These days, it’s all too commonplace to read frightening headlines declaring Food and Drug Administration or Environmental Protection Agency-enforced manufacturer recalls on everything from children’s toys to automobile break pedals to dog food, for being unsafe, poisonous or hazardous for families, loved ones and pets. It’s no wonder why parents get nervous letting their kids consume food, enjoy playtime or even breathe air outside of the household. Obviously, when headlines began popping up decreeing that chemical emissions from recycled rubber playgrounds and sports fields for kids (supposedly safer than turf or grass, thanks to the soft, injury-reducing texture), parents and families had major cause for concern.
Luckily, in July 2010, just in time for back-to-school (and back-to-playground) season, the Department for Environmental Protection released findings from their latest study, insisting that the recycled rubber is very safe, and super child-friendly. Also called “crumb rubber infill”, the recycled rubbery pieces found in playgrounds and children’s sports fields across the country are mostly comprised of old automobile tires. Parents and teachers praised the material when it first became popular for it’s characteristic cushiony feel and ability to prevent injury if a child falls, compared to its decidedly less forgiving predecessors, concrete and artificial field turf.
Recently, hot debate arose surrounding the rubbery pieces for their rumored chemical emissions, which studies out of Europe discovered might be harmful to plants surrounding the fields, and ultimately, the children close by as well. Thankfully, results from a study done right here in the United Stated (conducted at the University of Connecticut and analyzed at the Department of Public Health) proved the unsettling news completely wrong. In fact, the study uncovered that the chemical emissions from the rubbery pieces were actually less harmful than the chemicals found in typical outdoor air. The rubbery material found in indoor turf fields created slightly higher levels of chemical emissions, but as long as the facility is ventilated normally, it poses no health risk. So breath easy, parents and families – there’s one less thing to worry about when it’s time to send your child back to school!
As well as being an effective way to get exercise and stay in shape, sports can be a great way to get out and about and see the great outdoors! For those bored of playing sports in indoor arenas and courts, there are a variety of outdoor activities that can be engaged in.
If you like the ocean or large rivers, why not try one of the many water sports available? Canoeing is a popular choice, along with kayaking in more localized areas. If you are a real thrill seeker then white water rafting is an exciting option – just be prepared for a bumpy ride! If you prefer the ocean, jet skis and water skiing are two excellent choices, both very popular with holidaymakers. Indeed, you can even go snorkeling and scuba diving if your interests lie under the water!
Equally, if you do not wish to stay on dry land but are not that keen on the water, you can even take to the skies in a number of sports! Paragliding is a popular choice, although if you prefer the sensation of falling rather than gliding you may want to try bungee jumping. If you really have the stomach for it, why not go all the way and parachute out of a plane? It certainly is more exciting than playing regular sports!
For those that prefer to stay on the ground, outdoor sports such as biking can be a good choice. Horse riding is also an excellent option for people who want to try something a little different. Potholing and cave diving can be great for those who wish to go underground and take a look at the inside of the Earth, although it is worth pointing out that they are probably not the best choice for people who suffer from claustrophobia!
Outdoor sports can be a great way to stay fit and get out and about. Although sports like kayaking and skiing are relatively well known, one of the least heard of outdoor sports is archery. This sport can teach valuable skills such as control, strength and patience. However, taking up archery is not something you can do overnight, and there are a few things you have to do before you go shooting.
First of all, you have to decide what kind of archery you want to take up. The main types of archery are hunting, target shooting and traditional. Hunting archery, despite its name, is not actually used to kill wild animals, rather it is more of a category of archery. It can require the use of either compound bows or longbows, a simple bow that forms a ‘u’ shape. Target shooting utilizes bows that are aimed at stationary targets rather than live animals, while traditional archery resembles more the kind of archery that occurred in the past.
Once you have chosen your style of archery, you need to find an organization that you can join to practice. The type of group that you join will depend on your chosen style of archery. Hunting groups are fairly common, while groups that support target and traditional forms of archery require a more detailed search.
After locating a relevant organization, you can ask for lessons. Many groups will put this on for you, while there are also dedicated schools and instructors who will be willing to teach you how to shoot for a cost. Once you have had a few lessons, you will probably need to purchase your own archery equipment. You can borrow the instructor’s to start with, and you teacher will probably help you in selecting the right type of gear – just don’t buy any equipment until you’ve had a few lessons!
