Saturday 31 May 2008

History of Clay Pigeon Shooting

Clay shooting is the art of aiming at special flying targets. This sports activity has a long history as it was commenced way back in 1880. At that time, pheasant and grouse shooting were mainly popular in the UK.


During the period from 1883-1887, significant changes in shooting were witnessed when the first clay target was introduced in the game.

This form of clay shooting was well included in the Victorian and Edwardian hunting parties, where numerous birds were used as targets. People used to do regular practice of their shooing skills. In fact, institutions such as the Shooting Schools in London catered the desires and installed traps and towers that would facilitate flight of game birds. Later, many others targets were introduced as a discipline in shooting. Also, during this era only, it was given the name of sporting and tournaments were held in London to promote this sporting activity.

Before initiation of clay shooting, the game of glass ball was quite popular in England that took place in several parts of the United States. Historically, the first tournament of glass ball was held in 1867 in Boston. But, due to some reasons, it didn't get its desired place.

In France clay shooting went under a real revolution when the first hand throwing device, the "Hand Trap" was used in shooting in the year 1927. That inventor of the throwing device was known as, Emile Laporte. In this shooting sport, targets are thrown from a machine known as a trap. The trap is made up of a spring which was loaded with throwing metal arm. The machine can throw the targets up to the distances covering the range the area of 135metres. In 1980's, automatic traps were developed, giving a boost to the clay shooting sport and encouraging people to take up the challenge.

Friday 30 May 2008

Ways to Incorporate Ideas into Team Building Activities

The concept of team activities is to strengthen the bonding between the members of a team. While organizing a team building activities, a person has to consider many things so as to organize the best activity. Different people have different ideas so as their team building concepts too. If you were have to organize a team building activities, it is better to get your concepts cleared so that you would be in a position to explain others while preparing a presentation for your colleagues.

Think about Your Goals of Organizing Corporate Events

It is quite true that the need of team building varies from organization to organization. Also, it is also right that activities that have been worked for others might not suit your needs or requirements or what might match you cannot satisfy others. In short, there is nothing called the perfect team building activity as companies can choose their refreshing activities in their desired manner.

For example, activities that can fulfill the needs of IT computer employees not necessarily be appreciated by people employed in a steel firm. It is simply because their nature of work differs and their idea of relaxation may vary from each other.

The most ideal way of organizing a team building activity is to focus on the core aspects of the activities rather than looking into the outer aspects of a team building. As an organizer, you need to eliminate the unnecessary and misleading points while choosing the most fulfilling team building activities for your needs. Make sure you choose the games that may enthrall the senses of the team members rather than applies to people in general.

Experimentation with Team Building Activities

Team building activities must be unique and different. You can choose the activities that may test various skills of the members of the team. You as an organizer can be able to observe the reactions of teammates on various activities. Perhaps, these activities may help you to understand your people well and identify their unique specialties.

Tuesday 27 May 2008

Planning For Activity Days

Precisely, activity days have several meanings and it can be personalized as per the needs & requirements of the interested party. Especially in the UK, activity weekends have special meaning as they infuse a sense of refreshment and entertainment while serving as team-building exercises. Activity days can be organized for a variety of different purposes.

The basic idea behind organizing activity days is to provide something extra for employees working in different corporate groups. Such events could prove as true motivators for employees to work to the best of their capacity and produce great results. Activity days weekends enhance the performance levels of people engaged in non-profit groups as well.

Games Included in Activity Days

Different types of games are being organized in activity weekends. Choose the games that may suit the moods & preferences of people indulged in it. Make sure the games that you choose can be played in a competitive and healthy manner. Sometimes, interesting activities are also included in the activity weekends just to increase the fun and pleasure of teams. Games and activities such as Sheep Dog Handling, rafting, rock climbing, and others can be played with great enthusiasm.

To make it more interesting, organizers can announce prizes for the winning team. Many other types of activities such as archery and off road karting can be tried too. These activities briefly test a player's concentration, dedication, and commitment towards the goal.

People, interested in driving off road buggies can get to know more about their driving skills. They get to drive in some of the complex driving lanes with lots of steeps, twists & turns. Teams can compete against each other in order to reach to the end point.

Quad biking is one such interesting activity that can be taken up with pleasure. Biking in teams and competing with each other in a challenging landscape could be true fun. An activity day out is all about having marvelous fun and entertainment. Besides other challenging task, entertaining activities such as fairground rides, barbeques, and visits to theatres or restaurants can be enjoyable too.

Monday 26 May 2008

Discover Your Animal

In Shuri-Ryu Karate, after attaining the rank of black belt, karateka are traditionally awarded a animal spirit. This animal spirit is based on character traits displayed by the karateka both before and after their promotion. There are many different animals used, but for this article we will limit them to the original Shaolin five. These animals include the snake, tiger, crane, leopard, and dragon.

Identifying a karateka's animal is not just a trivial pursuit. The use of animal characteristics is an additional tool for identifying the strengths and weaknesses of both ourselves and others. Constant evaluation of ourselves and possible threats surrounding us is a key skill in being a thorough and effective martial artist.

Master Robert Trias, the founder of Shuri-Ryu Karate, identifies certain characteristics and abilities associated with these animals.

  • The snake possesses breath strength, and is characterized as a serpent waiting for its prey. An exceptionally short and quick style patterned after the snakes forked tongue that strikes at the opponent's eyes and throat.
  • The tiger possesses bone strength characterized by the strength and swiftness of its ripping movements. A strong style that uses short and powerful thrusts and lunges.
  • The crane possesses spiritual and muscle strength and is characterized as a graceful bird standing calmly and patiently on one leg waiting to take off or strike. A soft and fluid style that is patterned and imitates the wings of a bird.
  • The leopard possesses inner and outer strength and is characterized by the abilities of its powerful claws to penetrate in and around small openings. A very explosive style patterned after the flat paw of the leopard.
  • The Dragon possesses body strength and is characterized as a powerful yet flexible serpent that floats and emerges from the sea. A strong floating and sweeping style. 1

However intriguing theses descriptions are, alone they are rarely enough of a clue to identify the animal type a karateka most closely resembles. This is where Chinese five element theory becomes helpful. Each of these five animals are associated with the five elements that the Chinese use to help define the physical and spiritual world. That is why this article is limited to these animals because they are the most easily identified.

Chinese doctors have long used five element theory to characterize individuals by one or more of these elements to assist in diagnosis and treatment. By using the more extensive five element characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine we can more accurately identify a karateka's animal spirit by identifying the animal associated with the most pronounced element displayed in the individual's body type and characteristics.

