Sports Then and Now

If you love being outside, then you probably have a fairly high standard for the gear you buy for your favorite outdoor activities. Braving Mother Nature is demanding on the clothing, footwear, hiking accessories, and anything else subjected to the elements. So which brands serve up the highest quality when it comes to overall durability? Here’s a look at some of the best brands.

Outerwear
It’s easy to get overwhelmed with the choices available to you if you’re in the market for highly-durable outdoor outerwear. Thankfully, there are merchants both online and off, who specialize in outfitting nature lovers with clothing from the top names in outdoor gear. REI, also known as Recreational Equipment, Inc., is probably the most popular purveyor of the most durable outdoor goods, including brands like the North Face for heavy coats, jackets, and snow-sport apparel, Garmin for GPS trackers and fitness monitors, Patagonia for stylish yet supremely durable base layers, middle layers, and fleeces, and SmartWool for socks, base layers, and other garments specifically built for warmth. Head over to REI.com to locate a store near you, or to browse their selection of clothing made for outdoor enthusiasts.
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Competitive shooting can be an extremely exciting sport, although the idea of actually going to a competition can be intimidating at first. Perhaps you feel like you’re not good enough, or maybe you just don’t know where to start. Fortunately, getting involved in shooting sports is easier than you might think. You just need a bit of knowledge, some equipment and a willingness to learn.

For New Shooters

If you don’t have much experience with guns, there are a few preliminary steps you need to take before you can get started. First, you’ll need to take a gun safety course to learn the basics. The National Rifle Association hosts firearms safety and training classes in every state. Your local gun range might also offer its own introductory courses. Another option is the First Shots course sponsored by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, although these classes aren’t available in all areas. Read the rest of this entry →

As a group, cyclists tend to look at the same thing with a unified fear: hill climbs. The uphill portion of any ride presents a serious challenge, and your ability to handle long rides usually comes down to how well you perform during the climbs. Whether you ride competitively or just for enjoyment, the burning deep in your legs toward the end of a hill climb is a feeling riders know all too well.

While there is nothing that can be done to make hill climbs easy, the tips below may just give you a boost during your next ascent to the top.

Consider Staying Seated

Many riders feel inclined to stand up on the bike as soon as they begin a climb, but you may find more success by staying in the saddle. Hold your position as you begin to go up the hill, and work hard to maintain your cadence. It is okay to stand up from time to time when the road gets extra steep, but dealing with the majority of the climb while in your seat is usually the best bet for a good steady pace.

Think Ahead

Before you head out on any road ride, look over your intended route and identify the hills you plan to climb. With the hills highlighted, create a plan for your ride that will allow you to store up energy in advance of the uphill portions. If you are going flat out right before you arrive at a hill, you won’t have anything left in the tank when you need it most. Read the rest of this entry →

Natural beauty is abundant in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica is the hidden jewel of Central America for many reasons. Many industrialized Nations underestimate it’s accomplishments nor do they, with a few exceptions, seem to appreciate all that Costa Rica has to offer. One of these exceptions is corporate investment in the tourism industry and one other notable exception is the Intel Microprocessor Plant responsible for 20% of the Country’s exports.

This lack of appreciation is quickly starting to change and one of the reasons for this is Costa Rica’s tax exemption for any Company willing to invest here. Proctor and Gamble is savvy to this lucrative place to do business and operates a facility in this special nation. It is located less than 10 degrees from the Equator which means of-course it is tropical, very tropical, lush and beautiful. Because of this environment, Costa Rica grows some of the best coffee beans and bananas in the entire world. These two cash crops had for the last two hundred years, been this country’s life blood. First in Exchange Commodities these days it is tourism, however it’s coffee and banana exports still hold a strong 2nd place.

It is not hard to understand why this is fast becoming the destination of choice for tourist from around the Globe, Americans and Canadians leading the pack. The Hotel and Resort Industry have been quick to capitalize on this Country’s awesome natural beauty and there are no less than 10 world class, 5 star luxury Resorts here that are unequaled in their magnificence. Some examples are, The Four Seasons resort on Papagayo Peninsula located in Northwest Costa Rica on the Pacific Ocean, The Four Seasons at Puntarenas on the Gulf of Nicoya in West Central Costa Rica, the Hilton Papagay Resort and Spa, and, the JW Marriott Guancaste Resort and Spa, all are on the West Cost in the Warm Tropical waters of the Pacific Ocean. There are also 5 star resorts on the Atlantic side of the County in the heart of the Caribbean. Costa Rica has right at 4.5 Million people of which ¼ live in and around the Capital, San Jose, located in the geographical center of the Country. Read the rest of this entry →

Archery has become a popular outdoor activity.

There are so many different hobbies out there that can do wonders for a person’s stress levels. Finding the right hobby to participate in can be a bit overwhelming, but well worth the time that you put in. Archery is a great hobby and one that allows a person to completely forget about the stress in their life. Taking the time to get the right equipment to use for this activity will be more than worth it. In order to get the right supplies, you will have to make sure to find the right supplier in your area. The following are a few things to consider when trying to find the right archery Toronto supplier.

How Well Do They Know Their Products

The first thing you have to think about when trying to find the right supplier is how well they know the products they carry. Most beginners to the world of archery have a hard time figuring out exactly what they need to get started. By choosing a knowledgeable supplier, you will be able to find the things you need to get started in this thrilling hobby.

Can They Demonstrate How Things Work?

Another thing you need to consider when trying to find the right archery supplier is whether or not they will take the time to educate you on your purchase. For most beginners to the world of archery, finding a supplier that is able to walk them through the process of shooting a bow and adding accessories is a top concern. The more you are able to find out about how something works, the easier you will be able to use it when it comes to shoot. Finding the right supplier is not easy, but well worth the work that is put in. Read the rest of this entry →

You can catch some amazing fish during a Florida fishing trip.

Fishing is one of the most enjoyable ways to spend time in nature. There are a number of different factors that come along with planning out a great Florida fishing trip. Neglecting to properly plan out a trip will usually lead to a bad experience for all involved. Ensuring that all of the bases are covered in regards to your fishing trip will help a person have a good experience. Here are a few things that you have to consider when trying to get ready for a fishing trip.

Checking the Life Jackets

The first thing to consider when trying to get ready for a fishing trip are the life jackets you have. You need to make sure the life jackets are in good shape and are functioning properly. The more you are able to find out about the condition of your safety equipment, the easier you will find it to rest easy while on the water. If you detect a problem with the life jackets, then it is best to buy new ones. Neglecting to check the safety equipment properly can lead to a number of negative consequences.

Getting the Boat Seaworthy

The next thing to consider when trying to get ready for a fishing trip is the condition of the boat. By taking the time to check all of the fluids, you can make sure the boat is ready to go. Make sure the boat is also full of gas to avoid having to stop in the middle of a good fishing trip to go gas up. The time and effort that goes into checking a boat out will allow you to avoid breaking down while out and about. Make sure you have the boat professionally serviced from time to time to ensure proper repairs. Read the rest of this entry →