Thursday, October 30, 2008

The Different Types Of Ice Skating

Author: Derek Both
There are various different reasons why people put on a pair of ice skates as there are many different varieties of skating. The list is pretty much endless of every category there is so it is nearly impossible to cover all of them at once. However, certain types are more popular and more well known than others.

Figure skating has become more and more popular over recent decades thanks to ice skates becoming more advanced. Whereas before people were limited in their movements because of the way ice skates were made, nowadays skaters are able to perform all sorts of fancy movements.

In figure skating alone there are several different categories such as singles, pairs, ice dance and synchronised skating. Single skating is the most popular form of figure skating because new ice skates have enabled people to perform jumps, spins and dances to music. The sport has come a long way since it first began as people only used to do it for pleasure whereas now there are competitions held all over the world every year.

Pair ice skating is probably the most interesting and exciting form of skating to watch because more complex moves can be performed such as lifts. Again, many people enter competitions into pair ice skating every year.

If you are looking for fun and thrills when you put your ice skates on then ice dancing is definitely the way to get this. It is best described as ballroom dancing on ice as skaters dance waltzes, foxtrots and any other kind of dance that you can think of. Not only is this a fun way of getting some exercise, it is a true challenge that will make you feel great once you have mastered the art.

Although you don't see or hear much about synchronised swimming, it is one of the more popular forms of figure skating. It is conducted by a team of skaters which usually ranges from 12 to 20 people and they perform routines in unison to music. If you manage to find somewhere that shows this type of skating it is a great form of entertainment and is guaranteed to inspire you to dig out your ice skates.

There are so many different kinds of ice skating that there is one to suit everyone. Whether you are young, old, beginner, advanced, athletic or not, you are bound to find a style that suits you.

The Beginnings Of The Ice Skate

Author: Catherine Harvey
Ice skating is a popular sport these days. But it is by no means a new past time. The oldest ice skates ever found are said to be over 5,000 years old and they were made from the leg bones of either a horse or ox. They were secured to the feet with leather straps and a metal spike was used to propel the skater forward. Of course, these ice skates were used mainly for ease of transport across ice and less for entertainment although we can never be completely sure!

Scandinavia and Finland are the obviously places for the first ice skates to be made given their vast amounts of ice. Some of the examples of the skates that have been uncovered in these regions and consisted of a thin strip of copper attached to the underside of a leather shoe. So, what else can you do to an ice skate? Apart from slight adaptations for comfort and durability, the ice skate has barely changed much over the last 5,000 years.

The Long Reach skate was the most widely used ice skate for many years and this was developed in new Brunswick, Canada by James A Whelpley in 1859. This was developed for long distance skating on the lakes and the family owned business of manufacturing ice skates in this area for another seven years before they moved to New Hampshire.

Today's modern ice skate has changed little although there are now slightly different designs depending on what the user wants them for. Although the bottom of an ice skate is often seen as a blade it no longer resembles a knife blade. It actually has a crescent shaped hollow along the surface so that you actually skate on two parallel edges. The depth of this hollow will vary between a quarter and one inch, depending on the type of skate and the purpose it is used for.

For a professional figure skater, this hollow will be deliberately carved to suit the skater's style and weight. Speed skates and touring skates have a completely flat bottom with no hollow to aid speed without cutting into the ice.

Figure skates are the most popular recreational ice skates. Moulded from stiff leather for ankle support and with toe picks for easier manoeuvring, these are the type you will normally be hiring if you attend an ice rink for fun.

Hockey skates are much more lethal looking ice skates. Moulded from plastic, leather and ballistic nylon they have better manoeuverability and thinner, faster blades than a recreational ice skate. The ice hockey goalies skate are cut lower and the blade is set slightly different with a protective shell which provides more protection.

