osakarob's blog
How far would you travel for a match?
The holiday season unofficially begins this week in the U.S. with the start of theThanksgiving holiday. Reports suggest that this year 29 million Americans will travel this week.
No doubt some guys on this site are searching profiles for matches near their travel destinations. I was one of them. But then I changed my mind once I arrived.
There are plenty of profiles in the state I'm visiting, but I'm not sure I'm willing to drive another 1-3 hours for a match with a stranger.
Got me wondering.....How far are you willing to travel for a match with someone you don't already know?
Kiwicrusher (4)
11/21/2018 1:03 AMI travelled all the way from New Zealand for some matches in the US
osakarob (79 )
11/21/2018 1:06 AM(In reply to this)
Whoa! That’s amazing. I assume it was worth it?
Kiwicrusher (4)
11/21/2018 1:11 AMYes it was. I had 5 matches. The only disappointing thing was i had a couple of no shows as well which is a big deal if you’ve come along way for a match.
bigt730 (13 )
11/21/2018 1:20 AMI've once travelled fron Jersey in the Channel Islands to Boston US, just to have the opportunity to meet up with a fantastic guy to wrestle, and it was definitely worth it! It was a huge commitment but after lengthy discussions both email and telephone I got my visa sorted and flew over. Would I travel great distance to wrestle, most definitely but there has to be dialog before making the commitment
NJWoodbridge (140)
11/21/2018 2:34 AMI used to drive 2-3 hours just for a match. In time, the unequal ration of travel time (roundtrip) to wrestle time got the best of me. For some time now, I keep to what I call my "45 minute wrestling radius" and that includes taking into account traffic conditions.
Otherwise, I keep my longer distance matches to coincide with my travel plans for business or other reasons.
surrey71 (21 )
11/21/2018 9:46 AMI once flew from London to Edinburgh for a match with someone I had only spoken to online and on the phone. So glad I did it, not only was it an awesome weekend, we had a great match and also a pleasant time chilling. Truly one of the nicest guys I met!
hugefan (80)
11/21/2018 3:18 PMI think generally I would want to be going to the place for another reason if it was more than a couple of hours just in case it goes tits up for any reason.
redlandguy (196)
11/21/2018 3:27 PMThe furthest I have ever gone for a match is from New York to Budapest. And it was totally worth it. Needless to say I intended to see Budapest and other friends in the area.
Normally, I will blend wrestling into other trips I'm taking for other reasons or will make a trip to see someone I know well.
synxiec (75)
11/21/2018 4:27 PMApproximately 6 hours for me. If someone makes it worthwhile, I’ll make that trip. Hell, I’d fly for that.
However, I’ve had to change things up in terms of how to approach things for wrestling trips so I can still get something out of my trip if things don’t go as planned.
eric010 (1)
11/22/2018 4:15 AMI'd like to meet a fellow vacationer/wrestler in Cancun in May if anyone is going there as well
Tynesider (84)
11/22/2018 10:48 AMMy furthest has been to London which is about 300 miles. I've been a couple of times. One was very much worth the trip. It is always best to have a plan B in case the other guy lets you down as happened to me in Manchester.
Spruceman (55 )
11/22/2018 1:14 PMNever been much of a traveler all my life. Blew most my "travel, entertainment, recreation" budget for the next several years buying mats to equip my mat room, for mats stored in a shed for use in the backyard, and other equipment. Hence, I hope that guys travelling to the Washington DC area for business, sightseeing, or to meet other wrestlers can add my mat room to their itinerary and take me on. Since I am retired, I am usually available. Always hated travelling in the first place. Travelling to nearby (under 200 miles) gatherings can a different story; if he drives and I pay expenses.