By J.B. Horne
For Weekly Surge
Can anybody tell us how China got to host the Olympic Games? Remember Tiananmen Square? Well this is the same China, the same communist country that shoots down its civilians for protesting economic policies. This is the same China that seeks to destroy what it perceives as threats to the social, political and the economic stability of the country. This is the same China that jails opposing political opponents and journalists that seem to be a threat. This is the same China that regulates what the press can print, controls what you can look at on your computers, and suppresses any movements for independence. This is the same China where Americans ship billions of dollars a year to buy a lot of the same things we used to make here at home.
So why is China allowed to host the Olympics? It is the same answer that solves 99 out of 100 questions. The answer is MONEY and a large chunk of U.S. mint goes to China. In fact Americans import nearly $700 billion dollars more worth of goods a year than any other country. And guess where a large part of those goods come from? That is right, China. Don't get me wrong, the Olympic Games have been great thus far for many Americans, such as the record setting Michael Phelps, and the opening ceremonies were the most extraordinary and most expensive of all time, but as extraordinary as the opening ceremonies were, the fact that hard-earned homeland dollars helped pay the way for a communist country to promote itself on a worldwide stage had to be running through more American minds than just mine.
Well, if you are like many Americans, you are tired of working all day for pay that hasn't really increased in years while the price of everything has at least tripled, and then turning around and giving your peanuts to nuts in other countries. So, we here at the Weekly Surge have found a way for you to enjoy the Olympic spirit right here in the Myrtle Beach area - but you'll have to get off the couch and shut off the boob tube for awhile.
The Grand Strand is a hot spot for sports - and bar games - and if you either play or just enjoy watching Olympic sports, this is a great place to be. From some of the oldest Olympic sports, such as swimming, to the newest such as the triathlon, you can find it right here at home.
The following are select summer Olympic sports you can sample along the Grand Strand, along with some corresponding Surgelympic activities.
ARCHERY
So you want to shoot something huh? Before we had rifles, a simple bow and arrow was the tool of trade for a marksman. And whether you prefer to hunt harmless animals in the wild or just like having fun shooting at targets, the Grand Strand area has plenty to offer. Deer season starts in September and a lot of men and women in Horry County track out at daylight to hunt. Most use rifles to shoot up Bambi but a skilled few still use the art of archery and if you are a bow hunter you get to hunt deer even earlier starting in August. Whether you are just getting started with a bow and arrow or you are experienced, Myrtle Beach is home to the Sandune Archery Club which was founded in 1962. The Sandune Archery club is located at the Socastee Recreation Center in Myrtle Beach. You can enjoy all of the club's archery ranges in a natural setting. The Sandune Archery Club's facility includes a large practice range with targets ranging from 10 to 60 yards and also a 3D course that has 45 lanes. Educational and training programs are taught by certified staff members and the membership fees are family affordable. Singles can join the club for $25 dollars and families up to four can sign up for a total of $30. The Sandune Archery club also holds competitions if you feel you've got aim. The Sandune Archery club is at 7485 Bulter Road in Myrtle Beach. For directions, upcoming events, and more info you can visit www.sandunearchery.com.
BASEBALL
If you are looking to compete, watch or just play catch, there are places all over the Grand Strand for some hardball. The Ripken Experience, started by brothers Cal Ripken Jr. and Billy Ripken, in Myrtle Beach is one of only two in the country, with the other being in Aberdeen, Md., and includes seven baseball fields; two regulation-sized diamonds and five youth diamonds. One of the diamonds is a replica of what was known as The Polo Grounds, a name given to four different stadiums in New York from 1883-1964 and home to many teams including the N.Y. Yankees, N.Y. Mets, N.Y. Titans, N.Y. Jets, and N.Y. Giants (both football and baseball). If it sounds like something you'd like, it's a good time to check it out because there is tourney action coming up Labor Day weekend. For a full schedule of events, log on to www.ripkenexperience.com. If your baseball favor is more on the professional tip, check out the Myrtle Beach Pelicans who are on a record setting pace this season. There are only a few games left until the playoffs, so if you are going to go see the Pelicans play, the time is now. You can check out the Pelicans at BB&T Coastal field starting Sunday vs. the Wilmington Blue Rocks. The Pelicans will play eight home games in nine days before closing out the season. Game times are mostly at 7:05 p.m. and tickets are $7-$9. BB&T Coastal field is at the intersection of Robert M. Grissom Parkway and 21st Avenue N., Myrtle Beach. Call 918-6000 or check out www.myrtlebeachpelians.com.