Bandy ice skates are quite different. Used for playing rink bandy, they come with a much lower cut boot which barely covers the ankles and a longer blade. Racing skates, or speed skates have extra long blades and the shoe is connected to the blade via a hinge. They also have higher blades to allow for better turning and to prevent the boot coming into contact with the ice.

So, whether its recreational skating, figure skating, speed skating, rink bandy or ice hockey that you want to get involved in, finding the correct type of ice skate will make the game a whole lot easier and a whole lot more comfortable.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Snowboarding For Beginners

By: Jasmine Stone
If you are interested in taking up a new hobby, and you enjoy thrilling, fast paced action, why not consider snowboarding? Increasing in popularity year on year, snowboarding has always been highly fashionable, and is no more accessible than ever, so you really have no excuse for not giving it a go if you are interested. In this article we will look at the equipment you will need, where to get started, and the things to watch out for when snowboarding.

First thing's first - get yourself online. Look around, and find out exactly what snowboarding involves. It is a dangerous game, and highly physically taxing. Additionally, it can be quite expensive, so you need to try to ensure it's right for you. Next you need to look for a board to get you started, and some clothing for wearing on the slopes. First off, forget about buying a top quality board. You need to start off with something cheap and cheerful, designed for beginners. You can find these easily online, and you may also be able to come across some models in your local extreme sports shop. Alternatively, you could try to pick one up second hand from a friend, or from another snowboarder. You also want to make sure you look cool whilst your out there! Check out some of the highly fashionable snowboarding wear, and kit yourself out from hats, to sunglasses to thick socks - make sure you're prepared for the elements before you set off.

It is worth looking around to find lessons in your local area. Lessons range in availability, quality and price, although you will often find recommendations or local adverts particularly helpful. Again you could look online for some tips to get you on your way. If you do take lessons, it is important to take on board what the instructor says from both a performance and safety perspective. Additionally, get out there and practice between lessons if you ever want to improve. If you stick at it, and work hard, you will eventually see an improvement, and find the sport significantly more enjoyable also.

It is also good to note that snowboarding is a highly dangerous activity and people do get hurt. Before you even think about snowboarding, take some lessons in safety, and make sure you are fully equipped both mentally and physically for avoiding injury to yourself and others. Snowboarding is responsible for many accidents every year, and it is an extreme sport after all - if you're of a weak disposition, it is perhaps not the best sport for you. Having said that, snowboarding can easily be performed safely with a bit of common sense, and a bit of research, so make sure you're prepared before you get out there. Warnings aside, snowboarding is great fun, if you like this sort of thing. Many people adopt the mantra that you should try everything at least once, and as far as snowboarding is concerned, this is definitely true. Try snowboarding once, and join the legions of followers who enjoy snowboarding at every opportunity. Chances are there are clubs and associations in your local town, so get yourself along and join in with like minded people. Your level of experience doesn't matter, as long as you go along and participate, you will gain a lot from it, and you will definitely have a good time in the process.

Stop by Ski Trip Planning to learn more about skiing tips and how to find the best ski resorts.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com


Snowboarding Accidents

By: Jasmine Stone
Snowboarding accidents happen every single day and the reasons for this vary from person to person, and from accident to accident. Despite this, one thing remains prominent. Of those accidents, many of them could have been stopped with appropriate care and attention from the snowboarders involved. This is why we have to realise that snowboarding is a dangerous sport, and therefore health and safety should always remain an issue to any snowboarder.

The first thing that any snowboarder has to remember is to wear appropriate protective head wear. Protective head wear may not look as cool, or even be as warm as a hat, but when it comes to going down the slopes wearing one could save your life. In 2003 15 people suffered fatal head injuries whilst snowboarding. This number could have been reduced to 0 if those 15 people had chosen wear a helmet whilst snowboarding. When people go snowboarding and do not wear a helmet, they do not take precautions based on this, and are still happy to attempt stunts such as jumps, slaloms which involve dodging trees, and other activities that could not be recommended. People have to remember that snowboarding is in the top 10 most dangerous sports, and I would call on the authorities within the sport to drive even further towards excellence in health and safety.

