Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Skiing in Jammu Kashmir

Skiing in Jammu and Kashmir is a thrilling and exciting experience for any adventure enthusiast. The Ski Club of India was established in Gulmarg in 1927, which is now considered as the ski paradise of India. Just 50 km from Srinagar, situated at an altitude of 2,730 m, Gulmarg changes its scenery from a flowery meadow to that of a small ski resort in winters. Ski-lovers from all over the country flock to the place because it is the only ski-resort in the mighty Himalayas where you can ski with a magnificent view of the Karakorams.

Around the middle of December, before the Christmas, the skiing season in Gulmarg usually commences, which continues till the middle of April. In January-February, 1998 the first National Winter Games of India were held at Gulmarg, for which the facilities of the skiing resorts were highly improved and upgraded. The resort had two Kasse Bohrer snow beating machines used for preparing skiing slopes, and five snowmobiles, which are used for going up the mountain. Good quality equipment, including skis, boots, sticks, gloves and goggles can be hire on the spot from the Government-run ski shop. There are also experienced instructors available for supervising the visitors. Gulmarg is ideally acceptable for learning skiing, as it is probably the cheapest ski resort in the world. Gulmarg also offers heliskiing for winter sports lovers. It is Asia's only heliskiing resort and in fact after Canada, Kashmir is the best option for those inclined towards heliskiing. Heliskiing comprises of being dropped by a helicopter on the summit of a high, snow-covered peak and then skiing down the slopes. Heliskiing in Kashmir can be a breathtaking experience. Heliskiing is the ultimate winter sports thrill for the adventure sports lover. This extreme winter sport has some element of risk but the thrill experienced while indulging in heliskiing is said to be unequalled by any other winter sport. Skiing can also be enjoyed at Patnitop, 112 kms from Jammu, Patnitop, famous hill resort, perched at an altitude of 2024 metres is a world best destination for ski lovers. Skiing courses are conducted at Patnitop in the months of January and February. During winter months there are introductory courses for tourists/beginners at gentle gradient slopes of Patnitop.

About the Author

kashmirhotravel.com is a Travel Management Company, catering "for the choices of the chosen one's!!!" Through our global sales offices and our long time international partners we are proud to serve our visitors all around the globe. By establishing a reputation for top quality Travel consultancy and uniqueness in holiday management services.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Macau Tower Jump

AJ Hackett opened the world's highest sky jump, a plunge off the 233m outer rim of the Macau Tower, in 2006. You, too, can jump off the Macau Tower - if, that is, you fancy plunging towards tarmac at a hundred kilometers an hour.


A hybrid of bungee jump and skydiving, the sky jump is a controlled aerial journey involving no rebound or hanging upside down, which ends with a gentle landing at the base of the tower. The system is regulated by a cable brake and the fall takes 14 seconds. The inaugural jump was completed by Mr. Hackett, from New Zealand, on 17th December 2006. His career as a sky-jump installation tester began on that day and thankfully can continue, due to his having got his sums right.


Dare-devils are clad in specially tailored suits and connected to three cables, so ensuring absolute safety. At approximately 10 metres above the ground, the cable drum switches down-gear to allow for a soft landing. Unlike a bungee jump, Sky Jump is a controlled aerial journey, so you won't bounce back and you won't end up upside down. There is also no chance of the cable wrapping itself around your neck, as has happened to at least one bungee jumper.


I had a great experience at Macau's Great Tower and would like to share it with you. When my Dad asked me what I wanted to do on his day off in Macau, I said I wanted to see the sights, one of which is the Macao Tower. I didn't know about the jump, so you can imagine my surprise when I looked up to see someone plunging earthwards from the top. "Wow? Dad! That's amazing. I want to have a go" I said, tugging at his shirt, as I realized what was happening.


