Sports in Omaha

The history of the punch is only slightly longer than that of tae kwon do, a fighting art whose origin lies some 4,000 years into Korea’s past. Throughout millennia, tae kwon do evolved through the stewardship of many masters, whose personal touch created many branches of the martial art. Grand Master Won-kuk Lee developed the chung do kwan school, and from this bough of the tae kwon do tree sprouts the style taught at Tiger Rock Academy.

The instructors splice the art’s ancient tenets with modern sports science to develop programs that implant athleticism, discipline, and self-confidence in students of all ages. Grappling and han mu do classes introduce the softer techniques of joint locks, takedowns, throws, and singing lullabies until an opponent falls sleep. Students condition their bodies for combat through exercise classes such as Kisado interval fitness training and YogaFit courses, in which students must yogafit into luggage of various shapes and sizes.

The experienced instructors at Robin Welch Dance Arts and Core Training impart dancing acumen in exploratory classes for teens, adults, and children ages 3–6. In creative movement sessions, up to 20 children ages 3–4 learn listening and motor skills through group activities. Mothers can revel in quality family time in Mommy and Me classes (ages 3–5), which further develop children's coordination. Children enrolled in creative song and dance (ages 3–4) and Tap, Sing 'n' Dance (ages 5–6) are taught singing as well as basic movements in tap and jazz. In beginning ballet classes for teens and adults, budding dancers stretch and strengthen muscles to classical tunes. Students are advised to check the schedule for class times and meeting locations.

At SkateDaze, kids and parents spend hours amid nearly a dozen attractions including a miniature roller coaster, an indoor play-place, and an arcade. Visitors can marvel at the marquee-lighting glittering above the skating rink, grooving to catchy music from the high-tech sound system and gliding across a polished maple hardwood floor. In the maze-like laser tag arena, laser-wielding warriors defend home bases and raid enemy positions, while a bumper-car pen pits speedy electric cars against each other in a non-destructive derby. For a virtual driving experience, visitors can strap into the Typhoon Motion Simulator for muscle car rides across salt flats.

At Micki's Dance Studio, instructors are passionate about instilling a love of dance in young students. They teach children ballet fundamentals, including pre-pointe classes. For a well-rounded dance education, they also offer hip-hop lessons.

A gauntlet of hazards and omnipresent water reveals a pernicious design sure to challenge any golfer who traverses the picturesque fairways of the Knolls Golf Course. Players enjoy favorable lies when they stay within the verdant framework of rolling bluegrass fairways, yet those who venture astray may find themselves deep inside one of the 46 bunkers or secret caddy caves carved into the course. Four lakes and a river further complicate matters on 11 of 18 holes, culminating in the challenge on holes seven and nine, where a pond intersects the two doglegged fairways at their bends. The back nine presents a more arboreal affair, as players must steer their shots around tree-lined fairways and hope a fellow golfer isn't practicing golf-cart aerials on one of the frequent hills.

Course at a Glance:

• 18-hole course
• Total length of 6,149 yards from the back tees
• Three sets of tees per hole

Instead of hypnotizing caddies or staging dangerous cart explosions that cause discreet ball nudging, golfers can improve their game with the shop's wide range of quality clubs. Check out a long-driving Beta Ti 460cc driver ($219), a harmoniously balanced 100% milled MS One putter ($129), or a durable set of Tour Combo irons with graphite ($549) or steel ($449) shafts. Additionally, visitors can test-swing their ball launchers to ensure each one has a smooth-running transmission that doesn’t leak oil all over putting greens.