Adventure Sports & Travel Thoughts - Extreme Sports Blog

Jackets for Kayaking

Alice Cuninghame — Fri, 18 May 2012 15:52:39 +0000

On the water you need clothing that will really protect you from the elements. And jackets for kayaking need to keep you warm without overheating, and as dry as possible. It also should protect you when you get wet – as it’s going to happen!

Pack a jacket and enjoy. Image: Flickr/ mikebaird

If you’re kayaking in cold weather, you’ll also need a wetsuit. Even so, anyone planning to be out on the water for any length of time still also needs a quality jacket.

Kayaking experts recommend dressing for fifteen minutes of immersion in the water – the length of time it would be likely to take to get rescued in an emergency. If the water temperature is below about 21C, then a jacket is essential.

In warmer water, a swimsuit and a rash vest might be enough, but it is still a good idea to take a jacket rolled up in the kayak in case the weather turns; jackets protect against wind and cold air as well. So here’s what you should be looking for.

The two types of kayaking jacket

There are two main types of kayaking jacket. The first is the waterproof dry top. These have tightly fitting seals (usually latex) at the neck and wrists to keep the wearer dry. The second is the semi-dry top, or paddling jacket. These will still have seals, but usually made of neoprene. They are splashproof, rather than fully waterproof.

Which jacket you need depends on the conditions you plan to kayak in. If you kayak in cold water then a dry top that will keep water out during a roll is essential. Warm-water kayakers will sometimes wear cagoules or generic water or wind-proof jackets, rather than specialist kayaking jackets. These can be fine in warm, flat water, especially for beginners who do not want to buy too much kit early on.

While not a specialist kayaking jacket, this from Henry Lloyd made with GORE-TEX Pro Shell will hold off both wind and water.

Jacket Features

Kayaking jackets should be made of synthetic fibres that will wick sweat away from the body and keep their wearers dry without being too hot. Natural fabrics take longer to dry than synthetics and will quickly cool the body down when wet, so they are not suitable for kayaking.

The best jackets for most kayakers are those made of breathable fabrics such as Gore-Tex. These jackets will stand up to chilly conditions, but will not cause overheating in warm weather.

For colder weather, non-breathable jackets are fine, and often last longer, especially if they are being used in abrasive salt water. All kayaking jackets should have taped seams to keep them waterproof.

Kayaking jackets are short, so that they do not sit on top of the spraydeck uncomfortably. They normally have a pull-cord waist to keep water out. Some have a double waist: one to go under the spraydeck, one to go on top of it.

Just remember: Kayaking jackets are designed to keep water out, but not necessarily to keep bodies warm. So cold-weather kayakers need to wear a fleece or other base layer underneath.

Getting the right jacket means the difference between enjoying your trip and being wet and miserable. It could even save your life. Choose carefully.

Surfing in South Africa: Top 10 breaks

Jeff — Fri, 18 May 2012 14:47:30 +0000

Acting as the heel of the African continent, South Africa slices the southerly swells of the Antarctic Ocean in two. Surfing in South Africa you’ll enjoy bays and jagged coves which transform ocean pulses into perfect peeling waves.

South Africa, warm water and peeling waves. Image: Flickr/ derekadk

Shark bumps and chilly water temperatures aren’t enough to overlook the amazing surfing potential here.

And out of the water there’s much to be discovered, in a country that’s vibrating with enthusiasm for its own future.

Back with the waves, a South African surfing holiday would not be complete without visiting one, or more of the following top 10 breaks:

Jeffreys Bay

The holy grail of South Africa’s surf map. A long right starting at the top of the point and peeling down to the beach break. Each section has its own name and vibe, and associated wave – they often don’t link up when conditions aren’t perfect.

‘Boneyards’, besides being a world-class tube, is very localized and sketchy, breaking over a nasty reef. Just inside is ‘Supertubes’ – usually where the world tour stop is concentrated. Pick one off here and start pumping for a fast, hollow barrel and perhaps the wave of your life. Further down is ‘Tubes’, ‘Coins’, and the section aptly named ‘Point’. Start here to get your feet wet at J-Bay.

Elands Bay

Sometimes compared to a lefthanded mirror of Supertubes, Elands turns from a firing barrel to a carveable face and plays host to any kind of board imaginable. Southerly winds pick up in the afternoon creating offshore conditions that also entice kiteboarders and windsurfers. Located on the Western Cape, the wave can get messy when there’s too much swell. Catch it just right on a rising tide for an epic session.

Surfing from dawn to dusk in Western Cape. Image: Flickr/ olmed0

Muizenberg

One of the most consistent, easily accessible waves in South Africa. Located on False Bay just south of downtown Cape Town, Muizenberg is a playful beach break with plenty of peaks for everyone to catch waves.

Definitely the best bet if you’re only in town for a short while or on your surfing holidays and not looking to take on more advanced waves. There’s several surf camps and rental shacks for beginners.

Buffels Bay

Often knocked for its inconsistency, Buffels can get cooking with a perfect SE swell. Towards the tip of Cape Peninsula, the point is close to Cape Town but rarely crowded.

