Speaking Of HandE Gadgets
Archive for the ‘Sports’ Category
Over the holiday weekend some buddies and I went to a cabin in the foothills of the Cascades for a few days of solitude and relaxation—at least that was the intention. Despite our intentions for rest and relaxation, most of the weekend was spent hiking, fishing and taking advantage of the secluded lake just a few hundred feet from our lodgings. My favorite activity had to be the Aqua Skipper.
It’s difficult to describe the product, which is essentially a hybrid of a bicycle and pogo stick for the water. You propel the machine by hopping up and down of the pedals, so the vehicle doesn’t require any external source of power aside from your body. The Aqua Skipper is definitely fun, but after a few hours on it, you realize the immense amount of energy it takes to power the conveyance.
Without a doubt, kayaking is one of the most enjoyable summer activities for one, two, or a whole group of people. Due to the nature of rivers and rapids, kayaking can be an intense sport, and there are a few safety precautions which should be taken. First, it’s important to wear a helmet when kayaking. If the kayak happened to tip over for some unforeseen reason it’s possible that the person inside could scrape or bump their head on a rock. It’s also important to be respectable of your skill level; if you’ve never been kayaking before you shouldn’t start out with river rapids.
For new kayakers, a lake or slow moving river is a good place to start. In these serene waters, I enjoy using a clear kayak to observe what’s going on below the surface. Whether you’re kayaking alone or with another person, let someone know where you’re going and when you intend to return. By following these simple safety rules, you can keep yourself out of harms way and ensure an amazing and fun kayaking experience.
I came across a really cool gadget recently - a decorative helmet cover designed to attach to a protective sport helmet encouraging its use. After all, if you don’t wear it, it can’t protect you. These unique covers come in a variety of really cute designs- some with flashy lights, adding to their conspicuousness - especially at night.
While it must stay on the rider’s head to protect it from hits, the helmet should have a slow release buckle after a few seconds of steady pressure to avoid strangulation. To stay on your head, it must be level on the head and not tilted back exposing the forehead. Try it on before you buy it and confirm its interior can conform to your particular head bumps. A particular problem may arise if you wear a ponytail or braided hair. Few helmets accomodate these problems. It should hold securely and not stretch or change over time from wear, sweat, lotion, or tugging. Something as simple as wearing a sweatband might help alleviate these problems.
Making your helmet conspicuous can have a big impact on safety since if a driver can see you they will be more likely to try and avoid hitting you. The nogin sox certainly do this - after all, how often do you see someone with a flashing dinosaur, a synapsing brain, or a spiked mohawk? Beware of reflective tape on helmets as it is rarely effective; active lights are far superior to reflective materials.
Another important fact: your helmet is good for only one bad crash. After that the interior is usually damaged and the helmet should be replaced.
Some grim statistics: non-helmeted riders are 14 times more likely to die in crashes than helmeted riders; head injuries account for more than 60% of bike related deaths and it is estimated that anywhere from 45-88% of cyclists’ brain injuries can be prevented by a helmet. Moral of the story: find a helmet that fits and wear it! And do it in style with nogin sox.
For many overweight people, just making the commitment to get back in shape is a huge step in the right direction. Embracing a nutritious diet and a healthy exercise plan is half the battle, and the other half is following through and executing the plan. It’s not difficult to eat healthy foods if you put your mind to it, but there’s no getting around the fact that exercise takes hard work and dedication.
If you’re not accustomed to a rigorous workout routine, don’t start with running on a treadmill or making circuits around a running track. These techniques will wear you out quickly and they’re tough on the legs and back. There’s no harm in mixing a little fun into your routine, thereby making it feel less like work and more like an enjoyable hobby. A digital jump rope can give you a tangible idea of your progress as you skip your way to physical fitness.
When I moved to the East Coast a few years ago, I was concerned about my entire way of life changing. Back home in the Midwest I had been accustomed to going on camping trips in the remote woods of northern Michigan. Among our other hobbies, my friends and I would go on canoe and kayak trips at least once every few weeks. Just a week after moving, I noticed people kayaking in the ocean and wanted to get in on the experience.
The depth and clarity of the ocean make it a great place to see maritime life during the course of a kayak trip. While floating down the murky rivers near my hometown, I had missed out on much of the water-dwelling life forms – they were obscured by billowing clouds of mud and sand. A clear bottom kayak is incredibly useful in the ocean, however, where I’ve spied schools of fish, coral reefs and even a few sting rays just a few feet below the boat.
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