Sports Then and Now

We all know well the benefits and advantages of taking up a new sport. Not only does engaging in some kind of sport help keep your fitness in check, but it can also be a great way to ensure that you are socially healthy too. Actually, sports can be a particularly good way of ensuring that you are spending time with others, and this is something that is worth bearing in mind if you are wondering whether or not you should do so yourself. If you do want to get into a new sport, and you are not entirely sure where to begin, it might help to take a read of what’s below. In this article, we have put together some of the best advice on getting into a new sport, so that you can hopefully find it much easier to do so. As long as you have considered the following, you might find yourself getting started in a new sport before too long, and enjoying the numerous benefits that come along with that.

Deciding on Your Sport

Probably a good first step here is to make sure that you are aware of what sport you would most like to get into. There are so many sports out there which are played every day that you can’t even count them, so you know that you are not going to run out of ideas here. In fact, you might find that you have the opposite problem, and you actually struggle to narrow it down to a few sports you might like to try. Nonetheless, that is a good way of going about it, and it’s worth trying to find a way to bring your list of potential sports down to just one or two that seem worthwhile and interesting to you.

It can often be the case that a particular life situation means that you are going to lean more to one or two particular sports. For instance, it might be that your local neighborhood has a baseball team and not much else, in which case you might choose to go for that. Or you might be tall, and consider you have good chance in the world of basketball. But in general, assuming you have a number of sports to choose from, it should mostly be about what you genuinely think you would enjoy most of all. Read the rest of this entry →

When the weather is warm, there is no better place to be than out on the water — but sitting in a boat or lounging in a tube can get boring after a while. Learning a new water sport might seem like a daunting task, but there are plenty of options that are fun and easy to learn. Here are five examples that might help you find your next favorite summertime water activity.

Image: wiki commons

1. Paddle Boarding

If surfing looks like fun but you feel like you might not have the balance or the lower body strength to brave those waves, paddle boarding can be a great alternative. This water sport involves standing on a large flat board that’s similar to a surfboard but designed to be more stable. You navigate the paddle board with a large paddle, similar to the one you would use on a canoe but with a longer handle.

It doesn’t take a lot of balance or skill to use a paddleboard. In fact, some places even hold yoga classes on them, if that gives you an idea of how stable these wide boards can be on the water.

2. Canoeing/Kayaking

If speed isn’t your thing but you still want to get out and start exploring your local waterways, getting into a canoe or a kayak can be a great way to do that. These two watercraft are similar in that they are small, self-powered boats designed to fit one or two people, but that’s where the similarities end.

Canoes are open, while kayaks have enclosed seats you need to slip your legs into. Canoes flood if they capsize, while a skilled kayak pilot can flip themselves back upright without ever getting out of the kayak.

Both of these boats take some upper body strength to maneuver, but they can be a great way to get out and enjoy the water.

3. Wakeboarding

Now we’re getting into the really fun stuff. Wakeboarding is done on a board your feet are secured to — similar to a snowboard — while you’re hanging on to a rope tied to the back of a boat. The goal of wakeboarding, as its name suggests, is to ride the wake of the boat.

Skilled wakeboarders can use the wake of the boat that is towing them to launch themselves into the air and do some fantastic tricks, but you might want to focus on staying upright first. It’s not a hard skill to learn, though it does take some practice.

4. Water Skiing

This is an iconic water sport that involves strapping two wooden skis to your feet and skimming across the surface of the water at high speeds. It takes a bit more balance than wakeboarding — as well as some lower body strength to control the skis — but it can be easy to learn and an absolute blast.

For beginners, it’s recommended that you start with your skis tied together, which keeps your feet from going in two different directions when you start moving and saves you from some potentially painful splits.

5. Jet Skiing

If you want to get some serious speed without worrying about faceplanting into the water, hopping on a jet ski might be the best water sport for you. When you rent a jet ski for the first time, you’ll get a crash course on how to use it safely. Once you have the basics down, though, it can be a fantastic way to speed around on the water. You might even be able to do some tricks if you catch a wave or the wake from a passing boat.

Choosing the Right Boat

If you find a water sport you really love, you might balk at spending the money to pick up the equipment yourself, but it can save you a lot of money on rentals in the long run. Regardless, it’s important to choose the right boat for the sport you’re participating in. Ski boats are designed to reach optimum speed quickly to get you out of the water and onto your skis, while wakeboard boats are designed to generate more wake for the boarders to enjoy.

Once you’ve got a boat and have chosen your sport, all you need to do is find yourself a pilot and get out on the water!

Alan Webb

Nobody would ever argue that their flat feet offered any physical advantage to their fitness regime. Instead, the postural deformity of fallen arches is known to cause an array of uncomfortable complications, including Achilles tendonitis, arthritis, plantar fasciitis, or shin splints.

