Recreation and Sports

57. ALA Meistarsacīkstes

http://www.finalspeles.com

Andrew Podnieks

http://www.andrewpodnieks.com

Atbalsis

http://www.atbalsis.com

Camp Saulaine

http://www.campsaulaine.com

The name "Saulaine" no doubt is very familiar to those of you in the northern United States and Canada. For the rest of our readers: this is a 252-acre property one hour's drive north of Toronto owned by St. John's Latvian Ev. Lutheran Church in Toronto and has been the venue for a Latvian children's summer camp for many years. The various buildings located on the property can be rented for seminars, concerts, school excursions, weddings, summer camps or religious retreats. Contact details, rates and directions how to get there can be found on the site. EN (Reviewed July 2002)

Camp Sidrabene

http://www.sidrabene.org

Sidrabene is a property in Canada near Hamilton, Ontario, owned by the St. Andrew's Latvian Ev.-Lutheran Church and the venue for an annual summer camp. Check out the dates for the next summer camp and watch the slide show of Sidrabene's 50th anniversary celebrations. EN LV (Reviewed December 2003)

Daugavas Vanagu Nams Londonā un Straumēni

http://www.dvmaja.com/

Those of Latvian descent may well have heard of this bed and breakfast in central London that has been around for years. The Daugavas Vanagu Fonda Nams offers accommodation (boasting more than 120,000 visitors over the years) and has been the center of Latvian cultural activities for the past 50 years. This architectually impressive building is still the venue for Latvian folkdancing, the London Latvian school, a Latvian library and Latvian choir rehearsals. On the Web site, visitors may learn where the center is located, view photos of the place and some of the events that have taken place there, and find out about the cost of accommodation. The site also has information about the rest home Straumēni in Catthorpe, Leicestershire. EN LV (Reviewed July 2003)

Detroitas latviešu golfa apvienība

http://latviangolf.org

The site includes information about the various tournaments this association organises throughout the year, previous years' results, a history of the association and details on the Whispering Willows golf course in Michigan. LV (Reviewed February 2000)

eSports.lv

http://www.esports.lv/

Latvians are mad sports fans. If it's not ice hockey season, then it's time to root for the Latvian team or player in football (soccer), basketball or motocross. They have a reputation worldwide for having some of the most enthusiastic supporters, so it's no surprise to find a Web site devoted to these sports. eSports.lv, registered to Artūrs Vaskis, is based in Rīga. If you're keen to find out what the Latvians are up to in other sports, or if Latvian sports terminology intrigues you, you're sure to learn a few interesting things on this site. And if you're game, post your comments in the eSports forum. LV (Reviewed June 2006)

Gaŗezers

http://www.garezers.org

The postcard-style nature photos of this Latvian property in mid-North America will certainly entice the reader if nothing else does! From this site we learn about the history of Latvian involvement with this property, a detailed map and transport options to Gaŗezers (so no excuses for not getting there!), a weather report of the region, information on the summer high school (enrolment and health forms available to be downloaded and printed out) detailing fees, scholarship and job opportunities (both paid and unpaid). Information on the children's camp with similar forms available as well as an events list. Contains advertisements for work wanted or offered and selling houses and cars. A list of accommodation and hall hire costs and a form to fill out in order to work at Gaŗezers are all part of this comprehensive information site. LV (Reviewed November 2002)

Latvian American Lacrosse Organization

http://www.latvianamericanlacrosse.org

Latvia Tourism

http://www.latviatourism.lv/

latviski.lv

http://www.latviski.lv

Mežotne

http://www.mezotne.org

Mežotne, a Latvian children's camp on the West Coast of the United States, is still going strong. The camp celebrates its 52nd year this summer, the 28th at the West Coast Latvian Education Center in Shelton, Wash. The camp is organized for children ages 6- 14. Registration forms -- for those wishing to enroll children as well as those interested in helping out at the camp -- can be downloaded from the site. Camp information includes schedules for the opening and closing days, the campfire program, a list of what to bring and the songs that the campers will need to know. Don't forget to click through the photos of last year's camp. It sure looks like it was a lot of fun! EN LV (Reviewed June 2003)

Novuss World

http://www.novussusa.com

Piesaule

http://www.piesaule.org

Priedaine

http://priedaine.com

Priedaine is a property owned by the New Jersey Latvian Society and is located in Freehold, N.J., not far from New York City and Philadelphia. Priedaine is the venue for various community activities throughout the year and includes an open-air stage, a sports ground and a hall with a stage, kitchen and bar. The Web site has photos of recent Jāņi celebrations and an events calendar for the next few months. LV (Reviewed November 2003)

Rīgas danču klubs

http://www.folkdance.lv/

Rigatourism.com

http://www.rigatourism.com/

So you're visiting Rīga and you've already admired the view from Pēterbaznīca (St. Peter's Church) over the Daugava River. What next? Consult this Web site and you'll never be short of ideas anymore! The site is run by the Rīga Tourism Coordination and Information Centre, an agency of the city government. We won't list all the standard stuff that is part of every tourist site. We were very impressed, however, with the professional layout and the detailed information that's available here. The list of prices for goods is informative (always wanted to know the price of a Snickers bar in Latvia?) and enlightening segments on seemingly minor things -- such as the cost of sending letters and postcards, how to use public telephones and where to turn for first aid in Rīga -- all set this site apart from the others. EN LV RU (Reviewed July 2005)

Rota Lodge

http://www.rotalodge.org

Sietlas Latviešu Golfa Apvienība

http://www.slga.us

Tērvete

http://www.tervete.org

This property in the Laurentian Mountains of Québec is no doubt the scene for many glorious childhood memories of the younger generation of North American Latvian community. Now Tērvete has its own Web site to inform anyone interested in visiting, revisiting or participating in the children's camp during the summer. Check out the calendar to see what's been planned for the coming months or why not click through some snaps made of smiling, happy campers in the past few years? FR LV (Reviewed November 2002)

Warwick Riga Volleyball

http://www.rigavolleyball.com/

West Coast Latvian Education Center

http://www.kursa.org/RKLIC

Provides information on the West Coast Latvian summer high school "Kursa" and the "Mezotne" children's camp, the clean-up weekend (talka) at the Education Center, a map of how to get there and dates for Jāņi celebrations. The center is located near Shelton, Wash. EN LV (Reviewed June 1999)

www.icelo.lv

http://www.icelo.lv/

What do you do if you live in Latvia and are itching for a trip abroad or even a getaway in the countryside? You could check out some travel agents or you could consult a Web site. This one, www.icelo.lv, is a portal specifically aimed at the Latvian tourist and presents a variety of different travel options. At first glance it looks like just another advertising opportunity for travel agents (and so it is) but there also is a wealth of information about different places worth visiting. Travel tales include faraway places such as Siberia, Ljubjana in Slovenia and Bombay, India, but local spots to holiday are also touted as desirable destinations. The discussion forum seems to be quite popular with the locals -- be it looking for travel buddies, asking for others' experiences with certain tour companies, or buying and selling sporting equipment. LV (Reviewed April 2005)