Below are some physical characteristics associated with the five elements used to identify the element an individual tends toward:

  • Wood - Darkish or swarthy complexion. Tall and sinewy body type, tends to look as if carrying no fat, can be quite muscular.
  • Fire - Red complexion. Head often smallish and pointed, or may have a pointed chin. Hair is often curly, in men a tendency to baldness. Hands and feet tend to be small and graceful. Walks quickly.
  • Metal - Pale complexion with smooth and clear skin. Angular, well-defined features. Broad chest and shoulders. Abundant body hair. Tends to walk slowly.
  • Water - High forehead and abundant head hair. Long, strong bone structure with spine proportionately longer than normal. Fluid movement. Flexible, well-motivated, ambitious. Can also tend to be lazy and "go with the flow" too much.
  • Earth - Brownish or sallow complexion with a large head. Tends to be pear-shaped, carrying weight in the hips. Muscular or fat with heavy legs. Does not lift feet high when walking.

Got yourself figured out yet? If you're still not sure, consider the behavior patterns below for additional clues.

  • Wood - Creative, hard working, decisive, and directing. Likes to be in control and to keep busy.
  • Fire - Emotional, communicative, and articulate. Tends to be very sociable, loving, and can be quite spiritual in outlook.
  • Metal - Well-organized, neat, methodical, and meticulous. Tends to be very self-contained and does not express emotion much.
  • Water - Flexible, well-motivated, ambitious. Can also tend to be lazy and "go with the flow" too much.
  • Earth - Sympathetic, considerate, and supportive. Tends to be an "Earth Mother" type, with focus on caring for others. 2

If you're still not completely sure, don't worry. These elements are not mutually exclusive and most people are associated with more than one element. Even so, try to pick the one that seems most dominant. Once you've narrowed that down, just match the element to the animal to determine yours. The five elements and their associated animal are snake/wood, tiger/fire, crane/metal, leopard/water, dragon/earth. 3

Now that you've identified your probable animal, the real work begins. Learn all you can about that animal and its characteristics. You can use Master Trias' words above to begin with. Then find out what our forbearers learned from that animal and see what you can learn. We have the advantage of television and the internet. We don't have to hide in trees, scrub and caves to observe them.

Keep in mind these are only the five traditional animals. There are many more used in the martial arts. Even so, you probably have a much better idea of what type of person you are, and that's the whole point. Being associated with a really cool animal is fun, but the real benefit is understanding yourself better. Now begin applying this analysis to those around you and you'll really begin seeing the use of this exercise. Identify your fellow students, and see if it affects how you spar them. Then apply this skill to people on the street. As Sun Tzu said, "he who knows neither himself nor his enemy can never win, he who knows himself but does not know his enemy will sometimes win and sometimes lose, but he who knows himself and his enemy will never lose."

1 Pinnacle of Karate: Okinawan Methods or Shuri-ryu (1980) Grand Master Robert A. Trias

2 The Complete Illustrated Guide to Shiatsu (1998) Elaine Liechti

3 Five Elements - Five Ancestors - Five Animals Shihan Gary Wayne

The value of consulting industry experts when buying leotards

Buying Leotards from a shop is a relatively simple process. Simply find an outlet which stocks the style and variety of leotards which you want to buy and then head to that store. The difficulty becomes apparent when attempting to choose the right leotard for your needs. Just like any other item of clothing, there are many leotards to choose from and depending on your individual needs, you may wish to buy leotards for a specific sporting activity. Or you may be buying one for your child who needs one for gymnastics class at school. With the rate at which children grow, it may be beneficial to buy a slightly cheaper item, to limit the financial expenditure when it comes having to replace it.

If you are unsure as to what leotards best suit your needs, then you are best off seeking out an expert in sporting equipment and attire, who will be able to advise you which item will be most suitable. Most shops have highly trained specialist staff who have the specific knowledge to help you out with any query you may have about a sporting items. In their role, they have to have in depth knowledge about a multitude of sports equipment and the sports themselves. Also, they need to know about the mechanics of the sport, so they can best advise potential customers on what items to purchase. There is a long list of training requirements which they have to meet before they can be said to an expert in the field of sporting equipment. The most experienced members of staff will be able to size you up and quickly make sure that you buy the best leotards and additional products for your needs.

With modern day retail, employees are not just expected to be experts on leotards. They are also expected to perform some of the more mundane managerial tasks. For instance, many qualified pharmacists are also shop managers and take responsibility for the everyday running of the business. Due to their double role, trained experts often become very knowledgeable business people too. Once they have got the relevant experience from working as a manager of a large store, the experts can branch out on their own and open their own shop selling leotards and other gymnastic and sport related items. Owning your own business and being in charge of you own profits and salary is a fantastic opportunity. Being self-employed allows anyone to live the dream of being their own boss. It doesn't matter what type of business you are interested in starting, there will be a way of making it happen.

To build a successful business selling leotards and other sports related items, it is advantageous to have the knowledge and experience learned while working on the shop floor. The customer service experience you gain as well as the product knowledge will be fantastic assets to the future business opportunities and the business may well be all the more profitable for it.



Saturday 24 May 2008

Helpful Tips In Maintaining Your Snowboarding Equipment

Frequent snowboarding can take its toll on your boards as well as other gears. In order to make them last and save you from further costs, it's best that you take care of them well. Maintenance is always the key when you own valuable items.

Snowboards need regular tuning to enjoy them for many seasons and maximize your experience in this ultimate winter sport. You have to take care of your gear especially when the winter season comes to an end. Not being able to maintain it well may only result in poor performance or early deterioration of your board.

But before you try to do anything yourself, we share some tips that will give you helpful information on what parts of your board require special care and whether it's time you should bring them to the shop and be professionally maintained. Of course, doing the basic maintenance yourself can save you money and you can do it without the use of many specialized tools. However, if you want to smoothen the snowboard's base, never attempt to do it alone as a specialized grinder is the only tool that can do the work.

Clean is in

Cleaning the board is the first important step any snowboarder should take. Grime and dirt are most likely to build up on your board so make sure that you get rid of them at the end of the winter season. The best product to use is a citrus cleaner because it not only takes away dirt but also removes any dead wax from the base. All you have to do is just apply the cleaner and use a clean cloth or rag to get rid of dirt or any residue.

Check the edge

After cleaning, check your board to find out if there are certain portions that need fixing. Look carefully at the edges and the base. If the edges appear to be dull or burred, they need to be filed to keep them in good shape.

