I had practiced some time ago with a club group from Wake Forest, the closest I could find to my home, but it was really a college team and they didn't really need an old fart hanging around.
Now I'm trying to get back into some kind of shape after neglecting myself for the last 20 years and have looked for things to do. Running really isn't my bag. I like cycling, but its limited during the winter months. Swimming around hear is all but non-existent, unless you fork out the dough for a private club or the Y.
For work I travel to Charlotte, or at least try to avoid it, but it would be good to get to the main office on a regular basis. So I expanded my search and go figure, there's a masters water polo team in Charlotte - the sharks. Several old hands that have played various places including some at a fairly high level in CA. They've got several new people learning the sport for the first time, so it looks like a place to try and float around as I get back into shape to try an contribute.
Yesterday was day 1. I arrived a little early and then saw a slow procession of speedo clad people heading for the deep end waiting for the swim team to finish. For those who detest speedo's, let me tell you that anything else and it will get ripped off you in a match. Actually, even the speedos will get ripped, but there's less to grab. So its better to wear two.
After a few laps to warm up we started throwing the ball to warm up. My hands felt like cement and my legs just didn't get me where my mind thought it should be. After about 10 minutes I was getting tired and I knew I was in trouble.
We took a few shots (at the goal) and then split into teams for a scrimmage. 5 on 5 since we were 1 short. No one grabbed the goal, so I thought I'd play goalie and get to rest while my team was on offense. That was the plan, good plan cause I got tired any way. So I stayed in goal through the next three quarters.
I actually blocked a few shots and my hands started to feel less like cement. I guess the feeling was moving to my legs. It became apparent I was on the weaker team for the day and there seemed to be more defense to play than rest on offense.
The last quarter dragged on and I could tell others were getting tired too cause the number of passes and swimming before a short ground down to the bare minimum.
It was a blast getting back in and I hope to make the excuse to get to Charlotte for work more often to join them on Wednesday nights.
If your in the area and curious, check them out at http://bellsouthpwp.net/b/5/b5english/
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