I need a coach!!

[Josh B.]

Is there anyone here that does private badminton coaching in Vancouver. Preferably in the South Surrey/Surrey area. Thanks a lot.

[badrad]

do you want coaching in Vancouver or South Surrey or Surrey? that is quite a difference in distance between the three locations.

have you had private coaching before? either at the VRC or other facilities?

depending on your age, if you live in Surrey, why don't you come out on Sunday morning to the Guildford Rec center (152 st and 105 ave), i am running a junior training program (9:30 to 11:30) along with a couple other coaches that will cover all the fundamentals plus game strategy and concepts. it is group training, but there are several juniors there that are among the top in BC.

[Josh B.]

It sounds great but if that program teaches young people that are among the best in BC than I would not fit in to that. I just casually play with other adults at White Rock badminton club. I'm probably an intermediate.

[badrad]

hey, you must also be bumping into AARON and the twins? the twins will start the practices with us next weekend, also one of the volunteer coaches play at white rock. why does sound like i am repeating myself....

as for intermediate or beginner, it doesn't matter - that was the reason why i asked my friends to volunteer their time so that there are three coaches there to assist with all the kids. if you are an adult, you might want to look at the drop-in program on Saturday mornings also at guildford and that is run by one of the coaches that is also helping me with the sunday program.

[Josh B.]

I am only 13 years old. Basically my playing style is like this. I got into badminton last year in February so I haven't played for long at all. I tend to get really excited when there is a fast paced rally so sometimes when I have a perfect net shot, I'll run up and completely miss it due to the excitement and jumpiness inside me. I was planning on going to the tryouts for the BC Junior team this past January but I thought better of it because I knew that I wouldn't be nearly good enough.

[TDotSmAsHer]

I think you should go tryout! Probably worth the experiance and you'll probably learn something new!

[badrad]

the ambition is there, go for it! not nearly good enough is just a state of mind, that gets reduced (notice i never say removed totally) as you improve your abilities. the main group of kids are 14-16, 13 is not too far away from that so come on in!

my daughter just turned 15, the twins are still 14.

just remember one thing - you will be in age group with other kids your age throughout your junior years. you will never be able to avoid playing them if they all continue playing - either in school tournaments or provincial/national tournaments. they will always be around. it's a small circle and the only way for you to improve is to accept that and join into it. what better way to learn to beat your opponent than by training with them constantly...

also - because i am volunteering, i got the rec center to agree to making the cost for kids around $3 per session - that's the cost of a drop-in. come-on that is a real bargain. hey - i could rather be sleeping in on a Sunday Morning!

[TDotSmAsHer]

"hey - i could rather be sleeping in on a Sunday Morning!" from badrad





or.. you could move to Toronto and start up a program here!

[Josh B.]

Hey Badrad, maybe you can come visit White Rock Badminton club and then you'll be able to see how I play!

[badrad]

white rock plays on tuesday and thursday nights? i usually can't make it thursday since i am playing with the group at guildford. i could make it the other night though. can you confirm if it is tuesday, time and location (which school).

i know lawrence (we played together a few years ago in the LMBA city league) and a few of the other players there. i will try to drop by, maybe i can bring my daughter as well.

[Josh B.]

On Tuesday nights it's at White Rock Elementary from 8 PM to 10 PM. By the way, do you know Dan, the head of our club.

[badrad]

stocky fellow, short red hair? can you ask him if i can bring my daughter and what is the drop in fee?

[Josh B.]

He is kind of stocky and he does have short hair but it's not red. The thing with our club is there is one yearly fee, not a drop in fee. But Dan let's you come once for free to just see what it is like so you and your daughter could probably come on Tuesday for free.

[badrad]

the price sounds right - can you let him know that we will be coming.

[Josh B.]

Will do!!

[Lee]

Is the Guildford Red Centre accessible by skytrain + bus?
Easily.

[Lee]

This wouldn't happen to be right beside the Surrey Central Skytrain Station would it?

[badrad]

if you get off at surrey central, you need to catch a bus going east on 104 avenue. that will take you guildford mall. you need to get to the north side of the mall (there is a sport chek and Sears). cross the parking lot from sears you will see the rec center. we will be there at 9:30.

Starting next week we will be running the training on Saturday mornings 8:30 to 10 am instead of Sundays.

[badrad]

no - the center right next to surrey central is North Surrey and only has pool and skating rink - no gym. you need to get to guildford mall.

[Lee]

Ouch
How long's the bus ride usually?

[badrad]

from surrey central to guildford bus trip is around 15 minutes, depending on the wait for connection.

btw - Jason came to the practice this morning. i hope he enjoyed it, we had some pretty good drills and games.

Also please note: the training will be running on Saturdays starting next Saturday (April 6) at 8:30 to 10.

[Josh B.]

Badrad, too bad I won't be able to attend those sessions because I deliver newspapers on Saturday mornings. What a drag!!

