Extreme Stag Weekend in Bournemouth

The stag weekend has come of age. In an era that features the MOST EXTREME reality shows where folks scale mountains and submerge themselves in vats full of creepy crawly bugs, it was only a matter of time before stag weekends started to feature extreme sports activities. If your stag is the type to appreciate the rigors of whitewater rafting and canyoning, then there's only one place to plan a stag weekend - Bournemouth.

A seaside resort in Southwest England, Bournemouth has long been known for such activities as parasailing, catamaran sailing and surfing. A stag weekend in Bournemouth can include any of those - but there are some even more extreme activities that can put your stag to the test and make sure that he's fitted for the rigors of the MOST EXTREME of all life's activities - married life.

Zorbing
If you haven't heard of zorbing yet, rest assured that there's nothing like it for getting you up close and personal in the most hair-raising thrill ride ever created. Zorbing has been described as a cross between a roller-coaster and whitewater rafting - minus the rails and the raft. Zorbing is an extreme sport from New Zealand. It involves a pair of transparent inflatable PVC balls, one suspended inside the other. You climb inside the inner ball and get firmly fastened in... and then they give you a heave at the top of the hill to start you rolling down at speeds up to 35 mph. To make it even more fun, you can fill the outside ball with water, and find out what it feels like to hurtle down a craggy hillside blindly, end over teakettle.

Zap Catting in Poole Harbor
If you'd rather do your extreme sports on the water, a stag weekend in Bournemouth can include an afternoon trying out one of the UK's fastest growing watersports - Rigid Inflatable Boats. Skim the waves of Poole Harbor, the world's second largest natural harbor, in one of these incredibly fast, powerful little speedboats. You can opt for a Fast Blast harbor cruise that takes you out on the open water to give her full throttle or add in some wakeboarding and waterskiing.

Wreck Scuba Diving in Florida

Some of the most enjoyable diving you may ever do is wreck scuba diving. Because travel by ship was the main way of going from continent to continent prior to development of air travel, and because the technology used on ships and in weather forecasting was not advanced at all, many ships sank in waters around the world providing dives that are interesting and fun. There are so many wrecks that only the Florida wreck diving will be covered in this article.

In fact, there are so many Florida wreck scuba diving spots available, you'll have plenty of difficulty choosing which ones to dive. Hurricanes, coral reefs, shoals and pirates all help sink the ships that are often quite near the shores.

During the Spanish colonial period, the Florida Straits were the most frequently used passage for ships to access the Gulf Stream to get the boost of these fast-flowing currents for their trip home across the Atlantic Ocean. Some of these ships were never to return safely home but were trapped into one of the many tragedies that happened to the then ill-equipped vessel when challenging Mother Nature. Many of these unfortunate victims of the sea have been excavated and are awaiting your arrival.

One great wreck scuba diving destination is Pensacola in the Panhandle of Florida. There are lots of ships within a small area. In Pensacola Bay, eleven ships were to become victims of a hurricane during 1500. The colonists that were becoming settles on the shore at what is now known as Pensacola Bay  were unloading vessels when the massive storm overtook them. Of course, there were no storm warnings like we have today and they were taken unaware. The result of the loss of the eleven ships was to soon become the demise of the colony which only lasted 60 years.

The Trinite is another great wreck scuba diving spot. This French wreck lies off St. Augustine and went down during a storm in 1565 while the Frenchmen were preparing to attack the Spaniards who had colonized this section of the northeast Florida coastline. After the vessel sank, the attack did not occur. Today you can not only scuba dive the wreck at St. Augustine but you can also see other sights like the nation's oldest school house and oldest drug store, tour the fort as well as get in some fun in the sun.

You can do some wreck scuba diving at the resting place of the Tierra Firme fleet. Two ships from the fleet of 27 vessels, the Atocha and the Santa Margarita, went to their watery graves along with 380 sailors during a hurricane in 1622. The fleet had more than $250 million in cargo among them and the Atocha proved to be quite a profitable salvage job once it was located and now you can see it for yourself along with her sister ship in the Florida Keys.

In 1700 the Henneta Marie, a slave trade vessel that had unloaded slaves in Jamaica and was in the Key West to load sugar from the plantations sank. Today you can visit Key West during your wreck scuba diving vacation and see the oldest know wreck of a slave trading vessel that has been identified by name.

While you are in the Florida Keys for wreck scuba diving, go see the San Pedro which was one of the last vessels from the New Spain fleet to cross to what is now the United States. In 1733, this ship was taken victim by a hurricane along with several other ships traveling with her. There are wrecks covering over 80 miles of the Florida Keys oceanscape from this storm. The Spanish salvaged this ship only to find that she had been burned to the waterline so that pirates could not loot her.

In 1713 a vessel named Urca de Lima owned by the Spanish ran aground on a shoal off Florida's Atlantic coast during a hurricane. There were nine other ships lost during this hurricane but because the Urca de Lima was grounded and did not sink like the others, she was used as a supply ship to provide for the survivors of the other shipwrecks as well as the one remaining French vessel that had been accompanying the Urca de Lima. Over 1,000 men lost their lives in this tragic hurricane.

You can find still dive and find shipwrecks under the waters of the Atlantic Ocean on Florida's eastern coast as well as some in the calmer waters of the Gulf of Mexico which run along the western shore of Florida and the southern edge of the Florida Panhandle.

Florida is a great place to go wreck scuba diving and you will find the waters warm enough to dive even in the winter. In fact, the winter is the peak season in this southern state. You can obtain discount rates if you choose to travel to Florida during the off-season which is May through November. You'll also enjoy less crowded areas and beaches with fewer visitors.

As you plan your wreck scuba diving in Florida, be sure to have all your dive equipment checked by a professional so that you won't experience any problems while visiting a wreck. If you do not want to take your own dive gear, there are many dive shops located along the coastlines of Florida ready to provide for your every need.

