01 Mar 5 Endorphin-boosting Activities to Get You Feeling Great 

With or without Covid, it’s always a good idea to get the blood pumping, the wind in your hair and the sun on your face. Similarly, it’s always a good idea to try something new, whether it’s hurtling down a mountain on an outdoor scooter or flailing about in a swing dancing class. The five activities listed here will hopefully help you do all of the above. 

1. Adult dance classes 

To paraphrase the experts – dance is the joy of movement and the heart of life, it’s the hidden language of the soul and enables you to lose yourself and find yourself at the same time. There’s much that can be said about dancing, but sometimes it’s best to let your body do the talking. That might sound like an Austin Powers quote, but it can’t be denied there’s a wonderful sense of freedom and release that comes from dancing, which many adults tend to forget. It’s never too late to rediscover it though. For those brave enough to try something new, some excellent classes can be found at the following places;

Five6seven8 in Ferndale offers classes for 18 different styles of dancing, from Afrobeat to belly dancing and Argentinian tango.  

The Art of Movement in Emmarentia offers adult classes in ballet, modern, hip hop, tap, salsa and acrobatics. 

Boogie Back Dance Co.  in Cape Town and Stellenbosch offers a variety of classes in Lindy Hop, Charleston and Solo Jazz, for everyone from absolute beginners to experienced swing dancers alike.

2. Scootours

If you combined a monster truck with a kids normal scooter you’d get something similar to the scooters used by Scootours. They’re easy to ride, with front and back brakes and really wide tyres for excellent grip around the bends. With this under your feet, all you need is a little gradient and a fair dose of bravery and you’re good to go. The concept originated in the Swiss Alps as an off-season activity on the ski slopes. In 2013, the first one opened in South Africa in the Drakensberg and has now spread to have operations in Knysna, Cape Town, Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and Kaapsehoop. 

3. Snorkeling in Cape Vidal

Cape Vidal is the jewel of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, two and a half hours north of Durban. Some of the forested sand dunes rise 150m high and the beaches are excellent for swimming, and even better for snorkeling. The team at Cape Vidal Snorkeling will introduce you to the wonders of one of South Africa’s most beautiful areas, such as nudibranchs, flatworms and up to 65 different species of fish. This includes juvenile angelfish, lionfish, tropical halfbeaks, marbled rays, octopus and turtles. There’s also a wooden barge by the name of the “Dorothea” that can be explored, which was ripped in half after being overloaded with gold in 1895. 

4. Rollerblading in Joburg

Although primarily aimed at kids, there’s enough space on RollEgoli’s rink for adults to give it a good spin and a smoother surface than you’ll find anywhere else. The rink was inspired by the owner’s love for roller skating when she was a child growing up not far from where the rink is today. They have 68 pairs of adjustable roller blades ranging from a junior size 9 to an adult 9.

There’s also a wood-fired pizza oven and smaller activities for kids such as trampolines, a slackline and putt putt course. 

5. Freediving classes in Cape Town

Entering the world of freediving can be a life-changing step for some. Your mind and body reset and allow you to redefine your beliefs in what you’re capable of and what’s truly important in life. Cape Town Freediving offers a wonderful mix of freediving and snorkeling opportunities, from seal and kelp forest adventures to training in freshwater lakes and world-class swimming pools. Their recreational adventure courses are for those who want to explore the ocean and their sport courses are for those who want to enter the world of competitive freediving. There’s a whole tribe of like-minded people waiting to connect and create ocean adventures.