Do something different: From kiteboarding to home brewing, OKC has it all 

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• ShannonCornman
• Associate and assistants George Adams(left) and Chris Rose demonstrate some bouting techniques at Oklahoma Sport Fencing.

Everyone has at least one hobby, right? But for every hobby that one does have, there are certainly a handful of intended hobbies that never get started. And of the handful of hobbies that never launch, there were maybe a few that were difficult to find information on or so uncommon that one assumed there were not introductory courses available in the metro. Whether you want to catch air from the water like a porpoise or start a closet brewery, you are in luck. We have complied a list of where to find classes for those unusual activities that have almost certainly piqued your curiosity at some point.

Fencing

Those fencing scenes in Shakespearean theater are exciting to watch. Why not try your hand at it? Oklahoma Sport Fencing, 24 NW 144th Circle, Edmond, has adult classes starting with a three-hour basics class the first Wednesday of each month and advancing to recreational and competitive levels. Equipment is provided, and instruction is by coaches Bob Fiegel and Carolyn Gresham-Fiegel.

For more information, visit oksportfencing.com or call 359-8487.

• Shannon Cornman
• Expert kite boarder Daniel Nicholson flying high over Lake Hefner.

Kiteboarding

You’ve been mesmerized by the kiteboarders on Lake Hefner, and starting at $50 for an introductory class, you too can be kiteboarding with 405Kite. Owner Dave VanNostrand teaches safety and skill for this wind-dependent, thrilling sport at the Lake Hefner instruction area.

For more information, visit 405kite.com or call 596-5873.

• Mark Hancock
• Student Keke Dunn learns vocal techniques from intructor Cora Gutel, not pictured, at the Normn Music Institute.

Voice

Belting out a rockin’ road trip song is fun, but have you ever caught yourself saying, “Gosh. I wish I could really sing”? Learn breathing, control, tone and more at Norman Music Institute, 2795-B Broce Drive, in Norman. After the first free lesson, $95 per month for weekly 30-minute lessons will have you crooning in no time.

For more information, visit normanmusicinstitute.com or call 292-8400.

Improv

“We get people from all walks of life — doctors, attorneys, media people and teachers wanting to improve their communication skills by taking improv classes,” said Sue Ellen Reiman, managing director at OKC Improv. It’s $95 per eight-week, two-hour class, but hilarious fun is included for free.

For more information, visit okcimprov.com or call 456-9858.

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• Shannon Cornman
• Ingredients and supplies for making your own brew at The Brew Shop.

Beer brewing

Learn the art of making beer with free classes at The Brew Shop, 3624 N. Pennsylvania Ave.

“The first 3-hour class is a mini-mash brewing process, and the second class is an advanced, all-grain five-hour class,” said owner Gail White.

Classes begin in September, and yes, there’s brew tasting at the end of the classes.

For more information, visit thebrewshopokc.com or call 528-5193.

Iaido

Instruction for the little-known Japanese martial art iaido can be found at Windsong Dojo, 2201 NW Interstate 44 Service Road. Classes are $60 a month and are held on Saturdays from 1:30 to 3 p.m. One of the traditional sword drawing arts, iaido is performed in a series of detailed, choreographed patters called kata.

For more information, visit windsongdojo.com or call 943-6246.

Wine making

Raise your glass to Chapel Creek Winery, 5005 Darlington Road NW, El Reno. Located on the site of a 100-year-old Spanish chapel, this picturesque winery offers monthly, four-hour Saturday classes ($21.95), culminating with wine tasting.

For more information, visit chapelcreek.samsbiz.com or call 343-2463.

Aerial dance

Dance through the air with modern aerial dance techniques at Perpetual Motion Dance. Using fabric and ropes, dancers learn modern dance style and choreography at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays.

For more information, visit perpetualmotiondance.org or call 206-2843.

Jewelry making

Can’t find the perfect jewelry you want? Make it yourself at Jan’s Jewelry Supplies, 3623 NW 10th St. Classes and times vary at $15 plus class supplies and include introduction to jewelry making, necklaces, pendants, bracelets and metal stamping.

For more information, visit jansjewels.com or call 600-3043.

Archery

While watching Game of Thrones, you hear yourself saying, “I want to learn archery,” and you can at Arrowhead Archery Pro Shop, 3108 Epperly Drive, in Del City. Five half-hour lessons at $60 and state-of-the-art equipment instruction will get you started.

For more information, visit arrowheadarcheryproshop.com or call 670-2697.

Dragon boating

Join a dragon boat league at OKC Riversport Adventures in the Boathouse District, 725 S. Lincoln Blvd. Each ornate dragon-shaped boat has a 10-person rowing team, a coach and a drummer beating the rowing strokes in the front. A team of 10 costs $1,500 ($150 a person) for 10 weeks of training, culminating in a festive colorful dragon boat regatta and fireworks.

For more information, visit boathousedistrict.org or call 552-4040.

Gourmet cooking

Fine-tune your chef skills at Uptown Grocery Co., 1230 W. Covell Road, in Edmond. Free cooking classes are offered Saturdays at 10 a.m. in the cafe. Classes have included making pecan pie, homemade ravioli, chicken breast with Marsala sauce and a rack of lamb.

For more information, visit uptowngroceryco.com or call 509-2700.

Scottish country dance

Step into Scottish Highland Dance at the Ladymon School of Scottish Dance in Yukon. Dance students can choose Mondays or Thursdays from 7-8 p.m. ($35.00 per) month for this cardio-heavy, light-on-the-feet style of dance.

For more information, visit ladymonschoolofscottishdance.blogspot.com or call 640-9036.

Old-style skills

The Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, offers a variety of lessons, old-fashioned style, such as colonial-era weaving ($30) and yummy outdoor Dutch-oven cooking ($15). Classes vary.

For more information, visit okhistory.org or call 521-2491.

Salsa dancing

Learn the lively, sensual style of salsa dancing — no partner required — at Salsa Maritza in Norman. The adult class has multiple experience levels and four to six instructors per class. At $50 for four classes, you can get your salsa on. Just bring comfortable shoes that allow you to slide easily on the floor.

For more information, visit salsamaritza.com or call 956-457-4270.

Diving

You’re far from the ocean here, but that shouldn’t stop you from learning diving. Classes for diver certification begin each week during the spring and fall at Bluewater Divers, 718 N. Broadway Ave. The open water certification class teaches diving safety at Lake Tenkiller in eastern Oklahoma. Scuba equipment and lessons cost $350, a sweet deal.

For more information, visit bluewaterokc.com or call 631-4433.

Roller derby skating

If you’ve never been on roller skates, you can still aspire to roller derby stardom at Skate Galaxy, 5800 NW 36th St. Learn to skate for free every Saturday 12-12:45 p.m. Skate rental is $2. Then, when you’re really rollin’, train for an 8-10-week period for competitive team roller derby.

For more information, visit skategalaxyokc.com or call 605-2758.

Chinese art

Become skilled in Chinese brushwork painting, including autumn landscapes and Chinese chrysanthemums ($54), at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive. Both techniques use ink and watercolor on rice paper. Doesn’t this sound peaceful?

For more information, visit okcmoa.com or call 236-3100.

Pottery

Learn to throw pots and create something artistically functional at Paseo Pottery, 3017 Paseo St. Instruction in glazing and firing is taught Tuesdays 6-8 p.m. or Saturdays 10 a.m.-12 p.m. It’s $68 for two-hour sessions, with an additional cost for materials.

For more information, visit thepaseo.com or call 525-3017.