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live on the move Taking a Swing at Squash By Ann Imig When trying squash, you can count on two things. According to Damon Bourne, owner (MSW), the sport promises to improve hand-eye coordination—even if, like me, you've suffered from a life-long lack of just that. You'll also leave your fi rst squash lesson of Madison Squash Workshop with a sore butt. A sport not frequently encountered in the Midwest, I didn't know squash from cricket, polo or rugby. (Who knew Madi- son boasts a state-of-the-art squash club?!) But perhaps you already understood that squash falls in the racquet-sport family. And does not require a horse. Ahem. In Europe, squash is often used Where to go: Check out MSW's workshops, private or as an excuse to socialize—an ex- perience Bourne has attempted to create through MSW. While their facilities don't serve beer a la Euro- pean squash clubs, it still captures that pub aura with a lounge showcasing local art, a bar, a fl at-screen TV, and leather couches coaxing members to linger. (Sounds like my kind of workout. Pass the remote!) As my fi rst lesson got under way, Bourne group lessons, tournaments and more in their Fitchburg location, or lessons offered at Nielsen Tennis Stadium downtown. hits, improving my hand-eye coordination after all. With so much to learn, we didn't get into met me exactly where I was skill-wise— meaning, grade-school level. After show- ing me how to hold the racquet and use my free hand to track the ball, Bourne slowly moved toward me, asking me to say when the ball was in the right position to hit it. Within 30 minutes, we had a rally of 20 The Dish on Squash Who will love it: Tennis or racquetball afi cionadas, or anyone hoping to try a fast-paced activity that mixes social- izing and sporting. How squash differs from racquet- ball: Squash uses a longer racquet and a smaller ball. Racquetball also includes the ceiling as fair play, which is out-of-bounds in squash. Your body on squash: Great cardio, lots of upper-body action and a real butt-kickin' workout. Literally. What to wear: Comfortable work- out gear, clean non-marking shoes— not running shoes—and protective goggles (MSW lent me a pair for my lesson). the rules. My brain was too busy factor- ing in my position relative to the ball (90 degrees), my racquet hold (up and open, wrist creased and fi rm) and Bourne's mot- to: "Get there in time to leave." (Meaning, get myself to the ball with enough time to line up before taking a swing.) It's a strat- egy that kept me darting across the court, offering a great cardio workout. And, as promised, the next morning my glutes screamed, "Th ink again, Lady!" when I set out for a run. A fun and social sport that's catching on locally, MSW will host Madison's fi rst professional women's squash tournament this November. However, Bourne's goal isn't to prime people to compete, but to build community around a shared love of squash. I'll drink to that. 16 BRAVA Magazine October 2012 Photo by Sarah Maughan