My brother is a keen snowboarder and recently broke his leg whilst snowboarding. Although this was not his fault, many of the complications that went along with the injury could have been avoided with due care and attention. This includes the fact he was stranded on a slope for over 4 hours before he was noticed by a boarder who was then able to go and get help. But how could this have been avoided. Firstly he should not have chosen to hit the slopes on his own. Through doing this problems arise automatically, if you do have to go snowboarding on your own then make sure you tell people that you are away. I would also call on snowboarding facilities to keep better records of who is on the slope, and for what time. This could certainly help with many issues.

I would secondly advice and call for people to carry mobile phones with them when they go snowboarding. Even, a mobile phone on its own may not be enough if you do not have a signal or do not have any battery left in your phone. This is why I advise that you ensure that your battery is full at all times, and that you also take appropriate care to ensure that you have a replacement SIM card. If you have a replacement SIM card that works on your phone you may be doubling the chances of you being able to contact someone if you phone does not work. This is why people also choose to carry a torch, a flare or an air horn. All of these can work in alerting people to a situation as long as they are near where you currently are.

Health and safety are prominent issues in snowboarding and that is why we all, have to be careful that we abide by them. Through choosing to take simple measure we can all choose to snowboard, and enjoy ourselves at the same time. Do not make yourself another statistic.

For more skiing tips including the best skiing vacations, visit Ski Trip Planning.

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Thursday, October 23, 2008

A Primer For The Best Snowboarding Boots

By: Jasmine Stone
The snowboarding boots are the most important equipment in the sport. The boots serve as your connection to the snowboard itself; without a secured and comfortable link to your board, you can be exposed to all sorts of accidents and the chance of enjoying snowboarding is jeopardized. Therefore, choosing the right snowboarding boots for you is of utmost importance if you ever want that peak performance in this extreme sport.

In buying your snowboarding boots, you might deal with making a choice between a step-in and a strap-on snowboarding boot. Step-in boots have convenient mechanisms that lock your footing onto the snowboard. Strap-on boots, on the other hand, bind your footing onto the snowboard by using straps and are the classic and standard ones.

But no matter which type of snowboarding boots you plan to buy and irrespective of the amount of money you are willing to spend for your boots, the most important factor in choosing your snowboarding boots is the manner in which your feet fits inside them. Your snowboarding boots, unlike ordinary shoes, should last for a long time and therefore you have to choose what you think is the best and most comfortable pair for you.

Choosing the best pair of boots for you can be a challenge in itself. But the improved performance and the unparalleled experience of a perfect slide down snowy slopes is well worth your efforts to find the most comfortable snowboard boots that will meet your snowboarding needs. Read on for the inside story of finding the perfect pair of snowboarding boots.

Listen To Yourself And Yourself Alone

So what if your friend has an expensive pair of professional grade snowboarding boots? When you are buying boots avoid being influenced by other snowboarders' choices. Most snowboarding boots look great on the outside but can be heavy and downright painful to wear; so never sacrifice comfort by going with what your friends like and tell you to buy. Your feet are unique and you alone can decide the kind of snowboarding boots that will work for you best.

Do Not Rush

Looking for the perfect snowboarding boots for you can take a chunk of your precious time. Avoid committing the folly of rushing thru your shopping for boots. Unlike ordinary footwear that can embody the form of your feet over time, snowboarding boots do not easily and conveniently mold into the unique shape of your feet. So you need to set aside ample time in choosing your boots before making the purchase.

Try out every pair for sizes. It is also a good practice to try the boots wearing the socks that you will use in snowboarding. If you found a pair that you think fits, try walking around in it. If they still feel comfortable after leaving the boots on for a few minutes, then you may have found your snowboarding boots.

