Recreation: Velocity Sports Performance holds 'adult recess'

Nate Touchette wants Soccer Mom to know she’s just as wanted at Velocity Sports Performance as her little phenom.

“We call it ‘adult recess,’ and you can remember how fun recess used to be,” said Touchette, who’s in charge of athletic recruiting and sales and marketing of the facility, open five weeks now at 11965 Collier Boulevard in Suite 12. “As soon as you walk in the door, you can see the difference here.”

The first Velocity Sports Performance was founded by renowned speed coach Loren Seagrave, who won four national titles as women’s track coach at LSU, in 1999. Since then, 71 centers have opened throughout the U.S. and Canada, each developing individual training regimens focusing on speed, power and agility for both the elite athlete and the everyman (or woman) alike.

The Naples location, pushing 15,000 square feet with four lanes of 55-yard track, a 50-yard football field and a “regeneration room,” among other goodies, has been a family, er, exercise since its inception almost two years ago.

Nate’s older brother, Derek, 30, has worked for Velocity since 2001, and got the idea for a Naples franchise during visits to his family’s adopted hometown while working for the renowned IMG Academies in Bradenton.

“He came down with IMG to do speed camps with local baseball teams, to work with pros that he met through the NFL combine,” said Nate, 23, “and the interest grew leaps and bounds when we started researching.”

Derek got their father, Bob, the center’s owner and business director, “on board, too,” and the group has been spreading the word about the center ever since.

A handful of pro athletes have already stopped by, with former Naples High and current N.C. State running back Jamelle Eugene, former Golden Eagles and Middle Tennessee State wideout Cleonnord Saintil and former Barron Collier and current USF running back Moises Plancher all training there over the summer.

All of which, Nate Touchette’s quick to point out, should in no way discourage those of us training simply for our swimsuits.

“We’ve got over 125 adult fitness programs, you’re with a coach and you’re never left alone,” said Touchette, who toasted their grand opening at an open house event with Seagrave in attendance last night. “It’s a motivation factor that drives individuals to work harder than they thought they could. Plus there’s a good chance that with the 100-plus sessions, you’ll never see the same day twice. That keeps (away) the boredom factor you might get on a stairmaster, right?”

To find out more, call 649-FAST or visit www.velocitysp.com/franchises/naples/index.html.

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The city of Naples is accepting registrations for its Fall Coed Softball League from now through Aug. 21. There are a limited number of teams allowed, so sign up to secure your companies/teams as soon as possible.

The league runs from Aug. 28 through January, with games played Mondays through Wednesdays at Fleischmann Park and Seagate Elementary at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. Cost is $600 per team, with a mandatory captain’s meeting set for Recreational Level teams on Aug. 21 at 6:30 p.m., and at 7:30 for Recreational Plus teams at Fleischmann Community Center. Individual players looking to join a team must attend one of the captain’s meetings.

Scorekeepers are needed; experience preferred but not necessary. Pay is $8-$10 per game.

Those interested in the league or in scorekeeping can call Isaac Fuller at (239) 213-3013.

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The Caloosahatchee Marching and Chowder Society will hold the Sunworshippers Regatta on Saturday near Fort Myers Beach Pier.

The group encourages any sailing enthusiasts who wish to enter the race to attend, with beginners also encouraged to participate.

There is a pizza party following the race at the clubhouse located inside the Cape Coral Power Square Building, at 917 SE 47th Terrace in Cape Coral, at 6 p.m. For info, call Dr. Tom Gore at 334-0673.

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Everglades Angler/Orvis Fly Fishing Schools are a comprehensive overview to saltwater fly-fishing that includes lessons on equipment, locating, seeing and catching fish, knots and leaders with an emphasis on casting.

Everglades Angler owner Capt. Mark Ward and Capt. Ken Chambers will cover the basics through advanced techniques. Tackle and lunch are provided, with each school limited to 10 students. Upcoming schools are scheduled for the following Saturdays: Aug. 5, Sept. 9, Oct. 14 and Nov. 18 at the Everglades Angler, 810 12th Ave. South in Naples.

Call (239) 262-8228 or visit www.evergladesangler.com for more info.

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The Spring 2006 Collier County Women’s Tennis Tournament was held last weekend at Pelican Bay Community Park, with the two top scorers from each eight-member team competing for titles at 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0 skill levels.

Carole Flegel and Joy O’Laughlin beat Mary Fluehr and Terri Funnigello, 6-2, 5-5 (7-3) to win the 3.0 division. Mary Jo Rimi and Ann Smith topped Jane Shuey and Elizabeth Smith, 6-0, 6-3, to win the 3.5 field. The 4.0’s played a round robin, with Janet Walker and Mary Albright defeating Margaret Taggert and Helena Nesbitt, 6-4, 6-3, for the title.

The CCWTA has contributed to the advancement of tennis in the Naples area since 1970, with a clinic to be held at the group’s annual meeting this fall to raise funds for abused women. For info on the event or in joining a CCWTA team, call 594-8109.

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Jack Spitler won the 30-man Gulf Coast BassMasters’ Alligator Alley tournament on May 21, hooking five fish that weighed 15.96 pounds for 40 total points.

Chris Ranew was second with 39 points (15.36). Scott Gundeck (13.42, 38), Peter Winsor (10.43, 37) and Terry Metzger (9.84, 36) rounded out the top five.