Skiing can be one of the most exciting outdoor sports you can try. Unfortunately, due to the terrains you will be skiing on and the amount of equipment you need to do it, it can be neither cheap nor quick to learn. Here are some of the basic things you need to do to learn how to ski.
Skiing is a complex skill, and unless you know somebody who is an accomplished skier, you are going to need to take lessons. Although this will cost you money, it is probably that fastest way to learn how to ski. Many ski slopes and resorts offer beginners courses for those on their first time on the snow.
The first skill you will need to learn is to how to walk in skis. One technique that is used is called the herringbone, where you point your skis away from each other and walk forward. Be sure to place your foot on the ground with some force to ensure you don’t slip over. You can also walk uphill in skis by pivoting your body to the side and carefully placing one foot ahead of the other on the slope.
The bunny hill is the first stop for many skiers. This is usually a group of small slope that has a rope for skiers to get to the top. When skiing down, you can use the ‘pizza’ and ‘french fries’ technique. This is where you point the skis in a straight line to speed up (like french fries), and close them together to form a ‘V’ shape when you want to slow down (so it looks like a slice of pizza). Once you have mastered this a few times, you can begin learning to turn on the snow.
Skiing is an enjoyable outdoor sport to try. Although the cost and level of skill required can be off putting, it is something that everyone should have a go at at least once!
Skiing is an intense outdoor sport, proving to be exhilarating and dangerous at the same time. It is important when skiing that you do not get ahead of yourself and take on a course that is above your current ability. Luckily there are systems in place to help skiers determine which slopes are right for them.
The bunny hill is the beginner’s slope, where fresh starters can practice basic skills such as controlling their speed and turning. Once you feel comfortable with this, the next level of ski slopes are marked on maps with a green circle. This indicates the level of beginner, but one who has learnt the basics of skiing. Green circle slopes are usually fairly short and contain few or, more likely, no obstacles.
The intermediate trail is marked with a blue square. These courses are slightly harder than the beginner slopes, sometimes containing steeper areas and more obstacles that need to be avoided. You should complete a few green courses before trying one of these.
A course marked with a black diamond indicates the hard level of slopes. Not only do the trails get steeper and more narrow, but there may also be the presence of moguls. These are small hills made out of snow which must be traversed or avoided during the course.
The next level of slope is marked with double black diamond, or sometimes a black diamond with an exclamation mark in it. This is a course for highly accomplished skiers and should under no circumstances be tackled by beginners or people who are uncomfortable on their skis. There are also double black courses that have ‘EX’ written in them, which are designed for experts and skiing professionals. Once this has been completed, the only other thing to try is heliskiing which is where you are dropped from a helicopter onto the slope and you make your way from there. Although exciting, this last type of course is very prone to avalanches and should only really be attempted by a small number of people!
Many people think that all outdoor sports are high adrenaline and exciting like bungee jumping or skiing. However, one of the most relaxing and enjoyable outdoor sports is fishing. Of all the types of fishing, bait fishing is probably the easiest way to catch fish. There are a number of things you must do if you want to be successful in catching fish.
The first step is to choose a suitable location to go fishing – this includes selecting a body of water that actually has fish in it! If you look in the local paper you may find information on regional fishing sites. Alternatively, asking the owner of the nearest fishing or angling store will usually provide some great tips on where to catch fish.
The next thing to select is the equipment. Depending on what kind of fish you are trying to catch, you will need different fish hooks. The hook is designed to fit into the mouth of the fish and different species have different size mouths, so it is important to research which kind of hook you need to catch your fish. Additionally, you need some bait to lure the fish in. Although most fish eat the same kind of thing (insects and aquatic life) you can usually use the same baits over again, however it is worth mentioning that different fish have preferences for different food, and you can maximize your fishing efforts by using the fish’ favorite food.
Another important thing to remember when you are fishing is that you have to be patient! Fishing is notoriously a waiting game. It can take literally hours for one fish to become interested enough in your bait to take that all important bite. If you are the kind of person who needs results instantly, it may be worth reconsidering whether fishing is right for you!
Although much of the skill of fishing lies in choosing where to fish and which baits to use, probably the most important part is also the most difficult – the actual reeling in of the fish! Although many fishermen have their own techniques when reeling in a fish, there are a few things you can do to improve your chances of a successful catch.
Firstly, you have to choose the appropriate fishing technique depending on your locations. For example, if you are fishing in a river or stream where the water is moving quite fast, you may have to think about attaching weights to your line in order to keep it in the right place. Similarly, fishing in a large still body of water like a lake will require the use of a bobber (a floating piece of plastic fitted to the line to keep it on the top of the water).