"I thought you would," he said as he fished for his wallet. A little later, as an attendant helped me into a harness and tightened the straps, I watched the orange jumpsuits walk around the outside deck as if they were training for a moon-walk. A Chinese man got suited up before me and I watched him enter the crew pit, then be guided outside to where the jump gate is located. A crew member grabbed the "Big Man" (a long, thick set of cables wrapped together in material) and hooked it to a loop on the man's back. After the checklist he guided the man to the gate. He told the jumper that at 50 feet he would stop his fall to take a photo and asked that the jumper look back up at him. The man nodded in agreement, looking as though he didn't trust himself to speak for fear of emitting an un-macho squeak. The attendant opened the door and led the man to the edge. He didn't hesitate and was gone in seconds. I doubted whether I would be so brave.


I felt adrenaline entering my heart as I took a deep breath, trying to control the mounting fear of knowing it was my turn. I stepped outside. Out on the deck, the crew member said "Don't worry, Losie, it's safe", pronouncing my name in the usual Asian way. Its used to find it sooooo annoying that Asian's can't pronounce my name "Rosie", but I changed my attitude when our Filipina nanny pointed out that I couldn't pronounce her name properly either. He yelled back the checklist and asked me, "Are you ready?" But he wasn't really after an answer and so didn't give me time to open my mouth and say:


"NO, Definitely not, I've changed my mind, don't bother about a refund, I want to go down the slow way. I mean, I can't feel any wings sprouting out of my shoulders, so I can't possibly fly, right, so this is lunacy. I might be a young British female, but DO I LOOK LIKE A B***** BIRD ?


He opened the gate and told me to put my hands on the top bar of the railing as the gate swung open in front of me. I did, but realized I really had changed my mind and was not going to jump - no way, José. "Look over there, Losie, look at Hong Kong" the crew member said, pointing at where my sister had been born. "You'll be fine. Trust me" he assured me. "No. This does not feel right. I do not want to do this," I said, standing at the edge with the gate wide open.


The crew member attempted to reassure me, closing the gate and talking some calm back into me. I didn't hear him - the only thought filling my mind, heightened by the blood throbbing almost audibly in my temples, was that jumping off the tower was suicidal. Life suddenly seemed even more precious than previously, I was far too young and thought myself much too beautiful to die. Besides, I'd never had any children, never been rock-climbing in Krabi, never seen a sunset from Annapurna base camp, only seen Boyzone in concert nineteen times.


This felt very different from jumping out of an airplane in Australia. That had seemed only slightly daft, as the airoplane was perfectly serviceable and I had no particularly pressing appointments on the ground. The crew member continued to try to reassure me "Come on Losie, you don't want to come this far and turn back", he said.


Before I could give voice to my objections I heard the sound of cheering and realized that everyone on the top floor had gathered behind us and was cheering me on.


"Please don't do that," I said, waving feebly at them while smiling wanly. More afraid of the embarrassment of turning back than of the dangers of proceeding, I turned round, faced the open expanse and leaned forward. The cable stopped after 50 feet for the attendant to take my photo. "Look at me," he yelled from above as I hung suspended below. "I can't," I yelled back, "My head doesn't turn that far. It's impossible, my neck's not long enough. Who can do that, anyway? I mean, how many giraffes do you get jumping off this thing?" The cable was released and I started a pleasurable descent, slowing down about 30 feet from the bottom and landing softly on my feet, right on target. Dad's eyes were the first things I saw as I hit the landing pad. He was laughing a somewhat nervous laugh, presumably relieved it was all over. I suddenly realized how much he loves me, that he was willing to put up with watching me do something that must have scared him witless. Our driver Andrew greeted me at the exit. "You crazy lady. Your Dad say you no like be high, why you jump?" he asked. "Because I wanted to beat the fear" I said. Today, the spectators on the top floor had given me the courage to jump by shaming me into banishing the fear. Andrew asked Dad why he didn't jump too. "I have no desire to do things like that," he replied. "I'm old enough not to need to bother with proving things." What is brave? To jump or not to jump. Which is braver? She who jumps or he who jumps not? AJ Hackett once chided reporters. "You must jump before reporting," he said. So, now, after having completed the same feat, I feel I have earned the right to ask, "If you are young, do you have what it takes? If not, is the only reason that you wouldn't do it that you feel you don't need to bother?"


