Keith tries to block a shot from David

Before March 17th, I had never played badminton before in my entire life. It looked, fun so I decided to investigate how one would go about playing badminton in Boulder County.

After running a quick search on the web, I found boulder badminton club. I looked through the website and found that they play at the Westminister Recreation Center on Thursdays and Sundays. When I arrived, there were five courts of people playing, all of which were full. When I first entered the gym with a racquet I asked someone, “How do I play.” An odd shaped board was presented to me with named clothes-pins hanging on the edges. The names on the clothes-pins had either names written on them or “guest” followed by a number. Basically, four people go on any given court. Whoever is the “picker” gets the next open court and gets to pick the other three people playing. After the game is over, everyone leaves and four new people who were waiting come and play. This method ensures that games go quickly. Most people, when it is their turn to pick, simply choose the next four names on the list.

I found out they play with shuttle-cocks made with real feathers (thus the name). Each shuttle-cock lasts about one to two games before becoming ragged. Because the shuttle-cocks are so expensive, Boulder Badminton Club would like a donation of $20 for every three months playing. First or second time players, such as myself, can play for the measly $6 entrance fee to the Westminister Recreation Center.

There were players that I was told were nationally ranked and players, like me, who had never played before. I was surprised at how exhausted I was and how sweaty I became after playing only a couple games. I got a chance to play with and against players of various skill levels.

Two things really stood out to me. First, every person playing was having fun. They were laughing and really seemed to be enjoying themselves. Second, there were all sorts of people playing. There were old men and women, young men and women, couples, singles, everything. I also noticed one person who I knew from playing basketball. The good players played mostly against other good players. No matter your skill level, there is probably someone close to your skill level playing.

I would recommend to anyone who is curious about badminton to go and try a Thursday or Sunday. Contact Stefan at boulderbad@me.com for more information or go to the badminton page for more information.

The YMCA of Boulder Valley, located at 2850 Mapleton Avenue, hosts some of the best pick-up games in the area. Play commences Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10am and usually ends just after 12pm. It costs $8 for non members to play during this time. Players from various talent levels challenge each other in two side by side courts. The first team to 11 points wins and stays on the court, awaiting the next challenging team. Regulars who play include graduated division one basketball players, graduated University of Colorado football players, several CU women basketball alumns, high school basketball coaches and former players. One 77 year old man still plays once a week. Games are professional, friendly and players don’t engage in any trash talk. New players are welcomed with high fives, open arms and helping screens.

The City of Boulder provides offers pick-up basketball at two out of it’s three recreation center facilities. Pick-up basketball in Boulder can be played at both the North Boulder Recreation Center and the South Boulder Recreation Center, located at 3170 Broadway and 1360 Gillaspie Dr, respectively. North Boulder Recreation Center lunch-time games occur Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 11:30 am to approximately 1:15 pm. Normally 15 to 20 players play during this time. The games are played to 25 by twos and threes, allowing good three point shooters to impact the game. The courts at the North Boulder Recreation Center are relatively short, allowing players to move up and down the court quickly. It costs $6.75 to play for non members. Likewise, the South Boulder Recreation Center also has similar pick-up games Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:30 to 1:15 and Sundays from 8am to 10:30am.

Taking the ball in at Longmont Basketball Recreation Center

Just fifteen miles to the northeast awaits Longmont, where quality basketball games can also be found. Longmont hosts three good venues to play pick-up basketball. The Longmont Recreation Center, located at 310 Quail Road in Longmont, hosts basketball games every week day from noon to 1:30 and on Sundays from 8 am to 11:30 am. Games are played to fifteen by twos and threes. The number of players that attend range from 8 to 20. The Longmont Memorial Center hosts lunch-time half court games Tuesday and Thursday from about 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Players include an even mix of competitive and recreational players. Games are half-court four-on-four allowing for more basketball and less running. Older gentlemen enjoy this style as it allows them to play without having to sprint up and down the court.