A peaky beach break here is often the call, or a more consistent left called Murphy’s Reef. Be cautious of rocks on the low tide and be on the lookout for gray fins slicing through the water…

Durban

A mecca for up-and-coming surfers on the East Coast of South Africa. Durban’s waters are warm, as is its weather – a welcomed escape from the Antarctic winds of the South Coast. There are plenty of beach breaks to surf in town, as well as world-class waves at New Pier and Cave Rock. These spots are not for beginners so stick to smaller, sandy bottom waves at Dairy Beach if you are just starting out. Another perk – shark nets protect the municipal beaches.

The Hoek

A popular Cape Town spot on the western side of Cape Peninsula. The water is cold, the wind is often howling, and the wave is easily worth all the discomfort.

The Hoek works best with a medium-sized swell and needs plenty of offshore wind to make it barrel, but when it does, the result is unmistakable – a punchy left and right barrel over a shifting sandbar. It’s easy to see why this spot can get a bit crowded on windy days.

Cape St. Francis, waves for all. Image: Flickr/ tboothhk

Cape St. Francis

Not far south from the epic rights of Jeffreys Bay, Cape St. Francis has held its own as a great surf destination for years. Popularized by both Endless Summer films, the cape churns out heaving right-handers on strong eastern swells.

Seal Point epitomizes point breaks and works best on a high tide – although it may fatten waves and send you back to the truck to grab your fish or longboard.

Explore the inside beach break or around the point. If you’re visiting on your surfing holidays, you’ll notice there are always some locals on the best peaks, but there are plenty of waves for all. Great whites – the true locals – are the ones to look out for.

Kommetjie

Back on the eastern flank of the Cape Peninsula is the sandy beach of Kommetjie. A fun beach break exists close to shore and although it doesn’t hold up in massive surf, it will get good with a medium swell and throw excellent lefts. Further out are shifty sandbars, which command bigger surf and demand commitment.

The paddle-in will leave your arms burning, the shark sightings are frequent, and the waves can get massive, but one ride out here and you’ve conquered South African surfing… at least for the day.

Waiting in the water for some waves. Image: Flickr/ Daniel Flower

Mossel Bay

About halfway to Jeffreys Bay from Cape Town is the town of Mossel Bay. The unique geography of the bay causes swell to wrap all the way around the point until waves are actually breaking in an easterly direction.

Outer Pool is the wave to ride for exceptional barrels and fun walls; Inner Pools is better for the beginner or longboarder.

The area is lightly surfed compared to other municipalities in SA and conditions turn quite favourable in the winter. The water is warmer here and plenty of outdoor recreation can be enjoyed when the waves aren’t cooperating.

Dungeons

More of a novelty mention on this list. Dungeons is one of the gnarliest big wave slabs in the world. Saddle up in Hout Bay Harbor and gas your sled due west. When you see a 30-foot wave face doubling to 60 in mere seconds, stop. You’re here. And unless you’re a pro, don’t stick around.

A better place to watch insane tow-in crews is from the headlands behind the harbour. Cold, sharky, windy, huge, scary, unmakeable, Dungeons encapsulates all the risks of big-wave surfing. Better to leave it to the guys with a few loose screws.

For more surfing info and guides, check out: Top 10 surf spots in Hawaii / Buying wetsuits for surfing: A ‘how to’ guide /Surfing Equipment: How to buy a Longboard /Top 10 Surf Spots in the Canary Islands

The Rise of Gastro Adventuring

Mark Pawlak — Thu, 17 May 2012 11:48:24 +0000

We are always going to love trips and experiences that satisfy the palate as well as our taste for adventure sports. So trekking and cycling into Spain’s Basque country – wine tasting as you go – has got to be a great choice!

New adventures and fantastic food! Image: Zephyr Adventures

As is climbing high above Chilean vineyards and valleys before hair-raising descents into Argentina. And it needn’t be all about wine: there’s beer tours in the US that mix days spent deep in the Rocky Mountains, with tours of local breweries – and all fuelled by top quality food!

By combining wine and beer tasting with multi-sport tours, Zephyr Adventures is able to satisfy a new demand for culinary and adventure holidays – and serve up unforgettable thrills along the way!

And by using hotels in central locations and eating local, these trips can often prove much better value than booking with larger operators.

Here’s what they are up to:

Try the best wines in La Rioja. Image: Zephyr Adventures

Spain Hike, Bike and Wine Adventure

If you’ve ever enjoyed a Rioja, this is the trip for you. Six days spent trekking and cycling starts on foot at the Camino de Santiago (Pilgrim’s Path). Walks in the Basque country near Bilbao deliver ocean views, fine wines and ciders, and delightful seafood dishes.

From here you can ride whichever distance you like into the Rioja region, enjoying valley vistas and fresh Spanish foods.

Santo Domingo is the penultimate port of call, where you’ll get to try the best produce from local bodegas, finishing with a trek up Mount Tolono.

Running from Sept 9, 2012 to Sept 14, 2012 (6 days and 5 nights) here’s more about Zephyr Adventures’ Spain Hike, Bike and Wine Adventure

Chile and Argentina Wine and Multisport Adventure

The Pacific Ocean and the Andes both help cool air temperatures and with water flowing from the mountains, wine regions in Chile have fantastic irrigation.

