Don't Read If You're Frail and Timid - But Un-Athletic Is Okay
Anyone can go rollerblading at the beach, or play tennis at the park - but half the population has probably never heard of "Walleyball." I bet most can't quite visualize how to play "Broomball" - or where. But here in good ol' L.A., you can participate in almost any sport you can imagine. You're going to work up a sweat too!
Let's start with our kind-of-volleyball-but-not-really game. Walleyball does have a lot of similarities to volleyball, no doubt about that. You do use a volleyball - ball (ha ha); and you do play over a net, and you can't hit more than 3 times on a side, and the same person can't hit it twice in a row. So what makes it different? How about the fact that you can hit the side wall. You can even hit the ceiling, on your own side anyway.
Some of you may be scrunching up your faces right about now, trying to compute the 'walls' and volleyball in the same game. Well, stop that. You're putting crinkles in your beautiful foreheads. The magic of this game is that, yes, you are playing indoors - and you're playing inside a raquetball court. Aaahhhh.... now the picture is more clear!
It's one hell of a game. And because you're not waiting for someone to chase down the volleyball halfway across the beach every time someone hits it out - the game goes much faster, with not as much 'down' time. The fact that the ball slides off the wall makes it slicker too, and adds a unique challenge. On the beach, when a ball is slightly out of reach, you tend to dive to get it. If a ball is out of reach in Walleyball - diving for the ball might result in the denting of your face. But if you can stand a bit of wall-hugging, this is the game for you. You'll have a blast.
Call the Marina Fitness Center, in Marina Del Rey (310-821-1662), to reserve court time. You can play up to 2 hours at a time, and usually can reserve a court about 4 days before you want to play. The cost is $10 per person, and the gym supplies the net and the ball. I suggest bringing bottled water and a small towel to mop off with in between games, as you will need both!
The other find is of a completely different nature. I have been playing Broomball with my friends at the Culver City Ice Rink, on Sepulveda. if you can get a group together - you must play this game! You will be running around on the ice - but don't fear if skating's not your specialty (I can't do it), because you are actually not allowed to wear skates. This game is played in regular ol' tennis shoes or sneakers, preferably those with a bit of traction still left in them.
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