Resist The Urge To Buy Bigger Boots

The problem with snowboarding boots is that they are harder and they seem inflexible unlike ordinary leather shoes. So some people tend to buy snowboarding boots that are a little oversized to give more room for the feet. Oversized boots can cause injuries like sprains and even bone fractures. If your snowboarding boots are oversized, try wearing thick socks to compensate for too much space inside your boots.

In buying snowboarding boots, always put in mind that comfort, while foremost on your list, should not eliminate your control and stability on the snowboard. These factors should be balanced in order for you to have safe and unforgettable snowboarding.

Learn more about the best ski resorts and ski tips at the Ski Trip Planning site.

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Things To Consider In Buying Snowboarding Goggles

By: Charles White
Are you a snowboarding enthusiast? Do you find pleasure in speeding down the slopes? Then you ought to know that a good pair of snowboarding goggles modifies your performance as well as your safety. As a snowboarder, wearing of goggles is very important. When snowboarders go for the slopes, their eyes are exposed to the sun's harmful rays, snow, and even tree branches that would hit their faces when they switch to another course. The goggles worn should not only look good. They should have properties that best protect your eyes.

Why should you bother with snowboarding goggles? Snowboarding goggles are especially made for the lovers of the sport to protect their eyes from ultraviolet rays or UV rays from the sun. UV rays damage your eyes, causing photokeratitis or sunburn of the cornea, cataracts, and other eye defects. The glare from the sun that gets reflected from the snow also obscures your vision, and you could trip over an uneven terrain because of that. Snowboarding goggles also serve as barrier from snow, wind, ice, rocks, and even branches that hit your face when you veer off course.

What do you do to find the right pair of snowboarding goggles? Do not buy goggles that don't offer ultraviolet protection. The main purpose of goggles is to protect your eyes from the damaging UV. If the goggles fail in that purpose, then it is useless to buy them. It is best if the lenses of the goggles are polarized.

Select goggles with wide external view. Snowboarders travel at high speed and it is therefore important that they are able to quickly identify uneven terrain, rocks or trees, and other snowboarders that get in the way.

Make sure to put on a pair of snowboarding goggles with a comfortable fit. Try the goggles with a helmet before hitting the slopes.

Choose goggles that reduce fogging so that your vision stays clear. These goggles have double layer lens.

Select goggles with interchangeable lenses. This way you won't have to buy several goggles to serve different weather conditions.

These are the things you should consider before buying goggles:

- If you wear eyeglasses, make sure your goggles fit over the glasses. Haber Vision's snowboarding goggles have this attributes .

- Most ski or snowboard shops don't have goggle replacement lens. It will take you time to find any replacement.

How do you know which color of the lens to wear during a particular weather?

Wear light colored snowboarding goggles to have better distinctions during overcast conditions. Yellow lenses are advisable.

Wear darker shades like purple during a bright, sunny day to minimize eye strain. The sun's glare will make it hard for you to get a clear view of where you are heading.

Where do you go to get the best deals in snowboarding goggles? The best place to find cheaper snowboarding goggles is online. You may verify at websites of manufacturers or sellers of this product and see if they offer discounts.

SNOWBOARDING GOGGLES: Haber Vision conveys the greatest experience in the outdoors with its best selection of quality goggles and sunglasses. If you are going on golfing, skiing, snowboarding, and fishing, Haber Vision features you just the right type of sunglasses for your eyes' protection. For your options, click http://www.habervision.com/goggles/wintersports.aspx

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Sunday, October 19, 2008

Skateboard Trick - The Indy Grab

By: Amy S
If you've been learning the basics of skateboarding, you've probably already learned how to stand on the board, what gear you need, etc. Now comes the fun part, learning some sweet skateboard trick tips. Before you get going on the advanced tricks, you need to build a foundation by learning some easier tricks first. Here is the perfect skateboard trick tip for a beginner.

Is your goal to skateboard as well as the pros? Use this tip and you will be well on your way.