As for the base, if you see any minor damage, you can easily fix it with a tune-up kit that should include a p-tex candle. However, if you're not certain about this, better bring your equipment to a snowboard shop and have it tuned up.

Wax to the max

Once you've seen that your board in is in good condition, it's time to apply a new coat of wax. The things you will need at this stage are a scraper, iron and wax, preferably an all-temperature wax. Any iron will do but there are irons specially made for waxing a snowboard.

Now, while using the iron, apply a thick coat of wax on the base and make sure that it covers not only the base but the edges as well. Then scrape the wax from the base and the edges. The wax here serves to prevent the board from drying out and the edges from getting rusty while it is being stored.

Proper storing

Your snowboard together with your gear should be kept in a cool dry place during the hot summer months. As much as possible, don't store them in the basement. Boots that are the soft type should be properly cleaned and should be applied with foot oil to maintain its softness.

Following these tips is a sure way to have durable and long lasting snow boards. So, keep them in mind and have a great experience with snowboarding.

Friday 23 May 2008

Buying Ballet Shoes from the Internet

The greatest dancers will attest that Ballet is one of the most gruelling and difficult of arts to master. The top professionals spend years training and learning in order to be able to perform at the highest level. Regardless of the level of ballet being performed, ballet shoes are an essential part of a dancer's kit. All ballet dancers require the specially designed shoes, to allow them to perform to their capabilities. Ballet shoes are designed to fit the foot closely and comfortably, to allow the dancers to glide across the stage with finesse. There are various different types of shoe available, which are designed for specific actions. For example, Pointe shoes have toe pads inserted to the tip to allow dancers to stand on their toes, or 'Pointe' with more ease and grace. The pads make the tip of the foot square, making the toes into a stable block to be balanced on.

As dancers train, they wear out and damage their ballet shoes. The shoes are required to be lacy delicate to the eye but robust to the foot. They need to be sturdy enough to hold the weight of a dancer for prolonged periods of time. Therefore, a dancer will require a large amount of ballet shoes during their career. Many will carry several pairs, to avert any crisis which may arise after potential damage or breakages at an inopportune moment. Buying a large quantity of shoes can become expensive and it is always preferable to find cheaper sources of products.

On-line shopping is a fantastic way of finding great deals on all sorts of ballet shoes and other ballet related items. The internet has opened up the retail market, forcing items to be more competitively priced in store and increasing the chances of obtaining a rare or in demand item. Auction sites like eBay carry a wealth of items which are surplus to requirements to the current owner and looking for a new home. Real bargains can be picked up and a fortune can be saved. Searching for items on ebay is also a good way of getting price comparisons. It is helpful to see how much ballet shoes are being sold for online and then compare that price to the prices in store.

Generally speaking, internet prices will be cheaper than in store prices and even adding on the cost of postage and packing will not push the cost up too high. However, the danger of shopping for ballet shoes on the internet is ensuring you get ones that fit. If you're a seasoned ballet dancer, chances are you have already selected your preferred make and know what size feet you are. You can buy shoes online without worrying about them being the wrong ones because the order will be exactly the same as the usual pair you buy. If you are looking for you first set of ballet shoes, then head to a shop, try on a few sizes and pick a style you like, then when you get home, order them from the internet and get them for a cheaper price. Buying ballet shoes couldn't be easier.

For further information regarding our range of <a href="http://www.articleblast.com/http://www.dancedirect.com/uk/Category/Footwear/Soft-Ballet-Shoes/">ballet shoes</a>, please visit our website at http://www.dancedirect.com.

Monday 19 May 2008

Planning a Team Building Weekend

Corporate team building has become the necessity of the growing companies in fiercely growing marketplace. The concept has been designed to improve the interaction among the employees at work. The positive aspect of team building is more concerned about improving the relationships among co-workers and developing a common understanding among them to enhance the efficiency and productivity. Mere, taking a team out for some fun activity such as river rafting or wall climbing is not enough. You as a complete organizer need to see if the planning and arrangements actually served the purpose or not.

Often, companies overlook the evaluation part of a team building process. Planning an interactive activity in hope that things will work out in desired manner is not sufficient. In order to have a successful and enjoyable team activity, a company must consider many points. A company must try to focus on framing up its activities on the basis of the organizational goals and the needs of the team. After knowing about the needs, suitable programs to plan an effective team building could be carefully designed.

Following tips will help you to plan a suitable and interesting team building activity:

1. Set a clear purpose for the team building activity. Talk to the team and know what they want to be included in fun activities.

2. Try to manage working hours and fun hours. Managing the time will help in building utmost trust among team members. Select the activity that boosts the team spirit and team involvement.

3. Indulge the whole in any fun activity. Asking the employees to take part in an activity will make them a part of this whole affair and eventually they will start enjoying themselves quite easily.

4. Work on post team building activity so that spirit will go on and on. Do something on a frequent interval to keep alive the expectations of the employees so that the improvements could be done regularly.

Corporate team building is the finest way to improve ties with employees. Plan carefully and reap the benefits if you handle a qualified manpower!

Saturday 17 May 2008

Rugby Trips and World-Wide Rugby Game Arrangement

The wide-reaching appeal of rugby has given rise to many international rugby tournaments that happen all over the world. Fans aren't limited to getting their England rugby tickets for England, they can watch the best English (or Irish or Scottish) players compete against the best international teams in the world with six nation tickets.

Below, we discuss some of the leading international rugby tournaments in the world, the finest ones to buy rugby tickets and six nation tickets for, and what makes competitions so successful

The greatest international rugby tournament is, of course, the Rugby World Cup. It's also the most lucrative, with every match watched by millions, both at home and at the stadiums by those who can get rugby tickets. In fact, it's the third most popular international sporting competition globally, with only the summer Olympics and the FIFA World Cup drawing a bigger audience.

Another of the greatest Rugby tournaments in the world, the Six Nations tournament, began in 1883, when England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland competed in what was called the Home International Championship. Later, in 1910, France joined the competition, which was rechristened Five Nations. When Italy joined in the year 2000, the tournament became known as the Six Nations Championship, the phrase we know it by today. There are many things that make the Six Nations Championship such a thriving rugby tournament, and Six Nations tickets such desirable items.

One of the things that makes British Lions tickets sell so quickly is the great history of the tour, which began in 1888. The Lions have seen their greatest support in the 1900s, with tourist and fan support really increasing in the 1950s. Their first non-amateur tour in 1997 was a total success,the Lions only lost two games total.