BASKETBALL
It's hard to figure out how Kobe Bryant is supposed to represent our country when he has had a hard time in the past representing his L.A. Lakers teammates and wife. Anyways, enough of that, wanna be a balla? The Sports Zone in Little River has a nice facility and offers open court play and also competitive tournaments and leagues for all ages. If you need to practice your game, The Sports Zone also offers clinics. The Sports Zone is located in Little River at 304 East S.C. 90. For more info, call 249-4FUN or visit online at www.sportszonecenter.com. If you don't want to go all out and just want to shoot some hoops, Broadway Louie's, Celebrity Square at Broadway at the Beach, has all types of games, including basketball hoops, where you can either play against yourself or shoot against up to four people at a time for a few dollars. After you are finished, all you have to do is walk over to the other side of Broadway Louie's, find Broadway Jake so you can karaoke the song "Basketball" by Kurtis Blow.
BEACH VOLLEYBALL
I wonder when women watch the guys play this sport, do they drool like I do when watching the women play? A lot of guys seem to like this Olympic sport, but honestly I think it has more to do with the hotties playing than the actual action. No matter what you watch beach volleyball for, it is an Olympic sport and Myrtle Beach is a perfect place to get your serve on. All you need is sand, a ball, a net, and four or more people...preferably hot chicks if available. You can either set this up yourself on the beach or there are several places that have beach volleyball ready to play. One cool place to play is The Boathouse, 201 Hard Rock Parkway right on the Intracoastal Waterway in Myrtle Beach. For more details you can call 903-BOAT. Another cool place to play beach volleyball here on the Grand Strand is Remedies Bar and Grill, 4803 U.S. 17 Bypass in Myrtle Beach. Call 293-4833. Both places have courts that seem to get a good bit of play. Just remember not to drink too much or you literally may end up with your head in the sand. If you aren't into going to the beach or a bar to get your play on, you can always visit the Myrtle Beach Tennis Center. Beside the tennis center, there are two two-way courts that are available for free. There are normally no scheduled times for play but most people show up to play on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. The Myrtle Beach Tennis Center is at 3302 Robert Grissom Parkway in Myrtle Beach. For more details, call 918-2440 or visit www.myrtlebeachtennis.com.
CANOE/KAYAK/ROWING
Where else would you rather be than the Grand Strand when it comes to water sports? There is so much to offer in the area when it comes to canoeing, rowing, or kayaking. Two of the better places to experience these water activities in the area are the Black River Outdoors Center in Georgetown and Thomas Outdoors Watersports in North Myrtle Beach. Black River Outdoors Center at 21 Garden Avenue in Georgetown, offers canoe/rowing and kayak rentals and sales along with kayak tours, kayak fishing, and kayak surfing. Black River Outdoors goes all out when it comes to boating and is among the best in the area. You can make your reservations and get full details by calling 546-4840 or by visiting www.blackriveroutdoors.com. If you live on the north end, another place to rent kayaks is Thomas Outdoors Watersports, 2200 Little River Neck Road, North Myrtle Beach. Thomas Outdoors Watersports offers kayak rentals and tours in three locations, including the salt marsh of Cherry Grove. For more info, call 663-RIDE or 280-2448 or go online at www.mbjetski.com.
FENCING
At first look you probably thought there was no way you could find fencing at the beach, but you'd be foiled again (pun intended). Myrtle Beach is home of the Coastal Carolina Fencing Association (CCFA). The CCFA brings the sport of fencing to the Myrtle Beach area and the members range from the age of nine to older than 50. A few members had fenced before joining but most members are new to the sport, so even if you have no experience, you will feel welcome. There's a catch: the members of CCFA must be also be members of the YMCA and meetings are held at the Grand Strand Family YMCA located at 904 65th Avenue N. in Myrtle Beach. For more information, call the YMCA at 449-9622, the CCFA at 997-0573, or log on to www.coastalcarolinafencing.com
SHOOTING
"You feeling lucky, punk?" If you've got the luck or skill to master the six-shooter there is great place right off U.S. 17 Bypass in Myrtle Beach near the Back Gate. The Myrtle Beach Indoor Shooting Range offers a top-notch facility that can accommodate pistols, rifles, or shotguns. The range was developed by Ted L. Bragg who is the National Rifle Association (NRA) technical officer for South Carolina and whatever type of gun you want to practice with, you can do it at The Myrtle Beach Shooting Range, which also offers repair, accessorizing, and appraisals of your weapons. If you are looking to master the mark you can take all types of lessons, which are given onsite. If you are looking to get out of the game they also buy weapons and for fun there is a shooting match held at the gun range every week. For more details, call 293-4344 or visit www.mbisr.com. If you don't want to really shoot an actual gun, you can always go play Big Buck Hunter at Overtime Sports Café in North Myrtle Beach. Big Buck Hunter is always fun - especially after a few drinks and the screen starts moving. Overtime Sports Café is located at 1409 U.S.17 South in North Myrtle Beach. For more details, call 361-1514 or visit online at www.overtimesportscafe.com.