[TDotSmAsHer]

Lol get another job Josh!!! I bet even MacDonald's pays more then paper route hehe.! Although MacDonald's here have age discrimination! You get paid more if you're older.

[AARON.m]

ya your probably right bn and josh hears a good idea if you like badminton so much why not get up at six finish by 7:00 and then catch the bus over there THINK

[Josh B.]

Aaron, I wouldn't be talking because you deliver papers as well on Saturday mornings. Also if you hate badminton so much, why did your mom go out and spend $150 on an Iso 96 VF. For $130 I could go out and get an Muscle Power 55.

[TDotSmAsHer]

Uh oh... I sense tension! Oh yea.. I'd have to agree with Josh.... MP-55 Alll the wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy (until I get something better) !

[Josh B.]

Badminton Newbie, what are some good characteristics of the Musle Power 55? Are there any bad sides to it?

[TDotSmAsHer]

Depends on player I guess, it has stiff shaft, and its really head heavy so you can produce powerful smashes with right technique. Control is decent too (my opinion) for drops and stuff. I'd say it's a singles racquet because of it's weight and head heavyness, this racquet is not as manuverable as other racquets that I have tried and is not that great for fast doubles games. But this is just my opinion. Look on the bright side, playing with a 2u racquet instead of a 3u will be better since it does help strenghten arm. This racquet took me a week to get used to but it was good after that:) Excellent racquet for it's price! I heard the VF series lacks power and kinda sux from other people in this forum but if you think it works for you then use it I guess.

[TDotSmAsHer]

OHH I forgot to mention. THis racquet id durable as hell! I've been through a few clashes, most minor but this racquet has held up. Clashes didn't eiffect the performance! Frame is mighty strong. Also I have Dropped and *thrown* my racquet (once) when my grip was at the end of it's lifespan and this racquet is still in one peice! It has a few chips and scratches (from picking up birdie) but still performs like new. I wonder if I chip off the paint on the whole racquet if it would make it more lightweight? heheheh! Excellent durability unlike what I heard about MP-100s which break easily!

[Josh B.]

Thanks for the info. I just got one VF racquet because it was my first Yonex racquet and I didn't want to spend a whole lot of money just to try out my first Yonex racquet. Before that, I was totally in to Carlton. (I still am hehe)

[TDotSmAsHer]

If you like carlton then stick with carlton:)

[AARON.M]

because i am not a fanadic of badminton i dont spend 3 hours looking and reserching every day you can ask him about any raquet and he'll know it and at least i make $115 a month instead of a small wage of $40 dollars a month

[TDotSmAsHer]

AARON, grow up. Josh is smart in researching racquets so he does not need to go look for another when he gets better and also, knows what the best type of racquet he can get for price.

[Josh B.]

So badrad, how did you like the club. I know it's not a big fancy gym for badminton but the Thursday gym is much better. It's lighter and there is grey carpet-like stuff on the walls so the bird contrasts. You should come on Thursday again. Also, Aaron should be there so your daughter can play him! (and most definately beat him!!!)

[TDotSmAsHer]

Josh I think that might of been the reason why AARON did not show up... lol. as badrad mentioned. How old is this Mr. AARON tuff kid? From his posts, he shows lack of respect and he sounds like one of those kids that just "TALK" but can't really play. He also sounds like the type that cries and whines about loosing games and maybe someone who does not play fair. Correct me if I'm wrong, this is just my opinion of what might this AARON act like in real life based on reading his posts.

[Josh B.]

Basically it goes like this, he likes to argue a lot about everything especially about how much better he is at everything. But believe me, we are friends, it's just that I think he likes to say petty remarks like that on here because he thinks that no one can catch him. He's already been banned once! LOL!

[Josh B.]

By the way Badrad, this may sound like a stupid question but I couldn't help but wonder what racquet you and your daughter had. I know, quite the far-off-the-topic question but I'm just curious.

[badrad]

the white rock club is a nice little club, definitely annual cost is very inexpensive for two nights a week of play.

the tuesday gym was low, my daughter and i lost a few points when we hit the lights and other little extensions hanging from the ceiling, but we got used to this, since her school gym is not much higher. guildford gym and the VRC have a high ceiling, nearly impossible under normal play to hit.

we enjoyed it very much, it was good to meet a few old friends (lawrence and fu) and some new ones as well. it was good to rally with you. you are most welcome to attend the guildford training. i would suggest that if you do meet the twins or simon, why don't you approach them to ask for a ride?

if not: i requested information from BCTRANSIT. here is the connection info for Saturday morning from white rock to guildford. is sounds like you need to get out early though - and the total length of time is nearly 2 hours one way. so not sure if it's worth the ride all the way out.

"Hello,

I have provided to times as the 340 only travels once an hour.

Your trip has 1 transfer and will take 52 minute[s].

Depart 6:56 from stop WHITE ROCK CENTRE BAY 7 on line ""321
SURREY CENTRAL
STN";" .
Arrive 7:18 at stop NEWTON EXCHANGE BAY 3.

