Competing for time
6/5/2024Central Iowa has become a virtual oasis for those looking for sporting opportunities. Those wishing to pursue dreams of wins, trophies, accolades, personal bests and other achievements can do so.
But not everyone is concerned about wins and losses. Some simply want to play sports for the fun of it. They want it to be about time with friends and family — about building relationships. Instead of looking for a chance to shine, they seek a time to share. Instead of competition, they seek companionship. When the goal is time together, it’s always a win.
PD and Lot Legaspi
Pickleball pursuits
PD and Lot Legaspi, along with many other couples, find pickleball to be a sport they can enjoy together.
“I like pickleball because it’s something I get to do with my wife, and we get to meet many new people,” PD Legaspi says, adding that the game is straightforward with simple rules.
Another aspect Legaspi says he and Lot enjoy is the pickleball community.
“I started getting into pickleball because I was battling cancer, and I couldn’t get back to tennis right away during my recovery. So, I decided to try something that was less taxing on the body,” he says. “You cover less ground and don’t have to hit the ball as hard.”
Lot soon became his regular partner in the game.
“We really enjoy going to all the different places and meeting new people,” he says.
The two have even gone as far as Naples, Florida, to join the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships.
“We ended up losing all our matches, but we also enjoyed the time doing something my wife and I both enjoy,” says Legaspi. “Life is short. Get out there and play.”
Source: Adel Living, May 2024; by Chantel Boyd
Katy and Kevin Laurin
Hiking with three boys
As a family with three boys, Katy and Kevin Laurin know their young sons need to burn off heaps of energy.
The boys play school sports and other activities. However, their parents desired family time and found that hiking is the perfect family activity.
When the COVID pandemic hit in 2020, the West Des Moines family looked for things to do outdoors, with hiking being their best social-distancing activity.
They hiked local parks, such as Ledges, then hit other state parks and national parks. The boys participate in the National Parks Junior Ranger program, where they were awarded a badge for exploring the parks. They have received badges from places such as Zion, Smoky Mountains, Crater Lake and more.
The boys, Chance, 12; Grant, 10; and Brian, 8; began family hikes early on and now travel well.
Their hikes have taken them to different countries, including hiking glaciers in Iceland and Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa. The boys all chime in on their favorite hikes and memories.
Source: Jordan Creek Living, May 2024; by Jackie Wilson
Mary White and family
CrossFit crazy
Mary White has been passionate about health and fitness since her youngest child was 6 months old. Both her kids — Addison, 18, and Parker, 15 — have been attending the gym since they were in baby carriers. When White’s job moved the family to Missouri, the group fitness that she had been doing in Iowa wasn’t available, but CrossFit was huge there.
CrossFit is a fitness program that produces measurable outcomes through lifestyle changes, centered on training and nutrition. Workouts consist of constantly varied, high-intensity, functional movements.
Today, Mary White, husband Tim and Addison all coach at CrossFit Ankeny to help others on their mission to be healthier and be the best versions of themselves.
“We love CrossFit for the amazing community of people, the feeling of pushing yourself to accomplish your goals, the outcome on our bodies from the effort in the gym, and how we can enjoy it as a family.”
They attend the CrossFit Games annually, which is the final fitness test of the year of the best in the world. They cheer on their favorite athletes from as close as Ankeny and as far as Iceland.
Source: Ankeny Living, May 2024; by Ashley Rullestad
Tori and John Hanson
Curling is a family affair
Tori Hanson, her husband, John, and their two kids, Tucker and Elijah, participate in curling.
“It’s an Olympic winter sport originally designed in Scotland,” Tori says. “We have met the best people playing this sport. There is a community feel by design. Before and after, at dedicated curling facilities, members show up to talk and support each other.”
“We picked up a chance to try to learn to curl for my youngest’s 21st birthday. We fell in love with the sport and the people,” Tori says.
The Des Moines Curling Club provides seemingly everything a new curler needs to begin playing.
“We showed up in sweats and tennis shoes, and they provided the rest,” she says.
Tori’s favorite memory was winning the B bracket at a bonspiel (curling tournament) in Kansas City against a team from Las Vegas.
“There were folks there from across the country,” she says. “It’s a weekend of games, grub, gabbing and, of course, curling.”
Source: Altoona Living, May 2024; by Chantel Boyd