Cast your line and wait for a fish to take the bait. When you feel the fish start to pull on your line (which may take a long time) tug your rod backwards and upwards in order to hook the fish through the mouth. Once your fish is snagged, you can begin reeling him in.
The most important thing to remember is to keep you line taught. A loose line will give the fish the opportunity to wriggle free and ‘throw’ the hook out of his mouth. Lift your rod with your arms whilst reeling the fish in at the same time. It is also advisable to try to steer the fish into the open water where there are no plants of debris under the surface that can tangle the line.
Once your fish is close enough, use a net and grab him out of the water. Once you have removed the hook from his mouth, all you need to decide is whether you want to keep the fish or throw him back. Be sure to wash the fish first if you are going to eat it.
Camping is a great outdoor sport to try if you want to get out and about in a way that is safe for the whole family. A tradition that has been passed down through families for years, campaign can be an enjoyable and exciting way to get back to nature. There are a few things you need to do to make your camping trip a success.
The first thing you need to do is make sure you pack the correct equipment. Camping is an outdoor activity and so you should be prepared to face the elements. Although camping is traditionally done in summer months when it is warmer, it is a good idea to bring plenty of warm clothes just in case. You can minimize the extent of the damage adverse weather conditions can do to your trip by checking forecasts before you go, but it is better to be safe than sorry – especially if you are camping in a foreign country.
A knowledge of the area you will be camping in is vital for your camping trip. If you are staying local then this is relatively easy, but if you are in an unfamiliar area then be sure to take maps and guides with you so that you know where you are and where local facilities are at all times. After all, you may need things like local streams to collect drinking water if you run out.
One of the best parts about camping is cooking your own food in the great outdoors! Camp fires are as old as camping itself and there’s nothing quite like roasting some meat over a fire you have made with your bare hands. Toasted marshmallows and smores are also a popular choice on any camping trip, so be sure to bring enough for everybody!
If you are looking for a traditional yet exciting way to spend some time outdoors, why not try camping? Sleeping out under the stars is a great way to get back to nature. Of course, nobody wants to sleep under the stars without a cover, so you will need to put up a tent.
The first thing to do (once you have bought and unpacked your tent) is to find the best location. A flat surface that is a little higher up than the rest of the land is perfect. Flat areas are great because they will be more comfortable for your back, while the extra height ensures that if it rains you won’t get rain water in your tent.
Clear away any debris on the ground such as sticks and stones and lay your tent on the ground. You then have to secure your tent to the ground by using tent pegs. These attach to the inner lining of the tent and fasten to the ground to stop your tent blowing away.
Next you have to make your tent stand up. Connect all of the poles that came in the kit and place them in the top corner at one end. It is a good idea to pull on the guy rope at the same time that you are doing this at this will make the tent more secure in the long run. Once you have done this, take your flysheet and throw it over the tent. You can align the corners of the sheet to the corners of the tent to ensure it fits securely. Peg all additional ropes in place in order to secure them. Once this is done, you should be able to take a step back and look at your erected tent! The tent is now ready for use – have fun!
Of all the outdoor sports to try, rock climbing is one of the most versatile and exciting. Suitable for all stages from beginner to expert, rock climbing is a great way to get some exercise and see a bit of nature. If you want to try your hand at rock climbing, there are a few steps you should complete to make sure you are safe.
The most important thing is to decide what kind of rock surface you want to climb. Both indoor and outdoor rock climbing is available and while you do eventually want to get out and try it on an actual rock face, it is a good idea for starters to try on an indoor slope.
The next step is to take lessons, as there is a definite art to rock climbing that is more difficult than it looks. Your local rock climbing gym will not only be able to teach you how to climb, but will provide you with all the equipment necessary. This includes a hard hat, safety ropes and efficient climbing gear.
Once you have had a few lessons and are looking forward to climbing outdoors, you probably need to buy your own equipment. You can always just rent from certain facilities, but in the long run it makes more sense financially to buy gear yourself. The apparatus you use should be fully optimized to account for your size and your weight, as well as whether you are male or female. Durability is important, so make sure you’re not afraid to skimp on the price.
When all these steps have been completed, you are ready to go rock climbing outdoors! It is safer to go with a partner to have someone who can watch your back and help you out if you get stuck. Locate a suitable rock face in your local area and have fun!