Transfer 7:30 at stop NEWTON EXCHANGE BAY 7 to line ""340
GUILDFORD"; Start Newton Exch (Bay #7);" .
Arrive 7:48 at final destination stop SB 152 ST FS 105 AVE.

Adult - 2.00; Concession - 1.50;

Your trip has 1 transfer and will take 55 minute[s].

Depart 7:53 from stop WHITE ROCK CENTRE BAY 7 on line ""321
SURREY CENTRAL
STN";" .
Arrive 8:15 at stop NEWTON EXCHANGE BAY 3.

Transfer 8:30 at stop NEWTON EXCHANGE BAY 7 to line ""340
GUILDFORD"; Start Newton Exch (Bay #7);" .
Arrive 8:48 at final destination stop SB 152 ST FS 105 AVE.

Adult - 2.00; Concession - 1.50;

[badrad]

i use the Proace WB28. i have 6 of that racquet - all strung at 21 pounds, ashaway rally22.
my daughter uses the Forza Morten Frost special, strung at 25 pounds, ashaway rally22.
my wife uses the Forza 1200 - it was a demo racquet from our good friend Darryl Yung. unfortunately the 1200 is the only one in Canada, he did not order any of those for general sale. her's is strung with ashaway rally22, at 22 pounds.

when i am feeling silly or like to just mess around, i sometimes play with a Prince axis 80.

[Josh B.]

Well......... I will think about it because that means I have to get up at the crack of dawn to do papers. Anyway, will you attend White Rock club tomorrow? It's at Semiahmoo Trail Elementary and as I said before, it's a much nicer gym but the only drawback is the amount of room to sit when not playing. At least the White Rock gym had a seating area but all the Semi Trail gym has are a few benches around the gym that are a few feet away from the courts. It's at the same time as yesterday too.

[Josh B.]

Where do you get Forza's in this area? I didn't see them at Tad's when I went there. Also your Proace looked nice and I don't know where to get those either. I'm looking at getting a new racquet because I'm sick and tired of my Isometric 76 VF. I barely get anything out of it.

[badrad]

Forza's - i got them directly from my friend Darryl. ProAce - I kept a dozen for myself a few years ago when I was partner with a local distributor for Proace racquets.

[badrad]

no - can't make it there tomorrow because i will be at guildford. maybe i will try again next tuesday, but it's a half hour drive to get to white rock.

[Winex West Can]

Josh,
You can get Froza racquets from Darryl's company; http://www.prismsports.com. You can also check out Racquets & Runners (on Oak/24th) and you said that you already checked out Tad's (they have a few different brands and have started carrying Winex racquets).

[Winex West Can]

Oops...seems that I had posted the wrong address for Darryl's site. Try http://www.forzacanada.com (will redirect you to the site). Sorry.

[badrad]

Peter - why don't you make a sales call for Winex promotion there one night? the caliber of play is quite good, and you could even make a sale or two.

Josh - take a look at some Winex's as well, they are very decent racquets for the price. If you want some variety of make, you could also take a look at SMASHING STRINGS - Jim Tsang the travelling badminton guy. He has a varied assortment of racquets usually not found on the average shelf.

[Josh B.]

OK I will do that. Have any of you tried the Muscle Power 55 before? I'm also considering that racquet. I'm also on a tight budget because I have a new tennis racquet to get as well.

[badrad]

nope - never tried the MP55. can't make any judgment on it. is there any way for you to try one or a friend's before you buy?

[Josh B.]

I don't know anyone who has it. Perhaps if you come to White Rock Club again, could I try one of your Prace racquets? It doesn't matter if you don't want me too, it's just that I like to try before I buy!

[badrad]

i just came from local sport chek and bought a Prince Axis 68 for the cool price of 19.99. it was a returned, had a scracth, but otherwise intact. not bad for $20.

i also saw a bunch of 77vf for 69.99. the reason i mention this is that one of my doubles partner decided to buy one a few days ago because of the sale, and he was quite impressed with the racquet, considering the price.

[Winex West Can]

Josh,
Can you email me (winex-westcan@telus.net) Dan's contact information so that I can phone him to see if I can come out one Tuesday's evening with some Winex demo racquets for the players at the club to try.

Thanks.
Peter.

[badrad]

peter - you might want to consider thursday night, there are more players out than on tuesday because it is a better gym. Thursday is at semiahmoo trail elementary, Tuesday is at White Rock elementary. the advantaage of tuesday night is that the gym has bleachers so there is room for you to display your racquets.

[Bob]

Simple, VRC, Vancouver Racquet Club.

My coach there is Ximing Lao, he's extremely qualified, winning many championships. His rates are very affordable too.

[badrad]

his surname is Yao, not Lao. Ximing is a decent coach, definitely he has the credentials behind him. and if he supported his students with a bit more enthusiasm, he could be a superior coach. btw: for every $30 you pay him an hour for training, $5 of that goes to paying the head coach.

[Winex West Can]

Boy, Calvin got it good. No wonder he was so worried about people training their kids/friends' kids at the club.