adventure indiana | summer 2013
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South-Central Indiana's Adventure MagazineTRANSCRIPT
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FISHINGPage 6
CavINGPage 12
DEMO DERBYPage 22
SUMMER 2013
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On the coverPhoto by Darryl Smith
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Editor’sadventurePage 4
Frisbeeon ParPage 20
adventure CalendarPage 27
adventure Tool KitPage 26
SummerBassPage 6
Bonesand Boats
Page 12
The Glow in GlobalPage 14
Road RageRedefined
Page 22
GyMNASTICS fORGROwNUpS
EDITOR’S
PICS | Darryl Smith
I f you have to call your mother to ask if you ever did gymnastics as a kid, it’s probably just safe to say you
never did gymnastics.So, I never did gymnastics.
Therefore, I was suitably daunted and nervous walking into the new Monroe County YMCa Gymnastics Center, a warehouse-sized expanse of blue mats with a foam pit in the corner.
at the very first practice, they had us leaping, tumbling and trying a little bit of everything from round-offs to uneven bars to beam to vault. If you’ve ever watched the Summer Olympics, then you’ve seen these events, and at the gymnastics center, you get to put your hands and feet on the real deals. (Spoiler: I am no Gabby Douglas.)
at first, doing a handstand seemed an impossible task. I bent my arms and my body too much; I was not “straight like a pencil,” as I’d been instructed to be. a bit of conditioning each night worked to help us strengthen our cores and develop the muscle memory for the “hollow body” position so crucial in gymnastics.
During the eight-week session, each practice was an unpredictable mix of experience
levels—novices like me, men and women who were dynamos in their youths, and those who have developed or refined their skills as adults—but one constant was fun. and laughing—the good kind. I messed up frequently (which, in gymnastics, can result in a spectacular flail of limbs and an awkward landing), but it felt like a safe space to do so, in every way. I was flailing amongst friends, and those friends valued effort, not perfection.
But, I’ll be honest, even effort took effort at times because the vault flat-out scared me. Running headlong to jump on something that will pop me up into the air, where I must then land in a suitable handstand had a certain flirting-with-disaster feel to it. But what’s an adventure without facing—and then running toward and leaping on—your fear? and
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Watch Kathryn conquer(ish) the vault. See the video by downloading the free HTlivepage app. Then, aim your smartphone or tablet camera at the photo above.
I did it. It wasn’t pretty, but then, pretty is not the point and my classmates cheered my victory just the same.
By the end of my session, a handstand felt gloriously possible, and I had a far greater appreciation of the athleticism of gymnasts. also, I can do a mean cartwheel, which probably shouldn’t be confused with a good cartwheel, but it’s still darn fun.
The Monroe County YMCa has new sessions starting all the time, and drop-in classes are always available—they pack in a lot of action for your buck. Get in there and take a tumble. The floors are all padded and sometimes landing in the foam pit is the best part.
Graceful mostly in spirit,
Kathryn S. Gardiner,Editor
ˆ Back row: Instructor Caroline Mullis, Kalani Craig, Lauren Hofmeister, assistant instructor Emily Turpin Front row: Cindy Linsenbardt, Kathryn, Kacie Cole, Lindsay Pipher
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Summer Bass
Heltonville fishermanangles for good waters
6
WORDS | Laura GleasonPICS | Darryl Smith
MORE | Page 8
ob Moser still has the fish his dad had mounted for him when he was 11.
“Looking back now, it’s not that big of a fish; it’s probably about three pounds; but back then it was huge,” said Moser, an avid fisherman from Heltonville, Ind.
Nowadays, it takes a larger fish to im-press Moser, who works as an engineering technician at Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center. He’s very pleased with an 8-pound bass. “That’s a pretty good one around here. In the south, that’s probably pretty common,” he said.
Moser focuses on bass fishing because of the challenge it presents.
“Sometimes you can go all day and just get a few bites. The challenge is to figure them out, figure out what they want to feed on,” Moser said.
Mastering piscine psychology takes pa-tience and attention to detail.
“It’s just through a lot of trial and error, eliminating water and letting the fish tell
“i love being able to be out on the water, it’s just a calming thing.”
– rob Moser
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you what they want. If you get a few bites on something, or you see a certain pattern, you can get clues, just by deduc-tion,” Moser said.
“Eliminating water” means that if you’re fishing in a cer-tain area or at a certain depth and the fish don’t appear to be active, you adjust your strategy accordingly. “If you’re fishing shallow and you’re not getting bites, you try deep water,” Moser said.
his kind of percep-tiveness pays off at bass-fishing tourna-ments, where many
competitors are all fishing the same lake.