Trek to the base of Mt Aconcagua and descend into the Argentinean vineyards. Image: Zephyr Adventures

Starting with a gentle vineyard walk, this tour soon pushes pulse rates with hikes through vineyards up to stunning views over Apalta. A bike ride on the flat roads of the nearby Casablanca Valley leads to a tasting in the woods.

Staying local helps keep tour prices low while hikes and horseback rides help build the appetite for more local varieties of grape, before a ride over the mountains, a trek to the base of Mt Aconcagua and a stunning descent into Argentina.

Bikes will again be your transport on the Argentinean leg of the tour. The Ucu Valley sports elevated vineyards that cool at night, helping balance acidity and sugars. You’ll find Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay grapes, and adventures including zip-wire and river rafting, as well as more hiking into the Andean foothills.

Find out more about the Chile and Argentina Wine and Multisport Adventure scheduled from Nov 10, 2012 to Nov 17, 2012 (8 days and 7 nights).

Yellowstone and Grand Tetons Multisport Beer Adventure

Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks are known for their gushing geysers, waterfalls and lakes – and beers.

Yellowstone and its brewing tradition. Image: Zephyr Adventures

Trips here are all about the grain, not the grape; so wine lovers, this bud’s definitely not for you…

Over six days the trip takes in six breweries, with walks, rides and rafting through both parks. Drinking the beer here is never just about refreshment, there’s also much to learn about the brewing.

Still, clever planning helps create easy and difficult options – this way if the hike to the rim of the Grand Canyon (Yellowstone) is a little too much, you’ll never feel left out.

This tour starts and finishes in Montana after winding its way through Idaho and Wyoming. As well as getting to see the famous – and ever reliable – ‘Old Faithful’, you’ll get a real insight into the brewing tradition in one of the largest areas of protected wilderness on the planet.

For a full itinerary take a look at Yellowstone and Grand Tetons Multisport Beer Adventure running from Jul 20, 2012 to Jul 25, 2012 (6 days and 5 nights).

The Colorado Hike, Bike, Beer and Brewpubs Adventure

A further 450 miles (720 km) south, in Colorado, there’s a 5-day bike and hike tour planned. This state has more than 120 breweries and you’ll get to visit some of the best as you bounce between towns.

Hiking in Colorado. Image: Zephyr Adventures

To help you enjoy the cycling as much as the drinking, Zephyr has scheduled the activities for the morning and the drinking for the afternoon. Rising above Boulder are the Flatirons – and you’ll spend the morning getting closer to these five rock formations and their distinctive flat, angled faces.

With the first day’s hike over it’s onto a 30-mile boulder trail bike ride before lunch at the Boulder Beer Company. Hikes the following day are in the Rocky Mountain National Park and are tailored to your ability.

Denver is home to the Great American Beer Festival. Cleverly, Zephyr has organised its tour to arrive in the city just in time! Again the morning is spent hiking, this time to Blue Lake, set in a circle of trees at the foot of Mt Troll, before joining in the festivities after lunch.

Lasting 5 days and 4 nights, the Colorado Hike, Bike, Beer and Brewpubs Adventure runs from Oct 8, 2012 to Oct 12, 2012.

The real beauty of these tours is that they are tailored around your level of fitness. While they may not be that extreme, if every time you ride the longer routes and take on the highest climbs you’ll build a hearty appetite – and then satisfy it in style!

Basic compass skills 1: Finding your way

Mark Pawlak — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:41:45 +0000

For many people even basic compass skills and using a map is a little daunting. Ok, moving from a handheld GPS to the more traditional – and reliable – method might seem awkward, but it’s a vital skill to crack.

Using a compass is easy, honest. Pic: Flickr/ Michael R Perry

Off trekking you really need to know the basic compass skills – and they are actually very easy to master. And don’t think you can rely on that iPhone app…we checked out the top 10 travel apps and there’s not one that actually replaces a compass.

So unplug for a minute and have a look at this really easy to navigate guide to finding your way to somewhere you can see on the map.

Explaining how to use a compass when writing is impossible – we’ll all get very lost. In fact, the best way to do it is out on the ground with a map and easy to spot landmarks.

But, spotted on the back of its new Ranger compass, Silva has this bombproof picture of what it calls the 1-2-3 system. And it works.

There’s more info and guidance on its website, and we’ll be trying out the new Ranger model on a long weekend walking in the Lake District soon.

But for now, if compass skills have ever escaped you, or you are planning your trekking holidays for later this year, just get your compass out and practice.

There’s many navigation tips and tricks to be learned, so check back for more basic guides to navigation – we’re easy to find…

For more trekking blogs and guides, check out: Trekking Gear: A guide to using walking poles / Buying a handheld GPS: 6 models to search for / Trekking Boots: New models for 2012 / Top 10 Treks in Nepal: the best routes in the Himalayas

Kayaking with kids: Activity holidays for all the family

Jeff — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:30:23 +0000

Summer vacation is just around the corner, so parents everywhere looking to keep your children entertained why not try kayaking with your kids? It’s fun, healthy, engaging and just a little bit challenging.

