It’s been a rough winter in many sections of the United States of America. Snow has blanketed the eastern states so much that residents are saying “enough already!” After drought conditions plagued California, enough rain has fallen periodically to cause floods and mudslides. The average February 2015 temperature at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport was 14.6 degrees.
And what do these reminders of Winter 2015 woes have to do with playing racquetball?
Racquetball is played indoors. We can play the sport we love any time despite the cold temperatures of winter or the humidity and heat of summer.
My husband and I once played tennis in the Williamsburg, Virginia, area in July. After years of living in New Mexico I had forgotten what humidity could feel like, even at six in the morning. It was miserable, to say the least.
Racquetball courts are cooled or heated, according to the season and temperatures. That’s the nice thing about being indoors. Sometimes the heating and cooling may not be everything we thought it would be.
There’s a court I know that is colder in the winter then it might be if the HVAC had been properly ventilated. At least it’s winter and working up an exercise sweat can warm the body. Somehow the court seems more comfortable during the warmer seasons. Haven’t figured out how that is.
A fellow racquetball player is a tennis buff. Now that she’s retired she can play in the winter on Albuquerque courts. Except she’s a warm weather tennis player. If the temperature dips below forty, then she doesn’t go out for tennis.
So I am grateful that I love to play a sport that is inside where the temperature is regulated rather than depending on Mother Nature.
Something new in Albuquerque: The World Senior Racquetball tournament has expanded to include doubles as well as singles and mixed doubles. The 31st annual tournament will be held the week before Labor Day. The host hotel is the McM Elegante, which provides great amenities and hospitality. Play will be at various Sports and Wellness Clubs.
Play is in five-year increments. The registration fee includes five lunches (and they are plentiful and taste great!) and a banquet as well as lots of playing. If you’ve never been to Albuquerque with its tram and hot chile then this could be your perfect opportunity.
You can enter on R2 Sports.com.