“Generally it’s a team event. You have a five fish limit, so it’s the heaviest five fish that you can weigh in at the end of the tournament,” said Moser, whose current record is around 25 pounds.
Serious bass fishermen ac-crue points for victories during
Hear Rob Moser talk about his childhood of fishing and his first tournament. See the video by downloading the free HTlivepage app. Then, aim your smartphone or tablet camera at the photo above.
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the year to qualify for a spot at larger competitions.
The U.S.a. Bassin Classic is one of the premier events of the year, and winning it would be the culmina-tion of a lifelong dream for Moser. The event takes place on Kentucky Lake and there are typically around 300 boats, representing teams from around the country.
hen he’s not at competi-tions, Moser and his father, Bob Moser, can often be found at Patoka
Lake, Lake Monroe, or Starve-Hollow State Recreation area. “I love being able to be out on the water, it’s just a calming thing,” Moser said.
In spring and early summer bass are spawning and the larger females are eagerly looking for food. “Gen-erally you’ll catch your largest fish during that time,” he said.
When asked for advice about how newcomers can take up fishing as a hobby, Moser recommended spend-ing time with people who are already immersed in the sport.
“If they have a family member that’s interested in it, try to get a family member to take them fishing. They can read about it as much as they want, they can get magazines, and they can check out area events like tournaments. Go to the weigh-ins and get to know some people there,” he said.
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ˆ Just before sunrise, more than 30 fishing boats gather near the boat ramp at Cutright SRA on Lake Monroe before the start of the USA Bassin’ fishing tournament.
ˆ Competitive fisherman Gabe Blanton changes to an imitation worm as he and fishing partner Rob Moser test the waters to find what the bass are biting on at Lake Monroe. Moser and Blanton participate in USA Bassin’ tournaments throughout the region.
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Anyone who has ever dreamed of running away to join the circus now has the chance to channel his or her inner aerialist while also sculpting muscle and body.
at Flight Club Fitness’ aerial silks class, students can learn to suspend themselves upside down as much as 20 feet in the air—or much lower for beginners—using only a long swath of fabric and the strength of their own bodies. It’s a “total body workout and total mind workout” that doesn’t feel like a workout, say Flight Club’s founder and its instructor, both former circus performers themselves.
“It’s a fun way to exercise with-out realizing you are exercising,” says founder and co-owner Ebeth
ONHIGHAerial silks take fitness
to new heightsWORDS | Kasey Husk
PICS | Darryl Smith
“You are focused on the micro-moves and mastering the skill and you don’t realize you are using a lot of strength by being suspended a few inches off the ground.”
– ebeth Feldman
«
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Feldman. “You are focused on the micro-moves and mastering the skill and you don’t realize you are using a lot of strength by being suspended a few inches off the ground.”
Flight Club offers classes for both children and adults at Twin Lakes Recre-ation Center.
Feldman, a former Bloomington resident, initially took up the flying
trapeze as a hobby, but it became her full-time em-ployment when she was laid off from her job and she “ran away and joined the circus.”
Feldman originally got the idea to combine fitness and aerial acrobatics in the circus, where she saw “old school” performers push through the pain of injuries. She started look-ing for ways to make it “healthier and not as dam-aging.” She launched Flight Club Fitness in California in 2010 to teach trapeze, but decided to pilot the business’ first classes specifically geared toward combining fitness and aerial skills in Bloomington in august 2012.
Now, Feldman says, about 24 people—mostly women, though men are welcome—regularly come to classes at Twin Lakes taught by former aerialist Juliana Burrell.
Students start by learning how to wrap their legs around the silks
to pull themselves into various positions, such as straddling the silk or suspending themselves upside down. an advanced skill is doing “drops” where they hook the silk around their legs and let it catch them when they let go.
Students can start just a few inches from the ground at first, then gradually climb higher and higher as they build their strength and confidence, Burrell said. Some students have even built their skills to the point of performing in public as a group.
“at first it all might seem unattainable, but if you stick with it, in a very short amount of time you’ll see you are doing things that the first day you thought you’d never do because you didn’t have the strength or it was too scary,” Burrell says.
The class helps build muscle tone, Feldman says, especially in the calves and upper body. Some students have never been able to do a pull-up before taking the class but after are able to do three or four, she says. But most importantly, she and Burrell say, it keeps fitness fun.
