Good news, Washington, D.C. area broomball players Kettler Capitals Iceplex, the ice rinks on top of the Ballston parking garage in Arlington, will host four public sessions this month spring.
Updated March 21
Friday, March 9 – 8:20pm EST- 9:30pm EST
Sunday, March 18 – 12:00pm EDT – 1:10pm EDT
Saturday, March 24, 2:00pm EDT – 3:00pm EDT
Saturday, March 31, 2:00pm EDT – 3:00pm EDT
Saturday, April 7, 5:00pm EDT – 6:00pm EDT
Saturday, April 14, 7:40pm EDT – 8:40pm EDT
Sunday, June 3, 1:10pm EDT -2:10pm EDT
Cost is $16, all ages.
For the uninitiated, broomball is similar to hockey with shoes instead of skates, a ball instead of a puck and “brooms” instead of sticks. When I first played broomball as a Penn State undergrad, we used actual brooms. Now, they are plastic paddles on lacrosse sticks. It’s very fun, but exhausting. Stretch out very well ahead of time. Contrary to the teaser photo, the iceplex is INDOORS.
Interested in playing in a league? Capitol Broomball may still have one spot left for their spring season that starts on March 6. In January, they hosted several free nights of Broomball with the District Wharf.
Broomball love
The sport got some attention this winter from Dale Earnhardt, Jr. during NBC’s Super Bowl coverage and from Drew Margary on Deadspin (only if you really want to).
I also learned there is a broomball scene in Hot Dog: The Movie, a by-the-numbers NSFW 80s skiing movie. It may be the only “major” motion picture with broomball in it and it’s not very good. Look for a review of it and other skiing films next winter.
Speaking of movies
I was given a copy for The Nomadic Who? a local documentary about a Capitol Broomball travel team that played for the title. The 2014 release is narrated by Tony Kornheiser.
The Nomadic Who? Trailer from Kasey Kirby on Vimeo.
I will follow up with a review next time.