Up, up, and away goes my beautiful beach ball.  I know, I know, they are not the correct lyrics in that familiar song.  However, they are exactly the correct words that describe the new, fun activity that recently debuted at The Lodge at Candler Hills.

Chair volleyball uses a beach ball!  Kestrel resident Pam Monk heard about this unique game when her good friend, who lives in a retirement community on the other side of the state, spoke highly about it.  “She told me what a great time she was having – so much laughter, such movement.  I visited her and played myself, and I was convinced that this could be something that our community should know about.”

Pam brought the idea to the attention of Jerra Chitwood, who immediately embraced the concept.  She, in turn, took the matter to Fitness Director Leslee Stephens, who was familiar with the activity because her parents played it in their retirement community.  “My mother is in her 50s and my dad is on oxygen,” Leslee said, “and they both can participate and enjoy chair volleyball.”

Photo by: Leslee Stephens

Equipment was purchased, and a trial run by the staff guaranteed the game would be offered.  A flyer was posted announcing the Aug. 4 rollout at The Lodge at Candler Hills.  A team usually consists of four to six players.   The same number of chairs is staggered on each side of a net, rope, or streamer.  

The serve is underhand, over the net.  Each team gets up to three touches to return the ball.  The ball must go over the net and not touch the floor.  Any part of the body above the waist may be used to hit the ball. 

Now comes the hard part, which brings with it a good amount of hilarity.  Players may never stand up or scoot off their chairs.  At the inaugural game, a discussion about how best to sit on the chair where you might not be tempted to rise proved to be useless.

Reaching over the net and holding or catching the ball are also not allowed, and there are no double-taps.  Only hits are permitted – a point scores on every serve. The first team scoring 15 points, with a two-point spread, is the winner.  Only the serving team can score.  Sides switch halfway through when playing multiple rounds.

The call to action for the initial game was answered by a team of four Sanctuary residents: Debbie Gilchrest, Jane Williams, Jane Ellis, and Karen Luther.  They came prepared for battle, despite not knowing the “fight.”  In competition were Pam Monk and Gail Schultz, from Kestrel and Candler Hills, respectively, and Susan McSorley from Ashford and Pat Morrison from Newcastle.

The Sanctuary team’s loss to the less united team has made them determined to return for a rematch.

Chair volleyball at The Lodge at Candler Hills is held on Mondays, from 1 to 3 p.m.  Treat yourself to a few hours of laughter and exercise, and you, too, may be carried up, up and away.

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