Amid the excitement of the ongoing Beachfest everyone is invited to try the new sport of “speedminton,” or speed badminton, in the Parksville Community Park this weekend.
“Parksville is the perfect place for this game, with its fabulous beaches and park areas. Because you don’t use a net, you can be at play in minutes,” said Michele Matthews who brought the sport to Canada.
She said she will have lots of speed racquet’s and “speeders” — shorter, narrower, heavier shuttlecocks — for people of all ages to play with.
Combining elements of badminton, squash and tennis and played without a net, it can be played in winds up to 27 km/h, in the water or at night. Plus, Matthews said “it’s so much fun that most people don’t realize they’re getting a great workout while they play.”
It was developed in Germany by former badminton player Bill Brandes who was frustrated that he couldn’t play outside and it is now played around the world.
They will be set up all weekend (July 28-29) from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
For more on the sport check www.speedminton.ca, for other activities in the park this weekend check www.parksvillebeachfest.ca.
