Skijoring What is it and How It Got Its Start

Skijoring is a unique sport indeed. The idea behind skijoring (Norwegian for ski-driving) is that if you have a dog and you own a set of skis, grab some rope and you have a new sport! Is the image becoming clear? Think of being pulled in a dogsled, now minus the sled and insert skis and you have skijoring! Skijoring began in Scandinavia (can you think of a better place?) where they would hook themselves to horses and reindeer to get to their destinations. Eventually dogs proved to be more manageable and some even had three dogs at a time connected. In the 19th century Scandinavian immigrants are believed to be the ones who brought skijoring to the United States. Minnesota has proved quite popular to the skijoring community. While you are enjoying the thrill of being pulled by your dogs, remember that small breed dogs do not fit the bill here. You have to also have to remember that you do not control the speed, direction, or the breaks and you could reach 15 miles per hour or more. The breed that works the best for this sport are dogs that weigh at least 35 pounds and love to run in the snow. Yes, you have your poles, and most likely you have enrolled in a course to show both you and your dogs how it is done. Many ski areas are beginning to allow both the skiing enthusiast and their beloved dogs to join them on their winter vacations. Although you do not have to go to a ski resort to enjoy skijoring, this sport can also be done in public parks, golf courses, snowmobile areas, and most any cross-country trails. The type of skiing you do is called “skate skiing” which is more of a side-to-side motion rather than a forward motion. If you are familiar with sled dog races, you know that sled dogs are known for moving at fast speeds over a large portion of the snow (15 or 20 miles is easy) and enjoy doing so. If you were to fall, your dog may or may not feel like stopping-- just as when you are playing fetch with them they may or may not feel like bringing the ball back to you, remember they are having fun! How can you tell if your dog is right for skijoring? Most dogs love to run, even when you are walking them with a leash. Even if you dog have never pulled you before but love pulling things, all you have to do is put them in with a lead sled dog and they will learn by example. If you are seriously considering the thought of trying skijoring, you do not want to cause injury to yourself or your beloved pet, therefore, invest in the proper equipment. The harnesses you use to walk your dog are not adequate for skijoring, as the force of pulling is not adequately distributed over their body and could cause injury and never use only a collar. Choking can be a problem if this is done and can injure your beloved pet. They make harnesses specifically for skijoring. It is also a good idea to buy a harness for yourself that has a quick release in case you fall and your beloved dog thinks this is just another way for them to pull you. Getting started in the sport of skijoring may set you back about $70. If you have never used your dog for skijoring before, please remember that they will get tired as we do and do not expect them to react as if they have been pulling a sled or you all their life. Start slowly and build up that in turn will give you a chance to recover also. Can you imagine the delight you dog must experience for being allowed to pull you and not get yelled at? Training your dog to walk with a leash is a task in itself and if you are a proud owner of a dog who thinks it is their life purpose to pull you while they are taking their walk then grab a pair of skis because your pet has the temperament for skijoring. For more articles related to this subject and others please visit ExtremeSports Info