If you want to ensure that finding the wrecks, scuba diving with a charter boat that specialized in wreck diving is practical. These captains know exactly where to visit quickly and easily locate the wrecks you want to visit. These locals can also point out other places of interest to see and things to do in the area during your holiday.

While wreck scuba diving, remember that safety must always come first when in the water. Don't take unnecessary chances. Be sure to stay with your dive party and your trip will be a great success.

Family Rafting Vacations To Thrill-Seeker Adventure

Whitewater rafting is a perfect way to combine a love for the outdoors and the rushing thrill of taking on nature’s elements. There is nothing quite like driving through a rushing whorl of water, having it spray up in your face, bouncing up and down in your seat feeling as though you are only moments away from disaster. Best of all, whitewater rafting is one of the safest adventure sports there is, with national safety standards followed by every major outfitter in North America.

Every state and province in North America offers several whitewater rafting experiences on various river routes. Beginners can try out smaller rapids, in the Class I-III range, while thrill seekers can try out rapids classified IV and V. If you are an ultra adventure seeker, however, you might be out of luck. North America does have a few of the most dangerous Class VI rapids, but they are seldom used by even the most hardy rafting enthusiasts and no outfitters offer tours on them. If you are truly looking to defy death, there are several other locations in the world that do offer incredibly hazardous raft rides. Africa, for example, offers several tours of Class VI rivers, where the adrenaline junky must not only contend with deadly rapids but also wildlife hazards such as crocodiles and hippopotamuses even in the “safer” areas.

For those who wish to enjoy a safe, domestic rafting experience, there are many options for duration of rafting trips and costs. The well established and used whitewater rafting outfitters all employ highly trained guides and high quality equipment, both personal safety equipment and rafting equipment. The guides know their routes and rapids like they know their houses, and can be counted on to guide you along your tour safely and are reliable in an emergency, should one come up.

There are standard items that the person who decides to try a whitewater rafting experience must remember, however. Proper shoes must be worn to the site. These shoes must fit well and be able to get wet and dry quickly. Whitewater rafters should also keep in mind the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays, and bring along sun glasses and sunscreen. More often than not, these items will be available at the outfitter’s store should you forget, but they will be quite a bit more pricy than if you had remembered them yourself.

Whitewater rafting is a perfect way to satisfy your inner thrill seeker and get you in touch with areas of nature that might otherwise be inaccessible. If you are on a family vacation, however, remember to call ahead to the outfitter and find out the recommended age limits for their tours. Whitewater rafting is usually not recommended for children under eight years of age.

Water rafting,river rafting

White water rafting is an adventure sport in which a raft is used to navigate a river or any water body. It is usually done on rapids or white water to keep up the excitement. A river goes through different gradients and flows from a higher gradient to lower gradient. When the river’s gradient becomes sharp, frothy water is formed consisting of bubbles and aerated water. This has a white appearance hence termed white water. The sport has been popular since the mid 80’s.

White water rafting is suitable for all age groups as various types of rapids are available for different tastes and experience. Almost anyone with a reasonable health can go for white water rafting. It is a good way to spend a vacation, travel abroad, be among the nature, get the sun and of course get a tan. It is considered a good way to release the stress. The expeditions range from a day to a month. White water rafting is now widely practiced through out the world.

The essential gear required for White water rafting is a raft. The inflatable boat is the most common raft used. It is made up of layers of durable rubber fabrics and independent air chambers. Various sizes are available ranging from 11 ft to 20 ft. White water kayaks are also popular. They are made of plastic or fibre glass. Safety gear, water proof bags & cases, hooks, knifes, ropes and camping equipment are essential. Almost all these are available on hire.

April to October is a good time. For thrill seekers May & June are suitable when the rapids are more turbulent. White water rafting is done throughout the world round the year.

White water is classified into 6 categories depending on the difficulty:

• Class I: Smooth water but fast.
• Class II: A little bit of rough water with eddies and easy drops
• Class III: Whitewater with rapids irregular waves, back eddies. Swimming, self rescue knowledge is must.
• Class IV: White water with whirlpools, high irregular waves, for experienced adventurers.
• Class V: White water with dangerous obstacles, violent rapids, boiling eddies. Scouting is essential before going on such expeditions
• Class VI: Extremely dangerous unexplored rapids.

Due to interaction of river and riverbed various features are like strainers, eddies, waves, pillows and holes are formed. The passage of water through large objects, (usually boulders) causes a strainer. Holes are formed when water pours on top of submerged objects that cause the water to flow backwards which rushes over the object. Waves are fronts formed on water surface flowing down. Eddies are swirls or rotating water flow. When large volume of water suddenly comes against an obstruction, the water flows to a certain limit over the obstruction causing a pillow.

The popular destinations are South Fork American river, Colorado river, Arkansas river, Salmon river, Merced, Kaweah in US. Rivers in Quebec and British Columbia in Canada. Ganga Yamuna and Teesta rivers in India.

There has been concern by environmentalists due to activities of White water rafters like dredging the river bed. However white water rafting also contributes to the local economy.

Dangerous skiing or snowboarding

Snowboarders and skiers are increasing in number every year. As the numbers increase so do the number of injuries. More awareness is being placed on snowboard safety and ski safety.

During the course of a year about 11 milion skiers and 4 million snowboarders in the U.S. alone are on the slopes at least once. The average number of visits to the slopes is around 60 million. For every 1000 skier visits, there are around 2.5 serious medical injuries. This comes out to one injury every 430 days of sking and snowboarding.

The death rate of snowboarders is 40 percent lower than alpine skiers, they are more likely to be hit by skiers gone out of control than the other way around.

When skiers fall they slide alot which causes them to be 3 to 4 times more likely to crash into something or someone. A snowboard on the other hand acts more like a seat anchor, preventing sliding. Death usually is caused from hitting something.

The most common injury faced by skiers is anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) sprains. Those who were injured skied more years, but fewer days per year, were more likely to be female, are older, and fell less often.

