Fresh-air sport activities in Ventspils during the period of home-staying
05.11.2021 - 09:49
Fresh air and physical activities are an integral part of our life. During this period of home-staying, when indoor recreational and sport activities are restricted, you may go out to take fresh air and make sturdy not only your body, but also your mind.
Ventspils is a sport-friendly city, and even in these hard times, when pools and athletics gyms are closed for visitors, active life enthusiasts still have a chance to take part in outdoor sport activities.
For residents of Ventspils, winter swimming has always been one of the favourite activities during the cold season. Winter swimming is not only a chance to achieve body hardening and strengthen your immune system, but it is also a protection against various diseases, so it's high time to challenge yourself by exposing your organism to a new experience - winter swimming!
There are key tips for you if you wish to start winter swimming:
- Expose yourself to cold responsibly.
- Before you start winter swimming, you should gradually expose yourself to cold, starting with contrast shower and regular swimming in summer. Then you may start swimming in autumn and later - in winter.
- It is recommendable that you should also improve your swimming skills.
Safety and health first!
- Swimming must be short, it is better to be in water for a short, but regular while - at least 3-4 times a week. The duration of swimming may be gradually increased.
- It is recommendable that you use a swim cap when swimming - it will help you to retain warmth and reduce the possibility of cold-related injuries.
- Before entering water, prioritize your safety - you must assess whether the site is suitable for swimming and whether it is possible to enter and leave the water safely; the place you swim must not be too deep and must be reachable by foot; enter water slowly and gradually. It is recommendable that you do not swim alone in winter, but with an experienced swimmer .
- When swimming is over, you must towel yourself and put on warm clothes, or drink warm tea as well.
Top sites for winter swimming in Ventspils:
- Blue Flag beach
- Venta (in the end of Ābolu Street)
- Beach on the Staldzene steep coastline
- Būšnieku Lake
Nordic walking is one the most popular activities among residents of Ventspils. For many years, Ventspils is the Latvian capital of Nordic walking, and for more than ten years it hosts an All-Latvian Summer Festival of Nordic Walking with a great number of participants.
The parks of Ventspils are perfectly suited for this activity. Comfortable footpaths in Reņķa Garden and Seaside Park are particularly appreciated, and it is possible to make your sport exercises more active thanks to outdoor fitness equipment available in both parks.
Experienced Nordic walkers and long-distance hiking lovers will enjoy an 8 km long nature trail along the Būšnieku Lake. The nature trail offers not only to enjoy the surrounding nature, but also to walk along the footbridge to the bird-watching platform. During Nordic walking, you also may warm up a bit on the Health Trail located in the Part A of the shore and holding 10 gymnastics stands that are accessible for all age groups, or see 7 new wooden fish sculptures by taking a walk around the lake. The lake shores are equipped with comfortable picnic areas so that you could catch your breath and enjoy the surroundings during your sport exercises.
No doubt, one of the most challenging experiences is Nordic walking along the coast of the sea, and it is ideally fit both for strength and recovery trainings, and for mind "refreshing" thanks to the coastal winds and fresh sea air. The Baltic Coastal Hiking Route (Jūrtaka) is an excellent reason to go to a long-distance walk - it is a part of the E9 European long distance path along the Baltic coast.
Nordic walking was created by Finns who are one of the healthiest nations in the world. Nordic walking has been being researched by Finns since 1992, and these researches are scientifically substantiated.
Home-staying will not be a problem for those who regularly attend athletic gyms as there are 13 gymnastics fitness machines available free-of-charge for visitors of the Olympic Centre "Ventspils" that are located under a shelter in the outside yard of the centre.
These machines are for strength trainings and are equipped with mechanic counterweights. Fitness machines will allow you to train all major muscle groups. Fitness machines may be used only in accordance with epidemiological safety rules, i.e. athletes must keep 2 m distance, use disinfectants for hands and surfaces, and have a paper towel or cloth towel when staying in the gymnastics zone in order to clean the surface of the fitness machine after using it.