In addition to pick-up games, there are also several different leagues in Boulder County to choose from. Boulder, Longmont and Lafayette all organize their own city leagues. For Boulder, league play is held at South Boulder Recreation Center. This league has two talent divisions, allowing players to play in a league that suits them. The elite players in the A league can include retired college basketball players, players that played in high school and even a retired professional basketball player. Longmont league games are held at

Boulder County has numerous youth programs that will help introduce your child to the game of Basketball. The YMCA of Boulder Valley has partnered with the University of Colorado to offer a “Jr. Buff” program for children age 3 to 18. Jr. Buffs Mini Hoopers offers an introduction to the game, with a strong emphasis on parent-child teaching. Jr. Buffs recreational basketball offers children solid fundamentals without the competitive pressures of the game. This program is open to children from 4 years old to 4th grade. The Gold Crown youth program offers a competitive travel league for 5th to 8th grade middle school boys and girls. Most gold crown teams are filter teams for high school, allowing younger players to learn the high school playbook and become acquainted with their new coaches. Contact your local high school basketball program for more information.

After school youth basketball is offered at the North Boulder Recreation Center from 3 to 5 pm and at the Longmont Recreation Center facility. Participants pay a discounted rate with proof of school attendance and are able to use the gym from 3 to 5 pm. Games at North Boulder Recreation Center are not highly competitive, while the games at Longmont Recreation Center are competitive, with older players in attendance.

Dunks, 3 pointers, superb ball handling, stealer passing are all exciting aspects of one of the most played sports in the world. Founded by James Naismith in 1891 at a local YMCA in Springfield Massachusetts, “Basket” “Ball”, originally featured peach baskets instead of rims, nine players on each team, and no dribbling. It has since evolved into a worldwide phenomena, played just about everywhere in the world. Boulder is no exception, offering a wide variety of pick-up games, leagues, clinics, and just about everything in between.

Soccer, or as it is officially called, association football, is played by more than 275 million people throughout two hundred countries. Since the 1994 World Cup, soccer has gained popularity in the United States, and is played by an estimated seven million U.S. children.

The game of soccer can be played on sand, hard court, grass, or turf fields regardless of inclement weather. A rectangular shape forms the perimeter of the field with goals on adjacent sides. Players use an assortment of ball sizes pertaining to age, gender and skill level. An official ball measures twenty eight inches in circumference. All players excluding the goalie must use any body part except the hands and arms when advancing the ball downfield. At the conclusion of a match the team with the most goals wins. In case of a tie, an overtime and/or penalty shootout is played. Soccer rules are officially called “The Laws of the Game.” Differentiating rules affect the size of the field, and number of players on the field. Other rules such as offside’s, foul kicks, and hand balls remain constant.

One of the most productive ways to improve is simply to get involved in pick-up or drop-in games. They are free and usually very fun. At some locations in Boulder County good soccer players attend. This usually results in games with a lot of quick passing and footwork that can resemble a professional soccer match. During these games the goals and field size are often significantly smaller than an actual soccer field. This allows the game to be a little quicker and allows players to run less of a distance.

Players at Kittredge Field

Boulder County offers a variety of places where one can enjoy practicing and competing with other local players, including a multitude of parks and indoor facilities. For intermediate to advanced players, one of the most scenic places to play is at Kittredge field at the University of Colorado. Stunning views of the flatirons provide players of various backgrounds a well lit venue to showcase their skills. This turf field is open to both men and women. Play resides on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 5:30PM. and lasts until 10 pm. Often twenty five people arrive. When more than 20 players arrive simultaneous games are played. Turf fields play much faster than grass fields and good conditioning is necessary to keep pace with play.

One of the best indoor facilities in Boulder is Boulder Indoor Soccer (BIS). Located at 2845 29th Street, (near 29th and Valmont) BIS offers everything from toddler, youth, and Adult leagues. BIS provides a heated facility which provides a great venue to play soccer on cold and snowy days. Pick-up games cost 7$ per player and registration must be done a week prior.

