When it comes to playing a summer sport, there’s more to it than just physical fitness.
It’s a wonderful way for people to move their body, work up a sweat and get the blood pumping of course, but there are lots of ways that it can support people’s overall health and wellbeing.
Whether it’s riding a bike out on the Hauraki Rail Trail, running laps on the field at the Paeroa Domain, swimming in the Karangahake Gorge or surfing out at Waihī Beach, there are all sorts of ways people in Hauraki-Coromandel can clear their minds from the busyness and lower stress levels through summer sports.
It’s not just about trying to clear the mind or find peace and stillness either.
Taking part in a summer sport can also help to ramp up the Vitamin D intake by getting a bit of sunshine to help boost your mood and energy levels.
It’s why people are sometimes chirpy and balanced after a stroll on a summer’s day or time spent at the park.
Participation in summer sports isn’t just an individual sort of thing, it can also help to foster community and connection.
People can meet others who are like-minded and share common interests.
It can even help to initiate friendships with people from completely different walks of life.
There are team sports where people can build a little or even big community with people and create spaces to grow their confidence, skills and techniques, while also becoming part of a community.
It can help people to learn the value of teamwork and even encourage folks to mix with others outside their usual circles.
At a time when screen time and devices are a part of everyday life, summer sports can also offer space for people to unhook or unplug from technology.
This summer season, make sure to look around and check out the sports clubs and options in the Hauraki-Coromandel.
By DAVIDDA HIKATANGATA
