Seeking Calmer Waters

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Kari Keidser has been an avid sailor for 15 years − just as long as she’s been a lawyer. Getting out on the water often eases the stress that comes with managing her downtown L.A. business litigation firm, Keidser Law Group, she said.

“For people like me who can’t sit still, you get out on a boat and you don’t have a choice,” she said. “It’s very soothing.”

Keidser, 46, blends her love for boating with volunteer work at the King Harbor Yacht Club in Redondo Beach. She began as its legal adviser 14 years ago and moved up in the ranks to become vice commodore, overseeing events, races and member recruitment. Keidser puts in five to 10 hours a week on behalf of the club’s 450 members, but said even amid her busy attorney schedule, the time is well spent.

“A lot of people hear ‘yacht club,’ and they think white pants, blue blazers, and champagne,” she said. “It’s really not like that. … We’re a very civic-minded, charity-minded organization.”

The club raises money for several charities every year, providing donations for cancer research and youth development, including one program serving inner-city kids. Keidser said she is already hard at work planning the Christmas boat parade, one of the year’s major fundraisers. She is also helping her nephew learn to sail.

“We have people learning to sail at 8 and others still sailing at 80,” she said. “It’s one of those sports that you don’t retire from.”

No Give on Pilates

For Arthur Smith, chief executive of A. Smith & Co. Productions, Pilates is a cure-all.

With his game of golf, it compensates for the strain of a good swing. With his job, it strengthens his back for the long hours spent sitting in a chair.

“It’s awesome,” said Smith, 55, who has been doing Pilates for the past six years.

Still, all exercise helps.

“It’s my training to tackle the day ahead of me,” said Smith, whose production company has worked on nearly 50 shows and produced more than 3,000 hours of programming, including “Hell’s Kitchen,” “American Ninja Warrior,” and the upcoming “Spartan.”

On business trips, he chooses a hotel for its gym amenities.

His preferred stops?

The Ritz in Washington − for its four-story Equinox gym − and Le Parker Meridien in New York.

Staff reporters Daina Beth Solomon and Natalie Schachar contributed to this column. Page 3 is compiled by Editor Jonathan Diamond. He can be reached at [email protected].

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