Various other towns in the county host various pickup games. Left Hand Creek Park located in Longmont provides intermediate players with a well manicured field. Play begins Saturday Mornings at 9:30AM.

Left Hand Creek Soccer

Boulder County has a plethora of clinics and leagues for youth and young adults. The YMCA of Boulder Valley provides soccer instruction to over 2,000 youth. Spring and Fall constitute the two major seasons for soccer. Throughout the summer a three on three league, hosted at Community Park in Superior, is provided through a partnership with Trebol soccer. The following are the main youth soccer leagues in Boulder County: YMCA of Boulder Valley, Boulder Force, Nova Athletic Soccer, Longmont United Soccer Association, Trebol Soccer, and St. Vrain FC.

Boulder County offers facilities, clinics and venues to hone and develop skills. Numerous fields are located throughout this area offering people of all ages and skill levels an opportunity to play. Soccer promotes dedication, teamwork, communication and perseverance, making it a fun, healthy and beneficial activity for all ages.

The feeling one gets from driving a long tee shot down a fairway is rivaled by few sports. With each stroke, golf commands discipline, patience and humility. One has to navigate a course in as few shots as possible, while attempting to avoid bunkers, rough, water and various other impediments. As an individual sport, golf is unique because the real competition is the course itself and mother nature. Other players simply add extra pressure.

Flatirons

Boulder County is home to a multitude of challenging golf courses and driving ranges. With stunning views of the Flatirons, one of Boulder’s signature public courses, Flatirons Golf Course, offers a variety of discounts for both residents and college students alike. The course was opened in 1938 under the name Boulder Municipal Sports Center and has had several name changes throughout its long history. Architect William H. Tucker designed the course and funding was provided by President Roosevelt’s (WPA) Works Progress Administration. The course is also home to the annual Boulder City Open. This $111 entry fee amateur golf tournament takes place the 24th and 25th of September. The course contains a variety of trees composed mostly of Cottonwoods, Blue Spruce and Austrian Pine. Other trees include Crab Apple, Maple Sugar and Juniper. Recently, Flatirons Golf Course was bestowed the status of a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. This status recognizes the course directors’ hard work to reduce water
consumption, reduce chemical and pesticide use, in addition to providing a more sustainable habitat for wildlife.

Other golf courses in Boulder County include Haystack Mountain Golf Course It was founded in 1966 and is a great 9 hole beginner course. The course is located along Left Hand Creek in Niwot on 5877 Niwot Road. Numerous events are held at the course ranging from “Wednesday Grill Night” and “Haystack Happy Hour” to a “History of Haystack Mountain.” A full events calendar is located here.

Indian Peaks

Lafayette and Louisville have two great gold courses. Indian Peaks and Coal Creek Golf Courses provide all inclusive amenities for residents in the southeast quadrant of Boulder County. Indian Peaks, located in Lafayette at 2300 Indian Peaks Trail, is a Golf Digest 4 ½ star course which opened in 1993. Designed by Hale Irwin, this course offers eighteen fairly difficult holes. Course amenities include a large putting green, full driving range, as well as a green designated for chipping and bunker play. Coal Creek Golf Course, located on 585 West Dillon Road in Louisville, provides spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains. Designed by Dick Phelps, this par 72 course stretches over 7,000 yards from the tips with numerous elevation changes and accommodates players of various skill levels.

Twin Peaks

Twin Peaks Golf Course, located in Longmont, at 1200 Cornell Drive, offers stunning views of Longs Peak, wide open fairways and special rates include a twilight golf special after 4pm on weekends that cannot be beat. Longmont also boasts two other courses, Sunset Golf Course and Ute Creek Golf course. Sunset Golf Course is a nine hole course located just Northwest of the intersections of Sunset and 3rd Avenue.

As one can see, Boulder County offers a multitude of choices for the golfing enthusiast. With challenging courses and stunning scenery it is easy to see why Boulder County is a golfer’s paradise. For a good place to meet up and find fellow golfers.