This article was first published in Adrenaline ezine


For island-hopping and adventure sports at the best beach destinations in Thailand, go to Andaman Adventures.com, the web's definitive guide to all the best beach destinations in Thailand : the perennially popular Railay/Tonsai (click here for the destination and here for the climbing), the rebolted Koh Phi Phi (click here for the destination and here for the climbing), plus the new destinations Koh Yao Noi(click here for the destination and here for the climbing) and Koh Lao Liang (click here for the destination and here for the climbing)


Ao Nang is currently the best all-round Thai beach destination, offering the optimum balance of an unspoiled environment with a wealth of accommodation and activity options.


Click here for Thai adventure and extreme sports images.


Click here for Thailand's latest adventure sports craze, deep water soloing.


Click here for a search engine over the departure dates of ALL the Similan islands dive liveaboard boats


About the Author

The best Thai climbing, diving and fishing trips. Best 2008/9 destinations: Koh Lao Liang, and Ao Nang

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Snowboarding may not be one of the more difficult extreme sports - but it can still be tricky for many people to learn. Before you take your board out there on the slopes you need to know what you need and the basics of how to do it. Lucky for you that is exactly what we are going to help you with.

The first thing we want to talk about is how you need to dress when you go snowboarding. Make sure that you were a helmet that is specifically for snowboarders. Make sure it fits well and does not move around on your head or sit too low on your forehead. At the same time it shouldn't be too tight.

Wearing the right type of boots is also important. Make sure that this too fit your feet well - but are not too tight. You want to be able to move around easily - but not have them fall off.

Underneath those shoes you should wear high socks. Tuck your pants into your boots. You'll find that when your boots rub against your skin all day it will rub them raw. I don't care what people say - you should never wear more then one pair of socks. It will make your boots tighter and decrease the circulation of blood that travels to your feet. This can increase your risks of frosty toes.

Snowboarding For Beginners

The first thing you need to do is figure out which foot will be your lead foot. It is common that people who are right handed will lead with their left foot or the other way around. Of course this does not always apply to everyone. If you are not quite sure which one you should lead with then you should just do what is comfortable for you.

Once you have figured it out place your lead foot into the front binding and fasten it tightly in. If you are using the step in type of board then you want to make sure that it fits in perfectly and tightly. Once the lead foot is secure place your other foot in the right position. Try to get a feel for the board by bouncing around and moving a little. Try not to fall over!

Obviously you should have someone with you who knows what they are doing so that if anything happens to you or you need any help then can assist you. Have them make sure that you put your board on right and let them lead you to the proper ski lift. Remember to get on and off the ski lift with your snowboard.

Once you have left the chairlift you will not start to go very fast down the mountain. You will be starting off on a small hill where you will be able to turn and board your way to a much larger hill. These small hills are called bunny hills or practice hills. Go to the edge of this hill. Sit down and make sure that your board is perpendicular to the hill and place your foot in the binding. Make sure that the binding is secure. You shouldn't be able to move your foot around.

Stand up and then apply pressure to your lead foot - the one in front - and bend your knees and keep your back straight. You need to feel well balanced. When you apply pressure make sure that you and not leaning your body. Just pressing your feet firmly to the ground. Now you are ready to take off. Just remember that you are a beginner and you are going to fall down a few times before you get it right.

Reminders For Snowboarders

Please remember to follow any safety instructions that your trainer has told you. You also need to make sure that you have the proper snowboarding equipment before you hit the slopes. To make sure you have done this ask a clerk at the store which one would be best for you (a beginner) to use.


About the Author

There are many different extreme sports and each one is unique and different in its own way. Xtreme Sports is dedicated to teaching people about the different sports. They provide news and the latest races and competitions and tips to teach you how to learn the one of your choice.