“It’s intense, but people want to keep coming back to climb over and over because it’s fun,” Burrell says. “You don’t even real-ize how much energy you are using, and muscles. It’s very different than just walking on a treadmill and hoping time goes by fast.”
«
Students Laura Serrano-Silva (above), Moises Cruz (bottom left), and Zoe Moczek (bottom right) soar on silks at the Twin Lakes Recreation Center. Watch a performance by Ebeth Feldman. See the video by downloading the free HTlivepage app. Then, aim your smartphone or tablet camera at the photo above.
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WORDS | Lee Hadley PICS | Courtesy Indiana Caverns
BoatsandBones
Indiana’s largest cave offers special features
ost surface-dwelling Hoosiers are largely un-aware of the wonders to be found underground. The folks who operate Indiana Caverns would like to change that. “In five years we want to be known as the show cave with the best interpre-tive exhibits of any privately owned cave in the United States,” said Carol Groves, marketing and communications director for the tour cave.
Located just outside of Corydon, Indiana Cav-erns offers a 75-minute guided tour of a newly opened section of the Binkley Cave system. at al-most 36 miles in length, Binkley Cave is the larg-est cave system in Indiana and the 11th largest M
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in the United States. “The section of the cave that we’re commer-cializing was discovered in 2010,” Groves said. The first man-made entrance was put in during May of 2012 and construction began to open the cave to the public.
there are two main parts to the tour. The first part is a walk through the cavern that includes a waterfall, cave for-
mations and an unusual collection of bones concentrated in an area known appropriately as Big Bone Mountain. When explorers first entered the cavern they thought they were looking at the bones of farm animals that had fallen into a sinkhole. after development of the tour began, though, a pale-ontologist was consulted who determined that the bones were actually the remains of ice-age animals.
aside from the ice-age bones, Binkley Cave also boasts an unusual diversity of current residents. The cave system is considered a global biodiversity hotspot because it contains more than 20 species of animals living in it. Typical caves might have 12 to 15 different species. Not all of
these animals will necessarily be visible on the tour. “You can never guarantee that people are going to see animals in the cave, but they should at least see the white, blind cave crayfish,” Groves said. Salamanders are also a common sight within the tour area.
The second part of the tour involves a boat ride up a subter-ranean passageway. Bringing an
800-pound boat into the cavern posed an interesting challenge for the construction crew but they managed it by utilizing a zip line. “Everyone involved with the project has been involved in
the show-cave business at least once before,” Groves said. The boat holds 20 people and the ride makes up almost half the tour.
Since the temperature under-ground remains constant, Indiana Caverns is open year round. Good walking shoes are recommended, as is a jacket for the boat ride. Families are encouraged to visit but strollers cannot be taken into
the cave so a backpack carrier might be a good idea for children too small to walk on their own. Due to the nature of the tour, In-diana Caverns is not handicapped accessible.
Indiana Caverns offers discount-ed rates for group and school tours. More information about the tour and other attractions
in the Corydon area is available at www.indianacaverns.com or www.facebook.com/IndianaCav-erns.
Groves thinks the uniqueness of the Indiana Caverns experi-ence will delight visitors. “The boat ride is fairly uncommon and the ice-age bones are practically unknown on a showcase tour,” she said.
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f you saw hundreds of color-soaked people bounding through the Indiana Univer-sity campus one evening in early april, it wasn’t the Hindu holiday of Holi, and it wasn’t your imagination. It was the first-ever Glow Run, a fundrais-ing event for campus charity organization IU Timmy Global Health. Its organizers hope it will become an annual tradi-tion.
Participants dressed in bright outfits, spattered themselves with glow paint, and adorned themselves with glow sticks. af-ter mingling under black lights
in Dunn Meadow, they ran about a mile through campus, retiring to Kilroy’s on Kirk-wood, where more black lights had been set up to extend the afterglow.
“Seeing everyone in glow paint with the black lights shining on them right before they lined up to go run was my favorite part,” said IU Timmy financial chair Lindsey Stern, who spearheaded the event.
Between the nearly 400 participants, almost $3,000 was raised, and the profits will be go-
ing to Timmy Global Health, an
THe GlOwIN GlOBAl
INight-time run
raises money for a good cause
WORDS | Laura Gleason
PICS | Darryl Smith
ˆ Runners play in blacklights after a mile covered in glow paint
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Indianapolis-based organization that provides free health care to people in developing nations. Founded in 1997 by Dr. Chuck Dietzen, the orga-nization, named after Dr. Dietzen’s brother who passed away in his infancy, now has chapters in more than 35 colleges and high schools around the United States, and supports seven health care projects in five countries.
almost as important as providing medical care is the emphasis Timmy Global Health puts on inspiring young people to incorporate charitable work into their everyday lives, according to David Plankenhorn, who was president of IU Timmy until he graduated this May.