Boulder Climbing

Boulder climbing, most commonly referred to as bouldering, is an extreme sport that has been around for a long time. Very often thought of as mountain climbing without the mountain and ropes, bouldering aficionados in Great Britain pioneered this sport some time in the late 1880s. In those days, the climbing of a boulder was considered a warm up and training activity for the more ambitious mountain climbs that the participants would engage in later on. Self proclaimed American boulder climber pioneer John Gill has made many advances in this sport that have allowed it to enter the mainstream. As opposed to traditional rock climbing, the focus in boulder climbing is on the performance of the athlete on the rock they are climbing instead of on the headway they can make on any given mountain hike, the type of equipment they may have that ensures success of some mountain climbing expeditions and failure of others, or the personal safety gear they posses. Safety is nonetheless of great important to any boulder climber. After all, even though she or he will only be about six feet off the ground, a fall from this height will hurt and might result in severe injuries if safety precautions are not taken. Chalk is often used to allow climbers to get a good grip on the boulder they are climbing and to prevent them from slipping. Drying the hands and reducing slippage due to sweating hands, a chalk pouch is indispensable in this activity. Another important item that should be a part of your climbing gear is the choice of shoe. While particular climbing shoes are not required and may even be looked down upon by the purists on the fringe of the sport, many climbers prefer to wear specialized climbing shoes that not only protect their feet from rock cuts, splinters, and painful twists, but also help them in securing a safe footing during their climbing experience. In competitions, crash pads will break the fall of a climber and allow for a safer landing. Fortunately, boulder climbers no longer wait until the competitions come around to use a mat to break a fall, but many climbers now carry their own collapsible mats that they use when bouldering recreationally. Many times an individual who is designated as a spotter will seek to direct the climber away from danger, or in case of a fall, will render first aid. A few boulder climbers will use top ropes to traverse a boulder, but the majority of the sports aficionados look on this safety precaution with disdain, as it distorts the actual beauty and goal of the activity itself. Since bouldering has become a highly competitive game, judging methods have evolved over the years. At first the “B” system invented by John Gill was used. Terming boulders as problems that need to be solved, difficulty levels were assigned to different boulders. Thus, a B1 problem boulder would not be considered easy yet does not fall into the hard category either. A B2 problem boulder simply designates a boulder that is harder to traverse and master than a B1 rock. The B3 boulder climb, on the other hand, designates boulders that have been so hard to climb that they have only been successfully mastered once. As is apparent to boulder climbing enthusiasts, the “B” system only worked for a short period of time until more participants in the sports brought more differentiated skill levels to the climbs. Soon the “B” scale was replaced by the “V” grade system invented by John Sherman, another great of the sport. This scale is open ended, but at this point only designations from V0 to V16 are used. Some refer to a VB rating, which simply means “V-basic” if a boulder does not even meat a V0 designation. Sometimes a plus or minus sign is added to the V designations to even further pare down the difficulty level of a rock. The “V” scale and the “B” system are comparable at times; for example, a “B1” problem as defined by John Gill is similar to a “V5+” problem designation using the John Sherman scale. In Europe, the cradle of this sport, an entirely different grading system is used: the Fontainebleau grading. This system uses the numbers 1 through 8 and the letter designations of a through c. An “8c” rating would be similar to Sherman’s “V15” rating. For more articles related to this subject and others please visit
For more articles related to this subject and others please visit
ExtremeSports
XTRA INFO

Beginning Basics to BMX

BMX is an exciting and adventurous sport, but if you have never done it before, it can be a little intimidating. Keep in mind, though, that everyone has a first time and that you can start in the sport whenever you like. Here are a few basics you need to learn so that you can get started in the fast and exciting sport of BMX racing.

First and foremost, you need a bike that is BMX track ready. That means you first need to get a bike with wheels no larger than 20 inches. Second, it must have the fenders, reflectors, chain guard, and kickstand removed for the safety of you and the other racers. It must have pads on the gooseneck, the handle cross bar, and top tube. Your frame will need to be in good shape and have absolutely no cracks in it. Finally, your brakes need to be in top condition. BMX can be dangerous, so make sure you have the right bike and if you have any questions consult an expert in your local BMX shop.

Next you need to consider your clothing when it comes to BMX beginnings. You must have long pants. Racing pants work best and offer the best protection, but in the beginning you need only to make sure that you have long pants. Second, you need a long sleeved shirt or jacket. Again, racing shirts and jackets are best, but just make sure you cover your arms to protect against severe scrapes and cuts. Lastly, you will absolutely need a full-face helmet with chinstrap. A regular bicycle helmet is not acceptable and will get you kicked off of most tracks. You need to protect your face in the case of a crash.

Next, take some time to watch people that know what they are doing. There is more to the sport than just pedaling fast, though that does help. Watch closely how they move their bodies as they go over jumps. You will see them using their arms and legs as shocks. Also, watch where on the track they pedal and where they coast to get an idea of the best strategies. Then, the first time you get out there, take your time. You are not going to win your first race, and it is best to get a feel for how a race shapes up. As a beginner, smooth and clean is better than fast in most cases.

Next you will need to address your abilities at the starting gate. When you first start, you will likely approach the gate and use a one-footed start. This is where you have one foot on your pedal and the other down as a kickstand. As you gain experience you will see that most riders use a two-footed start where both feet are on the ground. Practice this takeoff and you should be able to get it down in the first day if you work at it. If not, some take as long as a week, but once you learn it you will see an immediate difference in your times and results.

Make sure you practice and do so often. The best way to improve is to get out there and learn the strategies, see what other riders do, and learn what works for you. You will see that you get better as you compete against those better than you. Pay attention to technique and polishing your own races. The fewer errors in each race the more you can worry about speeding up your times.

Lastly, keep an eye out for clinics. Many tracks and local BMX organizations will offer clinics throughout the year. These are a great way to improve your jumps, your starts, or even your passes. Either professionals or very high-level amateurs will be able to teach you a great deal about your new sport.

