​ Live Life, Enjoy Life Activities That Won’t Extend You Too Much ...

As you age often those adrenalin filled activities that you thrived on in your younger years often lose their appeal. However getting older gives you no excuses for sitting back and not getting out and being active.
Here are a few alternatives however that you can enjoy, meet great people and keep active without having to actually extend yourself too far!
Bowling
Most retirement villages and local areas seem to have an obligatory Bowls Club. Bowls may often seem a little tame compared to other sports but don’t be deceived, there is real skill required! Rather than a test of stamina it is more a test of hand/eye coordination and strategy.
The aim of the game is to roll your bowls closest to the “jack” or “kitty” that is sent to one end of the green. Bowls can be played as singles, doubles or triples. The balls are weighted on one side so they don’t run straight which is where much of the skill comes in.
You will find most clubs will play “roll up” games where any club member can turn up and also hold Club Tournaments.
There are often locations too for indoor bowls which work on the same principles.

​Croquet 
When you talk about croquet you conjure up images of English lawns, finely dressed ladies and afternoon tea in the gardens!
Like bowls it appears deceptively easy to play but again there is a certain degree of skill to get the balls cleanly through the hoops. Often referred to a cross between snooker and chess played on a large lawn it is a thinking person’s sport and once mastered it is a game of strategy, discipline and calculated risk, both mentally stimulating and competitive.
Croquet provides a sporting challenge, gentle exercise and companionship.
Kayaking
If you love the water and don’t have a boat, Kayaking is a good alternative. Once you own a kayak, paddle and life jacket there are no on-going costs. If you don’t want to lift your kayak on your car roof you can get H frame trailers.
You can get sit in or sit on kayaks. The sit on version is better for sea paddling. If you have a sit in kayak and want to go out in all temperatures you can often get a “skirt” to keep water out.  Kayaking is wiser to do with someone else and so is a great option for a couple of good friends to head out together.
Walking
Nothing can be more healthy thank a good brisk walk! You can vary your scenery with cliff walks, bush walks, through our glorious regional parks or even walks around town centres. If you are visiting an area ask the local Department of Conservation Office or Visitor Centre who should be able to provide you with maps.
Walking is of course not only peaceful and good for you as a gentle form of exercise (or you can make it as vigorous as you wish) but also a great way to see places not often accessible by car.
If you don’t want to walk alone most areas have walking clubs where you can join likeminded people and enjoy the scenery together. The club will often have organised walks that you are able to join.