One thing that most of the greatest international rugby tours use to make tournaments more fun to watch is the bonus point system. This system encourages the kind of play that fans love that really sells rugby tickets. Rugby players are encouraged to attack throughout the match in order to obtain bonus points. This gives even losing teams a bonus for trying, they earn points for small losses and number of tries. Like with standard point systems, teams get one point for a draw and two points for a win.

Be Part Of The Snowboarding Culture And Enjoy Every Minute Of It

It cannot be denied that the era of snowboarding is at its peak today. With more than seven million of snowboarders all over the world and numerous competitions held each year, one cannot argue that this extreme winter sport is indeed on the upswing.

Snowboarding goes beyond just riding one's board and doing tricks while flying. This ultimate winter sport has become a culture among the young ones, both male and female. Surprisingly, there are many teen females just as there are many young males who have made a name for themselves in this thrilling activity. Additionally, more and more teens are benefiting from the snowboarding summer camps and other related summer activities which help them further improve their skills and tricks.

Of course, these energetic young people enjoy every minute of their sport but other than that, they also share some common stuff including music and night life which what brings them together. Camaraderie as well as sportsmanship are vital aspects of any sport activity and are admirable traits when maintained for the long term even with the competition.

Teenagers love to meet new friends and get together for sports, fun, music and food. You can just imagine the wonderful experience they get when joining competitions.

Early beginnings

Did you know that it was in the late part of the 1980s when snowboarding became a teen culture? Big credit goes to skateboarding enthusiasts such as Chad Voren who turned to snowboarding for a change. You know how teen are, always looking for something new to explore. Being the innovators that they are, they then made their own boards and brought the thrilling activity to the snowy mountains.

When snowboarding gained ground, as expected many business-minded companies such as Soloman and Rossignol joined in the fever and manufactured snowboards to make money.

Today, the Snowsports Industries America reveals that the business of snowboarding manufacturing is worth $130 million with the young generation as the main target audience of equipment as well as clothing accessories.

China joins in

If you think that only the North American and European countries as well as those down under are reaping the popularity of snowboarding, think again. China has a growing snowboarding culture itself with 400 million of its people now engaged in active sports. And with the Beijing 2008 Olympics set to be held there, the Chinese have reasons to celebrate and be active.

From only three snowboarding resorts in 2001, there now exists 12 as of 2003. China's snowboarding culture developed from the efforts of Steve Zdarsky from Austria. This man took up Chinese and economics and moved to China where he launched the first pro snowboarding events in 2003. He has also established his own snowboarding brand of clothing Nivit and has published a magazine focused on this winter sport.

The younger Chinese segment is fast catching up on the snowboarding trend including fashion and accessories. In fact, the club scene in Beijing and Shanghai now are seeing young people dressed in the popular boardsports-inspired clothing. These trends are attributed to the penchant of the Chinese teens just like the Japanese for Western lifestyle and icons.

So, how about you? If your inclination is towards snowboarding, too, why not jump in for a taste of this youth culture. As they way, if you can't beat them, join them.

Kid Costumes: A Real Fun

When it comes to choosing the best Halloween costumes for kids, parents can find a huge collection in the market. There are many online costume stores that have everything to please the kid's needs and requirements. Select anything from little devils to angels and many more to get the most appealing look in upcoming Halloween costume party. Is your child a movie buff and appreciate dressing styles of his or her favorite movies? Not to worry! Parents can look into the specialized section that feature costumes inspired from hit flicks including, "Pirates of the Caribbean," "Lord of the Ring," "Superman," and many others.

Children who love fantasy in their dressing style can opt for lots of fantasy costumes available in the market. Witch costume and Fairytale costumes are also in vogue these days. These costumes can not only improve a child's look but also enhances the party mood. So, think carefully about what theme or which personality you would prefer for your child in the coming Halloween.

Halloween Costume for Everyone

Usually, boys' taste and preference vary from what girls choose to wear. In order to keep the individual behavior and preferences in mind, many online websites maintain a separate section for both the sexes to provide the right mix of the Halloween attire. As an interested buyer, you have to find a suitable website that maintains a huge collection of the desired wardrobe range. Once you find the right website, it is quite easy to browse through its offerings and get the most valued possession for your kid.

If you are not satisfied by the collection listed on the website, you can contact the website or send an email telling what you have in your mind. Many online costume websites make costumes as per the buyer's needs. Otherwise, you can browse the child costume shop selections and place your order today!

Thursday 15 May 2008

Unique Stag Parties

The concept of Stag parties is to end the singlehood with a loud bash with unlimited fun and entertainment. The stag party is basically meant to have safe, funny, and respectful end of a man's bachelor life. The event includes spending quality time with the close friends and breaks the glasses! The fun of stag can be easily imagined by experiencing a night in loud and smoke filled bars with happy pals.

Stag Weekends: Instigate Down the Memory Lane

The celebration allows a groom to spend quality time with friends with whom he hasn't had the chance of meeting in past few days. The concept is to back up the friend who is to get married soon with proper respect and honor. There are lots of activities to be included in a stag party. Do all the crazy activities in funnier ways along with unlimited laughing and reminiscing.

These days, the practice of including alcohol into your celebration mood would be an addition. However, it is always necessary to monitor the extent of liquor consumption in order to avoid the unpleasant consequences.

Stag weekends can be celebrated in style and in numerous ways. Ask your friends to take out a weekend from their busy schedules so that you all can meet together and have fun. If you are willing to spend a little, make arrangements for an outstation destination. Arrange for everything from choosing a venue, activities, entertainment modes, transportation, cuisine, and drinks. Making prior arrangements helps in getting the best entertainments and enjoyment.

Celebrate in Style

A stag party is one-time affair. Therefore, it must be celebrated in style. Proper planning helps in getting the purpose right and participants could enjoy in a better way. It is the event to relish moments with your close friends and save them for many more years to come!

Attracting people back to Racing

Horse Racing has a problem world wide, it is losing numbers fast!

One of the reasons for this is that the horse racing authorities have gone off in a tangent in the last 20 years trying to attract the general populous to the sport. Whilst this may work for special events like the Melbourne Cup, it does not and cannot work during the rest of the year.

One thing that has to be appreciated is that people predominately follow horse racing to gamble on it, not to have a nice day out with the kids.

So what should the authorities do?

Firstly, admit to themselves that horse racing is for punters not fashion parades and then set out to re-educate the people that can be interested in horse racing as to what it is and how it works. Unlike our parents day when knowledge of horse racing was passed down from father to son and daughter, these days most people do not even know how to interpret a form guide, let alone make an informed decision on which horse to back.