Have fun with your kids and create lasting memories! Image: Flickr/ andrewmalone

Kayaking is a great way to enjoy a beautiful day on the river, lake, ocean or bay.

With proper equipment the sport is safe for all ages and guaranteed to amaze – and with a good plan, you’ll be able to really engage the entire family and create lasting memories.

Here’s what you need to know:

Children of all ages can enjoy kayaking: The unique view from the surface of the water and excitement of it all is guaranteed to keep them interested.

Older kids should be given their own boat and paddle to discover the joy of aquatic locomotion themselves. If everyone is able, the whole family should have individual kayaks and paddle out together, and smaller children, perhaps 8 years and below, can ride in a two-man kayak with a parent.

Keen supervision is recommended given the inherent danger of water, but once the whole family has mastered the basics and is fitted with personal floatation devices (PFDs) this risks are dramatically diminished.

Any age child can enjoy kayaking. Image: Flickr/ mikebaird

A great place to start the kids padding their own boats is on a calm lake or bay. Teach them the basic paddle stroke on land.

The paddle blades should be kept vertical the shaft should be held a full arm’s length away from the chest.

Each stroke should start next to the kayaker’s knees and be pulled back no further than the hip.

Overreaching or pulling too far back will result in imbalance and often capsizing the boat. Having the kids sit ready in their kayaks as you shove them off into the water is advised.

Sometimes the most difficult part of the sport is pushing off the shore and smoothly hoping into the seat!

While kayaks and gear for the entire family can naturally be expensive, the best option is often to rent. Outfitters can help you pick the right size boat and paddle length for your children and will be sure to include appropriate sized PFD’s as well. Many lakeside campgrounds rent kayaking equipment daily or for the weekend.

Calm lakes are great for kids to learn on. Image: Flickr/ FreeWine

Another option for families looking to enjoy activity holidays is to sign up for kayaking tours at renowned locations such as Tierra del Fuego, California’s Channel Islands, or Croatia’s Mediterranean islands and bays, These tours can vary in duration and skill level so be sure to ask for family friendly itineraries and guides.

Whether you’ll be taking the kids and wife to a foreign continent or just to the local pond, a good change of pace is to experience the adventure with a kayak. With basic instruction, gear, and supervision, children will be safe and excited to explore.

When kayaking with kids you’ll notice they need minimal encouragement to enjoy themselves – and you could be starting off a new activity for the entire family to share. If nothing else, you’ll definitely leave enduring memories on an otherwise typical summer vacation.

Adventure Vacations for Couples

Lucy Grewcock — Wed, 16 May 2012 10:50:51 +0000

For some couples, lying on a beach-towel all week and rubbing sun-cream into each other’s backs couldn’t be further from their idea of fun.

Choose an adventure honeymoon and share the fun! Image: Flickr/ magical-world

Most couples quickly feel the need to venture past the hotel lobby and soon find themselves exploring the local area.

And why book this kind of lazy holiday break if you know you’re an active couple with a love for adventure sports? If hiking at altitude, crossing continents and sleeping under the stars sound more like more your sort of thing, here are a few adventurous ideas for you.

Cycle Holidays

The best thing about biking is that you can do it at your own pace – peddle faster when you feel like it, take a break when you’re tired and stop off when you feel inspired.

And with so many different cycling holiday to choose from these days, you can pick just the right type of adventure to suit you and your partner, whether it’s off-roading in Iceland, hitting the roads in Hanoi, discovering Burma by bike, cycling through Spain or burning off a bolognaise in Italy.

Trek the Inca trail with your partner. Image: Flickr/ Roubicek

Trekking Holidays

If you’re the sort of couple that would rather spend more time talking to each other side-by-side, then a hiking holiday may be just the thing. But don’t go thinking this is the soft option – adventurous treks require serious stamina and can involve hard-core hiking, particularly if you decide to set yourselves a challenge, like climbing Mount Kilimanjaro together, or trekking the Inca Trail.

Adventure honeymoons

There’s nothing quite like an intrepid adventure or adrenaline-fuelled activity to spark passion and excitement on a honeymoon, and from once-in-a-life time road trips and overland adventures, to summiting new peaks and sailing across seas, the options for adventurous couples are endless.

See Adelie penguins in their pristine landscape in Antarctica. Image: Flickr/ eliduke

For the best adventure honeymoons, pick an activity that you’re both equally enthusiastic about and, even if you’re camping your way up Everest or sleeping in a bunkhouse, include a private, luxury stay for at least one night of your trip, to make sure it’s a really romantic experience.

Polar Travel

Seeing the ice-sheets and penguins of Antarctica, or the plateaued mountains and polar bears of the Arctic are experiences that really should be shared. A century ago, it was only the most intrepid explorers that ventured to the poles but, today, adventurous couples can experience the ice-sheets, glaciers and astounding wildlife of these pristine wilderness regions via foot, boat or even helicopter.