Before you begin snowboarding or skiing be sure to take some lessons from a qualified instructor. Plus make certain you have the proper equpment. Ultimately you are responsible for your own safety. The safer you are the more fun you will have on the slopes.

The Best Destinations For White Water Kayaking

Whitewater kayaking has many excellent destinations around the world for both new and experienced kayakers. The eastern United States has some of the best whitewater conditions you can find.

If you are an experienced kayaker, you probably already know that the eastern United States is one of the best places for whitewater kayaking. The world has many places that are renowned for great kayaking, but the eastern U.S. has several awesome places for professionals and newcomers. Here is a list of excellent destinations for whitewater kayaking. You might want to write them down because they are incredible. Do not miss out!

Hudson River

Acadia National Park

Champlain

Pine Barrens, NJ

Oswegatchie River

Allagash Wilderness Waterway

Adirondack Park


You might have heard of some of these places. Each is famous throughout the world for kayaking adventures. Classes are available if you are not at ease with the whitewater experience. By taking classes before going out, you will discover that kayak success has a lot to do with confidence.

Many people fear whitewater rafting. The same people compare rafting and kayaking, but each sport is totally different. If you are such as person, it is essential to know the major differences between the sports. Many people believe that whitewater kayaking is much more fun than rafting. Take a risk! Find out on your own! It is not dangerous. If you are not confident in yourself, you can simply have an instructor or a professional go into the rapids with you.

Whitewater kayaking can be done in either hot or cold weather. If you have a wetsuit, you can enjoy the kayaking season all year long! Consider these great kayaking destinations and go to one yourself! They will impress you greatly when you arrive.

You will soon be enjoying the incredible thrills and highs of kayaking on the rapids.

Choosing the Best Ski Gear

I moved to Colorado a little over five years ago. Although I was just a skier at the time, it was my goal to become a snowboarder. Months before the season started, I spent hundreds of dollars on all the gear I would need: Board, bindings, boots, jacket, pants, and a couple layers of fleece sweatshirts to keep me warm on those cold blizzard days. After all these expenses, I found myself short on money and decided to buy a cheap pair of thermal underwear from a local Wal-Mart.

In mid-December of that year, the mountains received quite a dumping of new snow, and my friends and I decided to make the trip to Vail to enjoy the fresh powder. While carving down one of the resort’s legendary bowls, I accidentally caught an edge and ended up sliding face first down the steep incline. By the time I managed to stop myself, a good couple feet of snow had jam-packed my jacket and pants. I was soaked to the bone, freezing cold, and standing in an almost full whiteout blizzard. When I finally reached the lodge, my Wal-Mart thermal underwear was soaked beyond repair, and I had managed to catch quite the nasty cold. Needless to say, I traded the snowboard for a warm bed and a couple gallons of Ny-Quil for the remainder of the weekend.

The following season, I decided that it was time to invest in some quality thermal underwear. Something warm. Something waterproof. At my local sporting goods store, a young salesman recommended the store’s featured product, Under Armour cold gear. I must admit I was a little skeptical at first. I was under the impression that Under Armour was created to keep you dry, not necessarily to keep you warm. However, the young man swore by the new cold gear, and claimed that it was the driest and warmest cold weather protection on the market today. Taking his advice, I purchased a crewneck, pants, socks and an outdoor hood. Although the gear came to over $200, I felt it was worth it to keep my body warm and dry during the next ski season.

The first couple weeks of the season were great! The cold weather gear kept me warm and dry in the mountains, and seemed to be serving its purpose perfectly. Then right around the end of December, we made the trip to Vail. Once I reached about 12,000 feet, I could no longer feel any of my appendages due to the bitter cold. The remainder of the season was miserable. The weather got colder and colder, and my new Under Armour cold gear, although doing a great job to keep me dry, was no match for the cold mountain winds. For the rest of the season, I was forced to wear my old Wal-Mart thermals on top of the Under Armour to keep warm. Once again, my thermal underwear had failed me.

This year, I was determined to solve my problem and enjoy what was predicted to be the coldest and snowiest season yet. After running some Internet searches, I found a product known as military thermal polypropylene underwear. Apparently, the military uses unique cold weather technology to develop a special kind of clothing, known as polypropylene, to keep their troops dry and warm in combat situations. According to my research, polypropylene thermal underwear was only recently approved for use outside the military, so I decided to see what the stuff was all about. Again, I purchased a polypropylene crewneck, pants, socks and neck warmer. To my astonishment, my total price was under $70, less than one third what I had paid for my Under Armour cold gear. At this price, I honestly didn’t expect it to work very well, but decided to give it a try anyway.

Over Christmas weekend, my friends and I once again decided to make the trip to Vail to enjoy some of the best snow Colorado has received in years. Again, we dropped back into their legendary back bowls, and again I took a nosedive right down the steep incline. Once again jam-packed with snow, I sadly stood up, waiting for the cold wetness to sink into my skin. I waited. And waited. All day long, I took falls in pile after pile of fluffy powder. And all day long I remained dry and warm.

I was utterly amazed! Not only had a spent a fraction of what I had on Under Armour cold gear, but I also remained warm and dry for the entire snowy weekend. My search for the perfect thermal underwear was over. So next time someone asks you what type of gear they need to stay warm in the cold, windy Rocky Mountains, tell them to check out military issued polypropylene thermal underwear. I guarantee it will be the last pair of thermals you ever buy!

The Inca Trail and other track routes

The Inca Trail is undoubtedly Peru's most popular trekking route. Recommended for the physical fit only, it runs for more than 40km and reaches 4,200 m.a.s.l. at its highest point, the Warmiwañuska or Dead Woman's Pass.

The stone-paved trail, discovered in 1960 and part of the more than 23,000 km of roads built by the Incas across South America, crosses a remarkable range of natural landscapes and eco-systems, from thick tropical jungle to the bear, unwelcoming rocks of the Andean mountains. All in all it's probably the most beautiful walk in South America.

The Trail takes three to four days of tough hiking, and can be commenced at Chillca (Kilometre 76 of the Cusco-Machu Picchu railway) or, most frequently, at Qorihuayrachina, Kilometre 88 of the railway.