The Indy Grab:

One of the easiest and most used skateboard tricks is the Indy Grab. This is where you see skaters catching air, bending down and grabbing their board. It looks really cool, and it's one of the first skateboard trick tips you should learn.

However, before you can fully take on the Indy Grab, you first need to Ollie. You cannot do an Indy Grab until you got the Ollie down. While you're riding, you should have your front foot in the middle of the board, and your back foot on the tail of the board.

As you slam down on your board with your back foot, you want to jump with your front foot. You will keep your body centered on the board so that it stays even. This is the foundation of the Ollie. Once you got this under control, go ahead and grab the board between your feed while you are up in the air.

Let go before you hit the ground, and always keep your knees bent so that it will absorb the shock of the landing. This skateboard trick can be done on a ramp right as you come off the edge or it can be done flat on the ground. To make these skateboard trick tips work best, try and get as much air as you can.

Want more advanced tricks? Visit Skateboard Trick Tips and see these tricks in action.

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Thursday, October 16, 2008

Skateboard Decks

By: Thomas Morva
The deck is an important component of a skateboard. Simply put, the deck is a piece of wood or a wooden board the rider stands on. A skateboard comprises four wheels attached to two axles. The axles are known as trucks, and are mounted to the bottom of a wooden board called a deck. Usually, the decks are about 79 cm long and 20 cm wide. They are made of seven layers of Canadian maple veneer, which are pressed and glued together.

Skateboard makers alternate the direction of the wood grain of each layer so that the deck does not split along the natural grain lines of the wood. Metallic decks or decks made of composite materials are rather rare. For downhill riding and street riding you should use longer skateboards, while the shorter ones are more suitable for tricks and maneuvers.

A main feature of a deck is that it rises at both ends. The one in the front is called the nose, while the rear one known as the tail. To perform tricks and stunts, skateboarders use the leverage from the kicked ends. The deck usually has abrasive grip tape on top, providing traction that prevents the rider from slipping off.

For a rider, it is very important that he gets the right deck size while choosing the board. It should neither be too small nor too big. In case the deck is too small, you will find it tough to maintain balance, as your feet and heels will hang over the edge. Again, if it is too big, you will face difficulties in turning and lifting off the ground while trying tricks. If the deck is more concave, the skateboarder can display his/her tricks more aggressively.

There are many patterns and designs you can get on your deck. So choose a deck you find beautiful, and if you want to give it a personal touch add some stickers on it.

Skateboard Decks provides detailed information on Skateboards, Skateboard Decks, Skateboard Ramps, Skateboard Tricks and more. Skateboard Decks is affiliated with Skateboarding Tricks.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com


Skateboard Ramps

By: Thomas Morva
According to the dictionary, a ramp is a slope that joins two parts of a road, path, building etc. when one is higher than the other. It is quite obvious that a skateboarder will find a ramp extremely useful to show his/her skills.

There are many who enjoy skateboarding because they come out with new tricks, by combining two or more existing maneuvers or by using rails and walls in various ways. To cater to them, skate parks have come up where cars, bikes, and other traffic are prohibited, thereby ensuring a safe area for skateboarders to experiment. Skate parks usually contain ramps and U-shaped half pipes, which look like a trough. There are many skate parks where you can find fun boxes, which are obstacles that include ramps, stairs, and rails made especially for skateboarding maneuvers. It was in 1975 in Melbourne Beach, Florida, that curved plywood ramps designed for skateboarding were first used.

If you like, you may even build yourself a ramp. The things you will need for the purpose will depend on the nature of the ramp you want. If you want a slider box or a jump ramp, an empty parking lot or your driveway will be enough. If want your ramp bigger and unmovable, then you will certainly need more space. It is wise to build your ramps on a flat or level surface. Otherwise, it will be difficult to build and ride the ramp.