We must realise that there is a lot of "industry speak" in horse racing and form guides that make those that do not understand it, uncomfortable. So the most important thing to do is to educate the public as to how horse racing works, how to read a form guide, how to place a bet, what to look for in a horse.

It would not hurt if TVN and Sky Channel put some money into producing some lifestyle shows similar to the DIY craze but focused on horse racing stories and education of horse racing.

Sure, this won't make instant money like 24/7 racing but it will help to ensure there is a generation of interested racing followers coming after the current one.

Also, the use of technology should be championed, the younger generation actually likes technology, they understand it and are not frightened of change like the current generation. Use this to advantage, utilize computer based track bias simulators and GPS tracking systems, visualize live races in 3D and let the viewers online get on the back of the winner in real time.

The technology exists, it's exciting and it's one of the elements that will fire the imagination of the younger people and keep them interested in horse racing during the other 51 weeks of the year.

Tmportantly, focus on what is important in horse racing, the punter, without them, the sport will die a slow death.

Wednesday 14 May 2008

Useful Information about Clay Shooting

Hi, I am Aston! It is been two years now when I started shooting. The primary reason for opting for shooting activities is acquiring skills to defend myself. I firmly believe that by learning an indoor shooting range, a person can be able to acquire few tit-bits for protecting himself. Training with guns seemed like the best way to do this. However, with the due course of time, the shooting range became a pleasure activity rather than just a task. I have been more attracted towards the rifle shooting as a playful hobby than a necessary exercise to protect from unpleasant accidents. Clay shooting is one such shooting range that provides me greater satisfaction of aiming at the right target and hitting it back with sheer concentration and dedication.


Never tried the clay shooting activity? Well! Clay shooting is something that tests your skills. Even, for an experienced marksman, clay pigeon shooting can be a tricky thing to do. Hitting at clay pigeon targets is one of the toughest jobs for any shooter. There are many spots from where I can hit anything but when I tried shooting pigeon; I was shaken as it was quite difficult to get the target marked.

Choosing the clay pigeon shooting is an added chapter in my shooting capacity. Essentially, it helps me to understand three important lessons of shooting; one is how to shoot straight up into the air, second, how to predict the motion of the targets; and third, how to shoot a moving target. The activity has taught me how to attain my targets quite easily.

If you enjoy shooting and love to hit the right target, opting for the clay shooting could be an added advantage. No doubt, these activities can be interesting and quite worthy in life as well.

Monday 12 May 2008

Corporate Event Managers

Corporate events and event management activities need to be handled with creative energy and inspiration to satisfy the clients. A tailored corporate event provides equilibrium of fun, innovative and satisfaction. There are many corporate event management companies or firms that specialize in bringing the best out of your team and hit the bulls' eye while planning for a memorable event. Choose anything from organizing any audio visual equipment, corporate event entertainment, video screen presentation, and lighting equipment to infuse a fresh energy into your team building activities.

An event management company hires a dedicated team of corporate event managers who undertakes everything to make a successful event for your company. These experts have years of experience in organizing gala events, Corporate Team Building Events, corporate outings, scavenger hunts and more. The major work of corporate event managers is to create the most successful and unforgettable business event ever.

Benefits of Choosing a Professional Corporate Event Management Company

1. Customized Service - Hiring a professional event management company helps you to get one to one service. Event managers understand the importance of an event and plan it thoroughly to make it a huge success.

2. Partners with a Company and Provides Affordable Solutions - After taking a brief on your requirements, an event management company set its people to work on designing and planning of the event. Using your ideas and a few of theirs, the company design a party that is very unique and above all else within budget.

3. Uniqueness and Outstanding - An event management company strives to bring uniqueness in every event to make it memorable. They hire best of everything to bring hearty smile on their clients' face.

Hiring the best corporate event managers helps you to get the most interesting, highly motivated, and amazing entertainment for your team.


Sunday 11 May 2008

How To Choose Your Hunting Rifle

Amateur hunters must give this subject a lot of thought because the hunting efficiency depends greatly on the used rifle. With other words, if hunters don't own a suitable rifle for a particular type of hunting and to fit the hunting style, the results won't show up very soon and in some cases, not at all.

The very first issue a future rifle owner must think about is the cartridge. Let's take for example choosing a rifle for a deer hunt. Experts affirm that a 150 grain bullet is recommended for this type of hunting. To narrow the list, it is advisable to look for the most popular models, like the: .270 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, .308 Winchester and others as well. What future rifle owners must know is that standard cartridges are uniquely named so the name of the cartridge indicates the dynamic and physical characteristics of the cartridge. Hunters mustn't forget that in order to safely fire a cartridge, the rifle must accept that specific cartridge as it can't fire other cartridges.

Next order of business, future rifle owners must think about the action. Basically, there are four types: bolt action, lever action, pump action and self-loading ( auto-loading / semi-automatic ) action. Single shot rifles come in the following types: break-open, rolling block, falling block, trapdoor and others as well. Of all of the above mentioned, the bolt action retriever has the simplest design which allows rifles to be loaded with more than just one single cartridge. It is also easier to maintain and is more reliable in comparison with other action types.

Stock materials are in most cases made out of wood ( laminated or not ), fiberglass or plastic. The rifles that have a wood stock material are generally made out of walnut due to the fact that it is sturdy; feels good in the hunter's hands and it is also aesthetically pleasing. From all common stock materials, the laminated wood is the strongest and the most durable available but they are a little bit heavier than others. More and more popular among hunters are the synthetic materials basically because they are less expensive and less affected by moisture in comparison with the walnut stocks.

The barrel length varies from 18 to 26 inches but all lengths aren't available on all models. When choosing the length, hunters must think about what the length implies: the stiffness of the barrel, the length, the weight and the bullet's speed as it leaves the barrel's end. If the barrel is longer it will so to say " wiggle " when the cartridge is fired which will have a huge impact on the accuracy. Shorter barrels are a little bit more accurate but for a hunting rifle the difference is basically insignificant. The disadvantage of a lighter gun is that the recoil is more powerful in comparison with the recoil on heavier rifles.

Most of the metal parts of a bolt action rifle are made of either carbon steel or stainless steel. Carbon steel has one major advantage and one major disadvantage. The major advantage would be that it is less expensive while the major disadvantage would be that it has the tendency to rust ( although carbon steel parts are in most cases treated in order to reduce the rusting risks ). Stainless steel parts resist very good to rust but are a little bit more expensive.