However, in modern times, flat feet are no longer considered to be the immovable obstacles that they once were, and these troubles are hardly enough to prevent ambitious runners from reaching their full potential. In fact, many of the world’s greatest runners who were seemingly cursed by flat feet still managed to find a way to move faster than anyone else. To celebrate these triumphs, here is a list of three highly impressive flat-footed athletes, who will hopefully motivate you to keep your own arches marching.

Saïd Aouita

Considered one of the first famous Arab sportspeople, Moroccan born Saïd Aouita boasts an extensive list of achievements which left his competitors in the dust. His passion was firmly fixed to the track and field events, and he left his permanent mark on that scene when he won the 5,000 meters at the 1984 Summer Olympics. Saïd’s impressive résumé doesn’t end there either, as he’s set many world records too, including the fastest time for the 1,500 meters (at 3:29.46), 2,000 meters (at 4:50.80), 3,000 meters (at 7:29.45), and twice for the 5,000 meters (at 13:00.40 and 12:58.39). What’s more, these are only a small portion of the man’s complete accomplishments.

Despite attaining such monumental successes, Saïd Aouita admits that his fallen arches have been an issue during his entire career. ”My only problem is that I have flat feet, which promotes tendinitis,” he admitted to French newspaper L’Equipe. Since then, Aouita has credited his special shoes for providing the additional support he needs, which is the same solution that many similar runners have discovered for themselves. Supplementing fallen arches with an orthotic insole can help balance out the pressure on your feet and better support the adjoining ligaments and tendons.

Alan Webb

In 2007, American track and field athlete Alan Webb broke the U.S. Record for the fastest mile time ever, clocking in at 3:46.91. Said record still remains unbeaten to this very day. Alan is also known for his representation of the United States during the 2004 Summer Olympics where he ran the 1,500-meter race. Due to such an impressive biography, it’s no surprise to anyone that Nike hired him to represent their brand from 2002 – 2013. Read the rest of this entry →

Paintballing is a sport that is always changing. Most individuals don’t realize it, but not only are the rules of the game changing, but the ways that individuals are playing the game are changing. Individuals are now undergoing relentless tactics and techniques at home to improve their game. So, what are of the best tips that can enhance your game and make you really stand out on the field?

Avoid Rapid Firing?

It is hard to deny that Extreme Sports Land offers some of the best paintball guns available on the market. In fact, if you are utilizing one of their guns it could be easy to expect to shoot anywhere from five to eight shots a second. In the heat of battle individuals can rapid fire at their targets, which can be both good and bad. If you aren’t completely careful you will find yourself with an empty chamber on the battlefield or constantly reload.

Be Careful Of Your Gas Supply

Most paintball guns are powered by pressurized carbon dioxide gas and each gun will only hold a certain amount of gas. While most advanced guns are only fitted with a twenty-ounce tank, this can run out pretty quick if you are constantly pulling the trigger. Always avoid dry firing the trigger when there are no pellets in the gun, because it will consume some of the energy from the 800 shots that you are allotted. Read the rest of this entry →

No one wants to pull out their sports equipment just before a game only to notice mold, mildew, cracks, termite holes, or other forms of damage. That is why you should spend some extra time cleaning and correctly packing all of your gear. Here are a few tips that will help you keep your sports equipment safe and damage-free.

Deflate All Balls When Not Being Used

Just before packing away all of your gear, you need to deflate any balls that are filled with air. Those balls contain a flexible air bladder that becomes weaker over time. Taking a few pounds of air out of a ball will increase its lifespan and prevent it from becoming lopsided.

Wipe Everything Down

Sports equipment is often caked in sweat and mud by the end of the season. Most gear is designed to stand up to that grime, but it needs to be thoroughly cleaned before packing it away. A damp towel and some warm water can be used to clean most sticks, bats, and pads. Once you are done cleaning the gear, you should wipe off all excess moisture. Read the rest of this entry →

There’s nothing like the feeling of the sun on your face and the wind in your hair during a refreshing hike, especially now that the weather is getting warmer. Before you set off, however, make sure that you’re prepared for whatever the great outdoors can throw at you.

Rain Protection

You never know when the sky will open up, but you can reduce the unpleasantness of a rainy day by including some waterproof gear with the rest of your camping or trekking equipment. If you’re going for a short trip, a hooded poncho might be enough. If you’ll be miles from civilization when a storm hits, you’ll want a jacket made from high-quality nylon or polyester canvas with a breathable lining.

Navigation

Some people like to follow old-fashioned paper maps. Others prefer the ease and convenience of technological gadgets like handheld GPS systems. There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to how you comb through the wilderness, but make sure that you have everything you need to utilize your chosen tools. For example, if you’ll be using electronic navigation devices, you’ll want to bring along solar charging equipment as well.

Cold Weather Gear

It’s always a good idea to pack a few pieces of cold weather gear if you’ll be spending a long time outdoors. Even if the forecast promises sun, a breeze or high altitude might make you shiver, and temperatures usually drop at night anyway. Stick a few long sleeve performance shirts in your backpack to keep yourself warm no matter what the weather or terrain is like. Read the rest of this entry →