Snorkelling together in an underground river! Image: Flickr/ Miss a Liss

Boat Journeys

Adventurous holidays don’t mean having to have sweat it out in the saddle or scaling mountains; exploring a region by boat can be just as exciting, and offer a good compromise if you want to balance adventure with relaxation. For the most authentic experiences, choose traditional boats, such as Greek Caiques, Turkish Gulets and Egyptian Feluccas, or travel to remote regions, such as Botswana’s Okavango Delta or Kerala’s backwaters.

Drifting past waterside villages, sneaking up on wildlife, seeing the sails fill in the wind and eating under the stars – there’s something inherently romantic about boat journeys, and if you need a dose of adrenaline every now and then, boat trips offer plenty of opportunity for kayaking, white-water rafting, snorkelling and swimming.

Multi-activity Holidays

If you’re already arguing between snorkelling in the Seychelles, trekking in Tanzania or cycling in Sardinia, then a multi-activity holiday could be just the thing. Countries with a particularly diverse Geography yet established infrastructure, like Costa Rica or Spain, are particularly good for this type of trip, where you can satisfy all of your passions, by surfing, hiking, cycling and white-water rafting all in the same trip.

KSP World Tour 2012: Countdown to Portugal

Mark Moore — Tue, 15 May 2012 10:00:00 +0000

In a few short weeks, many of the world’s best kitesurfers will gather on the windy coast of Portugal for the first event of the KSP World Tour 2012.

Mitu Monteiro on the 2011 KSP Tour/ Image: KSP

If you are unfamiliar with the KSP, it is the kitesurf pro world tour for wave riding with a kite. Sanctioned by the IKA (International Kiteboarding Association), this exciting tour is entering its second year of existence.

The mission of the KSP is to plot an international field of the world’s premiere kitesurfers in the best waves, and after a great inaugural year, the KSP is building on its momentum.

Here’s what’s happening in 2012.

The KSP and IKA made a strong effort to make the field as international as possible, while maintaining the highest possible level of competition. When the dust settled, the 2012 KSP riders list features athletes from 18 countries. There are 22 full-time male spots. At each event, 2 local wildcards will be awarded. The women have 11 full-time spots, with 1 local wildcard per event.

The tour stops are insane! This year, another event has been added to the schedule for a total of 4 stops. They are:

June 1 – June 10 KSP Portugal

KSP Portugal will be held at Guincho Beach in the town of Cascais. This area is recognized as 1 of only 3 world surfing reserves in the entire world. As far as the wind is concerned, riders can expect a strong breeze.

Reigning KSP women’s champion, Inês Correia is from Portugal and knows the local conditions well. She said, “In June (we) have a strong thermal wind. 25/ 30kts.” This event is unique in that it will feature a cross-onshore wind direction, which is sure to showcase the progressive new school aspects of kitesurfing.

Look for some new maneuvers that have never been seen before in competition. The Brazilian contingent should do well in these conditions.

Mauritius One Eye Pro 2011. Image: KSP/ John Bilderback.

September 7 – September 16 KSP Mauritius

This is the only repeat event from last year’s schedule. After the most incredible event in competitive kitesurfing history, it was inevitable that the KSP World Tour would return to Mauritius for 2012.

Last year saw great wind and waves topping out in the 15-18 foot plus range.

With a mental backdrop, this spot could be one of the prettiest in the entire world. The wave itself breaks hard over a coral reef, so the consequences of a mistake can be significant.

October 19 – October 28 KSP Ireland

Welcome to the rugged west coast of Ireland during hurricane season. This event is unique in that it will feature a mobile format. Wherever the waves are best on the west coast, the competition will run. The waves could be solid at this event. KSP Ireland is sure to be a true gem stop on the dream tour for 2012. I’m excited for this stop, as it will be the most similar to the conditions from my home area of Nova Scotia, Canada.

Cameron Biehl in action. Image: KSP

November 29 – December 8 KSP Hawaii

Hawaii during the winter is iconic in the surfing world and a premiere destination for kiteboarding holidays. During this time, the North Pacific Ocean is alive and pumping swell. This event could also feature big surf in excess of 15-20 feet. This is sure to be a mental finish to an epic year of competition.

I’m going to be writing an article before and after each event this season. I’ll give you insight into what it was like to compete at each venue and I’ll have plenty of interviews with other riders. And of course, I’ll have some wicked pictures!

(I’d like to take a moment to thank my generous sponsors: Ocean Rodeo Kiteboarding, kiteboardingholidays.com, Lawrencetown Kitesurfing, DNA Energy Drink and Remedy Pain Solutions, Inc. Your help is critical in the pursuit of my dreams.)

If you have a sponsorship opportunity for me, please contact me at markyo@hotmail.com

My personal website is www.windydream.com

More information and updates can be found on the KSP website (www.kspworldtour.com). You can also watch a live web broadcast of each event on the KSP website.

