"It's just fun." "I feel happy." "It gets me out of the house." "I've lost so much weight." "These are my friends!" These are the reasons drawing participants to chair volleyball.
On Aug. 30, CareLink hosted the first Central Arkansas Chair Volleyball Tournament at The Center at Bishop Park in Bryant. Teams from five cities' senior centers faced off in the day-long event.
The rules are simple. The camaraderie is strong. And the competition is fierce.
With a strict adherence to the rules -- like the "one cheek rule," which allows players to lift one side of their body but not to rise completely off the chair -- players are quick to point out infringements. Most teams come with a whistle-wielding coach, watching and critiquing as games play out. Any drama spills out quietly in whispers and side glances.
While teams compete, laughter is the most dominant sound. People who have known one another for years meet several times a week to play, joke, catch up and move. The Patrick Henry Hays Senior Center in North Little Rock has so much interest in the game, their weekly group split into three different teams to compete during the tournament.
There is hope for this to grow into an annual event and even a statewide tournament. For anyone age 50 and over wondering how to participate, there's probably a senior center nearby with welcoming smiles, a blow-up beach ball and empty chairs.
Just keep at least one cheek glued to the seat when reaching for that game-winning return.
Style on 10/11/2016