“Timmy puts a tremendous amount of effort into giving stu-dents the opportunity to see firsthand that they can truly make a difference in the world,” he said.
The IU chapter, which has about 300 members, sponsors events throughout the school year; next
year, the main events will include a carnival and battle of the bands held in September (“Timmy Paloo-za”), a benefit dinner in the spring, and the second edition of the glow
run, held in the week before Little 500.
IU Timmy’s main focus is support-ing a clinic in Quetzaltenango, Gua-temala, through fundraising and collection of vitamins, medication and sunscreen. The clinic provides services to a rural population with-out reliable access to medical care.
“Over spring break we send 25 students to deliver the donations and run the clinic for a week,” said Stern, who hopes to join them next year.
Stern, who just fin-ished her junior year as a biology major, joined IU Timmy
Global health at the begin-ning of the school year. Once she fulfills her goal of becoming a doctor, she envi-sions contributing to Timmy Global Health’s mission on a whole new level.
Plankenhorn, who will begin medical school this fall, feels similarly. “There is a saying in Timmy that once
you catch the Timmy virus, there is no going back; you become a lifer. I am no exception,” he said.
Interested in participating? Keep your eyes peeled for the next Glow Run, which is tentatively planned for the week before next year’s Little 500. and you can donate now at www.indiana.edu/~timmyfc/.
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At Redbird, they don’t need roadsWORDS | Jennifer Kinser & Kathryn S. Gardiner
PICS | Darryl Smith
ˆ Matt Neff rides the hills at Redbird State Recreation Area
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riving down the road after a heavy Midwestern rainfall, you slow your car to crawl when you see a big puddle—or, if you’re in a Jeep at Redbird, you gun it and make the mud fly. Nestled in the hills of southwestern Indiana, the Red-bird State Recreation area began as a working coal mine and has evolved into the state of Indiana’s first motorized off-road recreation area, and here, steep hills and rugged terrain aren’t obstacles—they’re the whole point.
“In a Jeep or SUv, it’s like a slow motion roller coaster ride,” says Gary Delong, vice president of public relations of the Redbird Foundation. “Nothing is about speed. It’s more about the finesse ... getting around obstacles with-out damaging your vehicle or the terrain.
“In a UTv or side-by-side, it’s got a lot more ‘wow’ factor due to a lighter vehicle that’s closer to the ground,” he says. “a motor-cycle can get into the narrow trails easier and can get around mud holes and fallen trees due to their suspension, even lighter weight, and power.”
S panning the Greene and Sullivan county line east of the town of Dugger, Redbird covers over 1,400 acres.
“The best thing about it is the great working relationship we have with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. We couldn’t have done this without” them, Gary says. Redbird is one of only two Indiana DNR properties that allows off roading, all for an entrance fee that is more affordable than at privately owned parks. While the property is managed by the DNR, Redbird also has a unique and supportive group of citizens behind it—the Redbird Foundation, which is dedicated to the growth and prosperity of the area. They organize events such as the Spring Fling this past april.
During the fling, foundation members, Cub Scout pack 457, and several 4x4 clubs joined together to pick up trash and help with much-needed trail maintenance to re-move fallen trees and debris. It was a “community effort,” Gary says. With Redbird’s 30 off-road trails, upkeep is an ongoing endeavor. Maintenance was the goal; fun was the byproduct. Like a band of mo-
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torized hikers, the off-road vehicles filed into the trees to check and clear the trails the best way possible—by riding them.
The trails are rated from easy to most difficult to match your skill level, your thrill level, and the ORv (or off-road vehicle) you are driv-ing—from “figure-out-what-you’re-doing areas to steep hills,” Gary says. Some of these trails are old mining roads that have traversed the property for years and some have been carefully carved along the re-claimed areas. Signs read “Stay on trail,” but to the average driver, some trails probably won’t look much like ‘trails’ at all. They’ll look like impass-able roads and hills of mud, dirt and gravel lined with trees, like a dare from Mother Nature: “Come on in. See if you can make it.”
and you may not, without help. Getting stuck is part of the game. These hardy, mud-going vehicles
don’t come equipped with winch mounts for nothing, and off-roaders are happy to help each other out of a tough spot.
