In the sun-soaked, alligator-infested, orange-juice-producing, roller-coaster-riding, flip-flop-wearing state of Florida, a bunch of brave and adventurous kids are turning the traditional tropical landscape on its head. They are swapping sand for ice, and palm trees for hockey sticks. Yes, you heard it right! Florida, the glorious land of the sun, has a troop of cool-as-cucumber kids, who play HOCKEY. Now, let me introduce you to our imaginary friend, Freddy the Flamingo. Freddy, with his long, bendy neck and pink feathers, is a flamingo who plays hockey. He stands on one leg and scores goals with the other, and he plays as the star goalie for the Florida Feathered Fury. He's probably the only flamingo you'll ever meet who prefers ice skates over flip-flops any day of the week! These Floridian kids are as unique as our friend Freddy. They slap shots in the sunshine and practice puck handling under palm trees. They race around the rink, faster than a gator down a slip-n-slide, turning the heat up on the ice. Their parents watch, sipping on cold drinks, and wondering where their beach-loving, sand-castle-building babies have gone. But, it's not all fun and games. These kids put in hard work. You should see their alarm clocks, ringing before the sun even thinks about waking up. And they might be the only Floridians who love when the temperature drops a bit. Because down in Florida, you don't need snow to have fun. All you need is a hockey stick, an ice rink, and a group of friends who don't mind falling on their butts every now and then. So next time you think of Florida, remember it's not just about beaches and oranges. It's also about a bunch of cool kids and a hockey-playing flamingo named Freddy!
Read morebest hockey programs in Estero, FL
Give your child the opportunity to learn a unique Olympic sport while building confidence, focus, coordination, discipline, and strategic thinking at ALLE Fencing Club in Fort Lauderdale. ALLE Fencing Club specializes in saber fencing and welcomes students from beginners discovering the sport for the first time to experienced young athletes preparing for regional and national competitions. Youth beginner classes introduce children ages 6–12 to the fundamentals of fencing, including saber handling, footwork, distance control, fencing etiquette, sportsmanship, coordination, focus, and basic rules. Junior programs are available for ages 12+ and help students progress toward competitive fencing. With experienced coaches and a supportive training environment, students develop both physical and mental skills while learning a sport that challenges them to think quickly, move confidently, and make strategic decisions. Advanced and Elite programs provide additional training for experienced fencers interested in tournaments and high-level competition. ALLE Fencing Club also offers private lessons for personalized instruction and skill development, as well as beginner-focused fencing camps that combine fencing activities with teamwork, confidence-building, focus, and fun.
Family-friendly events have also been part of the Hertz Arena experience, such as the annual Lee County Fair, Sesame Street Live, Disney Junior Holiday, Paw Patrol Live, Monster Jam, and more. Hertz Arena has come a long way since its opening in 1998. Since then, the arena has hosted over 300 events, featuring a variety of entertainment including concerts, sports, and family-friendly events. From the Boston Pops to Cirque du Soleil, the Harlem Globetrotters to Impractical Jokers, and Jeff Dunham to Jim Gaffigan, the arena has no shortage of amazing acts. Music fans have enjoyed performances from a plethora of top-tier artists including Cher, Elton John, Alabama, Alan Jackson, Bad Bunny, Barry Manilow, Bob Seger, Brooks & Dunn, Chris Stapleton, Def Leppard, Eric Church, Godsmack, Greta Van Fleet, Guns N’ Roses, Hank Williams Jr., Hillsong United, Jason Aldean, Keith Urban, Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Bryan, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Marc Anthony, Miranda Lambert, Newsboys, Shinedown, Steve Miller Band, Sting, Stone Temple Pilots, Toby Keith, Willie Nelson, and ZZ Top. Additionally, the arena has hosted a variety of family-friendly events such as the Lee County Fair, Sesame Street Live, Disney Junior Holiday, Paw Patrol Live, and Monster Jam. With such an impressive lineup, Hertz Arena is sure to continue to bring amazing entertainment to Southwest Florida for many years to come.