As you can see, there are many aspects a hunter must take into consideration before choosing the most suitable hunting rifle. One last thought, it is very important to think about the game you are about to hunt before choosing the rifle and also don't exaggerate when buying, not too expensive but also not too cheap, somewhere in between.

Summary: This article debates the issue of hunting rifles and how to choose the most suitable rifle for a particular type of hunting.

Saturday 10 May 2008

Go Karts - Exciting At Any Age!

Go Kart is an exciting hobby that casts its spell on all of us. Many of us have tried it when we were young. However, one needs to fulfill the mandatory criterion to drive legally in many parts of the world especially in the UK. Generally, kart racing has been defined as the basic activity for racing other types of cars of course after getting a certain level of experience and age. After this step, a person can always move to V8's, rally cars and general race built cars. Daring and extreme racing enthusiasts can move towards the formula 1, which is considered as the highest peak in the racing world.


Off Road Karting: At a Glance

Go karting activity were initially started in 1950 in California by Kurtis Kraft, a veteran hot rodder. Due to its exciting features, the game became popular in other countries around the world. In addition to it, it has a very large following in Europe. There are mainly two types of go karting activity that can be enjoyed; one is Sprint Karting and another one is Enduro Karting. Let us know about them in brief.

Sprint Karting is more of a prototypical kart & track, developed in amusement parks, recreational facilities, and many other such places. The tracks of Sprint Karting are sleek and sturdy. In this type of karting, short tracks are preferred over the long tracks, usually made up of materials from asphalt to concrete.

On the other hand, Enduro Karting can be better defined as the prolonged version of Sprint. They are upgraded versions of Sprint and use aerodynamical steering on tracks. In this type of racing, oval tracks are designed to add fun in your racing pleasure. As this karting is longer than Sprint, durability of karts and maintenance of pit shops are given special attention rather than just on speed.

Choose anything from Sprint Karting to Enduro Karting, try to get the maximum pleasure of driving fearlessly on some of the complex tracks.

Thursday 8 May 2008

Quad Biking for Beginners

Quad bikes are perfect for off road use. Most families in the UK own one for their camping excursions. In many cases, each family member enjoys the ownership of his or her own four wheel bike for outdoor fun. It is indeed nice to get out in nature and feel the natural energy emitted by the surrounding. Playing out in sun offers a golden chance to enjoy the freedom that comes from letting go of the domestic worries. Enjoying activity weekends' with the family helps you to spend a good time with your near and dear ones. After all, as the old saying goes "The family that rides together; stays together."

Quad biking is an amazing activity as driving experiences are always exhilarating. Choose a competitive game in Quad Biking or Go Karting to test your driving skills and tackling complex pathways. There are many artificial tracks, dedicated to the go karting and quad biking sports to keep everyone entertaining. These activities are good fun for both adults and children. However, a license is needed in most of the driving cases in the country.

Choose the game that suits your interests and provide you the most refreshing energy. Usually, taking up the challenges of an hour driving a Ferrari or an Off Road Driving can offer you the most excited time with Peter Pan man in your life. For more adrenaline pumping action, get your hands on the activity that will leap your nerves.


Taking up a challenging activity helps you to spend sometime off from the regular routine of work. You can challenge your daring soul and extent your limits to the maximum. Give yourself a fantastic start by enjoying a quick quad biking activity with close buddies. To increase the fun, you can plan out a multi activity day to bond with pals in the group.

Wednesday 7 May 2008

Youth Coaching Tips - Successfully Coaching Your First Youth Team

Tip #1: Get the Rule Book

Tip #2: Get the league practice and game schedules

Tip #3: Have a Parent Meeting

Get the Rule Book: Even if you are a fan of the game understand its rules, get the rule book from the league when you accept a coaching position. Youth sports often have different rules than High School, College, or Pro leagues. The rules often change according to age group and division. Knowing how long the game periods last, the number of timeouts you have, and any mandatory playing time regulations before the season begins permits you to plan properly for your games.

*** Bonus Tip: Set your player rotation before you go to the game. Setting it up prior to game time allows you to plan your lineup and be sure that you meet all mandatory playing time rules. This also permits you to focus on the game rather than wondering if Johnny or Susie has all of their time in.

Get the league practice and game schedules: You may have some latitude in scheduling practices but there are often scheduled times for your team to practice. You may have to ask for the practice schedule. It is up to you, your team, and the parents if you want to have practices over and above the practices scheduled by the league. If you do, you're usually on your own to find an open spot.

Have a Parent/Player Meeting before the season starts: Parent meetings are the most important step you can take to have a successful season.

Establishing the rules and behavior expectations (of players and parents)

prior to the first practice of the season is imperative. This is the time

when you review team rules, pass our practice and game schedules, solicit volunteers, and ask the parent if there is anything special you need to know about their kids - Attention Deficit Disorder; Asthma; Needs Glasses; Known allergies; etc. Trust me, you'll save yourself and your players a lot of grief if you find out the special circumstances ahead of time.

Other things to discuss:

Recruit Volunteers for the following positions:

1. Team Mom or Dad - the person who coordinates collections on fundraisers, concession stand and game day snack assignments, picture day, and other miscellaneous administrative type duties

2. Score/Stats Keepers - people who may not want to service coach but who come to the games can keep score and maintain stats for you in the stands

3. Coaching Assistants - you typically need at least one assistant, but if

you can get a couple, I'd recommend it. Having extra coaches means help with running great practices and games.

Discuss your objectives for the season.

For example:

1. Develop the skills required to play the game

2. Have fun

3. Develop teamwork and sportsmanship

4. Give positive reinforcement based on effort rather than results

Describe your expectations of the parents.

For example:

1. Be on time for practices and games

2. Volunteer when your schedule allows

3. Get involved and help your child work on their skills at home - pass the ball with them, etc.

4. Encourage good sportsmanship. Be an example by showing positive support for all players, coaches, and officials at every game and practice. Please cheer for your child during games, but try to refrain from yelling instructions to them. Much of the fun is lost if their Mom or Dad is

consistently yelling instructions.

5. Let the coach know if you or your child has any issues or concerns as

quickly as they arise. Problems can usually be fixed easily if I know about

them.

*** Bonus Tip: Hold your Parent/Player Meeting prior to the first practice, and away from the practice area or playing field. I prefer to use my local public library, that has meeting rooms that are free or very low cost to use. Having the meeting in this setting will allow you to hold your parent and player attention much easier than competing with bouncing balls, goals, and at all else may be going on.

