22 year-old from Canada! | Introduce Yourself To Our Forum Members | Discussion Forum

Post edited 9:15 pm – June 6, 2010 by Marc

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Hi there!

Aside from the fact that I'm very glad I found a great badminton forum, I'm not quite sure what to say…

I've

played 'badminton' through my gym classes in high school, but I only

got a glance at the sport it could really be at 17. I had the fortune

of running into a semi-pro who gave me a few pointers, I hit my first

good overhead clear with snap, and I was hooked. It was love at first

shot. My only regret is that I couldn't go back 10 years and start then.

I've had some tips from stronger players, but I'm otherwise self-taught. If I get somewhere in this discipline the first person I'm going to thank is 'The Internet'.

It's been tough playing, though, as people are very

disinterested in badminton around here. I can barely manage to play 3

hours a week though I would love to play at least 30! Plus there's

nowhere to play in the summer without a long bus trip and expensive

membership. Somehow the people in charge haven't been informed

badminton is an inside and, therefore, year-round sport.

I

consider myself to have a very good level for a non-competitive player.

I don't like the idea of organized competition, but I'm the kind of

person who can only really enjoy a physical activity when I reach a

good level. Constant improvement is a big thing for me, but I wouldn't

respond well to a coach harassing me about the upcoming tourney and

opponent's profiles. I learn more than enough in a few exchanges

anyways.

If I think 2-3 years back, I could beat at least half of my

college's competitive team players, who were ranked second provincially.

As

to my expectations of this forum, I hope I can pick up on some advice,

tactics and technical tips I can incorporate in my game. I would also

love to discuss anything badminton-related with like-minded people, and

maybe make a few connections.

My main weakness is my physical form, which I've so far

compensated for with a sharp eye for my opponent's strenghts,

weaknesses and patterns, down to the slightest cues, combined with a

very control- and pressure-oriented play.

I'm definitely a

singles player. I like the idea of my successes and failures are my own,

and having full control of my side of the court. My main inspiration

and all-time favorite player is Peter Gade. Other than that, I'm

5'10"(ish), right-handed and always driving myself forward.

As to

my little problem with 'court time', I'm planning to move to Vancouver

as soon as possible. It's a big step, with many factors involved, but I

would be lying if I said that badminton wasn't a big decision clincher.

Love to hear from all of you!

kreampie said:

Marc! Welcome to Canada. I stumbled upon your post and I'm glad to let you know that there are avid badminton players in Canada. I live in Vancouver. Surrey, to be exact. check out http://www.badmintology.com/ for tournaments in Vancouver. Also, there are FB groups like badminton vancouver and the likes. Let me know where you live in Vancouver and perhaps we could meet up!

 

I'm entering my 2nd year of university @ SFU and am currently taking the summer semester off so I'm free ever so often

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Don't count me in your plans quite yet! I said I'm planning to move to Vancouver. It might take a while. I've always been in Canada, just at the East end. I'm working at it though.

And I'm not much for tournaments, as I've explained. More like competitive-but-informal.

I'd love to hear more about the badminton scene over there, though. And we'll definitely play in the near(-ish) future.