Wilderness Hiking

Curious about martial arts but don’t know where to start? Join us for an outdoor Taekwondo Forms session led by **Sophian Ben**, a French Taekwondo practitioner who teaches in English, Mandarin and basic Cantonese. This class focuses on forms (patterns) – coordinated sequences of movements that build strength, balance, focus and body awareness. No sparring, no pressure, just a friendly space to move, learn and have fun. Whether you are a complete beginner or you have some martial arts experience, you are welcome. The pace will be gentle and progressive, with attention to posture, breathing and mindful movement. Think of it as a moving meditation plus a light workout. **What we’ll do** ● Short warm‑up and joint mobilization ● Introduction to basic Taekwondo stances, blocks, kicks and hand techniques ● Learning and repeating simple forms (patterns) step by step ● Short cool‑down and stretch, with time for questions and sharing **Who is this for?** ● Beginners who want to try martial arts in a relaxed setting ● Yoga / fitness people curious about Taekwondo as mindful movement ● Anyone who enjoys learning new body skills and improving coordination No previous experience is required. Just come with an open mind and be ready to move. **About the instructor – Sophian Ben** Sophian is a French martial arts enthusiast with years of Taekwondo practice and teaching experience. He speaks French, Spanish, English and Mandarin, and can give simple cues in Cantonese, so international and local participants can all follow along. **Class fee** Free event – no payment required. ☆ This session is offered as a free community class so Sophian can share his movement practice and help grow the group. If you enjoy it, your support by showing up, inviting friends, or leaving a positive comment on Meetup is very welcome. **What to bring** ● Comfortable sportswear (no need for uniform) ● Trainers or barefoot on the grass ● Water bottle **Meeting point** We meet on the concrete platform by the waterfront in Tamar Park. Please check the photo/map on this event page for the exact spot. We’ll meet 10 minutes before the start time to warm up and find a good spot together. If you have trouble finding us, contact Sophian via Meetup. **Weather & Cancellation** If rain or bad weather is forecast, we may move to a covered area nearby or reschedule. Updates will be posted on the event page 2–3 hours before start time. **Memeber's Cancellation / RSVP** Out of respect for the host and other participants, please update your RSVP if you can’t attend. If possible, cancel at least 48 hours before class so your spot can go to someone else and the session can be planned properly. We understand that sudden illness or emergencies can happen – in those cases, just send a quick message when you can. **Disclaimer** By signing up and attending this event, you acknowledge that you are participating voluntarily and are responsible for your own health and safety. This class is not a substitute for medical advice, and you agree to practice within your limits and inform the instructor of any relevant conditions or injuries. The organizer and instructor are not liable for any injury, loss, or damage that may arise from your participation.

Fee: $400/ 2 hours per participant *$420/ 2 hours per participant for late registration within 48 hours of the event to be paid on court via Payme or in cash. Objective: Welcome to our newest offering! In this session you will receive training in strokes and volleys under a fast pace for practicing and training. This session is best use for those with a basic fundamentals and want to receive trainings to take it to the next level! Group games will be conducted towards the end of the session as well to double the fun! Any RSVP cancelation 48 hours prior to the event you will be responsible for a 50% of the event’s cost or you will be treated as a no-show. Please kindly RSVP and drop by a message on WhatsApp at +852-5409-5420 Learn with Coach Ed -USPTA tennis teaching pro -Former teaching professional at WagonWheel Tennis Center, Coppell, TX, USA **attention first timers** you will receive a private message from me. Please make sure you reply 24 hours upon making an rsvp to the event to confirm your spot. Fail to do so will be removed from the rsvp list. Equipments: Tennis balls will be provided; for new comers and new tennis players, tennis rackets can be provided upon requests in advance. Contact: (whatsapp): +852-5409-5420

ONLY PEOPLE WHO SUCCESSFULLY SIGN UP HERE CAN ATTEND. If you sign up and can no longer attend, please change your status to NOT GOING to allow others to participate. Thank you for your understanding :)


𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐒𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍 🙌


Join us this upcoming Monday evening for some sweat and fun! 🎉💦 Our meeting point is on the concrete patio at the end of the central lawn before 7:00PM. Please arrive a few minutes early - skipping the warm-up puts you at greater risks for injuries. 10 mins of warm-up, 40 mins of workouts and 10 mins of stretching with tons of high-fives.
Who's in?? 👊
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⚠️ 𝐀𝐃𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐈𝐍𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 ⚠️

Please take a minute to read the following information regarding your participation in FitFam workouts. By signing up for this session, you confirm that you have read and understood the terms and risks detailed below:

💬 WHATSAPP 💬

We have a WhatsApp group! If you've participated in several of our sessions and would like to stay engaged with other regular FitFammers, please let one of our leaders know at the end of a workout so they can add you to the group.


🙅 NOT GOING 🙅‍♂️


If you have signed up for a session and can no longer make it, please move yourself to "Not Going" so our leaders have a more accurate count of participants coming to their session. This also helps us plan workouts more effectively.


🔊 DISCLAIMER 🔊


By signing up for this session, you confirm that you have read and understood the terms and risks detailed in our Disclaimer and Release of Liability Agreement: https://www.meetup.com/fitfamhongkong/pages/29134671/Disclaimer_and_Release_of_Liability_Agreement
For any other question regarding our workouts and our community, please refer to the FAQs page: https://www.meetup.com/fitfamhongkong/pages/29134429/FitFam_FAQs
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FitFam is accessible to everyone. No equipment, no previous experience or wallet needed. See you on the field

Fitness WorkOut

**LSS Smart Fitness 律動班系列** Wanchai/Jordon/Zoom Zoom Class $80/ 30-45min class ($200 /4-class) In-person Class $100/ 1-hr class ($320 /4-class) RSVP : WhatsApp 65230389 **Vibration x Yoga 律動瑜伽 (Mon 10pm)** (Yoga Asana in vibration setting) **Vibration x MFR 療癒律動 (Tue 10am)** (Relax, Muscle release & Facial massage) **Vibration Fitness (Stretch & Strength) 健體律動 (Wed 10am )** (Flexiband) **Vibration x BellyFit 美型律動 (Thu 10am)** (Body Shape-up with Bellydance Technique Drills) https://eshop.cosway.com.hk/ First time FREE trial with any Cosway purchase receipt under introducer code : HK370579 憑任何以 HK370579 作介紹人的 Cosway (網購或門市)購物收據，可免費試上律動班系列一節

Join us for a fun run on Monday night run along the waterfront. The She Runs Collective is a supportive community centred on female health, inclusivity, and empowerment. Every week, we come together for a short run where ALL women are welcome, regardless of ability. No one gets left behind! 🏃‍♀️💪 Our dedicated captains will lead the run, and the event is suitable for runners at all levels. Meeting time: 19:30 Duration: 1h30m Meeting point: THE STATION - 18 Upper Station Street. Sheung Wan. Route: THE STATION < > Central Promenade Distance: 2km - 4km Bag Drop: Available More info: www.instagram.com/she.runs.collective

