By: Trevor Audet
Posted In: News
1.Surfing Newport offers some of the best places to surf in New England. Even though the water is still very cold during this time of the year, the conditions are mostly decent and quality gear is easily accessible. Since there are so many different beaches, you will never get tired of the same old scenery. William Carroll, a surfing expert says that “the best place for beginners to catch a wave is at first beach,” which is conveniently located in Middletown, R.I. According to Carroll, more experienced surfers might want to head over to Ruggles. “Even though Ruggles does have some of the better sets, this is a place for experienced surfers because there are a lot of dangerous rocks in this area,” Carroll said. According to Carroll, surfing is one of the best workouts because it trains your entire body. After a long and exciting day of surfing you will find that your arms, legs, back and abdominals are completely soar. Some other beaches that accommodate surfing are Easton’s Beach and Second Beach.
2.Tennis While you’re visiting the International Tennis Hall of Fame in downtown Newport, do not forget to bring your racket with you. At the International Tennis Hall of Fame, beautiful grass courts are open to the public for daily play. A reservation, the proper attire and an outstanding opponent are required. Tennis is a sport for all ages, and it requires speed, agility and endurance. Tennis is a great way to get in shape because it can become very competitive and matches can sometimes linger on for many hours. If you’re looking to shed some pounds and whoop your best friend on the court, then this activity is right for you. Some other public courts around the area include Rogers High School, Hunter Park, Murphy Park, Pop Flack Courts and Vernon Park.
3.Golfing While many people may be quick to deem golfing as a nonathletic sport, it does offer some very valuable fitness. As long as you don’t take the lazy way out and rent a Golf-cart, golfing is great way to start the day with some exercise to get your blood running. Richard Marchisello, an experienced golfer who had just recently won the annual Salve Regina Golf Tournament held at Jamestown Golf Course, says that “walking 18 holes with a set of clubs on your back is very strenuous exercise.” There are many well designed courses in the Newport area. The Green Valley Country Club is a great test of both your golfing ability and your physical stamina. The front nine holes of this course were built on flat terrain, while the back nine were built in a valley. Newport National is also a great place to burn some calories but just remember not to eat too many french-fries at the 19th hole, or you will have diminished your quality exercise for that day.
4.Ultimate Frisbee The best part about this activity is that it could be played almost anywhere at any time. All you need to have is a small crowd with some space to run, and this fun game will have you sweating profusely. There are two teams, and the way you score is to catch the Frisbee in the end zone thrown from one the members on your own team. It is a high pace game and everyone is running practically nonstop. Most people prefer to play at the beach or on a large lawn where there is plenty of room to run around.
5.The Cliff Walk A simple power walk will burn as many calories as jogging will for an equal amount of time. One of the best things you can do to start getting in shape is to walk the spectacular Cliff Walk. This trail is open to the public and it combines the natural beauty of Newport with the architectural history of Newport’s Gilded Age. The walk is enjoyed by many community members who just want to be outdoors and stay in good shape.