Male Riders:

Airton Cozzolino (ITA)
Mitu Monteiro (CPV)
Guilly Brandao (BRA)
Mauricio Pedreira (BRA)
Sky Solbach (USA)
Jesse Richman (HI)
Juan Pablo Diban (CHI)
Patri McLaughlin (HI)
Grant “Twiggy” Baker (RSA)
Sebastian Ribeiro (BRA)
Keahi De Aboitiz (AUS)
Abel Lago (ESP)
Marciel “Matchu” Lopes Almeida (CPV)
Luke McGillewie (RSA)
Jakob Appel (DEN)
Etienne Lhote (FRA)
Lee Harvey (GBR)
Mark Moore (CAN)
Cameron Biehl (USA)
Filippe Ferreira (BRA)
Gonzalo Gomes (POR)
Pedro Henrique Menzes (BRA)

Female Riders:

Ines Correia (POR)
Marie Gautron (FRA)
Kristin Boese (GER)
Ninja Bichler (GER)
Melissa Gil (USA)
Kari Schibevaag (NOR)
Kirsty Jones (GBR)
Jalou Langeree (NED)
Ainhoa Garcia (ESP)
Maria Celina Guardati (ARG)
Milla Knesse Ferreira (BRA)

For more kiteboarding holidays guides and blogs, check out: HD cameras for kitesurfing reviewed / Buying kitesurfing equipment: Best Twin Tip boards 2012 /5 pro kitesurfing tips to get you started / Kiteboarding: Top 10 Destinations in the United States

The Top Ten Skiing Apps

Lucy Grewcock — Tue, 15 May 2012 08:55:39 +0000

There are simply stacks of skiing apps available to download nowadays, but which ones will actually add value to your ski experience? We give the lowdown on the most practical skiing apps on the market.

The Mammut Safety App helps assess local avalanche risk.

Mammut Safety – Free

Stay safe on the mountain by using this ski app to measure the angle of the slope you’re on, find out which direction you’re skiing in, what altitude you’re at and receive up-to-date avalanche bulletins. But the best feature is that you can use the SOS button to send your co-ordinates by text message to the emergency services, should a problem arise.

We say – particularly valuable for off-piste skiers

Ski Club Snow Reports – Free

Get up-to-date snow reports before your skiing holidays from more than 250 ski resorts, worldwide, including snow depths, piste conditions, live weather reports and the status of the chair lifts. The app even links to live web cameras, so you can see the conditions for yourself.

We say – a really useful app for all types of skier

The Ski School app helps improve ski techniques.

Ski School Beginner/Advanced/Intermediate – £2.99

Choose the app that matches your level of skiing (beginner, intermediate or advanced)and use it to touch up your ski technique before you hit the slopes, then perfect your stance with on-piste instruction. It includes professional video lessons from instructor Darren Turner and uses movement analysis technology to critique your style.

We say – far cheaper than booking a ski lesson

RealSki – Free

Take a photo with your phone and RealSki will annotate it with the names of chairlifts, landmarks, restaurants and anything else that’s interesting or important in the scene. Ideal for when you’re new to a resort or feeling a bit lost. The only downside that it’s US based only at the moment.

We say – particularly good for skiing in new resorts

iTrailMap3D – £2.99

Put your piste map into 3D and pan around the resort to find out what’s where. You can also use this app to record your movements across the mountain and find facilities. Export the info into Google Earth when you get home to map out your holiday.

We say – better than a paper piste map.

Ski Maps app: record GPS tracks, view graphs of your speed, distance and altitude.

Ski Maps – £1.99

If you take skiing holidays that take you off piste for the afternoon, this clever little app allows you to download a ski resort map to your mobile and find your exact position, and way back, by using your phone’s GPS positioner.

We say – great for ski touring

Ski forecast – Free

Get the weather forecast and conditions for more than 800 European ski resorts, as well as info on the snow quality on the ground.

We say – straightforward weather reporting covering loads of resorts

Ski Webcams – Free

If you’re wary of weather reports, this app lets you make your own forecasts by linking to more than 1,500 webcams across 400 worldwide resorts worldwide.

We say – the high definition cameras are particularly good

Snow Edge – Free

Track your every movement and collect stats on acceleration, speed, g-force, number of turns and airtime. Simply switch it on, stick your phone in your pocket and go skiing! Make sure your ski buddies download it too, so you can bring some serious competition into your time on the piste.

We say – the skier with the least g-force buys the après beers.

Ski Tracks -£0.69

This fun and easy to use ap allows you to record stats such as your top speed, distance skied and total vertical descent – you can even opt to upload the geo-tagged stats to your Facebook page throughout the day.

We say – a fun way to reflect back on your holiday.

For more skiing guides and blogs, check out: The 10 best ski holidays in Italy / The best ski boots of 2012 / Best Ski Touring Skis: A buyer’s guide /10 Reasons to Ski in Japan this Winter / Training for ski fitness – expert tips from Olympic physio

Beginner surfing tips: How to catch a wave

Jeff — Tue, 15 May 2012 08:30:27 +0000

So you want to stop watching and get out there and learn how to catch a wave? Good. With another of our beginner surfing tips you’ll be surfing before you know it!

Learn how to surf today! Image: Flickr/ Rick McCharles

Now it’s time to tackle the moderately difficult portion of your task: popping up.

If you watch good surfers, the transition they make from paddling to standing is fluid and nearly instantaneous.

It’s this essential pop up that continuously eludes all beginner wave-sliders.