Once you have decided on a spot to build your ramps, start by measuring the space you are going to be working in. It is also better to measure out any obstructions that might get in your way, like a tree or an electric pole. You must study the landscape to find out if you need to level the area out. Depending on the landscape, you may even have to build your ramp up off the ground, on posts.

Skateboard Decks provides detailed information on Skateboards, Skateboard Decks, Skateboard Ramps, Skateboard Tricks and more. Skateboard Decks is affiliated with Skateboarding Tricks.

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Web Indonesia

Cara menaikan pagerank yg lebih efektif dari exchange link


Membangun Komunitas Link Web Indonesia





Ada sebuah Filosofi politik yang mengatakan "Tidak ada teman dan tidak ada musuh yang abadi, yang ada adalah kepentingan bersama" . Mungkin filosofi ini yang meng-ilhami perushaan IBM bekerja sama dengan komunitas open source untuk menghadapi dominasi Microsoft dalam aplikasi sever.


Ter-inspirasi dari filosofi itu dan dari membaca dan berusaha memahami masalah link building dari posting Darren Rowse di problogger.net-nya (12 Tools and Techniques for Building Relationships with Other Bloggers) juga dari membaca ebook link building secret yg saya temukan , maka saya mencoba menarik kesimpulan intinya dan mencoba membangun ide untuk mengajak para blogger Indonesia bersama-sama menciptakan suatu komunitas online bagi blogger indonesia , untuk saling mengenal dan membangun suatu kerjasama win and win bukan win and lose (menang dan menang bukan menang dan kalah) dalam hal traffic , untuk menghadapi apa? yah boleh kalau di bilang untuk menghadapi web-web full komersil yang memiliki budged cukup untuk membeli segala fasilitas mendatangkan traffic , atau paling tidak ini adalah suatu cara untuk berkenalan dan saling mengenal dengan para blogger Indonesia yang lain dan kelak bisa kita jadikan Katalog Pribadi Web/Blog Indonesia.

Yap, ini bicara promosi blog , yang saya rasa lebih efektif di banding sekedar bertukar link lalu memasangnya di sidebar sebagai blogroll, karena umumnya pengunjung blog kita tidak melirik sama sekali link-link dalam blogroll kita.

Oke, yang saya maksud di sini adalah menyebarkan posting saya ini secara berantai, karena posting utama akan paling menjadi perhatian pengunjung blog kita.

Yap ini ajakan suka-rela ,silahkan yang tertarik, dan yang tidak abaikan saja, bagi rekan-rekan senior yang trafficnya sudah tinggi juga silahkan jika ingin berbagi bersama, di bawah ini langkahnya:

1. Buat sebuah posting dengan judul Web Indonesia.

2. Copy-paste seluruh isi posting ini untuk isi posting anda.

3. Pada bagian atas kumpulan kode dalam teks area di atas ,masukan url-judul web anda di bawah url-judul web saya dan menambahkan nomor urut setelah web saya, jadi angka nomor urut anda adalah setelah no urut web saya....dan seterusnya secara berantai.

4. Setelah itu abadikan link url posting misalnya di letakan di sidebar, supaya kelak gampang di cari.

Salah satu tujuan utama saya adalah dalam rangka menyebarkan budaya ngeblog, saling mengenal dan membantu traffic bagi rekan2 pemula .

Anda tidak akan saya curangi untuk memasang anchor text atau link web saya atau web lain-nya, tak ada satu link pun yang menuju alamat web atau blog saya atau lain-nya , tapi hanya sekedar alamat dalam bentuk teks untuk saling mengenal. juga logo web indonesia di atas cuma sekedar logo bersama, tak ada link atau keyword yang saya sisipkan.

Dan jika masih ada pemikiran di akali karena web saya ada di urutan atas dari link anda , maka abaikan tulisan ini.

