Sports Club for Singles Has Dual Purpose

The best way to meet new people and possibly a future spouse or live-in mate is through sports, according to Ed Reder.

He should know.

A longtime sports enthusiast and recreational athlete, Reder started a club 11 years ago called the Athletic Singles Assn., where single adults participate in a variety of sports and activities.

Before creating ASA, Reder owned a video dating business that didn’t exactly take off. He correctly figured there had to be something else to get single people together.

Sports turned out to be the perfect instrument.

Reder, 40, says his club is responsible for about 10 weddings a year and the start of even more relationships. He met his girlfriend, 37-year-old Melissa Holicki, a scuba diver and golfer, through ASA.

They met five years ago, moved in together, and she quit her job as an executive with a cosmetics firm to help him manage ASA.

“She had recently gotten out of a relationship and her therapist recommended she join the club,” Reder said. “We hit it off right away at a beach party.”

Now they play tennis, hike and ski together. Couples are always welcome at ASA, Reder says.

Club membership, which started at 200 more than a decade ago, has grown to 1,500 in Southern California. Members range in age from 25 to 50 and the ratio between men and women is about even.

The Valley and Ventura branches of ASA include about 500 singles who participate in six to 10 events weekly. Other ASA offices are in Orange County, San Diego and Los Angeles.

Though many singles hook up with dates, Reder doesn’t guarantee everyone will meet a companion. He suggests joining with the idea of getting exercise, having a good time and making new friends.

“This is not really a match-making club,” he said. “We don’t promise you’re going to meet your match. It’s more about having something fun to do, meeting new people and getting to know them.”

Along with offering mainstream sports like tennis, golf and volleyball, ASA organizes a variety of activities such as bike rides on the beach, river rafting, water and snow-skiing trips and kayak tours.

Professional instructors are available for many of the activities and the club publishes a roster with members’ ability levels in 20 different sports.

The group also has social events such as parties and trips to baseball games.

“There’s almost nothing we don’t do,” Reder said. “The focus is on having fun and being healthy, really.”

Reder publishes a colorful 28-page bimonthly magazine with club news, activities and photos.

To join ASA costs $275. Interested adults can attend an orientation before deciding.

In the Valley, orientation is held at 7:30 every Tuesday night at the Valley Athletic Club in Reseda.

Information: 818-386-5801.

*

More than 200 skaters from Southern California will compete in the Inter-Club Skating Championships today through Sunday at Pickwick Ice Arena in Burbank.

The annual event is sanctioned by the U.S. Figure Skating Assn. and features skaters from clubs throughout the state.

The Valley Figure Skating Club in Simi Valley, the Los Angeles Figure Skating Club in Burbank and the Skating Club of Van Nuys are among the clubs competing. Admission is $4.

Information: 818-846-0032.

*

Whether you are a world-class runner or an occasional jogger, the Cowtown mile race in Ventura has something to offer.

The popular event is held annually in downtown Ventura as part of the Ventura County Fair parade. It features six age-group races along the parade route.

“It’s the premier running event here,” said race organizer Gary Tuttle, a former marathon runner. “It’s a very festive atmosphere, but there are some serious runners in it every year.”

Jim Sorensen, who recently qualified for the U.S. Olympic team in the mile, won the open division two years ago.

The race will be held Aug. 17, starting at 8:40 a.m. Prizes and refreshments will be provided by downtown restaurants and merchants.

Information: 805-643-1104.