The 2024 Olympics are fast approaching, and many of the participating sports are available in Maine. Here’s how you can get involved.
MAINE, USA — From the mountains of northern Maine to the southern coastline and rivers in between, outdoor sports enthusiasts have plenty of opportunities to enjoy.
Friday will see the official opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, and for those looking to pick up a new hobby, many of the Olympic events can be enjoyed in Maine.
In 2021, rock climbing will become an Olympic sport for the first time at the Tokyo Olympics, and Maine offers a variety of climbing options, both indoors and outdoors.
Volta Climbing gym in Trenton offers climbers an indoor space with more than 25 ropes on a 40-foot wall for lead and top-rope climbing, as well as 3,500 square feet of bouldering space.
Volta general manager Curry Williams encourages people not to doubt their abilities.
“Most people say, ‘I could never climb it,’ and I hear that all the time. But the truth is, anyone can climb it,” Williams said. “It can be physically demanding, but the truth is, anyone can climb it, from age 4 to age 80.”
For those more comfortable with water than heights, whitewater paddling may be a better option.
Olympic canoe slalom is a speed and agility event in which paddlers navigate artificial rapids and maneuver through designated gates. Russell Walters, a guide and co-owner of Northern Outdoors, competed in canoe slalom for Great Britain years before it became an Olympic sport.
They urge anyone wanting to try whitewater paddling to exercise caution.
“Take it slow, and I really recommend practicing on flat water first,” Walters said.
But if you take the time to get a good grasp of the fundamentals, it will be rewarding.
“When I’m on a boat, everything seems to become quieter,” Walters says. “I feel so in tune with my surroundings.”
Sailing, which predates Olympic events like climbing and canoe slalom, dates back to 1896. Enjoyed along the Maine coast, the sport is open to all abilities.
At MDI Sailing Community Center, instructor Sarah King encourages people to get a quality sailing education.
“Programs that try to teach people to treat everyone equally and value safety are really important,” she said.
The first competition of the 2024 Olympics begins on Wednesday, with the opening ceremony broadcast live at 1:30 p.m. followed by an encore broadcast at 7:30 p.m. For more information on the competitions, click here.
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