First timers are welcome, even those without a Jeep, motorbike or aTv. The property has two main artery trails that provide a smoother ride. “You can drive a two-wheel drive through there,” Gary says. and then, if you see someone in a Jeep or a side-by-side, talk to them. “They’re probably the friendliest people you can meet,” Gary says. “Meet some people who’ve done it. They’ll give you advice.” You might even get invited for a ride.
M ore family fun can be had this summer as the Redbird Founda-tion hosts several night
rides. These events are always popu-lar and allow attendees after-hours access to the park. The night ride begins at the close of normal operat-
ing hours and allows riding until 11 p.m. Camping is allowed in the parking areas and Redbird is close to Shakamak State Park. For the July 6 event—Independence Day week-end—the night ride is an all-terrain vampire’s dream come true: off-road riding all night long until 7 a.m. These events are fundraisers for the Red-bird Foundation and cost extra in ad-dition to the gate fee, but attendees need not be foundation members. If you want to become a member, do-nate, or get more information, check out www.redbirdsra.com.
For those who may be interested in non-motorized activities, Redbird State Recreation area is a destina-tion for hiking, mushrooming and mountain biking as well, and fishing is available at several stocked and accessible lakes. The DNR has plans to expand Redbird further to include handicap-accessible hiking areas, picnic and interpretative areas.
Kelly Hart (left) gives a thumbs up after friend winched her jeep out of a mud hole at Redbird SRA, and the Spring Fling group (top middle) poses clean before they hit the trails for maintenance fun
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group of novice golfers might feel intimidated or rushed by the serious professionals trailing them on the green. First-time disc golf players at Rockville Lake Park’s course in Parke County, however, might meet a different breed of golf-ers.
“If we come across some beginners, we can take an hour out of our time and show them how to better play,” said Jameson Hibbs, super-intendent of Parke County Parks and Recreation. “There are a lot of advocates putting time and effort into growing the sport.”
The “hippie craze” of the ‘70s and ‘80s propelled disc golf from college quads to more than 4,000 courses worldwide, player leagues, and championship competitions. Indiana is home to almost 100 courses, including the 18-hole course built in and around the woods of Rockville Lake Park.
the rules of disc golf mirror those of ball golf. From a concrete tee pad, players “drive,” or throw, a disc toward a basket that serves as a hole. Different holes have different pars,
or amount of throws allowed, depending on
Frisbee on Par
aParke County disc golf course tees upWORDS | Lauren Slavin PICS | Dennis Byrne
ˆ Players hit the disc golf course and play through the wilds at Rockville Lake Park
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difficulty and distance, to determine score. and like ball golf, players can carry multiple discs built for shots of varying distances and wind condi-tions, though any regular Frisbee will do.
One of the main reasons Jame-son thinks the sport is growing in popularity is because of the low cost for high benefit. Many courses are in free parks, and a $10 disc is all you need to play.
“It’s a quick sport,” Jameson said. “You might walk a mile or so, get some exercise, but it doesn’t take the entire day.”
The age range of players is wide as well. Jameson has seen kids under 10 to adults in their mid-70s playing, some-times alongside one another. an 18-hole game can take as little as an hour to play, and un-like most team sports, peak physical fitness isn’t mandatory.
“as an individual, I can go out anytime that suits my schedule ... with a $9 piece of plastic and get full enjoyment of the game,” said Dennis Byrne, owner of The Disc Golf Com-pany LLC. ”You just can’t do that
with a lot of other sports.”Dennis has been designing disc
golf courses for more than a decade, professionally since 2010. Dennis used the natural terrain of Rockville Lake Park and abundance of trees to design a course that’s “demanding of accuracy.”
“What makes that course really unique for Indiana is, well, it’s Indi-
ana. Indiana is pretty flat and open, and Rockville Lake is anything but,” Dennis said. “What I do as a course designer is offer players choices. Here’s the safe route: Given three reasonable shots, you’re going to make par. Here’s another route. If you take it, yes, there will be advan-
tages, if you can pull it off.”
disc golf is an 80 percent mental and 20 percent physical game, according to Dennis. While golf-ers are playing to win, they’re
also trying to best their personal records.
“The guy who keeps his head to-gether best, who controls the battles
going on within your mind, is the player who’s going to play the best,” Dennis said. “It’s a game of individual self control. But at the same time, if you’re not worried about that, not worried about score, you can go out and throw a Frisbee in a park with your buds, maybe your dog, on a nice day when you’re not at work. What’s bad about that?”
