Like it or not, because of the current climate amid this pandemic, we are subliminally conditioned to be anti-social.
Keep your distance, wear your mask and observe a distance of 10 feet because six feet is no longer an adequate distance to prevent the transmission of the virus.
It’s quite interesting how much this virus has changed the dynamics of the way we work, the way we live and how we go about our daily routines.
Like it or not, rules of social-distancing are here to stay, and the guidelines are only going to get stricter as this pandemic continues to surge on the mainland and is now starting to impact our islands with each passing week.
For the last couple of years, the sport of pickleball has become one of the fastest-growing recreational sports in the country for several reasons.
Pickleball is a combination of tennis and table tennis on a condensed tennis court that makes it low-impact.
Let’s not forget disc golf, a sport that has continued to also grow in its popularity.
Last week, I was invited by O‘ahu Public Relations Specialist Glenna Wong to play another recreational sport surging in popularity: Footgolf at the Ocean Course at Hokuala.
The initial exposure to the sport of footgolf was a press release on the sport.
The sport is hard to picture, but it is simple to explain. The sport utilizes the same rules as golf combined with trying to kick a soccer ball into a larger cup.
The game is challenging, fun and promotes social interactivity, which is quickly becoming lost during the pandemic.
The other good news is that you can do it safely and, like golf, it is a sport conducive to social distancing.
Playing the sport was a blast, good exercise and, again, is a low-impact sport a group can safely play together and stay within the perimeters of social distancing.
Kellie Hines, head golf professional at Hokuala at Timbers, instructed Wong, Clarisse Mau, Benjamin Cho and myself on how to play the sport.
It was fast-paced, and the social interaction out amongst people was something badly needed.
Same as pickleball, this sport is taking off because of the friendships it helps build and create.
In this time, self-care is very much needed for everyone, and one way to achieve this is to get out and play more recreational sports.
It helps boost your immune system, gets you moving and gives us the social interaction we all forget we need.
The tour of the recreational sports world didn’t stop with footgolf.
In an attempt to live a more-active lifestyle, I went with Larry LaSota to play a 12-hole round of disc golf at Lydgate Park Saturday.
The value of recreational sports is greatly understated, and here on Kaua‘i there is more opportunity to participate in recreational sports than many other places in the country.
It’s important to remember that everyone needs a coping mechanism from the daily rigors of life, and that is not something you should stay socially distant from.
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Jason Blasco, reporter, can be reached at 245-0437 or jblasco@thegardenisland.com.