It’s the action that separates surfing from other water sports, and it’s the most important aspect of actually surfing a wave.

Do it right and you’re set for the initial drop and first turn or pump with feet in correct position, proper balance acquired, and full confidence in attacking the wave face. Do it wrong and you’ll have blown the wave and been served an extra soggy slice of humble pie a-la-mode.

It seems so misleadingly simple when you observe from afar, but ask any surfer and they’ll tell you learning to stand up was the toughest part of riding their first wave. So how do you get good at it before your surfing holidays start? At the risk of sounding like my father, the obvious answer is: practice.

You’ll need to go down and go down again before you master standing up. You won’t learn without failing a few times (‘few’ being the understated term). But before suiting up, consider the following two skills that will enhance your pop up performance tremendously: technique and timing.

Technique

We’ve all seen the movie Point Break. Remember when Keanu Reeves needs to learn how to surf in order to fit in with the local surfing scene and infiltrate the bank-robbing crime ring? I do. He somehow befriends that surfer babe who takes pity on him and teaches him the basics right there on the beach.

As cheesy a flick as it is, the chick’s instructions are spot on. Popping up has little to do with the board, so forget it for a moment. The objective is to go from lying on your stomach to standing with your feet centred beneath you, knees bent athletically.

Stand with your feet centred beneath you! Image: Flickr/ robertpaulyoung

To use your body as a gauge, one foot should land just under where your sternum was, and the other foot just above where your knees previously were when lying down. You should arrive at this position in one fluid motion without an intermediate moment of kneeling or dragging your feet.

While I don’t advocate being a goofy as Keanu and practicing right on the sand, it is helpful to try a few pop-ups in the comfort (and privacy) of your home.

Lay face down on the floor like you would a surfboard. Put one sock under the centre of your chest at the bottom of your rib cage and another just above your knees.

Imagine you’ve arrived on your surfing holidays and you are paddling for your first wave – then quickly pop up using your shoulders and arms to elevate your torso and your knees to bring your feet underneath your body.

Try to land your feet directly on the socks. Are you kicking them out of position while you pop up? You’re dragging your feet. Try again. The movement is a transition from push-up position to squat. Land on your strategically placed socks consistently, and you’ve nailed the technique.

Timing

Of course catching a wave is a bit more difficult than standing on your socks. Wave selection is a giant part of surfing and tough to explain. For beginners, let’s stick to something small, or even something that has already broken and is now whitewash moving towards shore. As the wave is moving, so should you. Be evenly balanced on your board as you paddle.

Let the wave itself push you. Image: Flickr/ Daniel Flower

You should not be falling off to either side or have the nose way up in the air or down under the surface. Continue to paddle as the wave hits your feet and the tail of the board.

Popping as soon as you sense the wave has arrived is a common mistake of beginners. Instead, the idea is to try and match the speed of your paddling with the speed of the wave before standing up.

This is difficult concept to understand because if you literally did paddle the same speed as the wave, your board and the wave would never meet up. What really needs to happen is to paddle fast enough to allow the wave to begin to push you, not simply just wash over you.

It’s at this magical moment, when you feel that paddling is no longer the force propelling your board and instead the wave itself is actually pushing it, that paddling should cease and the almighty pop up should be executed. If you’ve practiced your pop ups and remembered to wax your board, you should have no need to revisit this article. You’ve successfully surfed your first wave.

Top Ten Scuba Diving Holidays in Australia

Fay — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:29:05 +0000

Australia is renowned for its diverse flora and fauna and the waters that surround it are no exception. Many folk assume scuba diving holidays in Australia are all about the Great Barrier Reef, and that is of course a huge draw, but there is plenty more for scuba geeks to enjoy along the 30,000 miles of coastline.

Dive the Coral Sea and Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Image: Flickr/ gruntzooki

Let’s imagine we’re on a bespoke Australian scuba tour. We’re talking about some serious dive ambition.

So, what would the ‘must see’ spots be? There are LOTS, so it’s impossible to cover them all.

Here are my Top 10 Oz Dive Sites (or areas!) for starters.

Ningaloo Reef

We’ll start at the top left of the country in Western Australia in the Indian Ocean. It doesn’t get much better than being a World Heritage Site for outstanding natural beauty and marine life, but this is the status given to Ningaloo Reef, located near the beautiful Broome.

Ningaloo is Australia’s second great reef and runs for over 150 miles. It’s the stuff scuba dreams are made of. Coral as soon as you leave shore, manta rays, sharks, turtles, dolphins, dugongs and about 400 species of other fish.

Not forgetting from March to June it’s in a migration path for humpback whales and the gentle giants of the sea, whale sharks. I’ve never wanted to be a mermaid more.

Torres Strait

Moving across to Queensland, but taking you to the most northern point of the country, The Torres Strait is a collection of cays, islands, reefs and atolls between the tip of Australia and Papua New Guinea. This is remote diving at its best, providing some excellent scuba diving holidays and diving in spots rarely visited.

Most sites are only accessible by live-aboards that usually start at Lockhart River. The RMS Quetta, a passenger liner that sank in 1890, is without doubt the most popular shipwreck in this shallow shipping lane. Visibilities at the inner reefs can be below 15m, but the strong currents provide for rich waters filled with marine life.

