Kick off the spring season with fun-filled sports leagues and activities in Hudson County. The non-profit organization Zog Sports and the Hoboken Ski Club have plenty of activities that are open to anyone willing to get off the couch and head outdoors.
“The leagues are a great way to meet new people,” said general manager of Zog Sports Chris Robkin. A Hoboken resident, Robkin has worked with the organization since they came to Hoboken from New York City. “Whether you’re new to Hoboken or you lived here you’re entire life, you can sign up and meet 12 new people,” he said.
The organization offers dodgeball, flag football, soccer, kickball leagues and more in their spring session. And with 48 teams in the kickball league alone, more than 2,000 Hoboken residents participate.
“Our biggest league is almost always kickball,” Robkin said. “It doesn’t matter if you’ve ever played sports before in your life; everyone can play kickball.”
In addition to providing fun-filled sports leagues, the not-for-profit organization donates proceeds to charities of the player’s choice. Since Zog came to Hoboken three years ago, participants have contributed an estimated $125,000 to charity.
“Every team selects a charity that is important to them and we donate the money when the teams win,” Robkin said. “We also realized that not every team is going to excel, so we give out awards for teams that succeed on and off the field.” Money is also donated to teams that win best team name, best team spirit, best sportsmanship, and more.
Hiking, biking and more
The Hoboken Ski Club has organized skiing and snowboarding trips to mountains around the world since the early ’90s, and now welcomes over 400 members in the Metropolitan area. But besides a wide range of ski trips in the winter months, the club organizes a number of free spring and summer activities like hiking and biking trips, wine tastings, and rafting excursions to keep their members active year round.
“The club is a great way to be introduced to a whole new group of people.” – Adam Weissman
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For sports enthusiasts, the club has their own softball team, which competes against rival ski clubs, and organizes trips to Yankees and Mets games.
“The club is a great way to be introduced to a whole new group of people,” Weissman said. “We have over 400 members and on larger trips can accommodate up to 50 or 60 people on a single trip.”
According to Weissman, many couples meet on the trips and one couple just welcomed their first child into the club. But for those who aren’t sure if the club is right for them, Weissman encourages everyone to come to “Thirsty Thursdays” happy hours held twice a month.
“Once it gets warm we try to do them on a rooftop deck,” said Weissman. “We just went to the W Hotel and will be going to the Dubliner. We love places in Hoboken, Jersey City, or even New York, like the 540 on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.”
For more information on the Hoboken Ski Club, visit www.hobokenskiclub.com.
After every game
Zog sports also offers happy hours at Lounge 11, 505 Madison St. in Hoboken after every game.
“Its such a great place for us,” Robkin said, “because its one of the largest bars in Hoboken. We have the bar completely to ourselves and anyone is welcome.”
From flip cup to beer bong, the happy hour offers great drink specials and is a great way for players to blow off and little steam and socialize after a game. The most winning team at Lounge 11 also gets a coveted award, the best happy hour team.
“Often time teams are more excited about winning best happy hour than winning the championship,” Robkin said.
For more information on Zog sports, visit www.zogsports.org.
Sean Allocca can be reached at current@hudsonreporter.com