Monday, September 29, 2008

Adventure Insurance: Any Extreme Sport, Any Location

To get adventure travel insurance is a smart choice to make. There is even insurance that specializes in covering only a specific sport or activity that a traveler may be particularly interested in doing For instance, if an travel tour consists of something as common as backpacking or a little bit more extreme such as snowboarding, there are polices out there that a traveler can be secure in knowing that it covers specifically these activities. What is even better is that if you want an insurance policy to cover only one specific sport then so be it. For more coverage, there are contracts that will cover injuries suffered doing all sorts that fall under one umbrella such as all activities done in the snow.

Certain kinds of insurance cover particular regions. for instance, there is adventure travel insurance that will cover specifically, when the climate permits, snowboarding along with skiing done in the United Kingdom Channel Islands and Northern Ireland. What a traveler would have to do with such an insurance contract is determine if he wants it to cover him yearly or monthly. Additionally, there are two categories of adventure travel insurance offered in the UK, one that is less expensive than the other. It would be important to carefully assess which a budget would allow for because you want necessary coverage but you do not want to go overboard.

Do not neglect obtaining adventure travel insurance when traveling to any location in Asia. Rock climbing and skydiving along with snorkeling in locations like Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam, adventure travel insurance is a must because their local medical facilities will only give care to those with it. If you do not have insurance then it could be days before you receive any kind of medical attention.

Adventure travel insurance policies have coverage of exploration activities that consist of unavoidable dangers that are not part of regular insurance policies. Frequently, insurance companies in the United States will request that you list the sports you plan to participate in as well as those offered on the tour as a whole. That way you are able to get an insurance policy tailor made with a safety net built in so that you have freedom to try as many activities as you want.

Many insurance businesses do not cover activities like skydiving, spelunking, hot-air ballooning. However, adventure travel insurance businesses specialize in such policies make it so certain contracts can be streamlined and deals can be added to them. A hundred or more activities are covered by contracts with these particular companies. *

Interestingly, there is a counterintuitive fact of insurance policies obtained from adventure travel insurance businesses. Most of the time the company has to pay more often for injuries received in lodgings than they do for injuries suffered doing activities outlined in policies. Hence, when and where injuries will take place is unpredictable. But the responsible thing is to take the time to get adventure travel insurance which will mitigate some roadblocks that may arise once and if injury occurs.


About the Author

Linden Walhard's newsletters are published on a variety of web publications related to la manga golf and spain holidays. Through his detailed publications on cheap hotels in la manga and spain holidays the reviewer affirmed his depth of understanding on the subject.

Monday, September 08, 2008

Ride your kite

During the last decades interest to various water sports has dramatically increased. Among those is kiteboarding which represents one of many types of kite propulsion including kitelandboarding, kite buggying, snow kiting, kite skateboarding, kitesurfing, mountainboarding and kite jumping.

It's obvious that kiteboarding is a very fun sport. Nevertheless a lot of efforts have been put in order to make it safer and there are still some dangers kite boarders can face. Before you start doing kite sports more or less professionally, you should go through appropriate training course at the kiteboarding schools or take some private kiteboarding lessons in order to make sure you are ready to face all the dangers and risks.

Keep in mind that kite sports are considered to be extreme sport for a reason. So if you're going to try it out, you should make sure that you have passed proper training and have all the necessary equipment and clothing from a kite shop for professionals. Speaking about kitesurfing, which is a water sport, you should be sure that you're aware of all possible water-related emergencies. You should also know which sea animals can be dangerous to swimmers and surfers and pay attention to changing water conditions, as well.

The best way to be sure that you are as safe and skillful as possible is to practice your kiteboarding techniques regularly. The more experience you have, the easier it is for you to cope with any emergency.

About the Author
born in 1970.

Passo Tonale - Alps Skiing on The Cheap

At 1883 meters, however, snow coverage and icy terrain made winter progress both difficult and dangerous. In the summer, travel was possible, but became rocky and sometimes icy. The only other way to get into the Italian lowlands was to cross from Switzerland, which is 900 meters taller than the Passo Tonale border crossing.

