Adventure Sports

If you haven’t hit the slopes before this question is bound to come up – should I snowboard or ski? There are a couple of things to consider to help you make the right choice.

1.      Are you visiting the snow with a group of friends, and which sport are they going to choose?  It’s much more fun to ski and snowboard with your friends, so if they are going skiing you could base your decision on that.

2.      How long are you going to be at the snow? Skiing seems to be a lot easier to pick up quickly.  Snowboarding tends to take longer to develop the skills needed, which means you will end up sitting in the snow a lot at the beginning.  The bindings don’t pop off when you fall over on a snow board either, unlike ski bindings.

Snowboarding and skiing are both really great snow sports so which ever you decide to try will be challenging and rewarding.  You will see skiers zipping down the slopes and snowboarders sliding, jumping and grinding their way down.

I always tend to go for skiing, my husband chooses to snowboard.  I guess I like the ease of sliding down the slopes and feel like I have more control.  My husband likes the jumping and tricks that snowboarding offers, and it does look cool!

One thing I have noticed though, it seems to be a little bit more awkward on the t-bars when snowboarding but once you get the knack there should be no problems!

If it’s your first time on the slopes, please invest in some lessons.  Your instructor will help you learn how to slow down and stop, and give you an outline of the rules on the snow.  All very handy when you see a tree rapidly coming towards you…oh, and while we are on the subject, helmets are now becoming much cooler than when I learnt to ski.  With the X-games and the crazy snowboarding tricks the professionals now attempt, helmets are definitely in.

Don’t buy your ski or snowboarding gear if you haven’t been before.  There are plenty of great places to hire everything you need.  You should try both sports before buying your own gear, you just never know which one will be for you until you have a go!

Some extra tips for first timers to the slopes:

1.      Beware the sunburn!  You have probably seen people and you just know they have just arrived back from the snow as they have the classic tanned or red face with the white sunglasses imprint around their eyes.  Remember that even though it is cold, the sun is very strong.  Being at a higher altitude than normal and with the reflection off the white snow, you will burn quickly.  Always put on sunscreen, otherwise, remember that guy with strange tan….

2.       It feels lovely on a sunny winter’s day to be skiing along in just a t-shirt…but remember, if you are still learning the snow can sometimes be very hard and icy, and it is pretty much guaranteed that you will fall over more than once. You can end up with abrasions and cuts, so if you are learning, consider long sleeves until you feel more confident (also helps with the sunburn protection).

3.      Watch out for dehydration as with any sport.  Make sure you drink a few waters in between beers at the half way bar…

4.       Look after your eyes as there is a lot of glare on the slopes.  If it’s snowing, I like to wear ski goggles (it stops the snow getting in) but on sunny days you could wear good quality UV protection sports sunnies.  I still think goggles are best though.

5.      The weather can suddenly change in the mountains, when you least expect it.  The best way to cope with this is to wear layers which can keep you warm and dry, or cool and dry, depending upon the conditions. Also, if the snow conditions are slushy you will need a water proof layer, remember despite your best efforts, when you are learning you will fall over!

And last but not least – make sure you persist for 3 days!!  It might take you three days to really start enjoying yourself, so don’t give up after day one.  Once you start to feel more confident, get some speed up, and stay standing for a whole run you will realise it was worth all the effort!  When I learnt to ski I found day one tiring (getting up after falling into the snow wears you out a bit), day two was also tiring as I was starting to speed up, which meant I was still falling over quite a lot, but day three…made it all worth while!

Liquid Boardwear is a manufacturer of snowboards, boots, apparel, and other snowboarding equipment. It is one of the best-known brands, especially among young snowboarders, despite being relatively new to the market. Its products are known mostly for sleek, attractive designs, although in recent years the quality has stepped up and become at par with more established brands.

Their snowboards are no doubt Liquid’s most popular offering, known for their lightweight yet durable construction and high responsiveness. Liquid snowboards are particularly favored for freestyle snowboarding, lending themselves especially well for grinding and off-air jumps, although they work just as well for other styles. It’s this versatility that makes it a popular first snowboard for those who have a bit of experience and want to invest in their own gear.

Prices are competitive considering the quality you get for a Liquid snowboard. The construction is solid and has passed rigorous stress tests, and the shape allows for a combination of speed and smoothness. Users especially like doing off-air jumps, grinding, and power boarding, made possible by the board’s excellent balance and weight distribution. The intricate graphics on the exterior are also a welcome perk.