To start playing at a nearby course, Dennis and Jameson sug-gest using the Professional Disc Golf association course directory, which also includes user reviews.
“People are naturally competi-tive,” Jameson said. “It’s an easy sport for people to pick up and be halfway decent at it.”
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Fender benders for sport at the fairgrounds
Road Rage Refined
Check out the action from the 2012 demo derby. See the video by downloading the free HTlivepage app. Then, aim your smartphone or tablet camera at the photo above.
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For more info checkout our website at
www.monroecountyfairgrounds.net
2013 Monroe County FairFriday, Aug. 2, 7:30pm
andSaturday, Aug. 3, 7:00pm
Adults $10, 12 and under $5
Monroe County Fairgrounds5700 W. Airport Rd.
Bloomington, IN 47403
Demolition Derby
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escribed as “an adult game of tag,” the Monroe County Fair’s annual Demolition Derby draws drivers in stripped-down vehicles onto a track with just a few simple goals: hit hard and be the last car running at the end of the night. Yet while it might sound rough and tumble, it’s an event that prides itself on be-ing family friendly—and has been rewarded with becoming one of the most popular events at the Monroe
MORE | Page 24
DWORDS | Kasey Husk
PICS | Darryl Smith
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County Fair, with as many as 2,000 people expected to pack the grandstand aug. 2 and 3.
“The folks in the grandstands love the aggression of crunching and smashing a car,” says Wally Hamilton, the longtime volun-teer chairman of the demolition derby before his retirement last year. “There are so many people that would love to do that based on things that have happened to them, like getting cut off on the highway or hit in a parking lot.”
For the drivers, meanwhile, it’s a chance to unleash any pent-up frustration and “to get out there and run the car as fast and as hard as you can without having to worry about being in trouble for doing it,” driver David Sosbe says.
The derby includes three categories based on the size of car: mini, mid-size or full-size—with the
full-size division broken down into categories based on the amount of modification allowed to the car—plus the women-only “powder puff” race. Most categories are single, winner-take-all derbies, but depending on the number of entries, the full-size categories may be split into heats with the top drivers in each advancing to a final feature showdown.
Cash awards and trophies go to the winning cars, as well as to those who have the best-decorated cars and to those with the best “crowd-pleasing” antics, like making hard hits.
“It’s not unusual for the more popular drivers to look out, and while they are sitting in a 3,500-lb box of steel, put (the pedal) to the floor and try their best to smash another 3,500-lb box of steel,” veteran driver “Jolly Dave” Thompson says, “which is silly, expensive and doesn’t make any sense, and that’s prob-ably why the crowd loves it.”
a typical vehicle is usually a ‘70’s or ‘80’s beater that has been stripped of its glass and most of its upholstery, while the gas tank and batteries are moved to safer spots within the car. Drivers wear protective gear and
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head-on collisions are prohibited, but while the Monroe County Fair has never had a serious injury, the sport is clearly not without risks.
Thompson, for one, was once briefly knocked out cold, he says. When he came to, he was try-ing to put his car into gear, “but I looked up and saw there was a car on my roof, and it made a little sense why I wasn’t going anywhere.”
Getting involved with the derby is just a matter of finding the right vehicle and finding someone
with the know-how to help you get started, drivers say. For a rookie, Sosbe recommends find-ing a larger vehicle—he is partial to full-size Chevrolets—while Thompson’s chief advice is to “stay in the stands, it’s a lot safer.”
Failing that, Thompson says, “don’t worry about being scared, because after about the second or third time you get hit, you’ll forget about being scared and want to hit them back. and then it gets really fun.”
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Warm summer days call for water—lake, ocean, river or pool. That makes it especially important to know the signs of drowning. Someone experiencing aquatic distress will splash and cry out, an image familiar from TV and movies. Someone drowning, however, may not draw attention at all. While visible panic or distress may precede drowning, that is not always the case—drowning can happen quickly and quietly.
IMpORTANT fACTS1. A drowning person cannot keep his or her
mouth above water long enough to draw breath. Breathing is the body’s first priority, so a drowning victim may be physically incapable of making any sound of distress.
2. A drowning person cannot wave for help. The body’s natural responses cause a victim to push his or her arms down into the water in an effort to keep the head above the surface. This physiological response also prevents a drowning person from swimming to safety or to a rescuer.