Screams reverberate off of Boulder Creek as countless people brave the turbulent current. Patchy white clouds lazily float overhead in sharp contrast to the water moving swiftly past our feet.

Before attempting to tube the creek there are several important factors which must be considered. ALWAYS wear a helmet, as there are numerous rocks surrounding the rapids. The creek is strewn with sharp rocks and proper footwear is a necessity. Check the creek conditions prior to tubing, as water levels are exceedingly high this summer. If you can, tube with a buddy. Finally, a life-vest is strongly recommended with the swift current.

We purchased our tubes at White Water Tubing company, located at 1717 15thstreet. Our adventure began at Eben G. Fine Park, which is one block west of Arapahoe and 4thstreet. Experienced tubers can begin a few hundred yards west of the park, where much larger rapids await. Upon wading into the creek the cold water takes your breath away. Don’t worry, your body will get acclimated. Many of the rapids have strong undertows which can cause the tube to flip and discharge the rider. Rocks lay just below many of the rapids, potentially causing serious injury to those without a helmet. Our tubing adventure lasted one hour and covered roughly two miles of creek. Be prepared to be thrown off the tube numerous times throughout the ride, especially with water levels above normal.

Girl and her father tubing

The upper section of the ride is much more turbulent than the section past 9thstreet. The most difficult section stretched from Eben G. Fine Parkto the Boulder Public library. Those with young children should consider starting at the library and finishing prior to the Millennium Hotel.

Our tubing adventure lasted one hour and covered roughly two miles of creek. Be prepared to be thrown off the tube numerous times throughout the ride, especially with water levels above normal. Tubing the Boulder Creek provides people with a relatively inexpensive way to stay cool this summer. The cold mountain water and swift current provide a self propelled adventure through the heart of boulder.

Situated throughout the park are various pieces of park equipment that can be used to strengthen the entire body. With some creativity, you are able to use ordinary park equipment to create a productive workout. The program design combines various exercises that work many major muscle groups. There are a total of eight stations scattered throughout the park. One of the vital keys to doing these exercises properly and efficiently is to jog from one station to the next (Active Rest) trying to maximize your cardiac output throughout the workout. Active rest is a method used by trainers to maximize caloric expenditure. Examples of active rest include; jumping jacks, jogging, burpees. By jogging from one station to the next, your cardiac output is increased and your caloric burn is sustained throughout the workout.

The first set consists of side hurdles, standing broad jump, inch worms and the grape vine. The side hurdle exercise engages the lower and upper extremities as well as the abdominal region. The legs initiate the movement and the upper body and core finish the exercise. This is performed for twenty repetitions. Moderate coordination is necessary to perform this task as it is the most difficult of the workout.

The standing broad jump is the cornerstone exercise for measuring explosive power in the legs. The standing broad jump is a type of plyometrics and works to improve the nervous system’s efficiency and help attain more powerful muscle contractions. The jump will be performed 15 times.

Inch worms are an abdominal and upper body stabilization exercise. Start with your hands on the grass near your feet and slowly walk your hands away from your feet until you are into a pushup position. Hold the pushup position for 10 seconds with your head looking forward. While in pushup position, your abdominal region is performing an isometric contraction. Although the muscle is not lengthening or contracting, force is being applied to keep your midsection from lowering. This exercise is performed between the two large trees at the south western end of the park. Start at one tree and perform the exercise until reaching the trunk of the adjacent tree.

The last exercise of the set is the grapevine and is performed between the two trees. Coordination is the focal point of this exercise, and patience is necessary to attain the proper footwork. Move laterally between the trees, and alternate your left foot over your right foot in a crisscross fashion. Start with your feet together and use your right foot to take a step to your right. Immediately place your left foot behind your right. Next take another step across with your right foot and then step in front with your left foot. The exercise is complete when you have touched each tree twenty times.

