)