The first day is relatively easy, and includes along the route the Inca ruins of Cusichaca, Q'ente, Pulpituyoc, and Llaqtapata, a site used for crop production remained well preserved. The second day is the hardest of all, mainly because the ascent becomes increasingly steep. The trail follows original Inca stonework that climbs uphill, ending just short of the actual Warmiwañuska or Dead Woman's pass, at 4,200 m.a.s.l.

The crossing of the pass opens day three, after camping in the Pacaymayo valley. From here it’s downhill. The Trail descends into the valley and heads to the restored site of Runkuraqay, a small Inca watch post, and then to Sayaqmarka, perched atop a sheer cliff, from where one can see the start of the massive Amazon rainforest, stretching to Brazil. The final day is another easy day, mostly descending and passing through lush jungles and cloud forests before reaching Machu Picchu, Peru’s most important tourist site, through the Inti Punku or Gateway of the Sun.

Before going for the trail, you should spend at least 48 hours in Cusco acclimatising, as it features some tough hiking, including several hours above 3,500 m.a.s.l. Otherwise, Acute Mountain sickness (altitude sickness) could make your first few days pretty uncomfortable.

During the high season, from June to August, you should book well in advance -at least 3 months-, as the number of trek permits issued is limited to 500 per day (including tour guides and porters).

Other trekking routes: The Royal or Sacred Path
Just before arriving to Aguas Calientes, at km. 104 of the train rails, this path takes the direction to Phuyupatamarca, climbing up terraces and stone stairs. After 2 hours of hiking you arrive to the recently discovered and beautifully Wiñay Wayna ruins.

Located on a steep mountain slope and looking over the Urubamba river, Wiñay Wayna is a nice example of Inca terrace architecture. The name means "forever young" in Quechua but experts still disagree upon the meaning: some consider it refers to the colourful orchids that populate the surroundings, while others say the name alludes to the Inca rites and ceremonies celebrated in the complex.

The path then converges in the Inca Trail, arriving to Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate, Inti Punko. The route takes some 6 hours, and can be done in alternative to the Inca Trail if the latter is deemed to harsh. A permit is needed for this route.

Purification Trail
Part of the Inca Trail system, this route has been recently discovered by archaeologists. It starts at km. 107 of the railway track (3km upstream from Aguas Calientes), near the hydroelectric exit pipe.

After crossing the suspended bridge, it follows to the Choquesuisui gully, and ascends until it meets the Inca Trail near Wiñay Wayna. The name, Purification Trail, alludes to the descending pools formed by the stream that runs alongside the path.

Putucusi Hike
This dangerous and demanding 3-hour hike (round trip) involves a great reward: the spectacular view of the Machu Picchu landscape. Putucusi ("happy mountain" in Quechua) is a round-shaped mountain that reaches 2,600 m.a.s.l. at its peak, and is located across the valley from the Inca citadel.

This is a demanding hike (only possible during the dry season, March to November), which involves steep ladder climbs and slippery scrambling. Some ladders, stacked into the wall, even go up for 20 meters in almost a 90 degree inclination.

Recommended for people with a good level of physical fitness only.

Skydiving Safety Myths

People are afraid of skydiving mainly because there are a lot of myths related to it in the popular culture. These several inaccuracies that have been propagated are the biggest reason for skydiving fear. Here are four of these myths along with the real explanation.

Myth 1: During free fall you can't breathe
Fact: Breathing during free fall is possible, contrary to the way people tend to think. If breathing wouldn't be possible the skydiver wouldn't be able to open the parachute because they would be unconscious.

Myth 2:A conversation can be held during free fall.
Fact: This might be  doable in movies but it is strictly Hollywood. The reality is that while free falling you can't hear anything because the wind screaming through your ears is too loud. Trying to have a conversation in that conditions is impossible.

Myth 3: Holding on to someone that has a parachute is possible, if you don't have one yourself.
Fact: This is indeed a movie miracle and is 99% likely not to happen. This kind of stunts have been pulled off but again that is almost impossible and that is because of the forces that are at work when the parachute opens.

Myth 4: You can free fall for five minutes
Fact: The cruise height of an airplane is at about 10,000 - 12,000 feet and that means about 40 seconds of free fall before opening the parachute. A five minutes fall requires a height of about 60,000 feet and you would need extra oxygen.

Myth 5: My parachute will not open
Fact: There are a lot of natural fears about your parachute failing to open but this has been take care of with all modern parachutes because  they are now fitted with a device that will deploy the parachute automatically in case you fail to do that yourself. The device is called Automatic Activation Device, or AAD.

The most common reasons for skydiving deaths and injuries, and that is 92%, are mistakes in judgement and procedure. This means that if you are well prepared for the jump and do everything right for the time it takes to get to the ground then you'll enjoy 60 seconds of exhilarating free fall and live to tell the tale.

Etiquette for your Scuba Crew

Don’t ask. The answer is a resounding "Yes"!  You should tip. When you go on a chartered and chaperoned dive through a commercial diving shop, it is customary to tip both the Captain and the DiveMaster. Gratuities are voluntary, incumbent on your generosity. Even so, it is appropriate to offer a tip for your scuba crew.

If you are going out for one day, it is important to bring some cash on the boat for tipping. If you are diving with the same DiveMaster and Captain for an entire week, it is acceptable to offer a tip at the end of the week.

If you are arranging a variety of dives through a dive shop, you may not have the same Captain or DiveMaster on each dive, so daily tipping is a better idea unless you are certain that your crew will be consistent for the entire duration of your stay.

One perspective is to compare the roles of Captain and DiveMaster to other industries where tipping is expected. Your Captain is analogous to a taxi driver, transporting you safely to and from your scuba destination.

An acceptable tip for a taxi driver is 10% to 15% of the fare; a similar rate for the Captain is appropriate. On a single-tank dive for $65, your tip to the Captain should be between $6 and $9 USD.