BMX racing is fun and exciting for people of all ages. If you are interested in getting started in this sport, just take some time and know what you are getting into. Make sure you have the right bike, the right clothing, and the right knowledge to race. Then it is just all about practicing and gaining experience. Before you know it, you will be a top notch BMX bike racer.

For more articles related to this subject and others please visit

ExtremeSports

XTRA INFO

The Basics of BASE Jumping

Quite possibly one of the most extreme sports, BASE jumping, has many enthusiasts all around the world. The world BASE itself is an acronym that defines the four fixed categories of leap off spots that a BASE jumper may choose from which to jump. “B” stands for “building”, and pretty much refers to any man-made structure. The letter “A” refers to the term “antenna” and designates structures that are, as opposed to building, uninhabited, such as antenna masts, large oil wells or other structures. The “S’ stands for “span” and refers to structures that span a distance, such as bridges. Finally, the letter “E” means “Earth”, and this simply indicates any natural jump off point, such as a cliff, ridge, or range. BASE jumpers will pick any of these spots and then jump from them with nothing but a parachute.

Even though BASE jumping has been a much-publicized activity as of late, it is not a new sport. As a matter of fact, as early as 1912 American Frederick Law made a daring jump off the Statute of Liberty. The early jumps, however, were merely daredevil stunts and usually not repeated. Furthermore, others did not seek to “one up” the jumper by choosing an even more daring leaping off point. All this changed in the late 1970s when extreme sports aficionados suddenly realized the potential of this largely untapped competition. It is noteworthy that individual who came up with the BASE acronym, Carl Boenish, was a devoted jumping enthusiast yet his life was cut short during one of his own jumps in 1984.

Are BASE jumpers nuts? Well, it depends on whom you ask. Common sense would agree that this kind of sport is highly dangerous since any parachute malfunction or human error will most likely result in severe injuries or death. For this reason, enthusiasts will do well to check their gear and be aware of the different needs their sport of choice has. For this reason, follow these basic rules and you MAY live to do it again:

Use the right parachute. While this may appear self-explanatory, it is surprising how many BASE jumpers are not aware of the differences in gear when it comes to parachutes. Considering that the jump is made from a relatively low altitude, you will need a specially designed parachute that will open quickly. Adding to this the fact that at the time of opening, there is very low fall speed, your parachute needs to be designed to deploy at such a low airspeed. If you do not purchase a parachute that is especially rigged for BASE jumping, you run the risk of using a skydiving chute, which is designed to open at a high air speed. Using this kind of gear will most likely result in your death, so do not skimp when it comes to purchasing the chute, and do not compromise on what you need.

Learn how to use a parachute. While this may appear to be common sense, it is surprising to see how many BASE jump aficionados get hurt simply because they do not know how to land with a chute. It is not enough to have the right parachute, you will also need to know how to deploy it, when, and how to make a safe landing with it. Practice makes perfect, and you may wish to do some skydiving jumps first to get you in the habit of parachute handling. Granted, a skydiving jump and a BASE jump are not alike, but the knowledge of handling a chute and making some safe landings will help you in transferring that knowledge and hands-on experience to your BASE jumps. Just keep in mind that BASE jumps are a lot faster than skydiving jumps and you will have considerably less time to pull off a safe landing.

Find a safe jumping off point. Even if you have the proper chute, it will do you little good if a rock formation, or group of trees snags it. The result will be your getting dashed against the rocks or trees, and your chances of escaping serious bodily injury or fatal consequences are slim to none.

Learn how to fall. While it is true that those who go up must come down, the method of doing so is not always easy. Consider that a jump that would do your old swimming instructor proud will most likely cause you to make a tumble in the air, which is a deadly mistake when you consider that you only have seconds to open your chute. If you are still tumbling, you will get tangled in your chute and odds are it will not open properly if at all. Similarly, if you get tangled in your chute because of the tumbling in the air you may run the risk of getting strangled during the fall.

For more articles related to this subject and others please visit

ExtremeSports

XTRA INFO

An Overview to Skate Sailing

In its simplest application, skate sailing refers to an athlete who wears skates, yet is propelled by the wind, which catches in a sail the athlete is holding. If the sport is played on ice, then ice skates will be used. If a different surface is the playing field, the roller skates are acceptable. Due the many different kinds of skates available, this activity can be done anytime in the year, during any season, at any time.

