“If you suffer from claustrophobia you should know that your body will be enclosed in a rubbery orb from around your thigh to over your head,” says one of the cautions for Bubble Soccer. Another potential hazard for would-be players: “It might be too awesome.” The sport comes to Asheville this summer with a league forming on Friday July 17 and a free demo day scheduled for Friday, July 10. Details are below, along with a thrilling/terrifying video.
The cost is $20 per person for an hour, with a minimum of 10 people.
Press release from event organizers:
Kids and adults in Asheville can look forward to a new and unusual event on the Asheville sports scene.
Richard Handy, manager of Asheville Bubble Soccer, brought the program to the area with help from co-founder Shannon Rupert. As a member of the National Association of Bubble Soccer, the local program launched earlier this year and word quickly spread behind the scenes that a new sport was in town.
Bubble soccer, formerly recognized primarily on an international level, skyrocketed in popularity in the United States in 2014. Teams and incorporated programs have formed around the country. The concept is simple: teams ranging from groups of 4 to 14 people play a timed soccer match and refereed while wearing protective, inflatable plastic bubbles. While the rules run traditional to regular matches, the results are hilarious and fun.
It’s like Soccer meets Safe Rugby/Hockey.
Bubble soccer also carries a low-risk, low-injury factor. The plastic bubbles are easy to slip on and off, with handles positioned inside for grip, balance, and plenty of cushion. Players often bounce, roll, fall over, and collide while laughing and attempting to kick the ball into a goal. Since it has a quick setup and breakdown for events, it’s also considered a four-season event, taking place in gyms, rec centers, open fields and indoor arenas.
“It’s like wearing a sumo wrestler suit, only way better,” says Handy. “Bubble soccer also gives adults time to just have fun like a kid again. And I think we all need that in our current society. It’s deceptively athletic, hysterical and ridiculously fun.”
The sport fits appropriately into Asheville’s “keep it weird” motto, encouraging homeschool groups, birthday parties, summer camps, adult teams and even corporate workers to don the bubbles for some unusual afternoon of fun. Bubble soccer is a great cardio workout, says Handy, one of the best.
Asheville Bubble Soccer is now open to league registration to start in June 2015. To learn more about Asheville Bubble Soccer, please visit http://www.ashevillebubblesoccer.com.
• FREE DEMO DAY on June 10 at ARC.
• Details on HOW IT WORKS.
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.