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Feeling sporty? Get out there and just do it
By Xu Wenwen |
October 7, 2010, Thursday
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Print Edition
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FOR those wanting to stay fit and meet new friends, there are a number of clubs covering different sports for people to try in Hangzhou, writes Xu Wenwen.
Hangzhou is a great place for sports and getting outdoors. Everything from jogging and martial arts to rock climbing and boxing is available. All it takes is a little initiative and the willingness to get involved.
On one wet night, a group of foreigners can be seen jogging along West Lake. The drizzle falls gently, but soon the rain starts falling harder, much harder. The joggers don't seem to notice. They keep running and they won't stop until they finish their 14-kilometer route.
These foreigners belong to the Even If It Rains Running Club, which was started by a Canadian woman five years ago. Most of its members are foreigners.
Every Tuesday evening, club members run along West Lake regardless of the weather. Other sports are available and here's a brief look at some of the options.
Running club
The Even If It Rains club is open to everyone.
Joggers meet at Maya Bar at Shuguang Road every Tuesday at 7:30pm. They start at the bar and head toward Yanggong Causeway before moving to Beishan Road and Bai Causeway. They start working their way back toward the bar, the finishing point, along Baoshu Road.
The route stretches 14 kilometers, but people can also choose shorter routes of 6km, 8km or 10km.
Members come and go, but the weekly runs continue and new members are always welcome.
Date: Tuesdays, 7:30pm
Address: 94 Shuguang Rd
Boxing center
As a combat sport, boxing is much more intense than a leisurely jog along West Lake. It also requires training and professional teachers.
The Hangzhou Boxing Association Training Center doesn't disappoint with its classes. Head coach Zhang Hui know his stuff as he coached China's national team for about 13 years. He's also chairman of the Hangzhou Boxing Association.
The center's classes are serious and strict, but not cruel. In the two-hour class, students usually study basic movements and do aerobic exercises. Sparring is reserved for the weekends.
Zhang says no one has been hurt in the six years the center has been operating and the club is proud of this record.
About a dozen foreigners train at the center.
Date: Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 7-9pm
Address: Hangzhou Stadium, 194 Tiyuchang Rd
Rock climbing
Hangzhou boasts many karst formations, making it a good place for rock climbing.
The sport is growing rapidly in Hangzhou with new routes opening regularly for everyone from beginners to advanced climbers. Yanyouyijia Rock Climbing Foundation is the main team sourcing new routes.
In the past decade, the club has developed nearly 60 routes in Zhejiang Province after receiving money donated by rock climbers and others.
In Chinese, yanyouyijia means as "family of rock climbers" and anyone can join this club by dropping by Zhejiang Sports Technical College which hosts the city's only indoor climbing wall.
Address: 49 Jiaogong Rd
Kendo association
The Kendo Association is the first and only kendo club in Hangzhou. In Japanese, kendo means "way of the sword" and the martial art is based on traditional sword fighting.
Kendo is physically and mentally challenging and as students advance they are required to wear protective padding.
They also wear Japanese clothing and use shinai, Japanese bamboo swords that reflect their inner core, the spirit of bushido - the samurai code of honor, bravery, self-discipline and simple living.
Date: Wednesdays and Fridays, 7-10pm; Sundays, 2-5pm
Address: 4/F, Jianxin Stadium (inside Jianxin Primary School), 19 Guhe Lane
Hangzhou is a great place for sports and getting outdoors. Everything from jogging and martial arts to rock climbing and boxing is available. All it takes is a little initiative and the willingness to get involved.
On one wet night, a group of foreigners can be seen jogging along West Lake. The drizzle falls gently, but soon the rain starts falling harder, much harder. The joggers don't seem to notice. They keep running and they won't stop until they finish their 14-kilometer route.
These foreigners belong to the Even If It Rains Running Club, which was started by a Canadian woman five years ago. Most of its members are foreigners.
Every Tuesday evening, club members run along West Lake regardless of the weather. Other sports are available and here's a brief look at some of the options.
Running club
The Even If It Rains club is open to everyone.
Joggers meet at Maya Bar at Shuguang Road every Tuesday at 7:30pm. They start at the bar and head toward Yanggong Causeway before moving to Beishan Road and Bai Causeway. They start working their way back toward the bar, the finishing point, along Baoshu Road.
The route stretches 14 kilometers, but people can also choose shorter routes of 6km, 8km or 10km.
Members come and go, but the weekly runs continue and new members are always welcome.
Date: Tuesdays, 7:30pm
Address: 94 Shuguang Rd
Boxing center
As a combat sport, boxing is much more intense than a leisurely jog along West Lake. It also requires training and professional teachers.
The Hangzhou Boxing Association Training Center doesn't disappoint with its classes. Head coach Zhang Hui know his stuff as he coached China's national team for about 13 years. He's also chairman of the Hangzhou Boxing Association.
The center's classes are serious and strict, but not cruel. In the two-hour class, students usually study basic movements and do aerobic exercises. Sparring is reserved for the weekends.
Zhang says no one has been hurt in the six years the center has been operating and the club is proud of this record.
About a dozen foreigners train at the center.
Date: Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 7-9pm
Address: Hangzhou Stadium, 194 Tiyuchang Rd
Rock climbing
Hangzhou boasts many karst formations, making it a good place for rock climbing.
The sport is growing rapidly in Hangzhou with new routes opening regularly for everyone from beginners to advanced climbers. Yanyouyijia Rock Climbing Foundation is the main team sourcing new routes.
In the past decade, the club has developed nearly 60 routes in Zhejiang Province after receiving money donated by rock climbers and others.
In Chinese, yanyouyijia means as "family of rock climbers" and anyone can join this club by dropping by Zhejiang Sports Technical College which hosts the city's only indoor climbing wall.
Address: 49 Jiaogong Rd
Kendo association
The Kendo Association is the first and only kendo club in Hangzhou. In Japanese, kendo means "way of the sword" and the martial art is based on traditional sword fighting.
Kendo is physically and mentally challenging and as students advance they are required to wear protective padding.
They also wear Japanese clothing and use shinai, Japanese bamboo swords that reflect their inner core, the spirit of bushido - the samurai code of honor, bravery, self-discipline and simple living.
Date: Wednesdays and Fridays, 7-10pm; Sundays, 2-5pm
Address: 4/F, Jianxin Stadium (inside Jianxin Primary School), 19 Guhe Lane
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