Liquid offers several snowboard models, each designed for a specific snowboarding style. The Liquid Storm is perhaps the most popular and comes highly recommended for freestyle riding. The Venture also works well for this style, although users find it less functional. A more versatile model is Horizon, which is designed to suit all skill levels. Nitrogen is known for its durability and smooth flow, while the Cyclone is a rugged model designed for all-terrain use.

A few users have complained that the bolts tend to fall loose easily, which can pose serious risks on the slopes. Some have also complained that the wood chassis makes grinding tricky, and that their lightness necessarily compromises strength and responsiveness on rugged terrains. However, others argue that lightness has always been a plus for snowboards, and that it allows for better control whether you’re on smooth or rocky ground.

Liquid snowboards and other accessories can be bought from major sports retailers; a list of distributors is available on the company’s website. Most buyers prefer to buy online, however, as the selections are likely to be larger and there are more price options. Some of the most popular online retailers are Amazon, Edge Riders, Snow Sports For Less, Board Kingdom, and Edge Boards.

For many, skydiving is the ultimate adrenaline rush. What can possibly beat jumping down an aircraft and hurtling back down to earth at a dizzying speed? It’s the kind of thing you have to try at least once in your life, if only for the bragging rights.

The problem, of course, is paying for it. How much does it cost to skydive? Plane tickets and insurance aside, a skydiving trip can run you back at least a few hundred dollars. There’s no set price range, but prices are affected by several factors. these include whether or not you’re skydiving alone (you may want to pay an instructor to fly with you), whether you’re bringing your own equipment or renting them, what else you’re doing on the trip, where you’re going, how competitive the company is, what other services you’re getting, and the time of the week (weekends are usually more expensive).

A tandem skydive, where you have an instructor dive with you, can cost from $120 to $250, including the equipment but excluding the instructor’s tip. Ten to 20 percent is usually acceptable. Solo skydiving costs $80 to $120 if you’re renting equipment, but can be as low as $25 if you have your own gear. For most of these you have to be certified; this will cost you $1,500 or so for a training package. An accelerated training package includes about 8 hours of instruction, plus on-the-ground work before embarking on about 10 actual jumps.

A cheaper alternative is indoor skydiving, where you enter a vertical wind tunnel and simulate a free fall, usually with an instructor beside you. There’s a small training session, about 20 minutes, to familiarize you with the basic positions. Each “jump” lasts about a minute and costs $20 to $40. Most companies impose weight limits and make you sign a waiver freeing them of all responsibility if you get injured during a jump.

If all this is too much for you, there are ways to cut costs, especially if you’re traveling to skydive. For instance, group jumps usually cost 10% to 20% less per person. Jumping during a weekday or on overcast days can also mean cheaper rates, not to mention smaller crowds. If you have a choice, pick a destination that’s not too touristy; the general rule is that the higher the cost of living, the higher the skydiving costs. Finally, if you plan on going back, book them right after landing—most companies offer discounts for follow-up skydives.

Kayaks have a pretty distinct shape—long, skinny boats with pointy edges and tight seats. But boat design has evolved to accommodate a wider range of uses, among them whitewater boating. The slim design of the traditional kayak simply doesn’t lend itself well to rough waters, and if you want to take to the rapids, you’ll need a more specialized craft.

Whitewater kayaks are much shorter, some almost half the length of a touring kayak. Most range from five to nine feet long, and are about two feet wide. This allows for a flatter hull, which means more balance and better control. In the whitewater, you’ll need it to quickly maneuver around rocks and turn yourself around when you get knocked off course.

The first thing you’ll want to look at is the kayak’s rocker. This refers to the curvature from one end of the boat to the other, or from bow to stern. You can best gauge this by viewing the boat sideways. The larger the curve is, the faster it will turn, and the better you can navigate it through the rapids. The curved ends won’t get caught in the waves, as a traditional kayak’s pointed end will.

Next, you’ll want to look at the hull shape. Whitewater kayaks come with two types of hulls. Planing hulls sit flat in the water and are therefore more stable. They’re great for riding along waves and have a softer edge, which minimizes tipping. Displacement hulls are more rounded, which makes them easier to tilt to one edge but also makes them more prone to the push and pull of the water.

If you like layboating—performing tricks in the water—you’ll want a shorter, flatter, and wider craft. This gives you maximum maneuverability, better speed control, and the ability to force the boat underwater when you need to. These boats will also have higher side walls to keep out incoming water, which can slow you down.