3. Drowning happens fast. According to Mario Vittone of the United States Coast Guard, this panic response may last only 20-60 seconds before a person sinks underwater.
SIGNS Of DROwNINGFrom U.S. Coast Guardsman Mario Vittone—mariovittone.com• Head low in the water, mouth at water level• Head tilted back with mouth open• Eyes glassy and empty, unable to focus• Eyes closed• Hair over forehead or eyes• Not using legs—vertical in the water• Hyperventilating or gasping• Trying to swim in a particular direction but
not making headway• Trying to roll over on the back• Appear to be climbing an invisible ladder
A drowning person may not appear to be in trouble, so if you’re unsure, ask for a verbal okay. If he can tell you he’s okay, he probably is. Vigilance is key, especially with children. Very young children or inexperienced swimmers should wear life jackets—and note that “water wings” and other floatation devices are toys and not designed to be safety gear.
Familiarize yourself with these warning signs and take smart safety precautions for a happy, fear-free summer in the waves.
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How to Recognize Drowning
JuNe 9 – 14Touring Ride in Rural Indiana Bicycle
RallyWhere: Clifty Falls State Park and Brown
County State ParkInfo: Partial-week registration available. Routes feature wineries, 19th-century
architecture, and beauty of rural Indiana. Stay in Indiana state park inns or camp.
www.triri.com
JuNe 15Bleeding Heartland Roller Girls
vs. Lake City Roller DollsWhere: Bloomington, Ind. • When: 6 p.m.
Info: $5 suggested donation. bleedingheartlandrollergirls.com
JuNe 15Discover Scuba
Where: Bryan Park, Bloomington, Ind.When: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Info: Experience diving in a safe environment under qualified supervision. For ages 12
and up. $2.50/youth, $3/adult. Contact Rob Gilchrist, 812-349-3769,
JuNe 21-23Bleeding Heartland Roller Girls
Super BAMF camp for beginner and intermediate levels only
Info: bleedingheartlandrollergirls.com
JuNe 22Springville Heritage Festival 5K
Where: Springville Community Park, Ind. 54 & Ind. 58, Springville, Ind.
When: 8 a.m.Info: Course is an out-and-back; good for 5K
PR. www.mag7raceseries.com
JuNe 29Judah Jog 5K
Where: Judah Community Center, 385 Hillcrest Way, Judah, Ind.
When: 8 a.m.Info: Held in conjunction with Judah Heritage Festival—parades, food booths, flea market,
live singing acts, classic car show and fireworks. Full weekend of family fun.
www.mag7raceseries.com
July 1- 27Gymnastics for Grownups – summer
sessionWhere: Monroe County YMCA Gymnastics Center
When: Monday + Wednesday eveningsInfo: Adults of all ages and skill levels welcome.
monroecountyymca.org, 812-332-5555
July 6Thunder Over Patoka
Where: Patoka Lake beach area • When: 9 p.m.Info: Fireworks will start from the beach area
inside the main entrance (Newton Stewart SRA) at dark. Fireworks can be seen from the
beach or on the water in your boat.
Night Ride at Redbird SRAWhere: Redbird State Recreation Area, County
Road 350 N., Dugger, Ind.When: All night till 7 a.m.
Info: Off-road vehicles welcome to celebrate Independence Day in the dark.
www.redbirdsra.com
July 6Sarah Jones Memorial 5K Run/Walk
Where: St. Paul United Methodist Church, 4201 W. Third St., Bloomington, Ind.
When: 8 a.m.Info: Dedicated to all law enforcement officers
in Monroe County, in memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
www.mag7raceseries.com
July 8 – 13Ride Across Indiana: Same Thing,
Only Ride More (RAINSTORM)Where: Starts and ends at Earlham College,
Richmond, Ind.Info: Intensive week of riding—each day’s route is approx. 100 miles with no layover
days. Terrain ranges from rolling to hilly; expect to be challenged. www.triri.org
July 13Artie Fest 5K
Where: 59 E. Washington St., Martinsville, Ind.
When: 8 a.m.Info: 5K run and 1-mile walk in historic
downtown Martinsville. www.mag7raceseries.com
Brown County Cross Country 5KWhere: Eagle Park, Ind. 46 & Magnolia Lane,
Nashville, Ind.When: 8 a.m.
Info: Brown County High School cross-country course, grass with some hills. Fundraising event for Brown County cross-country teams and American
Cancer Society. www.mag7raceseries.com
Discover ScubaWhere: Bryan Park, Bloomington, Ind.