Passo Tonale is still today a crucial link adjoining Trentino and Lombardy. As far as Italians are concerned, the Passo Tonale is the highest purpose-built resort in Italy. Resting on the Rhaetian Alps between the two said towns, Passo Tonale is surrounded by the Ortles-Cevedale and Adamello pinnacle above to the north and south respectively. Passo Tonale Italian ski resort was extended in '06 and '07 with cable cars linking it to Presena and Ponte di Legno. This opened up over 10 more kilometers of piste possibilities.

You'll want to stay on the north and south facing trails above the trees to get the best skiing here. This part of Italy gets lots of sunshine and plenty of snow during the winter. The slopes are open later than many other Alp-centric ski resorts too. This means more ski time for your silver coin. The lift system is easy to get to know and is compact enough to get you to the best piste quickly. A holiday here almost guarantees, then, sunshine, snow, ski and cheap sales.

Passo Tonale is considered one of the cheaper ski holiday resorts in Italy. You can come here during the high season, for example, and find cheap hotels, cheap piste passes and cheaper cuisine. Why? You may ask: Because, Passo Tonale is considered a family-geared resort. There are pistes for advanced professionals, but mostly the groomed trails cater to the beginner and intermediate skiers. The cheaper value for your money means you can stay more time, thereby having more fun with more of your family and friends.

Passo Tonale has always been known but not discovered per se. Today, though, with the advent of the Internet and better marketing and word of mouth, Passo Tonale in Italy is growing each year. The higher altitude close to the Italian lowlands means skiers can come for two or three days and make it back to work. Plus, the new ski lift and ski bus system ensures you'll have time to hit all the pistes and boutiques even if the place is bustling with skiers and cheap holiday goers.

Passo Tonale's ski high season starts in December and ends sometime in April. This doesn't mean, however, that cheap deals can't be found. Though Passo Tonale is aggregated as a beginner and family one-ski spot, the slope suitability is broken down as follow: beginner: 10-20%; intermediate: 40-50%; advanced: 30-40%.

Passo Tonale's highest lift lies at over 3,000 meters with 30 total lifts and an equal number of slopes. Moreover, there are 100 km worth of runs lined with 150 snow cannons. You'll find the Presena Glacier as one of the best ski areas with the longest run reaching 7 km and the longest cross country trails marked for over 20 km. All this is cheaper than you may think: costing around 40 to 200 euros for a one to six day ski lift passes.

There are top-notch ski schools here too catering to the familial atmosphere the place ensures. Though not considered cheap, you'll learn a lot about skiing, chiefly if you're a first-timer. If members of your family are not game to ski, they can choose other sports, some free with a ski pass. There is a swimming pool, a natural ice rink, beauty center, fitness facilities, skidoos, tobogganing, spas and all sorts of après ski options, such as discos, restaurants and alternating Happy Hours at the local bars. Furthermore, there's plenty of places to shop and eat along the main tourist routes where you can meet, greet and delve into skiing conversation. Passo Tonale is Italy's cheaper but never inferior ski resort.

About the Author
O.B.S. company is currently working on Italian project, Passo Tonale ski resort. It represents Passo Tonale cheap hotels and possible vacation activities.