SWIMMING/DIVING
Although swimming is one of the oldest sports, the record-shattering Phelps has captured audiences young and old like never before in the Olympics and swimming is a popular choice for sport and exercise along the Grand Strand. There is more than 60 straight miles of beach here so get a chair, towel, or an old dirty sheet, find a spot on the beach, and jump in the Atlantic. If you are not into sand, sharks or just want to avoid too much sun, then you can always visit the local pools in the area. A great place to swim and dive is the North Myrtle Beach Aquatics and Fitness Center which is located at 1100 2nd Avenue South in North Myrtle Beach. The center offers a three-lane warm water teaching and therapy pool, an eight-lane 25-yard lap pool, a full Colorado timing system and scoreboard, a sauna, and a hot tub. It is open seven days a week and exercise, instructional, and therapy classes are scheduled throughout the day. For more information on the NMB Aquatics and Fitness Center, call 281-3737 or visit online at afc.nmb.us/home.aspx. Why not do some real diving? Coastal Scuba in North Myrtle Beach will give you an experience unlike any belly buster you could perform off a diving board. Coastal Scuba offers trips to Civil War wrecks, World War II wrecks, natural reef, and artificial reefs. It is a certified facility that offers scuba diving lessons, dive charters year round. Coastal Scuba is located at 1901 U.S. 17 South in North Myrtle Beach. For full details, call 361-3323 or visit online at www.coastalscuba.com.
TABLE TENNIS
It's called ping pong where I come from but its better known as table tennis around the world and forget the Olympics - when did someone decide that ping pong is a sport? It's a game in my book and that debate will never end for me but no matter, table tennis has been an Olympic sport since 1988 and its seems like it's here to stay. The best thing about ping pong is that this is the one ball you can play with in the house because it won't break anything. Plus, when you are done playing, the ball can be used in drinking games such as beer pong. For 5 Star table tennis athletes, there are local table tennis clubs at the Base Recreation Center on the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. Play is available from 6-9 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays and discounts are available for local residents. Find more info at www.cityofmyrtlebeach.com or by calling 918-2380. The Base Recreation Center is located at 800 Gabreski Lane in Myrtle Beach. If you don't really want the whole set up or don't feel like joining a club you can always go to locals' hangout Droopy's in Myrtle Beach for some table tennis action. Droopy's is located at 5201 North Kings Highway in Myrtle Beach. Call 449-2620.
TRIATHLON
If you are looking for a triathlon in the Myrtle Beach area, you are right on time. The North Myrtle Beach Aquatics and Fitness Center will host a triathlon on Sept. 6. You can register online at www.active.com or you can download the forms from the NMB Aquatics and Fitness center at afc.nmb.us . Late registration will be at McLean Park in North Myrtle Beach from 5-8 p.m. Sept. 5, during the Family Fun Run. In case you don't know, a triathlon is a combination of cycling, running, and swimming and normally the events are done back-to-back and are timed. So you may want to do work out a little before you enter or if you don't think you can hang with the big dogs you can always try the events one at a time. Warning: if you are a smoker and thinking about entering it may be a good time to quit.
There you have it. If you want to perform a sampling of Olympic sports right here at home, you know how and where to do it. Get out today and enjoy all that the Grand Strand has to offer in the world of Olympic - or Surgelympic - sports. Whether you want to take a shot at the upcoming triathlon, shoot some hoops at Broadway Louie's, or watch wrestling at your favorite local bar, get out there and become a Surgelympian.