Your DiveMaster should be more generously tipped with 15% - or more, if the service was exceptional. On a $65 single-tank dive, tip your DiveMaster between $8 and $12 USD.

Do not skimp your tip due to variations in the local currency. If you are traveling in an area with an embarrassingly favorable exchange rate, do not lower your tip just because the local economy is cheap. To a boat Captain in Florida, $15USD is an acceptable token of gratitude for a nice trip.

To a Captain in rural Honduras, $15USD is a generous gift. Give your generous gifts where they are most needed – to DiveMasters offering good service in economically challenged regions. Keep in mind that some crews derive much, and sometimes nearly all, of their income from gratuities.  Stay cool, and keep on diving!

Buying An Airsoft Handgun?

They're not in the same category as a kids toys but airsoft pistols are an ideal hobby for any adult or young adult. Unlike paintball guns or normal airguns airsoft hanguns are designed to look just like the real thing. This has posed a problem for airsoft gun owners over the years due to airsoft pistols being used in "armed" robberies. Believe me when one of these is pointed in your face it looks just like the real thing. To combat this danger airsoft manufactures are now making many of their airguns in clear plastics and/or with an orange flash at the tip of the barrel to counteract this problem.

Your airsoft pistol is capable of firing a 6mm plastic bb at speeds of up to 300 feet per second which while not dangerous to exposed arms or legs could definitely cause damage to unprotected eyes. Always, always use safety glasses when firing an airsoft gun indoors or outdoors. A ricochet can happen quite easily and the results can be horrific. The actual power of your handgun will depend on the firing mechanism used. Your choices are spring, gas and electric. Spring and gas offer the highest power range but the newer AEG blowback handguns look pretty neat too.

Bear in mind too that a spring airsoft gun will need to be cocked for every single shot whereas the gas and AEG models offer fully automatic fire rates. The spring pistols will be cheaper but are a little bit more clumsy to use. The gas blowback models really mimic the real thing - especially when the topslide flies backwards after each shot.

One thing you won't need to worry about when buying an airsoft handgun is finding your favourite weapon. The choice is truly staggering with all the popular brands making an appearance - Glock,Beretta and the Desert Eagle being amongst the most popular. For the true airsoft nut you can even get the Robocop M93R handgun - although these are getting tough to find nowadays.

Just like the real thing your airsoft handgun needs to be loaded before firing so you'll need to fill the clip with bbs before you can start target practice. The bbs themselves are available in a variety of colors and styles - including paintball and glow-in-the-dark; so there's a bb to suit everyones taste.

Indoor or outdoor airsoft handguns offer a fun and entertaining hobby that can be enjoyed safely by just about the entire family. As always these guns are not really toys and should not be used by children unattended.

Also please do check local laws in relation to owning an airsoft handgun - they are banned in some countries.  Check your local, state and national laws to ensure that possessing an airsoft pistol isn't against the law. There have been several cases of airosft guns being mistaken for real weapons by police forces worldwide - sometimes with tragic consequences.

The Feeling Of Tandem Skydiving

Tandem skydiving is an excellent way to experience this popular extreme sport. People, though, have a number of fears about skydiving. One myth is that you can't breathe while you're free falling. That is certainly not true, otherwise jumpers wouldn't be conscious when they reached the ground. Another concern is that your chute won't open. Because student chutes are typically safer than other chutes, this isn't a realistic concern. Moreover, most chutes now are rigged with automatic opening devices, so not opening your chute on time shouldn't really be a worry. Despite these reassurances, though, people still worry about the safety of skydiving. To that end, tandem skydiving is an excellent way to experience the sport without worrying about the nagging doubts that plague people's minds.

Tandem is one of the most popular ways of experiencing jumping for first time skydivers. Students are subjected to about thirty minutes of instruction. During those thirty minutes, they meet the instructors they will be jumping with. They also view instructional videos about the jump, go over safety procedures, and get fitted to the equipment they'll be using. Additionally, students learn how to leave the aircraft, how to free fall, and what to do in terms of body position during the landing cycle.

Welcome Aboard

After the training session, tandem students and instructors board the plane for the fifteen to twenty minute flight to the drop zone. While waiting to approach the area where exiting will take place, instructors make final reviews about procedures with students. When the time comes, instructors and students leave the plane at about fourteen thousand feet. Free fall lasts only a few minutes. Once the chute finally opens, the gentle glide back to earth lasts anywhere from five to ten minutes.

Occasionally, instructors will allow students to help steer the chute to the landing zone. This helps students get the feel of the chute. It also helps students who wish to continue their skydiving training and become certified divers themselves. Skydiving is a fairly dangerous sport. However, tandem skydiving is a great way for novices to experience the sport without the worry and danger.

The Buzz of Street Racing

What is it about street racing that just drives teenagers and young adults out of their wits? Even the most uninterested person will have to admit that, in some way, speed still provides an exciting rush unparalleled by any human feeling. Why else would there be numerous movies and video games created to tell the story of, or simulate street racing? Despite the popularity and fanfare however, it is just imperative to know that street racing is very dangerous and illegal.

When man first started racing automobiles, one thing was certain: race car drivers were held in high regard and idolized by spectators. People would dream of being race car drivers themselves one day. The problem was, commercial vehicles back then were just not fast enough. As time went on, new race cars were developed and the ability to reach speeds that were unheard of in the beginning is now realized. Likewise, commercial automobiles increased in top speed as well. Now, because of this, racing fans have taken matters into their own hands and into the streets.

Vehicles used for street racing are normally commercial vehicles that are souped up to racing performance levels. Engine and power enhancements, complex exhaust systems and fuel intake are just some of the items on a racer’s shopping list. These people are willing to spend thousands of dollars in turning their regular city car into a wild, speed-hungry racing machine. Exterior design and artwork is also spent on in order to match the inner robustness of the vehicle. In addition to the value of the experience, street racing has become an arena to showcase new car set up designs and the latest innovations in automobile racing technology. Here, looks definitely have to be as good as the performance.

