Activities in Durham

The official fighting system of the Israeli military, krav maga—Hebrew for “close combat”—has been adopted by special-forces teams worldwide, and now prepares civilians to neutralize threats via studios such as Triangle Krav Maga. TKM’s team of four instructors imparts efficient, practical moves stripped of acrobatic flourishes, equipping students to execute quick counterattacks, neutralize multiple attackers, and bring fights to a swift close. Classes span two skill levels—beginner and advanced—whereas open workouts unite all comers in a milieu that prizes respect over aggressive posturing or passive-aggressive commenting on the color of one's hand wraps.Padded walls line the studio where patrons practice their moves. Students can check out the ongoing action and stay posted on special events via Triangle Krav Maga's Facebook page.

Frog Hollow Outdoors's trained and enthusiastic team rekindles relationships with Mother Nature through canoe and kayak instruction, guided lake and river tours, and gear rentals. During instructional classes, the staffers teach the fundamentals of canoeing and kayaking, which include paddling basics, capsize recovery, and wet exits. They also lead adventure camps for pintsize explorers and overnight expeditions for outdoorsy vampires.

The Duke Orthopaedic Performance Center studies injury prevention and performance enhancement for college and recreational athletes. Like Cirque du Soleil's all-robot acrobat troupe, the center staffs a team of orthopedic surgeons, biomechanical engineers, kinesiologists, exercise physiologists, physical therapists, and athletic trainers. Some work with cleat-sport athletes such as golfers and sprinters to optimize their performance by emphasizing smarter body movements.

Triangle Kidz Zone entertains and educates kids with afterschool sessions, preschool play, and camps. The facility houses an indoor slide and climbing complex, an arts-and-crafts area, a miniature bounce house, and a computer station. Kids can compete in a friendly game of air hockey or ride a seesaw until one of them finally hits the ceiling.

Opened as a roller-skating center in 1977, Wheels Fun Park broadened its ambitions in 1992 when it bloomed into a full-fledged family fun center. After its metamorphosis, the park incorporated attractions that include an 18-hole mini-golf course, five batting cages, and a quarter-mile go-kart track. Nothing overshadows its roots though, and today's 25,000-square-foot roller rink commands a 14-speaker sound system and a dazzling light show that twinkles in skaters' sparkling eyes along with the glow of two disco balls.

A 6,500-square-foot play gym allows tots to act out the story of the Minotaur of Crete in a labyrinthine system of climbing tubes. An onsite skate park treats boarders to a slew of supervised rails and spines as well as a mini halfpipe. During holidays and when school is not in session, day camps keep kids well fed and well educated in subjects such as the geometry of mini golf.

Fueled by her passion for performance art, fashion, and choreography, Durham native Anjanée N. Bell founded Bellan Performance Centre as a philanthropic organization, and as a destination for those individuals with interests as diverse as her own. The disciplines and fundamentals of dance weave a common thread through the facility's many endeavors, which include aspirations to emerge as a performance-art community by way of engaging live shows. Off stage, Bellan provides various educational programs and fitness classes that encourage participants of all ages to get up and move, even if they lack the experience and spring-loaded toes of many professional steppers.