The second set of half of the workout consists of four more stations at various locations within the park. These stations include standing tuck bench jumps, lower chest dips, tricep dips and pull-ups.

The tuck bench jump is a ployometric exercise that requires a great amount of neuromuscular coordination. Start by bending you hips and pushing your gluteus back into a squat position, then jump upwards while tucking your knees into your chest at terminal ascent. This exercise will help develop explosive power in the legs by developing type two muscle fiber diameter. Focus on jumping as high as you can and complete the movement with your feet landing on the bench. Twenty repetitions are performed.

The second exercise is the chest dip which is located near the basketball court on the north western side of the park. The two prime movers used are the triceps and lower chest. Place your hands on the bars and transfer the weight from your legs to your arms and chest. Lower down until your elbows are parallel with your shoulders, making sure your chest is out and your head is looking forward. Perform ten repetitions of this exercise.

The third exercise, tricep bar dip, is located at the playscape. This exercise works the tricep muscle, which aids the extension of the arm at the elbow. The tricep area is one of the first places people lose definition and tone due to its minimal use in everyday tasks. Perform this exercise for twenty repetitions.

The last exercise is the pull-up. The underhand pull-up works much more bicep than the traditional overhand pull-up and is less difficult. Start with your hands shoulder width apart and your elbows fully extended and pull your head up and over the bar as you exhale. The prime movers in this exercise are the latissimus dorsi and the shoulder stabilizers (rhomboids, teres minor, teres major, infraspinatus. This exercise is performed for ten repetitions.

Group One
Side Hurdle 15 repetitions
Broad Jump 15 repetitions
Inch Worms Between two trees
Grape Vine 20 tree touches each side
Group Two
Tuck Bench Jumps 20 repetitions
Chest Dips 10 repetitions
Tricep Bar Dips 15 repetitions
Pull-up 10 repetitions
Two minutes rest between groups for 3 sets.

Remember to push yourself, you get out what you put in.

Boulder County is one of the best places to cycle in the mid-west. We decided to put together some information giving you a little taste of what Boulder has to offer. This includes researching some of the more popular riding destinations, cycling clubs, as well as information about youth cycling. Please be safe and wear a helmet.

The ride up Flagstaff is one of the most popular, scenic, steepest and spectacular (and on the way back fastest) rides possible. The summit is a relatively short ride, only 4 miles from 9th and Baseline. However, the summit is about 1,300 feet higher than the bottom, which accounts for about 325 feet per mile or an average 6% gradient, with some sections as high as 15%. For those that would like to continue on, the trail proceeds another 5 miles until the road turns into a dirt path.

Another great ride for those that live in the Superior area is the famous Morgul Bismark loop. The Morgul Bismark loop is the centerpiece of an annual race, “Superior Morgul Classic.” Start on the corner of rock creek Parkway and McCaslin, head South on McCaslin, right on 120th Avenue, right on South Foothills, right on Marshall, right on S 76th Street, left on Coal Creek Drive and a Right on McCaslin. The ride is approximately 13.2 miles and the elevation stays within 700 feet.

Boulder County also has numerous cycling clubs, meet-ups and leagues for adults and youth. The most infamous of these meet-ups is the Thursday Night Bike Ride. Here numerous individuals decorate their bikes with bells, whistles, lights and musical accompaniment. Be prepared to come with a sense of humor as the costumes can be quite intricate and some riders may be intoxicated. For more information about the starting spot, visit http://www.cruiserbikeride.org.

Only recently completed, the Valmont Bike Park is a dirt jumping bike park located just North of Valmont and Airport. Numerous man-made dirt jumps, big and small, scortch the earth. Some of them look almost insanely difficult. Be safe and ride within your limits, as some of the jumps are extremely large.

Boulder also boasts an assortment of clubs and leagues for the serious cyclist. Some of the more notable clubs include 303cycling.com, Boulder Mountain Bike Alliance and Outdoor Divas Cycing. 303 Cycling provides news about current cycling events and a section where people can submit information about rides, and includes an area for tips and cycling-related jobs.

