When you get some rare free time with your family, you don’t want to spend it sitting around indoors. Luckily, there are tons of activities in Beijing that can be enjoyed as a family. Whether you choose to pursue them as one-off activities or serious sports, the sports presented here are just a cross-section of what’s available. But don’t take it from us; we interview real, live kids about their respective pursuits and what they like best about them.
Rock Climbing
Though 10-year-old Soren Frederiksen (US) only began rock climbing in January, he can already reach the top of the 12.5m-tall wall at O’le Climbing in 45 seconds. Soren, who is home-schooled by his mom, chats with us about the challenges of the sport and his quest to become a better climber.
What made you want to try rock climbing?
I wanted to do a [new]sport for the time I’m in China, and rock climbing sounded interesting because I had never tried it before.
What do you like about rock climbing?
Rock climbing takes a lot of strength. When I wake up most mornings, I’ll do sit ups and push-ups to get stronger. I also like the tall wall because you can go higher and it’s a bit more difficult than the small wall. Sometimes I like to time myself and see how fast I can get to the top.
What’s the hardest part?
If you walk or run a long way, your legs are shaking; that’s what happens to your muscles when you first try rock climbing. You also need strong finger muscles for gripping because there are times when your hands get sweaty and the wall can be slippery. The overhang wall is difficult because you have to use your arm and stomach muscles to stay on, otherwise you’ll slip off.
Has anything scary ever happened to you?
When I just started, I kind of had a fear of heights – which I’ve since gotten over – but at the beginning it was a little scary to be at the top because it’s really high.
Do you think you’ll continue doing rock climbing when you grow up?
I’d like to because it’s challenging and I’m constantly learning new things. One day, I want to try climbing at the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone National Park.
Do you have a favorite rock climber?
I look up my teacher, Miss Katie because she explains things well and she’s an experienced climber.
O’le Climbing 奥莱攀岩
Mon-Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 10am-8pm. 5 Shimencun Lu, Baiziwan Qiao Dong, Dongsihuan Zhonglu, Chaoyang District (186 1846 1002, oleclimbing@gmail.com) www.oleclimbing.com 朝阳区朝阳区东四环中路百子湾桥东石门村路5号
Skateboarding
The Trabulsi family (UK and Saudi Arabia) has been living in Beijing for just over a year. Ten-year-old Muhammad Trabulsi (or Moja as he’s known to friends), a student at Dulwich College Beijing, skateboards daily around Park Avenue, where he lives with his mom Lana, dad Rakkan, and little sister Maria (age 2). He usually boards around the neighborhood, Sanlitun, Chaoyang Park, and Woodward Beijing, a skateboarding and action sports facility in the south of the city.
What made you want to try skateboarding?
I got seriously into skateboarding while hanging out with my two good friends, Eli and Fin. They no longer live in Beijing because they moved back to Seattle. The three of us used to skateboard together all the time both at Park Avenue and Woodward Beijing.
What do you like about skateboarding?
I like speed, action, and danger; skateboarding offers me all three. I love doing tricks, riding ramps, and sliding on rails.
What’s the hardest part?
For beginners, the hardest part is usually just balancing on the board.
Has anything scary ever happened to you?
Falling down is a big part of skateboarding. Luckily, nothing serious has happened to me but it’s quite normal to get bruises, scratches and minor cuts. That’s why wearing a helmet is must!
Do you think you’ll continue skateboarding?
I started skateboarding when I was 6 back in Saudi Arabia, and I have been properly skateboarding for over a year now. I definitely want to skateboard for life. I love the adventurousness of it.
Do you have a favorite professional skateboarder?
Tony Hawk! He’s a legend in the sport. He does amazing tricks and moves that I hope to master one day.
Woodward Beijing
RMB 68 per day. Wed-Sun 10am-6pm (last entry at 5pm). Within Xingming Lake Resort, Weishanzhuang, Daxing District (8923 2289, woodwardbeijing@hotmail.com) www.woodwardbeijing.com 大兴区魏善庄星明湖度假村内
This article originally appeared on p56-59 of the September 2014 issue of beijingkids. To view it online for free, click here. To find out how you can obtain your own copy, email distribution@truerun.com.
Photos: Melissa Frederiksen, Moxue Zhang Photography