Slacklining
Slacklining is the art of balancing on a flat nylon rope suspended above the ground between two anchor points. Part exercise, part sport and part meditation, slacklining develops sure feet and a keen sense of balance. One of the reasons for the increasing popularity of slacklining is that it can be practiced almost anywhere. “Slackers,” as they style themselves, can be spotted at parks, beaches and pretty much anywhere with two good anchor points. Starting out, slacklining is a bit like bull riding: the challenge is just to stay on. But as a slacker’s balance improves and their postural muscles strengthen, walking the line becomes possible.
Roller Derby
Roller derby is an up-and-coming international contact sport that pits two five-player teams against each other in what amounts to a knock ’em, sock ’em, clash of the titans on roller skates. The game can look pretty messy to the uninitiated, but the rules are fairly simple. Jammers score points by lapping opposing team members during the jam—the two-minute scoring period—while pivots and blockers defend their jammers and attack the other side. Roller derby demands thick skin, true grit and plenty of safety gear, and it’s on track to become an Olympic sport by 2020.
Dragon Boat Racing
What began more than 2000 years ago as a ritual to ensure good health and harvests has transformed into the fastest-growing watersport in the world. Dragon boat racing is one of China’s national pastimes and it’s becoming popular here in the U.S., too. It’s a sport that combines strength and endurance with teamwork and timing. A team of 20 paddlers stroke in time to the beat set by the drummer at the head of the boat. The drummer is the ‘heartbeat’ of the boat, who sets the pace and speed of the paddlers by adjusting the rhythm. The sweep controls the rudder and sets the boat’s course. Each drummer’s beat is unique, which makes a dragon boat regatta as much a battle of warring drums as of racing boats.
Muggle Quidditch
J.K. Rowling’s fantastical game of Quidditch has inspired a real sport, with international leagues, a governing body and millions of devoted players. The broomsticks are real, but the flying is all in the players’ imagination. Muggle quidditch is played by two teams of at least seven players on a rectangular pitch with rounded edges. There are three goals at each end of the pitch and five balls in play: three bludgers, the quaffle and the snitch. Getting hit by an opponent’s bludger temporarily disables a player, and capturing the snitch wins the game.
Bubble Soccer
Bubble soccer might just be the greatest invention to come out of Italy since espresso, and the two go very well together. The game is energetic and straightforward, a lot like Italians themselves. Put yourself in a bubble suit, then go play soccer. The bubble suit covers the torso, disabling the hands and leaving the legs free run and kick. Players are allowed to bounce, roll and bump into each other to score goals, but bouncing into downed players is cause for a penalty.