Jika berjalan lancar, saya rasa cara promosi ini tidak kalah efektif di banding berburu link dan mencari RSS submissions sebanyak banyaknya dengan melelahkan, bahkan RSS atau tukar link banyak kemungkinan link anda akan terhapus karena banyak sebab, tapi posting secara umum akan tetap ada sampai kapanpun .

Dan ini bisa menjadi acuan untuk pelacakan hubungan link secara berantai melalui dari mana anda mendapatkan posting ini.

Hasil dari copy-paste dan penyebaran posting ini seterusnya adalah persis seperti isi posting ini dengan daftar link di bawah logo Web Indonesia yang semakin bertambah.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

8 Skateboarding Safety Tips

By: Dean Pugliese
If you were to ask me for a few skateboarding safety tips I would say…

1. Skate within your level. This means that you should know your limits. If you don’t know how to drop in yet, don’t try to skate the half pipe. If you can’t ollie well, then don’t try to skate stairs. Skating within your own skill level is the best tip for safety.

2. Gradually advance. This goes along with the first tip. Work up to ollieing over four boards by first trying two and then three. Work on variel flip before trying to learn how to do a 360 flip. Skate the four foot ramp, then the six, then the eight. It sounds like common sense, but a lot of times people get into "the zone" and forget what’s safe for them.

3. Know your limit. It’s fine to push yourself hard when you’re skating. It helps you get better overall. You need to know your limit however. If you have tried about a hundred times to land a kickflip on a new stairs set, just give it a break. Those stairs probably wont be going anywhere soon. Remember to rest when you’re tired.

4. Wear your helmet and pads. Some skate parks don’t enforce pads rules. It’s skate at your own risk. That sentence alone should be enough to make you want to wear pads. It is risky to skate without them. I don’t care if it’s not the cool thing or if your favorite pro doesn’t wear them. Most likely, you are not a pro skateboarder. You should wear pads and a helmet anytime you are trying something you are not 100 percent sure of.

5. Keep hydrated. Sounds silly, but dehydration leads to a lot of accidents. Not only that, but it can be bad for your body in the long run too. And, if that’s not enough, you skate better and are more flexible when properly hydrated! So always bring along a water bottle or two.

6. Examine the spot you’re about to skate. Make sure there are no rocks where you’ll be skating. Check for glass, the streets where I grew up were filthy and littered with broken glass. Sweep up that stuff. You don’t want to have to remove rocks from your hands and elbows. Keep an eye out for rusty nails and metal pieces, etc…

7. Skate during the day. It’s hard to see at night. When it’s dark, you won’t be able to skate as well. You won’t land tricks as often and this can lead to more bails and falls. You also can see other skaters better during the day. If you’re at a park at night, there’s a good chance of running into someone else on their skateboard.

8. Be aware of the temperature. If it’s hot out, make sure you have drinks ready. If it’s cold, bring gloves and a beanie. Don’t stay out too long in the cold. You might think your body is fine, because you’re feeling warm and producing heat. You can develop serious health issues from cold weather. Extreme temperatures are dangerous. Heat stroke and frost bite are seriously potential problems. It doesn’t matter what age you are either.

I hope these skateboarding safety tips have given you some insight into safety on your skateboard. Although these are great tips, there’s no way to completely eliminate risk from skateboarding. Many consider it an extreme sport for a reason. It has obvious dangers. Trust me, getting hurt doesn’t make skateboarding more fun. So skate smart and safely and you will have a good time.

Among many things Dean Pugliese is a skateboarder and writer. If you want to get some great information on skateboarding all you need is his website, http://www.relaxed-skateboarding.com . It’s full of great articles and information for skaters at all levels.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com



Monday, September 29, 2008

How To Children To Skateboard Safely

Author: Jay Brandley
Skateboards and the sport of skateboarding is enjoyed by many children the world over. From Germany to Hong Kong to the kids in your neighborhood, skateboarding is part of the Generation X culture and a physical activity that many kids, and adults also, enjoy.