There really are no particular rules to observe, and many of the suggestions that are made to avid skate sailors are simply common sense:

You will need to learn how to stop and make turns while holding a sail. While this is easier said than done, it can be learned in a few hours.

You will need to get to know your tolerance for speed and know when to slow down.

Safety gear is highly recommended, and usually a pair of durable long paints and some safety goggles will do the trick.

Obviously, you want to dress appropriately for the season; thus, if you skate sail in winter, you will want to dress in warm clothes. Avoid cotton since it retains any moisture and keeps it close to your skin. Dress in layers so you can shed some or add some, depending on your comfort level and outdoor temperature changes.

Pay attention to others around you. Since you will quite possibly gain a lot of speed, you want to make sure that you do not run into anyone or anything.

Of course, while these ideas truly are common sense suggestions, you will soon find that skate sailing is a lot easier to describe than to actually do. The biggest hurdle for many novices is how to accurately handle the sail while keeping the balance on the skates is usually not that hard to do. Here are some tips and tricks that will help you to navigate your sail without loosing your grip, or worse, heading toward places you did not intend to:

Positioning your hands on the front edge of the sail and then maneuvering it above your head in a horizontal fashion accomplish stopping. Do this while you are pointing in the direction of the wind. When the sail is in this position, the wind will not add speed to your movements and you will be able to easily stop your movements via skating stop and slow motions.

Sailing happens when you move the sail to the shoulder that is exposed to the direction of the wind, actually putting the sail like a shield between the wind and you. As you turn into the direction you wish to skate to, lean against the sail and let the wind actually hold you up. When you switch sides, always bring the sail back to the stopping position. This will allow you to switch sides without jerking around suddenly but while you are loosing momentum which will make your movements much more fluid and thus easier on the joints.

If you believe you are loosing control of your sail, or have lost control already, simply let it go. There is no sense in trying to hold on and either breaking the sail or getting hurt while holding on for dear life. Instead, let go, break your speed, and then go after the sail.

As you can see, there is a lot more to skate sailing than meets the eye. While it looks like effortless elegance when done by a pro, don’t feel like the sport is not for you simply because the first few outings do not go smoothly. Instead remember that even the apparently effortless pro started out small, and probably had to let go of the sail quite a few times before she or he finally got into the groove of things. So go ahead, dust off your skates, make sure the blades of your ice skates are properly sharpened, and get yourself a sail. This inexpensive sport is a lot of fun and can be enjoyed alone or with others. Best of all, it will get you out into the fresh air and allow you to enjoy the beauty of nature year round.

For more articles related to this subject and others please visit

ExtremeSports

XTRA INFO

Aint No Mountain High Enough that Cant Be Climb

Mountain climbing, or mountaineering, is one of the oldest sports in the world. It is the timeless sport of scaling high slopes on a mountain with the goal of reaching the top, or summit, in mind. Mountaineering is actually a combination of many other sports, like snow, ice, and rock climbing as well as hiking and often camping.

Much of the introductory mountain climbing done by beginners is little more than hiking up hill. Because there is such a range of difficulty levels and it is easy to start, mountain climbing is very popular. The basic climbs also seem much less intimidating than if people had to start off scaling a straight up rock wall.

The other exciting part is that there is such variety in the sport even at its most basic levels. In fact, one day of mountain climbing can get you everything from freezing temperatures to unbearable heat due to changes in altitude, weather, and basic sub angles. This variety offers you the opportunity to use skills like problems solving, climbing skills, and overall physical conditioning.

When beginning mountaineering as a sport, there is a lot to consider in terms of training and equipment. In the beginning, supplies that are necessary really only include those similar to hiking: tents, sleeping bags, and rations are obviously a must, but little else. However, as the difficulty level increases and the slope becomes tougher, climbers will need ropes and other actual climbing equipment to ensure safety. In extreme climbing situations, rock and ice climbing gear is needed beyond the ropes and hiking equipment.

So with all of this in mind, how do you get started if you think mountaineering might be for you? The first thing you must do is figure out which type of mountain climbing would be best for you. Each type of mountain climbing, no matter what level, does require a certain amount of personal fitness as well as an investment of time and money. Choose the one that sounds the most like something you would enjoy, rather than just looking for the one most commonly associated with more clout. Decide whether you like hiking more than climbing, what kind of weather you prefer to be active in, and how much cardiovascular effort you are willing to put into the sport. Once you have answered many of those questions, you will have an easier time deciding which type of climbing will work best for you.