Implementing the tips listed above will almost certainly assure you a

successful season.

Visit our website: NewCoachTips.com (http://www.newcoachtips.com) for excellent sport specific books with coaching tips, drills, and practice plans for each of the following sports: Soccer, Baseball, and Basketball.

Good Luck!

How To Choose Your Hunting Rifle

Amateur hunters must give this subject a lot of thought because the hunting efficiency depends greatly on the used rifle. With other words, if hunters don't own a suitable rifle for a particular type of hunting and to fit the hunting style, the results won't show up very soon and in some cases, not at all.

The very first issue a future rifle owner must think about is the cartridge. Let's take for example choosing a rifle for a deer hunt. Experts affirm that a 150 grain bullet is recommended for this type of hunting. To narrow the list, it is advisable to look for the most popular models, like the: .270 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, .308 Winchester and others as well. What future rifle owners must know is that standard cartridges are uniquely named so the name of the cartridge indicates the dynamic and physical characteristics of the cartridge. Hunters mustn't forget that in order to safely fire a cartridge, the rifle must accept that specific cartridge as it can't fire other cartridges.

Next order of business, future rifle owners must think about the action. Basically, there are four types: bolt action, lever action, pump action and self-loading ( auto-loading / semi-automatic ) action. Single shot rifles come in the following types: break-open, rolling block, falling block, trapdoor and others as well. Of all of the above mentioned, the bolt action retriever has the simplest design which allows rifles to be loaded with more than just one single cartridge. It is also easier to maintain and is more reliable in comparison with other action types.

Stock materials are in most cases made out of wood ( laminated or not ), fiberglass or plastic. The rifles that have a wood stock material are generally made out of walnut due to the fact that it is sturdy; feels good in the hunter's hands and it is also aesthetically pleasing. From all common stock materials, the laminated wood is the strongest and the most durable available but they are a little bit heavier than others. More and more popular among hunters are the synthetic materials basically because they are less expensive and less affected by moisture in comparison with the walnut stocks.

The barrel length varies from 18 to 26 inches but all lengths aren't available on all models. When choosing the length, hunters must think about what the length implies: the stiffness of the barrel, the length, the weight and the bullet's speed as it leaves the barrel's end. If the barrel is longer it will so to say " wiggle " when the cartridge is fired which will have a huge impact on the accuracy. Shorter barrels are a little bit more accurate but for a hunting rifle the difference is basically insignificant. The disadvantage of a lighter gun is that the recoil is more powerful in comparison with the recoil on heavier rifles.

Most of the metal parts of a bolt action rifle are made of either carbon steel or stainless steel. Carbon steel has one major advantage and one major disadvantage. The major advantage would be that it is less expensive while the major disadvantage would be that it has the tendency to rust ( although carbon steel parts are in most cases treated in order to reduce the rusting risks ). Stainless steel parts resist very good to rust but are a little bit more expensive.

As you can see, there are many aspects a hunter must take into consideration before choosing the most suitable hunting rifle. One last thought, it is very important to think about the game you are about to hunt before choosing the rifle and also don't exaggerate when buying, not too expensive but also not too cheap, somewhere in between.

Summary: This article debates the issue of hunting rifles and how to choose the most suitable rifle for a particular type of hunting.

Tuesday 6 May 2008

Ensure a fun-filled time with your new trampoline

Since 2001, all commercial (gymnastic) trampolines have had to meet certain British Health & Safety standards. There is no regulation, however, for domestic home and garden trampolines, so when purchasing a trampoline there are a few things to look out for.

The first things to look for are safety pads, which should completely cover the springs, hooks and the frame. You may also want to consider a trampoline that has safety netting as part of its design or purchase a safety enclosure, helping to reduce the chance of anyone spilling off the trampoline and injuring themselves.

Once you've got your new trampoline home, it's important to choose a suitable area in which to place it. An area clear of hazards, such as trees, fences, washing lines or any other equipment (including other toys) with a minimum of two metres of space to fall safely around the trampoline is perfect. Placing the trampoline on soft, energy absorbing ground, such as a soft lawn or wood chip will also help prevent any accidents from occurring; or if they do, there's a reduced chance of injury.

Once you've found the ideal spot for your new trampoline, it's important that you set some rules for your children regarding its use and discuss these with them. Emphasising the danger of not using a trampoline properly will help your kids have a great and safe time with their new toy. Parents also have to check the trampoline before every use, to ensure that there are no holes, the frame is not damaged and that the safety padding is intact and securely positioned.

Now that you're ready to let your little ones loose on the trampoline, always make sure an adult is around to supervise them and never allow more than one person on the toy at any time, as one child's bounce could offset another's, causing an accident. Also make sure that any jewellery, glasses or watches are removed so that when jumping there is little chance of them catching the skin or in hair or clothes. Ensure that kids playing on the trampoline also know not to attempt somersaults and other risky moves. If their heart is set on trying some complicated moves, there are clubs they can join, where they can to be trained in the proper ways to execute such moves, without risking head or neck injury.

Once the kids are finished bouncing around for the day, ensure that your trampoline is stored safely. Adverse weather can cause trampolines to become airborne so make sure larger models are tied down (there are tether kits available for this very purpose). Smaller, rectangular trampolines can simply be flipped upside down, while safety netting must be removed from enclosures or cage frames to reduce the sail-like qualities of the cages during extremely windy weather.

Trampolines are a great source of exercise for children everywhere and, by following the safety tips above, you'll ensure they have a long, fun-filled time with their new toy.

Corporate Hospitality in the UK

Meaning of Corporate Hospitality

In today's cut throat competitive business market, retaining, expanding and focusing on making potential customers have become the prime activity for the organizations. In order to lure customers, companies are taking many steps such as organizing a sumptuous event to provide them a good time. Corporate hospitality is a newer term coined in the business marketplace where companies follow different attractive events to make their clients happier and satisfied like they have never before. Basically, corporate hospitality is meant for an entertaining day for prospective clients. However, the scope of corporate hospitality has been extended to giving a good time to the business staff and owner.

According to estimates, the average growth of the hospitality market has gone beyond the mark of 150 million Pounds and it is expected to increase each year. The hefty rise in this figure proves the growing importance of sustaining the clients and making newer ones by adopting different means. The situation further reveals that businesses that don't initiate in organizing entertaining corporate events failed to lure clients and thus have to suffer loss.

Corporate hospitality is tailor made service in a world where materialism and consumerism are given a considerate value. Businesses have realized that for making a long-term relationship, they have to act differently and catch the maximum attention of their potential clients.