However, like any other physical activity, skateboarding does have its own dangers. If we do not recognize these potential dangers, and make our children aware of them also, there is a big possibility that our kids can get hurt while they are out riding their skateboards.

In this article, we will discuss three steps that we, as parents, family members, and adult supervisors can take to make sure that our kids are protected to the best extent possible.

Get Your Kids To Wear Pads and Gear

Most kids think that helmets look a little funny, and do not want to wear them because they thing that they look dorky with them on. Also, if they do not want to wear helmets, they will most likely not want to wear elbow pads and knee pads either.

While I do believe that children should be given a say and a choice in many matters that involve them, the decision of wearing protective gear while skateboarding is not an option in my household.

When you see a seven year old attempting big tricks and bombing steep hills trying to do the things that the big boys do, if you are a parent, you will most likely be scared for their well-being. Well, it is a parents personal choice whether or not to enforce this rule, but I do believe in enforcing it fully. I would like to spare myself as well as my child the horror of stitches and broken bones as much as I can.

Help Your Children to Be Modest About Their Abilities

Children often act and feel invincible. They sometimes think that they can do all sorts of stunts and tricks because they often do not have the fear of getting hurt or of falling. While this is not entirely bad, try to help you child see the need to be modest so as to not attempt a stunt that they cannot complete.

It is a bit of a hard thing to have a proper view of this and find the balance between modesty and cowardice for children, but it is always better to be safe than sorry. If the ramp is too steep or the hill too dangerous, there should be no shame at all in backing down.

Be Involved In Your Childrens Activities

It is always a good thing to get together and do activities as a family. The streets and roads in front of your house may not be a safe place for your children to skateboard on. Perhaps you can plan a family outing at a skate park or at a safer place where you can supervise your children while they are riding their skateboards.

Children love to show their parents what they are able to do, and if you take an interest in them, they will be happy if you show them that you are proud of them.

So be conscious of the need for protective gear, help you children to be modest, and be involved in your childrens lives. These are just three small steps you can take to make sure that your child is safe.

About the Author:
To find out more about skateboards, you can visit Jay's site Skateboard Trends. Here you will find great brand name skateboards including the popular Birdhouse skateboards, a skateboard company that sponsors professional skater Tony Hawk.

Surfing a Begginers Guide To Buying A Surfboard

by: Curtis Ashford
Generally people begin surfing on long ultra buoyant boards that are easy to paddle and easy to balance on after the take off. If you don’t want to drop hundreds of dollars to try a sport your not sure you will like I would recommend you find a close surf shop and rent a board and wetsuit if you need it. If you have balance and can surf than the only difference between you and I is time in the water! I try to surf as much as I can to hone my skills, you must commit yourself if you are going to be a surfer. I have taught dozens of friends to surf and get immense joy in seeing surfers having such a good time during a session.

I recommend a long board if you’re learning the basics and are always going to beginner breaks. A shorter board will give you more speed and more maneuverability on the wave. Manipulating the barrel and hitting the lip are extremely important and the shape and design of each board has different results on different waves. A pin tail helps in the barrel so you can sit your back foot right on the foam ball…but that comes in years and years of surfing. I have a grave yard of short board because I buy boards used…usually. For $100-$250 you can find a decent short board to start learning to RIPP!

I don’t know much about long boards but I know they are very unique in their own way. I hope some one that has something to contribute about long boards would post a similar article.

If you are intimidated about going out to a surf spot just go to ANY surf shop and they will tell you of a beginner beach that you can go to a get used to swimming in the surf and taking a pounding or two by a clean up set. Don’t worry I was a kook not to long ago but 5 years ago I decided to put in TIME and really get to learn about the culture and sport. I love everything about it and it has changed my life around. I hope you can surf and have fun as often as you can because it means so much too so many people around the world. For some people I know good waves are the only thing that truly matters in life.

About The Author

Curtis Ashfort
http://www.SurfBarrel.com