Life of Leisure

Life of Leisure

Leisure is a contentious area. So many young lovers break up because of an inability to agree on what to do on a Sunday afternoon.

"Whaddya mean you want to watch the Kildare match? Do you not want to go to my mother's Kraft Fayre?"

There are two basic leisure groups - the sporty group and the indoorsy group. They rarely meet in the middle. In the interests of lovers everywhere, we have assembled an activity for each disparate faction to involve their partner in. These pursuits are guaranteed to pique the interest of the most determined home bird or most active sports enthusiast.

If you want to get your other half interested in the world of sport, then you are going to have to break it to them gently. What better than a course in go-karting, where they can remain sitting down? The go-kart is a small, gas-powered car that seats one person. The driver sits only a few inches above the ground and there is no roof or doors, just a chassis. Depending on your need for speed and the kart style, you can go from 40 to 100 miles per hour.

There are a number of go-kart tracks around Ireland where you can rent karts and be taught how to drive all over again. However, this shouldn't take long. The mechanics of the kart are simple - they consist of an accelerator, a steering wheel and most importantly, a brake. Go-kart tracks will also provide you with safety gear. There is no point in getting your loved one interested in your sporting passion if she ends up with her hair caught in the wheels. Once you are ready to roll, you can step onto the track and play out your Grand Prix fantasies.

If you prefer to spend your hours bonding with your couch, then you should get your sporty partner interested in the point-scoring, slam-dunking world of bridge. Bridge is a game for 4 people, 2 playing against 2. Each player receives 13 cards. Here the simplicity ends. To really understand bridge, you will need to take a course in it.

Proponents of bridge are numerous and vocal. W. Somerset Maugham described bridge as "the most entertaining and intelligent card game the wit of man has so far devised". It is like chess in that a child of five, once she knows the rules, can thrash an octogenarian into the ground. Once you get into playing, it is addictive and can provide the most competitive spirit with an outlet for indulging any cut-throat urges, all from the comfort of your living room.

Go-karting and bridge. They seem irreconcilable but, with a bit of imagination and some love in your heart, you can make either of them work for you and yours. Compromise is the key to all successful relationships, so if you want to keep your passion burning, check out the links below. Of course, if you just fancy a spot of go-karting or bridge, then do likewise.

OR - if you want to have a James Bond lifestyle, then you will need good looks, gold-coloured girls and a powerboat. We can help you with the powerboat. The Lough Ree Power Boat School in Roscommon has trained the army, the police and rescue services over the years and are offering you the chance to get the same treatment. If you are a total beginner, then you and two like-minded individuals can get six hours of serious instruction, learning how to launch your boat, dock at a marina and, most importantly, how to do some high-speed manoeuvres around the lake. On request, the instructor will give you advice on the precise angle of jauntiness at which to wear your cap.

Other courses offered by the school include the level two powerboat course, which is the 'driving license' qualification required by many government agencies. The course lasts for two days and teaches you more advanced driving techniques and lifesaving skills, such as what to do when a person goes overboard and how to rescue a disabled craft.

If you and your workmates haven't had a junket in a while, then the Lough Ree School can ease you back into the social swing of things with their corporate package. Eight of your closest colleagues can join you at the lake for a spot of training and a four-course lunch. £165 per person and surely you can add it to your expenses.

The school also offers courses for the more advanced powerboater and it is possible receive training to become an instructor yourself. The possibilities are endless and the status unimaginable. To live the dream, contact the Lough Ree Power Boat School, Rooskey, Beal na Mulla, Athlone, Co. Roscommon, Ireland. You can give them a call on (0902) 93992 or on (086) 8149803. If you are feeling technical, drop them an email to courses@powerboat.org. You can get a preview of what you can expect from a course at the school website - www.powerboat.org.


OR - if you hunger for something a little more academic, why not check out the literally mind-boggling array of opportunities available for the adult learner as provided by the good good people of County Kildare Vocational Education Committee. And now for some bullet points:

1. Over thirty centres (in-school and out-of-school) offering courses throughout the country.

2. 3000 adults availing of their programmes each year.

3. Nearly 300 (count 'em) courses available, many of them exclusively night-based.

4. Wide range of needs catered for, going from basic English to third level diploma courses.

If you've got a learning need that needs to be addressed (like that dodgy Chippendales Christmas card you bought in Brighton on a dare but still can't bring yourself to send to anyone), then maybe it can be met by attending one of the VEC's outstanding courses during what remains of the space year 2001. For example, you could try your hand at:

Furniture Making and Design
Secretarial and Tourism Studies
Hotel, Catering, and Tourism Skills
Information Technology
Childcare
Exploring Options Beyond the Home
Art, Craft, and Design
Business Studies
Return to Work
Computer Based, Bi-Lingual Secretarial Courses
Business Administration and Equine Studies
Sport and Recreation
Computers, Law and Marketing
Repeat Leaving Certificate
Graphic Design
Theatre Studies / Performing Arts
Accountancy
Third Foundation Studies
Media Production
Foundation in Cultural Studies

Pretty extensive, huh? That's what we figured you'd say. So what are you waiting for - go to it!