Leisure

Game On

Training Like an Olympian

The Olympics are imminent. You’ve trained. You’ve carbo-loaded. You’ve scouted bars for the best sight lines. Yep, you’re in peak beer-consuming condition. You’re ready. Imagine if you put this effort into an actual sport. Herewith, a primer on Olympic-inspired training—2016 isn’t so far away...

FENCING

Dueling with an Olympic Coach

The Training: Step one: channel your inner Zorro. Step two: proceed with three private lessons led by your new friend Mike, who coached Team USA during the Beijing Olympics (they took silver).
Degree of Difficulty: Low. You’ll learn the basics in 10 minutes. And we’re pretty sure the uniforms are puncture-resistant.

ARCHERY

Mastering the Bow and Arrow

The Training: Under the tutelage of a USA Archery–certified instructor, you’ll handle equipment—like the recurve bow used in the Olympics—to maximize your shooting accuracy. Our advice: watch where you’re pointing.
Degree of Difficulty: Moderate to high. We suspect you saw The Hunger Games...

CANOEING AND KAYAKING

Canoe Slalom, It’s a Thing

The Training: A private lesson in canoe slalom, essentially racing a canoe through whitewater rapids. The only difference between here and London: you’ll maneuver in all directions, not just forward. Also, only glory (not gold) is on the line.
Degree of Difficulty: Extremely high... needless to say, the bay is not warm.

TRAMPOLINING

Trampolining: Your Ticket to Gold

The Training: Jumping. On a trampoline. For an hour. That’s about it, though you should know the lessons are all one-on-one and taught following USA Gymnastics Trampoline standards. You wouldn’t have it any other way.
Degree of Difficulty: We’ll just say higher than when you were 5 and weighed 40 pounds.

WATER POLO

Wet. Wild. Water Polo...

The Training: Polo: the sport of kings. Water polo: the sport of... mermaids, we guess. Anyway, you’ll come here for coached workouts and scrimmages on Mondays and Wednesdays. Four years from now: no worse than bronze.
Degree of Difficulty: Moderate. Depends how your hair handles a swim cap.