<a href=”http://bouldermountainbike.org” target=”_blank”>Boulder Mountain Bike Alliance </a>is a trail-building group in Boulder. Their mission is to “improve the trail experience for everyone in Boulder County through social rides and events, advocacy, and trail building.” They help raise money to build new trails and parks, such as Valmont Bike Park, educate mountain bikers about proper trail use, and help organize and fund Mountain Biking events in Boulder.

<a href=”http://www.outdoordivascycling.com/” target=”_blank”>Outdoor Divas Cycling </a>is dedicated to supporting women with a passion for cycling. The club is a focuses focuses on providing a social, supportive and inspiring environment to athletic women who are driven and have ambition to do more on their bikes.

There are also several options for youth to learn how to cycle. <a href=”http://smba.lertprograms.com” target=”_blank”>SMBA</a>, acronym for singletrack mountain bike adventures, is an organization for introducing and teaching youth the sport of mountain biking. Their camps include programs designed for both beginners and advanced riders. They also have a program specifically for young ladies. They emphasize safety, fun, confidence-building, camaraderie and passion. For more information, visit their website at http://smba.lertprograms.com.

Whether it’s mountain biking, road riding up steep gradients, cycling next to streams, or speeding in a velodrome, Boulder County contains a variety of cycling opportunities. Have fun, be safe, and put your foot to the pedal.

For more information, contact Forest at <a href=”mailto:forest@boulderactive.com”>forest@boulderactive.com</a>

For the average over 21 ponger, there are several places to play throughout Boulder County. For a friendly game of, the Catacombs is perfect. Located under Hotel Boulderado, found on the North West corner of Pine and 14th Street, Catacombs has a smorgasbord of fun activities to choose from. For those without a paddle, simply ask the bartender for one; it’ free. The games at the Catacombs can range anywhere from beginner to somewhere between advanced and intermediate. When there is only one table set up in the back room, the space is somewhat small, so come prepared to bruise a shoulder in order to get that nice forehand shot. Other times there is a table set up in the Dance room, which provides more space.

28th Street Tavern

Another good place to play table tennis, similar to the Catacombs is the 28th Street Tavern. Located at 2690 28th Street in Boulder, the Tavern provides a great place for a game. It is open Weekdays 1 pm to 2 am and Weekends 11 am to 2 pm. The space is good sized. The only problem comes when the ball gets away and you find yourself chasing it around players playing pool or darts. There are low-key tournaments there at 8 pm on Saturday nights. Also, if you have a sports team and are able to bring five or more team mates the second pitcher of beer is free (for those over 21).

Longmont Table Tennis Club

Boulder County also offers a great opportunity for the competitive ping pong player. The Longmont Table Tennis Club, formerly known as the Boulder Table Tennis Club, is a USA sanctioned table tennis club that meets once a week for some friendly intense games. The players meet every Monday at 7:00 pm at the St. Vrain Memorial Building. It is located next to Roosevelt Park, on the North West Corner of Coffman and Longs Peak Avenue. Every Monday about 10 to 15 tables get rolled out from underneath the building. Most regular players have expensive paddles, ranging anywhere from $100 to $300, and are generally serious about the game. It is not recommended for beginners. It is, however, a great way to test yourself against some of Boulder County’s best. To play simply show up, and place your racquet beneath a table to challenge the winner of the game. Richard Mcafee, a USATT hall of fame inductee and table tennis teacher, often shows up and gives some friendly lessons for those who request it.

For CU students or those with a pass to the Recreation Center, the University of Colorado Recreation Center provides two tables upstairs next to the Western entrance. Check at the intramural office for upcoming tournaments.

If you are looking to simply find a good partner or have other thoughts, comment on this page, http://boulderactive.com/racquet-sports/table-tennis

Until then, pong it up.

For questions about this article, e-mail forest at forest@boulderactive.com