Without fail, Beijing’s proverbial groundhog sees his shadow every year and winter drags on until nearly all of us forget there is more to this city than indoor displays of alcoholism manifested in events like weekly trivia nights at The Bookworm or Paddy O’ Sheas. Spring has arrived and Beijing’s expats are slowly remembering what it’s like to go back outside.

While the hutong huggers in Houhai have their winter ice skating, those in the east part of town are better equipped after the thaw. Chaoyang Park is fit for anything from Sunday picnics to ghost-riding-the-whip on six-person bicycles. Those craving competition should check out Beijing’s paintball course (Tel: 6979-4184) and the U-Speed go-kart track (for listing see p. 61) both of which benefit from wonderfully lax safety standards.

Other expats are creating their own extreme sports. The Beijing Kickball League is aiming to rival last year’s infamous inaugural season. “Kickball was lots of fun,” says Adam Harr. “It really walks that fine line between athleticism and alcoholism.” The league employs a round robin schedule followed by a single elimination tournament. Rules require that all participants have a beer in hand at all times, a tenet that explains the astonishingly low person-to-keg ratio (a liver-busting 5 to 1). “Last year, everyone was muddy from the field which was covered with coal—like it had been burned—mixed with the copious beer sloshing,” says Meili Autumn (also CW’s Fashionista columnist). “My dad came out to play and ended up almost busting his rib during a sliding ball catch. It was an amazing time.”

The kickball league may be more notable for those that went missing. “I’m not a good person to ask … [I] blacked out by 10 a.m.,” recalled one participant. “You had to have a drink in hand at all times. One team bought doggie bowls and ears for all team members, and they had to lick beer out of the bowls. That’s all I can remember.”

Jonathan Haagen

To join slosh ball, contact Jonny at jonathanhaagen@gmail.com.