We hear the term “going green” so frequently in today’s relentless media coverage on everything from gardening to fashion, it’s become almost meaningless. Every celebrity, star athlete and news anchor is getting behind the “green” movement, and endorsing activities like conserving water and planting trees. But even though we may feel slightly bombarded with green-tinted messages, the movement is gaining steam, and for good reason. Especially for outdoor sporting and nature enthusiasts, keeping our planet safe and healthy is essential for our own healthy living and enjoyment – which is why so many outdoor sporting good companies are developing “green”, or eco-friendly products, materials and procedures.
The 2010 Outdoor Retailer Summer Market took place in Salt Lake City, UT this year, in beautiful Jordanelle State Park – and attracted over 21,000 outdoor athletes and industry insiders to check out the latest and greatest in camping, sailing, biking, fishing and nature equipment. The surprising theme of the convention wasn’t sport-related at all, but rather how sporting companies are going green through using sustainable and more natural materials and manufacturing protocols. In fact, the opening speaker during the first day’s industry breakfast wasn’t Lance Armstrong or the latest Survivor reality show contestant – it was Chairwoman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, Nancy Sutley.
The vendors and sponsors at the market employed a similar eco-conscious theme, with one of the most popular booths belonging to California-based Ocean Mindset. Bob Tanner, Marketing Director for the green company insisted that all apparel, footwear and sporting accessories are manufactured using mainly recycled materials. East Coast retailer Coastal Urge also drew large crowds on demo day, while owner Jeoffrey Nathan emphasized his “Standup for a Clean Ocean” campaign in which surfboat paddlers clean up beaches and marshes surrounding the Atlantic Ocean.
You may think it’s a no-brainer for outdoor sporting fans and athletes to appreciate the beauty and integrity of nature, but the 2010 Outdoor Retailer Summer Market showed attendees that there’s always more we can do to simultaneously enjoy and preserve our planet.
Outdoor athletes and outdoor sporting enthusiasts are thrill seekers. Cyclists and hikers are on the constant search for the higher, steeper, tougher trail to conquer. Fisherman, hunters and sailors are always on the quest for the more treacherous waters and terrain, and marathon runners are always striving to beat their previous time. In the midst of the excitement, preparation and adrenaline rush, though, many outdoor athletes are forgetting about one crucial and potentially life saving tool: sunscreen. That’s right, it’s not just for bathing beauties and swimsuit models anymore! It’s vitally important that male and female outdoor athletes alike make sun protection a priority, even when they think they’re safe.
In fact, it may come as a surprise to some that a summer 2009 study published in Sports Health: A Multidisciplinary Approach, a widely known and respected sports medicine journal for industry professionals, confirmed that current and former athletes – especially ones who compete and train outdoors – are the fastest growing group developing deadly skin cancers called melanomas. The study cited competitive cyclists as being exposed to eight times the ultraviolet rays from the sun as is a recommended healthy dose. Furthermore, winter athletes like skiers and snowboarders developed sunburn after only six minutes in dangerous conditions combining high elevation with blinding sun reflection off snow and ice. Sailors and competitive rowers aren’t safeguarded, either, as the sun’s rays reflect and intensify when they hit the water’s surface.
Luckily, there are ways to stay protected and still enjoy your favorite outdoor sport safely, whether you play professionally or recreationally. The most important factor in preventing skin damage is to apply sunscreen early and often – at least 30 minutes before hearing outdoors and every two hours during outdoor activities. Sun protective clothing and gear helps, too. Sunscreen should be SPF 30 or higher and say “sport” or “waterproof/sweat proof” on the label to ensure the best protection. So remember, before the helmet, the pads, the life vest or the ski poles, a waterproof, high-SPF sunscreen is an absolute necessity for totally safe enjoyment of your favorite outdoor sport.
Swimming is one of the most beneficial exercises a person can do. It’s low-impact, making it great for everyone from children to seniors who are concerned about injury – and it’s high-cardio for serious athletes who want to stay in great shape in their off season. Olympic swimmers have enormous endurance, stamina and energy thanks to the sport’s powerful health benefits – and swimming is even used in Physical Therapy and rehabilitation from injuries. Professional and recreational swimmers and fans of the sport have known about the many benefits for as long as the sport’s existed. But even they might be surprised to learn about the newest way to take a dip – “wild swimming”.
Taking hold as a huge trend in the U.K. and slowly migrating over to America, wild swimming consists of, well, swimming in the wild. Long thought to be polluted and dubbed “unsafe”, natural ponds and rivers have become the newest way to take a dip – regardless of cleanliness. Wild swimming is quickly becoming a new way to seek thrills for all those outdoor sporting enthusiasts who’ve already had their fill of adrenaline-pumping hunting, rafting and camping.
Wild swimming may seem unusual and exciting these days – but before chlorinated pools and swimming clubs, it was the only way to make a splash on a hot day! In fact, before the 1930s, wild swimming was considered the perfect outdoor activity for kids and parents alike – and no one even worried about germs, pollutants or wildlife like fish, turtles or frogs. Spotting – and even catching – a lake or pond’s natural inhabitants was all part of the day’s summer fun.
Of course, don’t dive right in to wild swimming in natural environments without a few safety precautions first. One of the most important things to remember is that, if the water actually looks polluted or dirty, it’s best to refrain – or find cleaner waters. If you’re looking for a great natural activity and need a break from all the chlorine, wild swimming might just be a perfect fit!
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!
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!
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!
Running a marathon is an amazing accomplishment. As well as being both physically and mentally challenging, training for a marathon can be a great outdoor sport to get you fit and boost your confidence. However, running a marathon is not something you can just do – it takes weeks and months of training and proper exercise before you a fit enough to run one.
It is a good idea to give yourself six months to prepare for a marathon. If you are already a runner and can run for 30 minutes without a break, find out when your planned marathon is and begin training for it half a year away. If you are not at that stage yet, give yourself more time and start running to improve your stamina.
Having the correct running equipment is a good idea when running a marathon. You can buy specially designed running outfits and pieces of equipment such as water bottles that are crafted to fit around your hand, although the most important equipment by far is your running shoes. The right pair of shoes can decide whether you finish the marathon or not and depend on a number of factors, such as the shape of your foot and the way you place your foot on the ground when running. You can get your running gait body type measured professionally to ensure you buy the right type of shoe.
It is also vital that you know how to stretch and warm your muscles before you run the marathon. Muscles can be susceptible to injury during such extended periods of physical activity. Warming up and cooling down when you go for your training runs will ensure that your muscles get used to being worked hard and will not give way at vital moments in your race. There are also a number of creams and supports you can buy that will help you get over any muscle injury you do sustain a lot quicker.
