Sports Then and Now

Summer has arrived, and now that your kids are out of school for the summer, it’s time to keep them busy with some outdoor sports. Their summer vacation gives them a well-earned break from books, tests, and grades, and the opportunity to enjoy nature and exercise will fill their time. Use the summer to get them interested in a new sport or hobby. Here are some of the best ways to occupy their time.

Swimming for Fun and Safety
Swimming is a favorite summer sport that can include the whole family. To build on your children’s comfort and skills in the water, consider signing them up for swimming lessons through your local parks and recreation district. Swimming is a fun sport for developing athletic skills and endurance, but it is also a practical skill that every child should learn for safety around bodies of water.

Enjoying Nature: Hiking
Hiking is a family-friendly summer sport that offers kids the opportunity to develop an interest in our natural world. Trees, wildflowers, and wildlife provide a hands-on educational experience about the environment, and the peace of the beautiful outdoors will build a passion for exploring nature. Structured hiking opportunities can include children’s camps and group nature hikes that will develop athletic endurance and outdoor skills.  Read the rest of this entry →

There are so many sports out there today that it is impossible to count them all. When you are looking for a new game to play, it can be tempting to look to the new ones. However, there is something to be said for the older sports. Often, the classic sports are the best – there is a reason, after all, that they remain classic. One such sport is golf. This sport has been around for a long time now – and its popularity only grows and grows. Why might this be? There must be a good reason that people take up golf every day. The fact is, it is one of the finest sports around – and for a number of reasons. If you are thinking about starting up a sport for the summer, then golf might be your best option. Let’s have a look at why that might be the case.

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Rock climbing is not for the faint of heart. While this is one activity that requires you to be in excellent physical and mental shape, the rewards you will get from it are immense. Not only will you feel a huge sense of accomplishment after finishing your first climb, but you will also get to see the natural world from an entirely new angle. For those planning their first trip, knowing where to begin can be a daunting task. Below is a step-by-step guide for getting started.

1. Know Where to Go

Perhaps the hardest decision you will have to make is choosing where you want to climb. Choose a route that is manageable for your skill level. Rockclimbing.com has a list of over 9,000 climbing routes in Canada alone and if you’re heading to the United States then you have even more options. Choosing where to go is about more than choosing where you would like to climb.

The local climate is going to play a big factor in this decision. In the southwestern states, for example, summer temperatures are so high that they can make climbing dangerous. Climbing in the rain, of course, is no fun either, so choose a time that is likeliest to be cool and dry. Read the rest of this entry →

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 →