Fun Club: Make friends and get fit

FITNESS and fun are the order of the day on Sunday mornings when residents meet on Bronze Beach in uMhlanga for some fresh air, socialisation and exercise.

While the morning may start and end with yoga and some stretching to loosen tired and sore muscles, it is anything but boring. The creative activities, designed to exercise the mind and body, are definitely the highlight of the day. From leaping through hoola hoops to ‘characterised soccer’ – which involves the players adopting a character (such as ballerinas, ninjas and even zombies) while attempting to score goals.

The Fun Club, as it is affectionately known, is a community initiative pioneered by the Upper Umhlanga Security Trust in an effort to facilitate community integration.

“We have realised that simply focusing on security is not enough, we need to foster unity among the residents. A stronger community bond means that we can improve our means of taking care of each other and improving the safety and aesthetics of our community,” said chairman, Andrew Fraser.

Fraser approached local residents and best friends – Chett Goldin and Olwyn Lewis – who have experience as trainers and therapists, to run the initiative. The duo jumped at the opportunity and have for several weeks been running a small club on a weekly basis. However, the ultimate goal is to garner enough public interest so that the duo can offer these morning meetings on a daily basis.

The aim of the club, explained Goldin, is to build friendships and strengthen family bonds while getting the community fit and healthy. It is also the perfect opportunity to enjoy the beauty that Durban has to offer, he added.

“We get very creative with our activities, and the main idea is to have fun. We have incorporated everything, from golf balls to the sand bags found on the beach. Our activities have been designed to help people get fit, all while having fun and getting to know other people,” he said.

The club is open to anyone, including single individuals and families with toddlers. “It is one thing to get your heart rate elevated; that is something you can do at the gym. Here we are all relaxed and chilled with the sole purpose of having fun and facilitating human interaction – touching, laughing and socialising,” added Goldin.

The club meets from 8am to 9am every Sunday morning near the lifeguard tower on Bronze Beach off Lagoon Drive in uMhlanga. Contact Chett Goldin on 082 086 7777.

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