4 Important Tips for The Novice Hiker

Hiking provides hundreds of thousands of people with a great deal of pleasure and a sense of adventure each year and 99% of the time it is anything but dangerous. This said, people do have accidents and get lost from time to time and it can then become a dangerous activity very quickly if you are not prepared.
Below are just 4 simple safety tips to ensure that your hiking trips don't get you into trouble.
Safety Tip No1 - Think about taking a partner of friend along with you.
There's really no need to worry about heading out alone if you are going for a short hike in a local area on easy terrain, however, if you are heading out into heavily wooded wilderness areas with steep canyons and winding trails then the possibility of getting lost or sustaining injury becomes very real and you ought to think carefully about whether or not you are wise to head out alone.
Having a friend or partner along can have a lot of advantages, especially if that person is an experienced hiker. After all, 'two heads are better than one' and if you do become lost or get into trouble you're a lot less likely to panic if you have somebody with you to help to sort out the problem.
Safety Tip No 2 - Let somebody know where you are going.
If you are a novice hiker then you ought to certainly stick to clearly marked and well traveled trails and should not start to stray from these trails to explore until you have some experience and have mastered the basics of map and compass work. However, it will not be too long before you are ready to try some more adventurous hiking and the possibility of getting injured or lost will arise.
For this reason, you must always let somebody know where you are going and when you plan to return so that a search party can be sent out if you don't return when expected.
Safety Tip No 3 - Take along some basic equipment.
It is vital to have a basic survival kit with you and your local hiking club will be able to give you excellent advice on the items that this should include. Here we're looking at such things as matches and a lighter, a first aid kit, a good knife and a flashlight.
Additionally, it is a good idea to have a map and compass along together with a fully charged cell phone.
Safety Tip No 4 - Take some basic provisions along.
Water or other fluids such as sports drinks are essential as you can lose a lot of water even over an hour or two on a hot day. You should note though that water is heavy, so take sufficient but not too much. Remember though that you should not drink from local streams as natural water sources might appear to be inviting but they are often high in bacteria and may make you sick very quickly.
Also do not forget to take sufficient food to last you. It is no fun to be hungry while you're out but remember that you can last a lot longer without food than you can without water.
Visit The-Hiking-Club.com for advice on everything from finding a great pair of Timberland hiking boots to the wonders of a Hawaii waterfall hiking adventure
About the Author
Visit The-Hiking-Club.com for advice on everything from finding a great pair of Timberland hiking boots to the wonders of a Hawaii waterfall hiking adventure

History Of Rock Climbing

The history of climbing rocks, unlike many sports, is recent. According to history, people used to climb steep mountain faces and dangerous cliffs since they had to, but today people do it as a sporting activity. Rock climbing and bringing down stranded people was part of the Alpine mountaineering.

It was during late 19th century that climbing emerged as a sport from three specific areas of Europe. The first was in Germany in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains in the South-eastern part of the country near the Czech border. By 1903 there were several climbing clubs opening up in the territory and nearly 500 active climbers playing the sport.

It was during the same time, rock climbing was observed as a sport in England. Some of the climbers at this time invited attention as they soared some difficult cliffs all by themselves. Depending of the varying types of cliff formations, it is here that marking the various difficulty ratings first started. The formation of climbing clubs were rather slow in this area, however, the climbers would meet up themselves to thrash out their individual climbing experiences.

It took a 17 year old student from Munich Germany to do a solo climb in the Dolomite Mountains located in northern Italy to turn the area into the third hot spot for European rock climbing.
In the United States rock and mountain climbing was viewed in a similar fashion but it was treated as a well defined sporting activity only from the 1950s. Many of the modern techniques which are evident today, were initially developed with mountain climbing in mind.

Rock climbing as we know today has come a long way with new ways of doing things being introduced everyday and novel equipment getting launched. Climbing is now viewed more as a lifestyle by rock climbers than just a sport.

Another noticeable trend is the setting up of indoor climbing in urban zones. Here many actual rock formations are duplicated in design with artificial rock faces. You can be completely risk-free in these indoor climbing facilities since the safety equipment is guaranteed to give you all the excitement of the sport of rock climbing without the inherent risk factors.

Rock climbing requires a lot of effort, strength and determination and can never be a risk-free experience despite the plethora of safety equipment and new techniques in place. The modern day man has to encounter far more challenges to test his might and stamina than those who lived in the past.

Rocks were climbed only when people had a good reason to do so. The increasing popularity of rock climbing is perhaps a reflection of the changing preferences of our society. Many has sought fresh challenges everyday and perhaps this is the basic driver responsible for the existence of this activity.

About the Author
Article By Suta At: http://interesting-hobby.blogspot.com/

Skateboarding

Skateboarding first started back in the 1940s. Many kids had scooters then but these were expensive, those kids who could not afford scooters took the wheels from their rollerskates and nailed them to pieces of wood. They also nailed a handle to the board so they could use it as a makeshift scooter. Pretty soon the handle was removed and the kids would ride just on the wooden board and wheels.

