| Your ‘not so typical’ Children’s Sports |
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Let’s face it, not every child can or wants to throw, catch or kick a ball. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a sport out there suited to their ability and personality.
Your child may have great hand-eye coordination, but hates the hot outdoor fields. Maybe they live for their next mental challenge, but want to spend their summer doing something more active than chess. The Greater Baton Rouge and surrounding communities offers unique opportunities in sports for all cross-sections of children. We’ve managed to find a few that are sure to teach your child something new, let them have fun, help get them moving and satisfy their energetic appetite.
Ice Hockey When Maynard Milks made the long trip from Canada to Baton Rouge almost a decade ago, finding an ice hockey league was a difficult task, but not impossible. Now serving as the Baton Rouge Youth Ice Hockey assistant coach, Milks spends his days and evenings coaching the girls and boys’ youth ice hockey at Leo’s Iceland. According to Milks, playing ice hockey requires two skills being used at the same time—skating and hand-eye-coordination. With a generous age group spanding from four to eighteen years of age, he finds that the sport and coordination are picked up very quickly at a young age and after four or five sessions they are even skating well. The league offers competitive opportunities and safety is always first when playing or competing. In addition to being referred to as a “thinking game,” Milks said the sport helps burn calories and is a form of highly aerobic exercise that can help children maintain a healthy body. Where else can you exercise on ice in south Louisiana?
What started about a year ago as a way of offering something “different” to the community is now 20 members strong and growing. Fencing—a combo sport that helps people stay in shape while learning practical self-defense at the same time. Kristen Hogan, YMCA of the Capital Area marketing director, said fencing is great for children who aren’t into sports, but still want to participate in a fun activity that requires no previous experience. Under the direction of instructor Marge Collier, a United States Fencing Coaches Association certified coach, your child will learn a sport that builds strategic thinking, agility and mental discipline. Collier said fencing is more than just a “hot, sweaty sport” that burns some calories. “Fencing teaches some valuable social skills about respect and it encourages kids to look within and overcome their own challenges as they learn strategies to overcome their opponents,” she said. The Baton Rouge Fencing Club opened its doors in 1976 as a means of coordinating the different clubs in the area. The club currently has around 40 participants taking this sport to the next level.
Olympic gymnastics training While not every sports will land an athlete a gold medal, Elite Gymnastics in Baton Rouge offers a unique Olympic training program for children ranging in age from 18 months to 18 years. Three-time Olympian and head coach, Johnny Moyal is very proud of all of the students that make the commitment to train and enjoys seeing new faces during the summer months with the camp programs they offer. Some students attend Elite to train to become and stay physically fit while others are interested in the collegiate level after high school. Setting your sights on the Olympics is serious business and according to Moyal, it takes a special athlete to train for necessary Olympic goals. Most students in the Olympic training program practice six hours a day, five to six days a week and balance school work in between. 2004 Olympic Champion Carly Patterson trained with Moyal for seven years and he said she is an inspiration for all who wish to be the best they can be in gymnastics. “Every Olympic quest starts with a dream, then it takes special person, then it takes special training that involves coaches, parents and the athlete,” Moyal said.
Water-skiing Sitting back in the sun, taking out the camera and watching your petite two-year-old take charge on water skis is not something every parent experiences, unless of course you are sitting on the bank of the lakes at Bennett’s Ski School in Zachary. This is not your back woods camp considering that individuals and groups travel as far away as Japan to benefit from the training offered at the school. Sara Blackwell, Baton Rouge resident and mother of three, said her daughters, two-year-old Catalina and four-year-old Anna, have been on the water since they were two and three years old, respectively. “It was scary for me at first,” Blackwell said. “I was terrified, but it was fun and exhilarating and they love it.” Owner Jay Bennett said his school trains ski and water lovers of all skill levels through one-on-one instruction on their safe manmade lakes. Students start their training in shallow water or possibly even the swimming pool on site until they are comfortable with the equipment and have successfully completed a safety-orientation on how to use the proper equipment before they even go out on the lake. Bennett said in the course of a week, most children with normal athletic ability are accomplished on one ski and the sport is great exercise as the movements force the skier to use muscles they may not in other sports. They offer short camps as well as long term training for those interested in dabbing into the sport or learning how to surf the tide.
Local contact information YMCA Fencing Program (225) 923-0653
Baton Rouge Fencing Club
Bennett’s Ski School (225) 654-9306
Baton Rouge Youth Ice Hockey (225) 337-6633
Elite Gymnastics, Olympic Training (225) 766-0312
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