The channels near the outer reefs can have visibilities far above 30m. Here, where fishing is controlled, you will find huge fish such as large pelagic, mantas and sharks. Yippee! The best time to dive the Torres Strait is between August and December, with water temperatures of 29 degrees year around.

Potato Cod feed in Cod Hole, Great Barrier Reef. Image: Flickr/ mattk1979

Lizard Island

Beyond the tip of the country, you’ll find yourself on the popular east coast. My next stop would definitely be Lizard Island. It is deemed not just one of Australia’s best dive locations, but frequently listed as one of the top spots in the world.

It’s also an ideal base to explore the northern part of the Reef. Cod Hole is a favourite dive spot in the splendid coral underworld, as it provides the chance to cruise around with the several stately potato cod, which can weigh in at between 6-30 kg.

Much of these northern waters remain relatively untouched and in addition to the cod, you’re likely to see everything from manta rays, reef sharks, to giant 150-year-old clams.

Because we are in Great Barrier Reef (GBR) territory now, there is, unsurprisingly, a concentration of some rather spectacular scuba spots in this northeasterly part of the coastline.

Port Douglas

With its 4 mile beach, the stunning Port Douglas offers some fabulous dive opportunities in the shape of Agincourt Ribbon Reefs, made up of 19 actual dive sites; Barracuda, Harrys, Nursery and Turtle Bommie are just a few.

With its gardens of coral and massive clams, divers can encounter colourful flat worms and nudibranchs, dopey turtles, the unique hump headed parrot fish, through to larger fish such as reef sharks.

Cairns – Ribbon Reefs

Cairns is a popular gateway to the GBR, so is a good base for all kinds of scuba diving holidays and diving excursions. Whether you’re looking for day trips or liveaboards, it is a great access point to endless dive sites.

Look out for Norman, Hardy, Saxon, and Arlington reefs and Michaelmas and Upolu cays. All about 90 minutes off Cairns. To amplify an already amazing experience, in June and July you can swim with dwarf Minke whales. Underwater heaven.

Coral Sea

Slightly further afield, and so for liveaboard divers only, is the Coral Sea. Here, you’ll see sharks feeding at Predator’s Playground; 1,000m drop-offs into the Abyss; reefs covering hundreds of square miles; and tropical species not found on the GBR.

The sites feature spectacular walls, steep drop-offs and lone seamounts, rising thousands of metres from the ocean floor to just below the surface. The water is astoundingly clear, up to 100m! Super clear vision magnifies whaler sharks, barracuda, big eye trevally and rays as well as shy cuttlefish, sea hares and starry morays.

Sharks and schooling pelagics cruise through vibrant displays of gorgonians, sea whips, and bright yellow soft corals, while nudibranch, anemones, unusual tropical fish, invertebrates, and huge schools of fish provide outstanding diversity.

You can find sea fan on Pixies Pinnacle Reef. Image: Flickr/ mattk1979

SS Yongala

Still in the Coral Sea, but now off Townsville, Queensland, as we’re approaching scuba nirvana as we consider the wonders and delight of the SS Yongala. It sank during a cyclone in 1911, but a century later the 120m ship is again budding with life, albeit under water.

This enchanted shipwreck is listed as one of the top ten dive sites in the world due to the sheer variety of marine life. Schools of trevally, kingfish, barracuda, and batfish surround the wreckage; giant Queensland grouper live under the bow, lionfish hide under the stern, turtles graze on the hull, and hard and soft corals make their home on everything.

Arresting corals, fluoro fish, turtles, sharks, eels, snakes and more, this wreck offers more diversity than the biggest cities in the world, with its own unique cosmopolitan demographic. Winter months offer sightings of humpback whales and mantas and visibility is generally better, though water temperature is cooler.

Whitsunday Islands

These 74 breathtaking islands offer countless dive sites both among the islands and on the Outer Great Barrier Reef. The blue, blue water is incredible and because you’re most likely to be on a boat trip that offers diving, or a dedicated liveaboard, you can absorb the beauty of the coastline and the sugar like white sand that graces the islands. Almost every anchorage on the islands has amazing fringing reefs and drop off’s and a huge variety of marine life.

Heron Island

Has to be on here for it’s 20+ glorious dive sites. The island is a coral cay situated on the reef, so many of the sites are a short boat ride away and are generally all shallow – 18m or less – allowing up to 3 dives per day. Notable sites include Coral Cascades, the Blue Pools, favoured by octopus, turtles, and sharks and the famous Heron Bommie, with its rays, eels, and Spanish dancers. Simply stunning.

Another location of note in Queensland – last and by no means least – is Lady Elliot Island, a coral cay island off the town of Bundaberg. One word – mantas!

You could spend weeks, years or the rest of your life diving around Australia. Seriously, you’d need to grow gills. This is just a taste. Enjoy!

For more scuba diving guides and blogs, check out: Scuba Gear: How to buy a wetsuit / Top 10 scuba diving sites in Egypt / Scuba Gear: Buying your BCD / Scuba Diving Holidays : Don’t Drink and Dive!