Corporate Hospitality - What to Look For?

Do you want to organize special corporate entertainment events that provide a new energy and understanding into your company's team building exercise? There are many corporate event organizing companies that offer some of the best events to suit all budgets and requirements. These companies can provide a mesmerizing experience, whether you are organizing corporate hospitality for your clients or special events as a gift for your staff. Choose your package and get the best solution to meet out requirements.

Monday 5 May 2008

Elk Hunting Tips

Article Highlights

  • Elk are larger than deer and possess their own mating calls and annual rituals.
  • Timing is essential to elk hunting.
  • Hunters must become experts in the calls of the elk to have a successful hunt.

Dedicated hunters consider elk hunting to be one of the most rewarding and unique experiences around. Elk are larger than deer and possess their own mating calls and annual rituals. Elk can be aggressive towards a perceived threat or they can be quite docile. Avid elk hunters often have exciting stories of particular elk hunting trips, from close calls to surprise attacks. The male elk, called a bull, can weigh 700 to 800 pounds; so, their size alone can create excitement in elk hunting. Elk are also intelligent and aware of their surroundings, so elk hunting requires skill and patience to be successful.

In order for elk hunting to be successful, several factors come into play. Timing is one of those factors. The best elk hunting occurs during the fall when the elk are mating. In addition to seasonal factors for elk hunting, avid hunters also consider the time of day. At certain times throughout the day the elk are more active than other times. One additional factor, temperature, can also play into successful elk hunting. Those new to elk hunting should partake in a guided excursion until they learn the subtle factors associated with the sport. In addition, a guide will be able to direct hunters the best locations to ensure a successful hunt, as well as give welcome tips regarding elk hunting.

During mating season, bull elks bugle to attract the females, called cows, and to call other bulls to a spar. Consequently, hunters have learned how to bugle to attract the males into range. Elk hunting requires a special instrument for the bugle to be effective. Before utilizing the call, study the manual or other audio recordings. Only if the call is used properly will it be effective while elk hunting.

Cows also have their special mating calls to attract the bulls. Thus, in elk hunting, hunters can mimic the cows' calls to lure the bull into shooting range. Again, the call of the cow must be well rehearsed and done properly or else it will not work. If the hunter does not vocalize the call enough or vocalizes too much, the bull will not be lured. Practice, good technique, and thorough education is the only way to successfully recreate the calls of the elk for elk hunting.

For a great thrill and a special challenge, elk hunting may be the perfect option. The elk meat is also quite tasty too. The elk hunting tips should help you have a successful hunt and a lot of fun in the process.

Download Free Chess Game Software

Chess is a fascinating and interesting board game that was invented thousands of years ago. The history suggests that the game has earned acclaim and is considered to be a favorite with kings and other court people due to its mind-twisting features. The game is a favorite among famous personalities, who were known for their chess skills. Napoleon, Nikola Tesla, Charlie Chaplin and Einstein were among them to like to play their moves on chess board.

The main thing about chess is that it provides many hours of pleasure, intellectual exercise with an aim to improve the analytical thinking, creativity and judgment of a person.

If you want to apply mind in interesting activities, playing chess could be the best for you. With chess, a person can increase the mind's ability so that reasoning power of a person gets increased. Want to enhance your mind's activity, try out the online version of the chess?

Online version of chess is very helpful for growing minds. They can learn the rules & regulations very easily by clicking the mouse. Playing chess on the PC with free download chess game software is the safest and best way to test your skill and practice tactics and strategies.

There are a number of online gaming websites that help a person to choose the best chess related games. Some of these websites offer a free download version of chess so that people do not have to face much difficulty in playing the moves.

Playing online gives a quick response and a person can increase chess game playing knowledge as well. Though you can not play against this chess software, it is essential for studying games. In addition, the free download chess game software allows no limit to save, print, copy, convert, search, analyze, merge and classify game.

If you keen on downloading a quality chess game onto your PC, it is better to check the demo version so that exact fun can be experienced. Besides chess, interesting online games include Can You See What I See Game, Polly Pride: Pet Detective Game, Escape the Museum Game. Choose your game well and have the time of your life.

Off Road Racing Games

Have you become mad by searching like a wild goose chase for the best off-road racer game in the UK? You'll be surprised to find many worthy locations to get some of the finest racing games activity which offers pure fun and thrill. Look no further and select your destination and invite your buddies to have a rocking time. UK is known for its numerous off road racing tracks that offer you the complete pleasure of having absolute fun. Race with your buddies in the personalized off road buggies and discover your driving skills in different backgrounds and locations.

Off road karting is one such experience that allows participants to take up the calculated challenges and risks so as to get pure enjoyment through dirt roads, stimulating adrenaline rushes, extreme speed which you have never felt before. This action packed racing game allows you to have the best off-road racing action in a racing world.


Put a little mud onto your face to get the best feel of off road racing with your close friends. Interestingly, make participants feel that it is difficult to stop playing once you indulge into the racing moods of this marvelous daring activity. Racing on some of the most amazingly designed tracks gives you a wild feeling and you will entertain your senses to the fullest, admiring the thrill and spirit of this real deal. The challenging yet revitalizing racing game will get under your skin and you'll never want to leave the driver's seat. Today's professionally designed tracks are quite safe and they resemble the charm of ancient times when transportation system was not developed.


Usually, off road racing games has several levels and the difficulty level increases with each passing level. If you want to have a real fun, make your plans now, invite friends to join you, and spend an adventurous day.

Thursday 1 May 2008

Utah Outdoor Adventure

I come from the East. Being raised in Massachusetts makes me a newcomer to Utah, but since arriving, I've certainly made up for lost time. Sure, the trees aren't so plentiful and the landscape isn't quite as green, but boy, does Utah have mountains.

The mountains were probably the biggest draw for me to come to the state. I'd read about Moab, Zion National Park, Canyonlands, etc. and couldn't wait to see them in person. The sheer immensity and number of ranges is staggering. My favorite hobbies all involve the mountains in some form or another. My fist love was mountain biking. Now that I've been spoiled by Moab's slickrock, I don't know if I can ever find full satisfaction anywhere else. My second love is hiking. With all the natural beauty in its national parks, Utah is a haven for hikers. Try Zion's hike, "the Narrows" for a exhilarating time. My third love is skiing. As every skier knows, the natural geography of Utah's big and little Cottonwood Canyons provide some of the best snow on earth.

I might not be the most traveled, but I do know that if you're looking for a Utah Outdoor adventure, you need look only as far as the closest mountain.