Street racing usually takes place at night or before dawn, in a long, clean stretch of road pitting two cars (and drivers) against each other. However, there are some instances when an entire block (or series of blocks) is turned into a racing circuit. The number of participants in a race may also vary. Sometimes, even 3 or 4 cars race at the same time. This is precisely the reason why street racing is illegal. Thousands of deaths have been the result of street racing accidents all over the world.

So how do you control the need for speed? Take it to the strip. Many municipalities in various countries all over the world have recognized the enjoyment and excitement of car racing and have now developed car racing programs for the youth. Racing strips have been built and organizations have been formed for legal and controlled racing for speed enthusiasts. The goal is to enjoy street racing in a safe environment while interacting with other racers in a more positive manner. There’s definitely a racing association in your area where you can learn new racing and automobile info, share your experiences, and of course race to your heart’s content. Look it up and hook up now!

The Basics of Rafting The River Rapids

Rafting the river rapids is a major adrenaline rush. If you are going to hit the rapids, you need to know some of the basic language thrown around in the sport.

The Basics of Rafting The River Rapids

As with any sport, it helps to have a basic understanding of the tools of the trade, techniques and such. Not only does this help you sound like you know what you are doing, but it actually gives you some insight into the process. Let’s take a look at some of the key components.

Dry Bag – A dry bag is a waterproof bag you can keep things in on the raft such as wallets, keys and such. Water is going to get all over the boat, so consider yourself warned. Most whitewater rafting companies provide them with trips.

CFS – This abbreviation refers to cubic feet per second, a measure of the speed and ferocity of the current. The more cubic feet of water moving per second, the more aggressive the rapids and, in my humble opinion, the more fun!

Eddie – An eddie is an area where the current stops or heads back up stream. This typically occurs on the down current side of boulders. It can be a good place to collect yourself for the next rapids.

Gradient – This term refers to the general verticality of the river. The higher the gradient, the “steeper” the river is. This higher gradient means faster water and typically a more exhilarating ride.

Hydraulic – Also referred to as a hole or various cuss words, a hydraulic is an area where water is super turbulent and can suck your raft under if sufficient in size. It is typically found at the bottom of a fall or behind a large obstacle where the gradient is high and the CFS is large.

Rapid – This is why you live to whitewater raft. Rapids are turbulent areas of the water which gives the sport its name. You pop in, out, over and every which way through them.

Life-Jacket – A flotation device. Wear them always. Don’t try to be cool. If you get thrown from the raft, which can happen, these will save you. This is particularly true if you smack your head on something.

This short list of terms should give you a head start on enjoying your trip. Get out there and fling yourself down one of Mother Nature’s roller coasters.

T'ai Chi For Kayaking And Canoes Racing

Kayaking and canoes involve paddling and water. T'ai Chi, a style of martial arts, is practiced on land with neither water nor boats. The two seem unrelated but did you know that T'ai Chi benefits water sports players like enthusiasts of kayaking and canoes racing? Paddling requires moving gracefully, strongly, and balanced on rough waters. It also puts much strain on the arms and the back, if done incorrectly. T'ai Chi improves and enhances paddling skills because the exercise and the sport follow the same principles.

Karen Knight and Betsey Forster, experts in kayaking and canoes racing, admit to doing T'ai Chi regularly. According to them, T'ai Chi provides cross-training. They claim that kayaking and T'ai Chi reinforce the skills and principles of each other which make practice of both relevant for improvement. They add that doing complementary exercises boosts the skills and energy levels of paddlers. The two share kayaking principles and the complementary T'ai Chi practices.

In any water sport, it is necessary to keep your body centered, quiet, and stable. These traits are reflected in your boat and spell the difference between staying on the boat or getting thrown off it. How you position your body and your posture play significant roles in kayaking and canoes racing. Sit straight and spread your weight equally between your buttocks to create a stable pelvic base. This position liberates your upper body and allows your lower body greater control over the boat. It is important to align your nose, navel, and tailbone to create a single unit. Making your body move and paddle as a unit minimize strain and risks of injuries. Another principle, called the paddler's box, incorporates power in paddling strokes. This is achieved by aligning hands and arms front of your shoulder plane. This ensures that your arms and shoulders are moving as a unit no matter how you paddle. Stable paddling is also a key factor in kayak racing. Most regard stable paddling as an accurate measure of the canoeists' skills. It is difficult to paddle quietly and keep the boat from bobbing but a good canoeist can do it. Avoiding pitching and bobbing the boat are done by keeping the boat stable and the paddling movement slow and accurate. Every move must be calculated because unnecessary motions can topple the boat over in rough current.

Stability, balance, and power are the main principles of kayaking. These are the very aspects T'ai Chi practices take care of. The T'ai Chi walk is recommended before launching and can help racers center and quiet their bodies in the water. It is done by elongating the spine much like the aligning of the nose, navel, and tailbone in kayaking and canoes racing, only this time, exercise is done standing up. The walk helps racers focus on their bodies and make them aware of their movements to reduce inefficiency. The steps are taken slowly with deliberate movements from the arms like paddling. The Hold The Ball movement aids in maintaining racers' paddler's box. In this exercise, the waist, arms, and torso do the work enabling them to get used to acting as unit before racing. Waist rotation is another exercise to improve efficiency of movement. The waists and the hips are given added power and stability since paddling action is rooted in the lower body. With these exercises, the canoeists' bodies are accustomed to being stable, maintaining balance, and efficient use of power.

Knight and Forster recommend practicing T'ai Chi regularly for those who are thinking of taking kayaking and canoes racing as a sport. This form of cross training also helps enthusiasts to become better riders and fluid paddlers. Regular training and T'ai Chi sessions keep canoeists ready and fit for succeeding kayaking and canoes racing events.

