1 of 9
Joining a kickball league allows adults to make new friends, get regular exercise and decompress after work.
2 of 9
3 of 9
4 of 9
5 of 9
6 of 9
Wolt Stryker, owner of Bike the Burg.
7 of 9
At Baeplex, families can participate in classes together where they also learn leadership skills and self-discipline. Eniko Sajgo began taking tae kwon do lessons at Baeplex in Lightfoot with her children in 2018.
8 of 9
Aquatic sports are a perfect low-impact sports option.
Photo courtesy James City County
9 of 9
Break a sweat playing Ultimate.
Photo courtesy Chris Skutans
Back in 2011, Krystina Collins was searching for a way to get back in shape after the birth of her daughter. A friend suggested she join the Williamsburg chapter of the World Adult Kickball Association (CLUBWAKA) which plays every Thursday at Kiwanis Park behind James Blair Middle School.
“I talked my younger brother into signing up with me,” Collins said. “We both became hooked to it. Our parents would come watch us periodically, and they liked it so much that both of them signed up too. My dad still plays to this day. I think it’s a nice touch that it is something that I can do with my parents.”
Collins, who also met her fiancé during a kickball game, is now coordinator for the Williamsburg league. Roughly 220 adults play each season.
“I think it’s popular because it’s an opportunity to mingle and meet people while doing something that almost everyone remembers doing at least once before in their life, even if it was in elementary school,” Collins said.
Not only is kickball a great form of exercise, it’s great for socializing too.
“The diversity of the people who play is amazing,” Collins said. “I love how many friends I have made and the people that I know through kickball. It has been great for networking while having fun playing a ‘kid’s game.’”
Brent Wentworth agreed. Wentworth has been playing kickball since 2005 and currently helps organize and operate all of CLUBWAKA’s social sports leagues in Hampton Roads and Richmond.
“I love the sense of community. Kickball is an excuse to get people out having fun, being active, and meeting new people,” Wentworth said. “The sport itself is a blast, but the people in the leagues are what makes it special. We all have stress in our lives. It’s nice to have a hobby that helps you relieve some of it and that you don’t have to take too seriously.”
Sure, you could hit the gym to relieve your frustrations and get fit, but why not look for a sport or class you enjoy?Who says kids get to have all the fun? That certainly isn’t the case here in Williamsburg, which offers a myriad of opportunities for adults to connect with their inner childwhile working out. Whether it is kickball or UltimateFrisbee, shooting hoops, swimming laps or taking a leisurely bike ride throughout town, adults at any age can find a sport or physical activity that meets their interests and needs.
Eniko Sajgo’s sport of choice is martial arts. Sajgo began taking tae kwon do lessons at Baeplex in Lightfoot with her children in 2018.
“When we first enrolled our kids, I noticed that there were quite a few adults taking the class with their children, so that encouraged me to join too,” she said. “I like it because you get a really intense workout. At the same time, you are learning how to defend yourself. The instructors help you, encourage you, correct you and push you to do better.”
At Baeplex, some adults participate with their kids while others take classes solo. Joe Ash, owner of Baeplex, said he has students who are in their 80s involved with his programs. Martial arts reduces stress, builds strength and endurance and improves cardiovascular health. It also helps develop discipline, concentration and leadership skills.
“Adults are realizing that they also need it for their health,” said Ash. “Martial arts is something that you can do for life. The community here helps with your growth and development. There is something unique about martial arts that draws people in.”
Nathan Bradley feels the same way about disc golf, a sport similar to golf where players try to toss a disc into a basket using the fewest number of throws. Bradley’s brother first introduced him to the sport three years ago.
“I like it because it gets you out in nature, where it is calm and quiet,” Bradley said. “You can also get creative with how you can get the disc into the basket. It’s a great sport and a great way to get in shape. I think it is gaining in popularity because it is easy to learn, and anybody can do it.”
Players can try their hand at disc golf at New QuarterPark near Queens Lake as well as at Waller Mill Park, whereBradley can usually be found. He plays multiple times aweek with Colonial Disc Golf Club. Waller Mill Park has an 18-basket course.
“People like disc golf because it’s very different from any other sport,” said Sarah Cochrane, park manager for Waller Mill Park. “You aren’t stuck on a court or in an empty field, you are surrounded by nature. Every course is a completely different landscape. This keeps the sport very interesting and challenging. It’s also great exercise. The courses can be a few miles long with lots of hills, and it takes a lot of strength to throw the disc far enough.”
Chris Sikes prefers to play Ultimate, a team sport in which players work together to pass a frisbee across the opposing team’s goal line. Sikes, who’s been playing the sport for nine years, runs a weekly pickup game of Ultimate at various locations throughout Williamsburg.
“I was looking for something to do for exercise that was fun,” Sikes said. “Ultimate Frisbee is a great way to go back to feeling like a kid again. I also love the teamwork aspect of it. There is a lot of camaraderie when we play, which is a good aspect of the game.”
For those looking for something more mainstream,Williamsburg Indoor Sports Complex (WISC) offers adult soccer leagues while Quarterpath Recreation Center has adult leagues in volleyball, tennis, softball and basketball. Or, you can hop on a bike and explore Colonial Williamsburg, theColonial Parkway, or The Virginia Capital Trail on wheels. Bike the Burg, a bike service and rental shop, has a variety of bikes for rent including tandem bikes, mountain bikes, road bikes and cruising bikes.
“We are all about promoting just how bike-friendlyWilliamsburg is,” said Wolt Stryker, owner of Bike the Burg. “Cycling is an incredibly healthy thing to do and an enjoyable way to be outside.”
Prefer being out on the water? James City County offers outdoor aquatics classes at the Chickahominy RiverfrontPark pool.
“The Chickahominy Riverfront Park is beautiful,” said Linda Routh, one of the aquatic fitness instructors. “Being outdoors is wonderful and the pool is great. Our classes are a time for friends to meet, or to make new friends, share ideas, laugh and just have fun.”
And really isn’t that the whole point? It doesn’t hurt to have a good time while working out. So, get off the couch, grab your friends, and get out there.
Brandy played kickball for one season and has also taken aquatics classes, though her favorite way to get in shape is bike riding along the Virginia Capital Trail.
Baeplex · baeplex.com
Bike the Burg · biketheburg.net
ClubWAKA · clubwaka.com
Colonial Disc Golf · colonialdgc.com
James City County Parks & Recreation · jamescitycountyva.gov/635/Parks-Recreation
Ultimate · meetup.com/Ultimate-Williamsburg-VA
Williamsburg Indoor Sports Complex (WISC) · thewisc.com