FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | MAY 2023 55
It's 38 degrees outside, the sun has set, dinner
is over, and the night is young. What shall I do?
Go out and play some tennis with friends under
the lights, of course! We are blessed here at Four
Seasons to have a beautiful tennis complex on
site, as well as many people to play with who are
seeking an active lifestyle. Tennis at night has some unique benefits
and challenges to keep in mind in order to have fun, stay safe, and get
some good exercise.
Many people move to 55+ communities before fully retiring.
Luckily, we have many options for evening activities to enjoy. Our
tennis courts are equipped with lights so we can play tennis whenever
our schedules allow. If you play during the day, you know that the
sun and shadows can be a challenge. The lights at night provide a
consistent, bright environment to play in. Summer temperatures can
be a factor in any outdoor sport, and evenings are always cooler.
Evening play has challenges that requires certain adjustments. It
can take a bit of time for my eyes to adjust to the lights. Some people
may have trouble with blurriness or depth perception at night. These
can sometimes be helped by wearing a hat with a dark brim, or night
vision glasses. Muscles and joints need a good warm-up before
playing tennis, even more so when it's cold.
There is no dispute on the benefits of regular exercise. Playing
tennis exercises the whole body. Running across the court works out
leg muscles. Your core is engaged as you keep your balance while
chasing the ball. Balance, flexibility, coordination, and agility are
all improved by playing tennis. With all of that in
mind, night vision varies by individual and some
people may not be able to adjust to night play safely.
Others may be able to make small adjustments
and be successful. Safety should always be the
first consideration. If you are interested in giving
tennis a try, come to our Saturday morning drills at 10 am. It doesn't
matter if you've not picked up a racket in 30 years, or ever at all. We
have experienced players here to help people at all levels to gain the
skills needed to play senior tennis, have fun, and stay fit! ~ Written
by Laura Emerson
See you all at The Courts! Website: https://sites.google.com/view/
tennis-fourseasons/home. ~ Stan Lam, (714) 757-2141, slamcpa@
gmail.com
Tennis Club
(L to R) Laura Emerson, Bernadette Chance, Josie Beauchamp,
and Lou Stokes
(L-R)
Liliana
Simanton,
Tito Calderon,
Gloria Gall, and
Emilio Huizar
(L to R)
Chikako
Ferguson,
Hilario Luna,
and Lizzie
Gallegos