Don’t forget to look at the interiors. Although design differences lie mostly on the outside, the interior defines your comfort and therefore your level of control. In most cases you’ll have to trade off one for the other, as you have to be snugly seated to be able to control the boat. Find a good middle ground—you want to be able to maneuver, but you don’t want to be too locked in to enjoy the experience!

Americans love to celebrate warm weather by taking to the waters: surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, you name it. And while most of us would spring for a Caribbean cruise, there’s just as much to see up north, just across the border.

British Columbia in Western Canada boasts a bustling marine wildlife that’s sure to catch the eye of avid and novice divers alike. Diver Paul Kennell of CoolDives.com says the BC coast offers some of the most exciting diving in the world—and he would know, having plunged into the world’s oceans for the last 15 years. Legend has it that explorer Jacques Cousteau proclaimed the very same waters the best in the world for cold-water diving.

Those willing to dive into cooler waters are rewarded with an amazing encounter with the ocean’s flora and fauna. The waters of summertime BC are home to a collection of ubiquitous colorful fish, sea turtles, and friendly water mammals all too eager to cuddle up to divers. Giant sponges form ethereal underwater forests along with corals, anemones, and sea cucumbers, dotted with colorful sea stars and the occasional giant Pacific octopus. Practically every rock has a sprinkling of color on it, says Kennell.

One of the bigger attractions is the wolf eel, often playfully referred to as “puppies of the sea.” Their wart-laden faces and bulging eyes may take first-timers by surprise, but they are surprisingly warm—experienced divers insist that they’re among the friendliest creatures on land and sea.

Greg Dombowsky, author of Divers Guide Vancouver Island South and curator at Dive.BC.ca, says that the best underwater views in the North Pacific actually come during the winter, when the waters are much clearer.

When asked about the best diving spot in BC, most divers name Port Hardy, just before the northern tip of Vancouver Island. It is home to the Browning Wall, which houses a microcosm of Northern Pacific marine life and is widely recognized as one of the best wall-diving sites in the world.

Culture and history buffs will enjoy the stretch of ocean floor just off Nanaimo, where a number of aircraft and ships have crashed. Among the most popular sites are a Boeing 737 and a World War II supply ship. The sponge- and coral-rich Saanich Inlet, the Race Rocks Ecological Reseve, and Porteau Cove also come highly recommended.

All diving in Canada requires a diving certification, so make sure to plan ahead and look up the costs. Experts recommend taking a guided tour when the waters are cooler—local dive masters know their way around the waters and can direct divers to the most scenic spots.

Climbers keen on new challenges may soon have something to look forward (or up) to: the world’s highest climbing wall, set to be unveiled in Reno, Nevada this summer. The record is currently held by the 121-foot-tall Excalibur in Groningen, the Netherlands.

Entre Prises, a French company specializing in climbing walls, teamed up with CommRow, a planned sport complex, to plan and create the 163-foot-high wall. The former, which built the world’s first indoor climbing walls in 1985, has so far erected about 4,000 others, including some on the Royal Caribbean Line cruise ships. This one, however, will be the first they will build onto a tall building.

The wall will be built on 7,000-square foot boards on the side of the CommRow building. It will include beginner, intermediate, and advanced walls; belay ledges for training and moving between pitches; and a special designated area for the World Championship Competition. The wall is certified by the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) as an Official World Record Speed Wall, and was built to local and international specifications, according to Entre Prises CEO Antoine Richard.

The park is also set to host a number of annual professional climbing competitions, each one expected to attract some 1,000 climbers. They are also trying to get big names such as The Amazing Race and the X Games to participate, and the National Federation for Sports Climbing is pushing to get climbing into the Olympics.

CommRow will be building on the former site of the Fitzgerald Hotel and Casino, which was built in 1976 and has become a landmark of sorts in Reno. The first two floors have already been gutted.

The project may help boost the appeal of downtown Reno, which has been in a slump as projects were put on hold because of the recession, according to city councilor Dave Aiazzi. The wall will also be across a whitewater park that students and families used to frequent.

Tom Christ, entertainment and PR director for Harrah’s hotel in Reno, says the wall and bouldering park could only benefit locals and businesses. His hotel had already been planning to offer more entertainment this summer—last year, with business and tourism down, their stage remained empty for much of July and August. He even suggested playing music across the plaza to add some mood as people watch the climbers.

CommRow had to obtain a special-use permit to build the wall according to city regulations; the recommendation was given around March.