When: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.Info: Experience diving in a safe environment
under qualified supervision. For ages 12 and up. $2.50/youth, $3/adult. Contact Rob Gilchrist, 812-349-3769, [email protected]
July 20Limestone 5K
Where: Parkview Primary School, 1900 19th St., Bedford, Ind.
When: 8 a.m.Info: One of the oldest races in the southern half of the state. www.mag7raceseries.com
July 27 – AuGuST 3Monroe County Fair
Where: 5700 W. Airport Rd, Bloomington, Ind.
Info: Enjoy a traditional county fair, complete with 4-H projects and competitions, a rodeo, demolition derby, loads of food
vendors, carnival rides, games and more. monroecountyfairgrounds.net
AuGuST 43 D Archery Shoot
Where: Washington Conservation Club, Washington, Ind.
When: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.Info: 812-254-7538 or 812-610-2490
AuGuST 5 – 31Gymnastics for Grownups – summer
sessionWhere: Monroe County
YMCA Gymnastics CenterWhen: Monday + Wednesday eveningsInfo: Adults of all ages and skill levels
welcome. monroecountyymca.org, 812-332-5555
AuGuST 10 + 11Southern Style Car Show
Where: French Lick ResortWhen: Saturday 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Info: Two-day show, not a cruise in. Open to all classes, including motorcycles. Old cars, DJ playing ‘50’s and ‘60’s music, and silent auction. Frenchlick.com, 225-207-9304 or
225-207-9269
Sub-9 Super DWhere: Brown County State Park, Nashville, Ind.
When: 8 a.m.Info: Downhill cross-country mountain bike race that pits individual racers against the
clock. www.sub9superd.com
AuGuST 24Patoka Lake Triathlon
Where: Patoka Lake, 3084 N. Dillard Rd., Birdseye, Ind.When: All day
Info: Swim 500 yards in Patoka Reservoir, bike 12.8 miles on hilly roads, run 3.1 miles through
the woods. www.mag7raceseries.com
Go Girl Triathlon SprintWhere: Eagle Creek State Park, 7840 W 56th
St., Indianapolis, Ind.When: 8 a.m.
Info: Join women of all ages and fitness abilities. 500-meter swim, 10-mile bike, 3-mile
run. Event benefits the Julian Center. www.tuxbro.com
Vines, Pines & Inclines Trail RunWhere: Creekbend Vineyard, 7508 N. Woodall
Rd., Ellettsville, Ind.When: 5 p.m.
Info: Five miles, including a section of pine trails with slight inclines. Back by popular demand, the Double Black Diamond Hill of Death is still large and in charge. Survive
that infamous hill then celebrate your accomplishment with food, drinks and a live
concert. www.mag7raceseries.com
AuGuST 31 + SepTemBeR 1 + 2Night Ride at Redbird SRA
Where: Redbird State Recreation Area, County Road 350 N., Dugger, Ind.
When: After darkInfo: Off-road riding area open after hours.
www.redbirdsra.com
SepTemBeR 1Brown County Survivor
Where: Brown County State Park, Nashville, Ind.When: 9 a.m.
Info: Competitive survivor team events. Fire building, casting, orienteering, shelter building, etc. Register at Nature Center, 812-988-5240
SepTemBeR 817th Annual Chicago Half MarathonWhere: Jackson Park, 5700 S. Lake Shore Dr.,
Chicago, Ill.When: 7 a.m.
Info: A beautiful 13.1-mile course along scenic Lake Shore Drive.
www.chicagohalfmarathon.com
SepTemBeR 14Rugged Maniac 5K
Where: Paoli Peaks, 2798 West County Road 25, Paoli, Ind.
Info: 5K obstacle race over walls, through mud, up and down ski slopes. www.ruggedmaniac.com
SepTemBeR 15-20September Escapade
Where: Starts at Fairfax BeachInfo: Expect to ride 50-75 miles a day. Explore southeastern Indiana by visiting Brown County
State Park (two nights), Spring Mill StatePark (two nights), and McCormick’s Creek State Park (one night). Stay in the Indiana State Park inns or enjoy Indiana’s best camping season.
triri.org
SepTemBeR 27 – 29Brown County BreakdownWhere: Brown County State Park,
Nashville, Ind.Info: Epic mountain bike ride on beautiful trails.
Biggest fundraiser of the year for Hoosier Mountain Bike Association.
www.browncountybreakdown.com
RUN LONGJUMp HIGHpLAy HARDGET SwEATyAIM STEADyBREAK AwAy
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