If you are looking for a healthy way to fitness, regardless of the weather, and you enjoy challenges and competition then your game could be squash at the Bermuda Squash Racquets Association, (BSRA) located on Middle Road, Devonshire.

Squash easily gets your adrenaline flowing and your heart beating quicker as it is fast, fun, exhilarating and can take your breath away unless you are reasonably fit.

David Elliott, the club manager, is responsible for the day to day operations of the Squash Club while Ross Triffitt, the director, heads the coaching and all technical aspects of squash.

"We have a great team of staff that ensures the smooth running of our very popular club and we offer activities for all ages from about six to 70. There is good news for the pocketbook too as we are having a yearly membership drive and initiation fee of $100 is waived," said the gregarious Mr. Elliott.

BSRA really is a members club and is open to its members 24 hours a day with a key and code so one can play or work out during your choice of hours. The aim of the club is to encourage more people to play squash, improve their games, keep fit and to provide a convivial atmosphere for social activities.

Two great benefits of belonging to the club is the Argus Gym, available for use by any member over the age of 18. Firstly, it is equipped with various cardiovascular machines, weight bearing machines and free weights.

Second, is the availability of having a personal trainer, Antoine Parfitt, at an hourly rate along with fitness assessments and weight management consultants. Mr. Parfitt will be happy to schedule an appointment or answer any questions related to fitness and nutrition.

"If you enjoy squash we have leagues with all levels of play. It is a monthly league system where members have the opportunity of playing five or six other members around their level and currently we have about 36 leagues.

"It is a fun way of meeting new people, constantly learning about the game and improving your skills. After a fierce or a gentle game you can go to our bar for a refreshing drink served by Cathryn Hindness, our manager's assistant. Afterwards, you will probably feel better about yourself and the world," said Mr. Triffitt.

It is amazing at how satisfying hitting a small ball against a wall can be. For more than 1000 years man has invented and enjoyed a variety of games played by hitting a ball with either a closed fist or with some form of bat or racquet. Around the year 1148 the French played "le Paume", meaning "the palm of the hand".

Squash was invented by the English at Harrow School around 1830 when the pupils discovered that a punctured Rackets ball, which "squashed" on impact with the wall, produced a game with a greater variety of shots. It required much more effort on the part of the players, who could not simply wait for the ball to bounce back to them as with Rackets.

In Bermuda, squash was first played around 1930 when two courts were built by the British Military - one at the Prospect Garrison and one at Dockyard. These courts were used by members of the armed forces.

Presently BSRA has 500 members including adults, youth and juniors (116). There are many junior programmes and various schools come in to practise and play each week on the four courts. Products of the junior programme are the club's top men players, Nick Kyme, age 22 and James Stout, age 18.

Mr. Triffitt explained that the Saturday Junior Programme covers children of all abilities and costs $65 a year for age six up to age 16. Adult programmes vary from $465 for the off-peak and ranges to $665 for a single membership while a married couple may join for $1,065 a year.

Individual coaching is offered by Mr. Triffitt or Gary Plumstead for $35 for 40 minutes for individuals and group coaching for players of all standards.

Club access is offered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, as it is a member owned facility and each member is given a key. Guest fees are $10 and gives a guest access to the club during the entire day of operation but court fees are not included and vary from $5 to $7 every 40 minutes.

"Squash promotes overall fitness. Due to the nature of the game it is a very dynamic sport as it is explosive and fast. The pace must be sustained for a reasonable period of 30 to 40 minutes while using all the muscles of the body. Flexibility is of key importance and squash uses more energy than any other sport except boxing," said Mr. Triffitt.

BSRA is a very successful club founded in the 1960s by several keen members such as Leslie Harmer, Clive Donald and Andy Hearne. The club really received a major boost in 1966 when president, Bill Cox, through his aunt Kate Cox, generously donated the land where the club stands today.

A group of 12 squash enthusiasts gave financial backing for a club house which officially opened in 1968 by Governor H.E. Lord Martonmere in time to host the 1968 Rosebowl. The club has been thriving ever since and coming up soon, in March, there will be the Logic Bermuda Squash Open. You can check out other events on the club's calendar found at www.bermudasquash.com

Today squash is played in 130 countries, on 47000 courts, and the World Squash Federation now has 116 Squash playing National Associations in membership.

Mr. Elliott, the friendly club manger, has been involved with the club for about six years and took over as manager last September. In case you wish to challenge him, he plays in league 16 and is known as an enthusiastic squash player (turns up on court!).

Extremely dedicated to the club, Mr. Elliott knows the members, and is famous for the monthly quiz nights, summer beach barbecues, parties and his classic charisma. He may be reached by email at: Daveebermudasquash.com

Next time you have the urge to go bashing, pick up a racquet and hit the little ball against the wall! Squash is great for over-all fitness and makes your heart beat a little faster and makes your head a little clearer. If you have any inner demons here's the chance to expel them!