Soon after this surfers began to ride on skateboards when there were no waves. And in the 1950s commercially made skateboards were finally available.

Now skateboarding is one of the most popular sports among teenagers in the world. There are competitions held in almost every country that attracts hundreds of both professional and amateur skaters. You can find skate parks in almost every major city and town. With the rise in professional skaters skateboard design is also improving. As a result of this special shoes and clothing have been designed, and there are even extreme sports shows that include skateboarders, attracting huge crowds.

Skateboarding can be separated into two forms, street and ramp. Street skating is basically defined as skating carried out anywhere except on a ramp. Various tricks are carried out anywhere where there is a flat surface, this can be school grounds car parks, or on streets and roads.

Skate parks are custom-made for all these kinds of skating. They have excellent smooth surfaces, and often include a obstacles such as curbs, ramps, and fun boxes. There is also an extreme form of street skating called skateboard racing.

This extreme skateboard racing is carried out on winding and sloping roads, competitors stand on their board and race each other down the slope to the finish line at the bottom. Skaters have been clocked at over 65 km an hour.

There are two types of skateboard ramps, vert ramps and mini ramps. Vert (short for vertical) skateboarding ramps are huge U-shaped structures between 3.5 and 4.5 m high. At the top of each transition is a short piece of vertical ramp which gives it its name. Mini ramps are much smaller and generally do not have any vertical transition. They are easier to learn new tricks on and are generally better for beginners.

Skateboarding like any sport can be dangerous at times. To reduce the amount of risk skaters should follow these simple rules at all times: 1) when learning the basics stick to flat a safe ground 2) make sure you are in control of your board at all times 3) always wear protective gear, such as helmets, and knee and elbow pads 4) always stay with friends in case somebody has an accident 5) keep your board and gear maintained

About the Author
Do you want to learn how to skate like a pro? Well then there is only one thing you need to know. Check out this site now to find out what I'm talking about. Learn Skateboard Tricks

Snow Boarding

Long a favorite of snow sports fans, snowboarding originated in the United States in the year 1960. Little by little it got the spot light with the spectacular artistic features it involves, getting the thrill of adrenaline for extreme sensations lovers.

Even the Olympics now recognize snowboarding, and since 1998, the top snowboarders in the world have been competing for the medal. The popularity of snowboarding as a recreational activity is a definite benefit when it comes to finding a professional instructor to teach a newcomer the techniques and safety involved.

All beginners must apply for a set of lessons and not just go for a ride, particularly if you've never used a snowboard before. Given time, advanced students can ask their instructors for lessons in even tougher training. You'll need more than a mere couple days or weeks snowboarding to be an expert, so judge accordingly and keep away from the harder slopes.

It's true that this kind of activity follows the tradition of other alpine sports in having a risk of danger that requires the use of protective gear. Freestyle snowboarding is known to be risky even for an expert, so, helmets are a must in such cases. Protective gear to cover the head, tail-bones and wrist are very important to anyone involved in snowboarding.

It's also imperative that your boots are ones that fit and provide comfortable. While it goes without saying that your boots should never hinder any of your moves, it is also very important to have them fit tightly below the knee.

Goggles protect your eyes from snow and light and should always be included in the protective gear of anyone in the sport of snowboarding. Good vision is imperative in any type of sport, and this includes snowboarding, where the sun and snow can combine to wreck havoc on your sight. Goggles should always be worn on the slopes if you want to have successful exercises and protected eyes.

Because of the privacy and extra adrenaline rush, many beginners also face danger through visiting the back-country part of the ski slopes. Any such athlete should be very careful, as they run the high risk of being involved in an avalanche in these types of slopes due to their untouched nature.

An avalanche has been known to cause even experienced riders to have difficulty, so snowboarding in these areas should be taken very slowly and cautiously.

About the Author
Article By Suta At: http://activespots.blogspot.com/