In addition, as a beginner, it may be a good idea to consider hiring a mountain guide. Mountain guides are professionals who are adept climbers and skiers who can help lead you up a mountain safely. They know the terrain and can help you with what you need to know and what you need to do in order to get to the summit safely in some of your early climbs. As a beginner, spending time with a mountain guide is a great way to learn the basics of mountaineering before you try doing it on your own on a mountain you don’t really know. As a general rule with most anything, learning with a professional is the best and safest way to get your start. If your guide is certified, it means that he or she has done a number of trainings and has literally thousands of hours worth of personal experience climbing. Even if you are not a beginner, but you wish to advance a mountain that is beyond your skill set, a guide will be able to assist you with that climb.

For many a person globally, mountain climbing has become a complete lifestyle. For some, it becomes almost a complete obsession. However, for many, mountaineering makes a wonderful little distraction from the mundane nine to five living and routine family life. It fills the same gap that golf might for many others. In addition, pursuing mastery of various aspects of climbing is a challenge that can last you the rest of your life and keep you in good physical condition. Many find that as they master one aspect of climbing, they immediately find themselves obsessed with the next phase. You just may find that one day you are that obsessed mastering climber, but the only way to find out is to get out there and get started right away.

For more articles related to this subject and others please visit

ExtremeSports

XTRA INFO

The Draw of Spains Running with the Bulls

The festival is best known for its Pamplona roots, but it is actually a tradition in many small towns all over the country of Spain. That ritual, of course, is the Running of the Bulls. It happens annually around the second or third week in July. It is in honor of the patron saint of Pamplona, San Fermin and the festival is actually known as Sanfermines. The actual running of the bulls act is a culmination of the event and is called Encierro.

Obviously the Encierro is the most well known part of the festival, and it undoubtedly the biggest draw for foreign visitors to the festival. This Running of the Bulls actually takes place over an 800-meter course through the streets of the town. The bulls themselves will travel to the afternoon bullfight via the course and all the participants in their way. Between July 7th and 14th, six bulls are released every morning. The streets are packed with the runners and when they hear the rocket indicating the release of the bulls they begin their run.

Part of the draw for many is the danger factor. Between 1924 and 1997 there were 14 deaths and well over 200 serious injuries. There are also a large number of close calls, which is the real thrill. In 1995, in fact, an American tourist actually died via a bull goring. Many of the locals, who use the running as a sort of rite of passage, blame the influx of foreigners for making the running more dangerous than it was in its earlier days. Locals are experienced in being around bulls, while those form other countries have often never been around them and don’t know how to avoid them efficiently. They end up clogging up the course and causing more injuries.

The run starts at Santa Dominga Street, which is at the beginning of the 800-meter course, but participants may also start farther along the course at either Mercaderas or Estafeta. As participants wait for the release of the bulls, they sing a traditional song asking for blessing as they run from the bulls. The other option that many tourists take is to simply watch. If you want to watch, you can do so from behind double fences that will protect you from the bulls as they run the street.

After the running of the bulls, the focus is still on these massive animals at the afternoon Corridas, or bull fights. They take place at the town’s main bullring. This is usually the first time that many of the locals emerge from their long slumbers since there is so much partying at night. The bullfights in the afternoon are a big part of the celebration and when the real partying actually starts all over again and then carries into the night.

The running of the bulls has actually been a tradition that dates back about 600 years. The saint to whom it is dedicated became a martyr when he was dragged up and down the streets by bulls. Now the festival celebrates him every year by focusing on the running of the bulls.

Though it is a very old tradition, and it actually did not gain worldwide popularity until one of the most famous American authors and adventurers took note. In his classic novel, The Sun Also Rises, Ernest Hemmingway talks about the festival and event. The book is one read by many a freshman and certainly glorifies this dangerous tradition. Spaniards of the area, though, are torn by the popularity. While they fear the tourists make it dangerous and taint the tradition, they also crave the money that comes into town and the opportunity to spread their culture around the world.

The running of the bulls is a fantastically spectacular event. Every July, Pamplona Spain becomes the focal point for those who love culture, history, and adrenaline. Thanks to Ernest Hemmingway and his worldly life, the tradition has found its way into the collective mindset of the western world. From throughout the United States and Europe, people flock to the area to watch or participate in this traditional and dangerous event. While giving Spain the opportunity to spread their culture throughout the world, they may fear the damage done by those who are inexperienced more than that.

For more articles related to this subject and others please visit

ExtremeSports
XTRA INFO