Surfing in Barbados

Barbados Surfing conditions are ideal for any level of surfer.  Barbados is almost guaranteed to have surf somewhere on any given day of the year. Coral reefs practically encircle Barbados' coastline giving the island the Caribbean's most consistent surf conditions with swells all year round.   You can find point breaks and reef breaks on the island, rights and lefts.  To cap it all off you can travel to anywhere on the island in 45 minutes or less.
Check our list of hotels that are popular for the surfers who visit the island
Whether you are a beginner or advanced surfer there is something here for you, also available are surf lessons and surf tours.  Even the most advanced surfer know that there is nothing like local knowledge of a break.  Zed is the man to talk considered by many to be one of the top and most knowledgeable surfers on the island he can organize a surf tour for you to suit your skill level.
The premier Surf Spot in the island is the Soup Bowl, which is like a magnet, if there is swell out there the Soup Bowl will catch it.  The east coast boasts the most powerful and biggest waves. Sitting on the eastern coast of the island this is where the Atlantic unloads it’s power.  With an offshore wind this is the spot every surfer dreams of riding.  Careful this is an advanced spot and should not be taken lightly.
The north and west coasts of Barbados have some great spots as well, like Mullins, Sandy Lane, Batts Rock and Tropicana to name a few, but these only go off with a north swell.
On the South there are breaks like South Point, Freights, Brandons and Surfers Point.  Check our listings of Surf Breaks for more information on these and other beaks on the island.
The warm waters of the Caribbean and laid back lifestyle of the people coupled with the stunning tropical scenery make this a surf destination well worth your time.  Beware many who make the trip return again and again and again……..
While Barbados has swell all year the best time for solid ground swell is from October to March when waves can range anywhere from  2 to 12 ft in the north and east of the island and 2 to 8 ft for other breaks.  This is also the time for the West to cash in on north swells. From April to September the surf is between 2 to 6ft, coupled with lighter winds,  especially in the summer this can make for near perfect glassy conditions - ideal for a great surfing vacation.

Strength Training For Climbing

In climbing, there is an old adage stating that "climbing is the best training for climbing,” an adage used by many to make excuses for not training outside of climbing. I personally disagree with this philosophy as I will explain.

When we are speaking of the exact skills needed in climbing, how and when to step, climbing techniques and mental skills, there is no substitute for the activity of climbing itself. However, in order to develop strength levels specific to the sport of climbing such as improving grip strength and upper body strength and endurance climbing will produce very limited or even no results or improvements.

One of the main reasons climbing isn’t good for strength training is because in climbing failure is not an option. If you have muscular failure while climbing, it may very well prove fatal. So the goal while climbing id to avoid this completely. Alternatively, when one is strength training for climbing, one wants to reach and even pass the point of muscular failure as it is this very act that causes the body to respond with an increase in strength to adapt to the stress being place on it. So the two methods are mutually exclusive and you will never achieve maximum strength by climbing alone.

Another example that reinforces the disparity between climbing and strength training for climbing is the way in which you grip the rock. In climbing, the rock demands the climber to use a random variety of many different grip positions and, at times, you may even deliberately vary the way you grip the rock. As a result, it's unlikely that any single grip position will ever get worked maximally and, therefore, the individual grip positions (e.g. crimp, open hand, pinch, etc.) are slow to increase strength.

This should help you understand why a full season of climbing may indeed improve your anaerobic endurance (i.e. endurance of strength), but do little to increase you absolute maximum grip strength. Therefore, varying grip positions is a great strategy for maximizing endurance when climbing for performance, but it will never work for training maximum grip strength. Effective finger strength training demands you target a specific grip position and work it until failure, which can only be done safely in a non climbing environment.

Finally, it could be better for some climbers to participate in cross training with other activities that are not particularly sport-specific. As an example someone who needs to lose weight should spend the majority of their non-climbing time performing aerobic activity to burn off the excess body fat as it is essential that a climber be as lean as possible for optimum performance. If someone is totally devoid of at least some modicum of fitness, they would be better off doing some circuit training that will give them both strength and aerobic benefits.

In closing I will say that regardless of your experience level in climbing, you will see a huge improvement by including specialized strength training in your regimen.

Strap Into Fun And Free Falling While Tandem Skydiving In New Jersey

Tandem skydiving in New Jersey is a very popular sport. Since tandem parachuting is one of the easiest, and perhaps the best for a novice, ways to experience the extreme sport of skydiving. There are several benefits to tandem skydiving. One benefit is that there is not very much training involved. Another benefit is that is that you can take comfort in the experience of the jump instructor you'll be working with. One final benefit is that there is an automatic activation device on the parachute, so your chute will be sure to deploy at the appropriate time during a jump.

Classes and Lessons

Skydiving begins with a training session. The session will teach you the basics of skydiving, the equipment necessary, and what to do in the air. After your training session, you will go through a regulatory equipment check procedure. The safety harness you are wearing will be checked by your instructor for proper fit, and then you will be headed to the plane for take off. The flight itself takes about twenty-five to thirty-five minutes. During the final minutes of your flight to your dive destination, the instructor will review the basics of the dive with you to ensure you are properly prepared to make your jump.

A few minutes before the exit from the aircraft, the instructor will lean out the door to guide the pilot in terms of final jump preparations as wind conditions can vary from day to day. A few minutes later, you and your instructor will walk to the door and begin your jump. You will free fall for approximately five seconds before your first chute, your drogue chute, will be deployed.

Eventually, your instructor will let you know that he's about to deploy the main chute. Once the chute is deployed, you will begin a gentle descent to the ground. The instructor may even allow you to steer the chute on the way down. Landing is the final step to skydiving tandem in NJ. The instructor will do most of the hard work during this portion of the jump. Skydiving is a popular sport throughout the world. Skydiving in New Jersey is an excellent way to experience the sport.

Skydiving Training With Accelerated Free Fall

You can learn how to skydive in other ways but the most thrilling is to do it with the AAF (Accelerated Free Fall).

Accelerated Free Fall has first been used as a fast training method since 1982. It's a fast learning process compared to the traditional static line training. With AFF you can get a true image of the modern skydiving.

