Kayak Nature Tours in Virginia Beach: Exploring the Region's best Waterways

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Photo by Bob Jagendorf

The weather outside is warm, the sun is out, and the water is calling Tidewater sports enthusiasts to join in the fun. I'm not talking about the ocean; instead, I'm referring to kayaking all over the region.

Kayak Nature Tours (KNT) in Virginia Beach are a great way to enjoy the outdoor life of southeastern Virginia. The tours are not necessarily competitive, but you will get a workout if you are up for the challenge.

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KNT says "no experience is necessary" and explores the Chesapeake Bay, James River, and many other waterways in Hampton Roads.

For more information, or if you'd like to arrange a ride, call 757.480.1999.

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King of the Ring to Showcase Superior Talent in Hampton, Virginia

By Curtis Clontz
clontz@tidewatersportsreport.com

Saturday May 3rd, if you are anywhere near Hampton University, you will hear the screams of hundreds of true Mixed Martial Art (MMA) fans. King of the Ring makes their return as they showcase their continuously growing pool of talented fighters. King of the Ring: Modern Gladiators in the Cage will be the first time a King of the Ring event is in a cage! Local fighters from the best gyms and clubs will be battling in the cage while representing themselves as well as their training camp.

Kingofthering.net states that “KOTR features Mixed Martial Artists and Thai Boxers from all over the mid-Atlantic Region. These fighters are matched according size and experience. Four title bouts are scheduled, combined with a talented undercard, for a total of fifteen fights.”

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Last month I posted an article introducing the sport. Hopefully it sparked your interest. If so and you would like to see first hand the fastest growing sport in America, call 757-468-6488 Monday-Friday from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Another way to get tickets is by calling Elaine Varner at 757-589-0427. Seating is limited, especially if you want to sit ringside. I would recommend calling early! If you don’t care where you sit, you can always show up at the door, but you will be waiting in line for tickets. It is much easier to purchase the tickets ahead of time.

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Doors will open at 6:00 PM and fights will start at 7:00 PM. All of the tickets are good, this is a small stadium and there really isn’t a bad seat in the house.
The fights many will be anticipating most are the title fights. On this night alone there will be 2 title fights. Matt Aten will be fighting against Frank Martinez for the Light Weight Title, and Nick White will be fighting Michael Kellar for the Light Heavy Weight Title.

There are more than 10 other fights that are sure to be exciting and full of good MMA talent. For the full fight card visit, Moderngladiatorsfc.com and the event website here.

This event will be taking place at the Hampton University Convocation Center which is located at 700 Emancipation Drive, Hampton, Virginia 23668.

I will be covering this event in person. I will not be able to provide photography, but I will be able to give you great event coverage and information about the fights.

If you have a gym or fighter that you would like to promote, please contact me at clontz@tidewatersportsreport.com.

Bay Rivers District Baseball: Historic Triangle Battles; Smithfield on the South of the James Causing Trouble

As the Bay Rivers District baseball season nears its end, it's time to take a look at who's hot and who's not. Let's start with the Islanders in Poquoson, Virginia. These guys have won six games straight, knocking off the Bay River's second hottest team 8-7, the Smithfield Packers. The Pinder brothers have found ways to reach base a lot with clean hits and have also dropped a few deep ones too. The Tabb Tigers are still in first place, but for how long? The Tigers fell to Smithfield 5-4 last week, losing to the Bay River's best freshman pitcher, Kevin Griffey. A short lefty, the Packer has earned his way to the top of the pitching staff at Smithfield. He proved he is the real deal with his third win of the year against Tabb.

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The Grafton Clippers are right there in the hunt as well. Even though they dropped an embarrasing loss to New Kent 7-4 and tied with Warhill, the Clippers beat the York Falcons 5-0 this week. Grafton is in third place with a 10-4-1 record. York has drastically fallen off, especially after a 5-0 start this year. Will Lamb hasn't struck out 15 batters a game like some expected, but this district just isn't as predictable as some may believe it is either.

Part of the Historic Triangle bunch is battling it out for the sixth playoff spot, with the Jamestown Eagles and Lafayette Rams playing every game like it's their last--or at least they should be. The Rams beat Jamestown twice this year, but Jamestown has shown they can play with anyone the district. The Eagles beat Poquoson and Smithfield earlier in the year and were very close to closing out wins against Tabb, York, and Grafton.

The bottom of the district has officially leveled out with the Bruton Panthers, Warhill Lions, and Southampton Indians closing the gap. The New Kent Trojans are in their own class, standing tall at 5-8 on the year. They beat Grafton and Lafayette, two worthy opponents in the Bay Rivers.

There's really no expert in the field of Bay Rivers baseball. Anyone who claims to be would be a bit far-fetched, but it always makes good for conversation. At one point in the season, one might have said York was the best because they were 5-0 and beat Grafton and just barely lost to Tabb. A few weeks later, one might perceive Lafayette as the team to beat after they shut down York. Poquoson even had a collapse when they lost two games in a row. Across the board, Tabb has been the most consistent, but even they too are vulnerable.

Rainy days have distrupted the entire schedule, so pitching will bail some teams out as teams play extra games in short time frame. Only time will tell who comes out the best in the next two weeks. I'm picking Grafton to finish the season well, but that's about it. Who will the final six be? What two teams will earn first-round byes?

Get back with me in a few weeks and let me know.

Hampton Roads African American Sports Hall of Fame Recognizing Outstanding Athletic Achievements

Did you know Tidewater has its own sports hall of fame for African-Americans?

The Hampton Roads African American Sports Hall of Fame has been in existence for over a decade and recognizes athletes from Tidewater for their accomplishments.

Here is their mission statement:

"WE IDENTIFY AND HONOR AFRICAN-AMERICANS WHO HAVE EXCELLED IN ATHLETICS AND WERE BORN, SPENT FORMATIVE YEARS, OR PARTICIPATED IN ATHLETICS IN THE HAMPTON ROADS REGION OF VIRGINIA. WE ENCOURAGE YOUTH TO PURSUE THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT."

Hampton Roads African American Sports Hall of Fame
P.O. Box 3635
3635 Norfolk, VA 23514-3635

757-366-8766