Our First Official Fund Raiser Hike!! Join us for a meaningful, refreshing, and empowering hike as we come together to support **Stress Awareness Month 2026** and raise funds for The New Normal [https://www.thenewnormalcharityhk.org/](https://www.thenewnormalcharityhk.org/) 📅 **26** **April 2026** 📍 **Mount Butler, Hong Kong** 💫 **7.2 KM Moderate Hike** **💰 Participation Fee: HK$45** 🎗️ **Supporting Stress Awareness Month** This special event, organised by **Hike n Trail Adventures**, combines community spirit, physical wellness, and a beautiful trail: perfect for anyone looking to unwind, reconnect, and make a positive impact. All funds raised will first be used to support our operational costs, and **every remaining dollar will be donated to the The New Normal** to further their mission of stress education, mental well-being, and community support. ### **💰 Participation Protocol** * More event details will be shared with you once your payment has been successfully processed. * FPS/Payme/Alipay Codes are provided below, if you need any other option, let us know by sending a WA to any of the hosts. * **FPS/Payme/Alipay: 64654644/ 852-64654644** * Please kindly put "HikeNtrail" in the reference box and send us the screenshot once the payment is made and we will add you to the WhatsApp group. ### 🌄 **What to Expect** * A special gift from our sponsor **Bigpack**: [https://hk.bigpack.com/products/quickdry-towel-l?_pos=1&_sid=35b836c22&_ss=r](https://hk.bigpack.com/products/quickdry-towel-l?_pos=1&_sid=35b836c22&_ss=r) * A guided group hike to the scenic **Mount Butler** * A chance to connect with like‑minded wellness and nature lovers * Stress-relief moments, mindfulness pauses, and group encouragement * A purpose-driven adventure that directly contributes to mental health awareness * Light Refreshments at the end of the hike and an opportunity to mingle with other hikers. ### 💰 Our Sponsor We’re proud to have **Bigpack‑HK** as a sponsor of this quarter’s Fundraising Hike. Based in **Chamonix, France**, Bigpack is an outdoor brand specializing in high‑performance, technical gear for mountaineering, hiking, and expedition use. Founded on the expertise of mountain guides, the brand is known for durability and functionality in extreme conditions, from **8,000m peaks** to **polar expeditions,** and for reliable performance on the trails we love. ### 💚 **Why Join?** Because stress affects everyone, and together, we can help build a community that prioritizes mental well‑being. Because hiking is a way of healing by relieving stress. And because every step you take helps someone else breathe a little easier. ### 🎒 **What to Bring** * Comfortable hiking shoes * Water and light snacks * Sun protection * A positive, open mind 👉 **Register now and hike with purpose.** Let’s climb for clarity, walk for well‑being, and raise our voices for a stress‑free society.