The ground training of Accelerated Free Fall is more extensive than static line, and that's a good thing since you will be doing a 50 second drop on your first jump. The jump will occur when the aircraft will be at about 10.000 - 12.000 feet, you will be jumping with two other jump masters that will assist you during your fall. They will maintain grip to you from the moment of the jump until you open your parachute. They will assist you to keep stable. You will get to pull the ripcord at about 4000 ft.

The Accelerated Free Fall is a program divided in 7 levels. The 1, 2, and 3 levels require two jump masters to jump with you. On these levels you get to learn about basic safety skills like altitude awareness, body position, stability during free fall and during the pull sequence. The most important skill is the successful ripcord pull. When level three is reached you get to free fall for your own for the first time.

The rest of the levels, 4, 5, 6 and 7 will require only one free fall jump master, meaning less money, and teach your skills like turning, forward movement and docking with other people. You will also learn about frontloops, baclloops and "superman" exit from the plane among many other.

With Accelerated Free Fall, you move on from level to level on each jump if the objectives have been completed. The required training is of about 45 minutes.

After level 7, the level is entering what is called "Level 8". At this skill the student gets to practice and improve the skill until they reach 20 free falls, qualifying for the A skydiver license.

Skydiving Schools

Perhaps you’ve considered actually jumping from a perfectly good airplane, from time to time, in your past. Perhaps you are the unwitting recipient of a skydiving gift certificate from a friend. Whatever the case, despite the good advice to the contrary from sane people all around you, you’re actually going to go through with it…..

So now what? Finding a top-notch skydiving school can seem like a daunting task. Every skydiving school web site you visit seems great at first blush, but then you start to see a trend develop, namely, they seem to all claim to be the best, friendliest, safest, and highest-jumping drop zones in the world. Though your friends, still coming to grips with your decision, might argue that you clearly have no common sense, you know full well that you do. That same common sense is telling you that not all of these schools can actually be the best. So how does one actually choose? How do you read through the hype and come away with the best thrill of your life?

It’s a good question, and deserves a good answer because you only get a first jump once in life. Here then, is the answer to that question, a short guide to selecting the best skydiving school for you. The best way to begin is by actually defining what your desired end result of this experience is to be. Seems like a no-brainer; the end result is to simply jump out of an airplane and float to the ground, right? Wrong. There’s a lot about how you get from air to there that can influence your experience and ultimately your opinion of the sport.

The first step to making this decision is in understanding the types of jumps that are available to you. I will explain each, along with the pros and cons.

1) Tandem Jump:
A tandem jump is a method of jumping where you exit the plane not with a parachute strapped to your back but an entire instructor. This is the most popular choice for new divers and is highly promoted by drop zones. The reason for this is multi-faceted; there is no responsibility on the new skydiver’s part, they simply go with the flow and the instructor does all the work. This diminishes nearly all new-diver fault risks but also has a higher profit margin for the drop zone. Given the responsibility-free nature of a tandem jump for the new skydiver, the ground portion can be done in an hour or less, and requires only a one-to-one instructor/jumper ratio, where Accelerated Free Fall initial jumps require two instructors and far more ground school. If you are simply jumping to be able to buy the tee shirt from having done it once in your life, this method is for you. The relief of putting all the worry into the hands of a capable pro is terrific. If, however, you think you may want to take up the sport beyond this first jump, it might be well worth your while to consider investing your money into the first required dive of your AFF (Accelerated Freefall) certification. Your tandem jump, in most cases, will not apply towards this series of jumps, making your investment in the tandem jump somewhat of a waste if you pursue licensing. Only you know the answer to that question, and as long as money isn’t an issue (and if it is you might want to find a cheaper sport) you can just do the tandem jump anyway.

2) Static Line Jumps:
While not as popular as tandem and AFF, Static line jumps offer an option that combines the thrill of piloting your own chute without the concern of deploying it. Though the methods can vary, basically you jump from the plane at a much lower altitude, around 3000-5000 feet as opposed to 12-14,000 for tandem and AFF. As you jump, a line attached to your chute deploys it as you exit and fall away from the plane. In an AFF or tandem jump chutes are typically deployed around 5000 feet, hence this flight altitude for static line deployments. There is literally zero freefall on a static line jump.

3) Accelerated Freefall (AFF) Jumps:
Accelerated Freefall courses combine ground school classes and a series of jumps taken with two instructors, maintaining progressively less hand contact with you on each subsequent jump.  This leads up to a completely unassisted solo jump where you will demonstrate basic maneuvers. While these jumps are typically taken to receive your USPA (United States Parachute Association) license, it is not (usually) a requirement that you perform the subsequent jumps in order to do the first one. While the price of that first dive is higher than a tandem jump (far more ground school and two instructors per diver), it also offers a bigger thrill and substantial feeling of accomplishment. Most skydiving schools will have you complete your ground school and first AFF jump in a single day. If you continue on with your training, you‘ll eventually receive your USPA licensing after you have met all requirements and taken the required tests. This licensing is required by nearly all drop zones in order to jump solo.

Armed with this information, you can now start narrowing down the selection based on your skydiving requirements. Look for schools that are USPA-member drop zones. Take the time to research the drop zone and get a feel from other divers about your drop zone(s) of choice.  Most drop zones are typically very warm and friendly, and give newcomers as much attention as their regulars. There are, from time to time, skydiving schools/drop zones that cater more towards one end of the scale than the other. User opinions and reviews can reveal this if you take the time to do the research. This is easily accomplished at the website referenced below.

The most important thing of all, however, is that you have fun. Despite all of the advice from your well-intentioned friends, that fact is that your desire to pursue this sport puts you in a whole different category than those folks. Fear of falling is primal; we all feel it and are genetically predisposed to it. The dividing line is between those who fear, but have enough courage to control that fear and transform it into an incredible experience, and those who fear, shrink from it, and declare that anyone who doesn’t is insane. Put your fears aside, dive into human flight and enjoy the thrill of a lifetime!