**History** The history of [Blendon Woods Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/blendon-woods/) began long before its 1951 opening, rooted in a landscape of rugged ridges and deep ravines that made the land unsuitable for traditional farming. In 1945, a report proposing a metropolitan park system for Franklin County specifically highlighted these cliffs of Bedford Shale as some of the "wildest land in the vicinity". Following this recommendation, the recently formed park district purchased the first 229 acres in early 1949. Because the terrain was so uneven, developers had to cut a mile-and-a-half-long roadway through dense woods just to bring in heavy equipment. This initial preservation effort ensured that the mature second-growth hardwood forests remained largely untouched by the urban expansion spreading toward Westerville. Opening day arrived on Labor Day, September 3, 1951, marking Blendon Woods as the second park in the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks system. The final push to open was a frantic race; the State Highway Department only finished the primary gravel access road four days before the gates opened. Early staff members, consisting of just four full-time employees, had to hand-dig pit toilets and learn construction skills on the fly to build the first picnic shelters. Despite the dusty conditions and limited facilities, the park was an immediate success, drawing massive crowds from across Central Ohio. By the end of the 1950s, annual visitation had already climbed to over 190,000 people. As the surrounding suburbs grew in the 1960s, the park faced severe overcrowding that threatened its natural habitats. In response, Franklin County voters passed the first Metro Parks levy in 1960, providing the funds necessary for a decade of steady expansion. During this era, the park nearly doubled in size, growing from 264 acres to over 570 acres by 1968. Planners also addressed a critical water shortage by collaborating with the U.S. Soil and Conservation Service to build a lake in 1964. This body of water originally served as a temporary reservoir before its role shifted toward conservation and wildlife support. The 1970s marked a transition toward the specialized wildlife and educational focus for which the park is known today. In 1971, the Walden Waterfowl Refuge was established around the 11-acre Thoreau Lake, creating a sanctuary that remains restricted to provide a quiet habitat for migratory birds. A formal nature center was also developed during this period, expanding on the guided Sunday walks that had been a park staple since the early 1950s. The park’s famous "Monarch Mansion" also became a prominent fixture, starting a long tradition of raising and releasing thousands of monarch butterflies each September. These initiatives cemented the park’s reputation as a premier destination for birders and nature enthusiasts. In more recent decades, Blendon Woods has continued to modernize while maintaining its wilderness character. The 10-acre Natural Play Area was added in 2017, encouraging kids to explore the ravines and woods off-trail. This was followed by the opening of a $1.5 million inclusive playground in April 2025, designed to accommodate children of all physical abilities. The nature center also underwent major renovations to include immersive, three-dimensional exhibits and a new butterfly house. Today, the park encompasses 653 acres, preserving a unique geologic and biological corridor amidst the bustling Westerville and Northeast Columbus area. **Map of the Park** Here is a map of [Blendon Woods](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/BLN_map_Inclusive-Playground-and-Butterfly-Trail_May-2025_1980px.png). **Summary** For this event, we will hike the Lake View, Hickory Ridge, Ripple Rock, Overlook, Brookside, and Sugarbush Trails. This sounds like a lot, but it will really be only a little over five miles. Blendon Woods has a few hills here and there, but it's not one of the more strenuous metro parks. **Where We'll Meet** We'll meet just in front of the Nature Center. This is about a mile into the park from the main entrance. You have to go past the Ranger Station and the Shadblow Reservable Area to get to it, so don't stop too early at the Ranger Station and get it confused with the Nature Center. **After the Hike** Afterward, we will head over to [Forbidden Root Restaurant & Brewery](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/) at Easton for [drinks](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/#dinner-menu) and [food](https://forbiddenroot.com/wp-content/uploads/Cbus-Food.pdf). We should be there by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to join us for drinks. The brewery's actual address is [4080 Worth Ave, Columbus, OH 43219](https://www.google.com/maps/place/4080+Worth+Ave,+Columbus,+OH+43219/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x88388a86d10b6619:0x4d42b470a5cf11d3?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111); however, I recommend pointing your GPS to the [Worth Garage](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Worth+Garage/@40.0542293,-82.9137962,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x88388b4df6082825:0x17582f0eccd9dda1!8m2!3d40.0542293!4d-82.9137962!16s%2Fg%2F11rzfvvv8b?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDQxNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) across the street. Parking in this garage is free as long as you're not on the first floor, and it is literally right next to the brewery.

Join us for one of our favorite hikes this Tuesday (4/21/26) at 6:30 pm as we hike the Hoover Dam Scenic Trail, starting at the west end of the dam. This hike includes some paved paths/roads along with some dirt trails, with a few beautiful views of the reservoir. Join us for this 2 mile hike, finding us in the parking lot at the corner of Sunbury and Smoke Burr.

Hi ladies. Let's hike the Edward Thomas, Spring Creek, and a little multi-purpose trail - approximately 4 miles. Please bring a water bottle as needed and appropriate shoes. Meet in the Maple Grove Picnic area.

Hi ladies. We will meet in front of the Nature Center and head to the two Observation decks. We will then hike Hickory Ridge, Ripple Rock, Overlook and Sugarbush trails to get approximately four miles total distance. We will walk approximately a 18 minute mile pace. Please wear appropriate hiking shoes.

We will hike the Ridge Trail and Meadows Trail twice, for a total of 3.8 miles. There are some pretty good inclines so plan on getting a cardio workout :). This is a loop which is pretty easy to follow; thus faster walkers can take the lead and the rest (like me) will bring up the rear at a slightly slower pace. You could also just do the loop once for 1.9 miles. No one left behind. Optional lunch to follow in Canal Winchester. I'm working through the metro parks - this is the third one!

Hi ladies. Let's hike the Edward Thomas, Spring Creek, and a little multi-purpose trail - approximately 4 miles so please wear your shoe of choice. Please bring a water bottle as needed and appropriate shoes. Meet in the Maple Grove Picnic area.