Chris Haycock asked:


There are several different kinds of rock climbing that people engage in for sport. Rock climbing first began to be recognized as a sport when it was independently developed from the rock climbing techniques of Victorian era mountaineering in the late eighteen hundreds. Over the years since then, a lot of specialized safety equipment and proven techniques for staying safe and making a secure, controlled ascent have been developed. However, the sport of rock climbing can still be split into two major divisions: free climbing and aid climbing. Free climbing uses only the natural features of the rock face being climbed, and is significantly more dangerous than climbing with the assistance of safety gear.

Even when safety gear is being used, however, many climbers try to follow the ethic that their climbing activities should not damage or change the surface of the rock face any more than is absolutely necessary. For some kinds of short distance rock climbing, such as bouldering, purists believe in free climbing assisted by some kind of pad on the ground to catch them if they fall. This allows them to climb without leaving marks in the rock. Cams are also a good way to climb without leaving too much of a mark on the surface, while driving spikes into the rock to use as handholds and places to tie rope lines is one of the more invasive ways of climbing.

Lead climbing is one of the most common types of rock climbing, where climbers go up in pairs and the lead (or topmost climber) is attached to the lower climber, or second, by a length of rope. Whoever is lowest at the moment is the second, and is in charge of belaying the rope, keeping the belaying system secured attached to the rock, and stopping the rope to keep the other climber from harm in case of a fall. While lead climbing, safety devices will usually be left on the mountain at regular intervals. For traditional lead climbing, these safety devices installed by the lead climber, will usually be removed by the second during the ascent. This leaves the climbing surface close to the way in which it was found, and leaves the same level of challenge and enjoyment for future climbers.

Top rope climbing is a variant on the two person climbing system where the one in charge of belaying the rope and keeping the system secure is at the top. The person at the top will place an anchor and help to hold the rope steady while the other climber makes his or her way upwards.

Not all rock climbing takes place outdoors ‘ indoor rock climbing is increasingly popular and is the way that many people start to get involved in the sport. Rock climbing walls with regular handholds can be built inside of a building to teach people climbing techniques and this style of climbing with holds on a wall is also sometimes used in sporting competitions and is a lot of fun in its own right.

jens sparrow asked:


Kayaking is increasing in general popularity. And one major reason is that they are not as expensive as boats and even by yourself, It´s fun. Kayaking is the use of a kayak for moving across water. Kayaking is generally differentiated from canoeing by the fact that a kayak has a closed cockpit and a canoe has an open cockpit. However, there are many sit-on-top kayaks, and these boats are growing in popularity. They also use a two bladed paddle. Another major difference is in the way the paddler sits in the boat. Kayakers sit in a seat on the bottom of the boat with their legs extended out in front of them. Canoeists will either sit on an elevated bench seat or kneel directly on the bottom of the boat.

Whitewater kayaking involves taking a kayak down rapids. Sea kayaking sometimes also referred to as Ocean Kayaking involves taking kayaks out on to the ocean or other open water i.e a lake. Sea kayaking can involve short paddles with a return to the starting point or “put-in” or expeditions covering many miles and days. Kayaking of all kinds has continued to increase in general popularity through the 1990s and early 21st century.

Kayaks are classified by their intended use. There are five primary classifications: whitewater, surf, touring/expedition, light touring/day tripping and general recreation. From these primary classifications stem many sub-classes. For example, a fishing kayak is simply a general recreation kayak outfitted with features and accessories that make it an easier kayak to fish from. Also within these classifications are many levels of performance which further separate the individual models. In other words, not all touring kayaks handle the same.

There are two major configurations of kayaks – “sit on tops” which as the name suggests involves sitting on top of the kayak in an open area and “cockpit style” which involves sitting with the legs and hips inside the kayak hull and a “spray skirt” that creates a watertight barrier around the waist. Whether a kayak is a sit-on-top or a cockpit style has nothing to do with which classification it falls under. Both configurations are represented in each of the five primary classifications. While most kayaks are designed to be paddled by a single person, other configurations include tandem and even triple cockpit boats.

Because of their range and adaptability, Kayaking is popular amongst divers, fishers, and adventure enthusiasts. The current marathon kayaking world champion is Owen Dabney.

To find out more about the great kayaking life, visit:

http://www.futuretips.net/

Keith McGregor asked:


Kites

Generally these kites are no bigger than a foot across, ideally suited for the youngest flyers, they can fly in the slightest of winds and simple to fly, a single line attached to the kite means that they can be flown with ease. On the whole the Mini Kite range is the cheapest range of kites we stock, which also makes them great birthday presents for young children. As these kites are made and sold with young children in mind, safety is of paramount importance, their small size means even in a worst case scenario of the kite being crashed into someone it is unlikely to cause any injury. Please also read the section below on safe kite flying.

Diamond Kites

The classic kite shape, unchanged for centuries, but now available in a huge range of styles and sizes. The diamond is a suitable first kite for children and is a very easy to fly style of kite, although some consideration should be given to the size of the kite as we sell many different sizes of diamond kite and some of the larger kites may be unsuitable for smaller children. Diamond kites generally require only the slightest of breezes to fly and can reach a high altitude quite easily, most can also be easily adjusted for the angle of flying to ensure a stable flight in a wide range of wind conditions, although they are best flown in a moderate wind coming from a constant direction. Diamond kites can usually be disassembled easily by removing the horizontal strut, which makes them easy to store and transport. Please also read the section below on safe kite flying.

Creature Kites

Creature kites are available in a wide range of shapes and sizes, and as the name suggests they represent a creature, which could be something you’d expect to see in the sky, like a bird or butterfly or something you may not expect to see soaring through the air like an octopus or frog. Some are diamond in form, some are delta, but some are purely custom shapes to represent the creature. They are 99% single lined, and therefore an easy kite to fly for the novice pilot and very appealing to the young pilot. Usually requiring a moderate wind to fly they are a low drag kite which means they’re not going to pull you about when you fly them but can easily reach a good height with little effort. Please also read the section below on safe kite flying.

Delta Kites (Not to be confused with delta stunt kites)

Delta kites are named after their delta-wing shape, a slanted triangle design, very aerodynamic and able to fly in very gentle breezes. Alike to a birds wings or an aeroplanes body. They are a single line kite and simple to fly, suitable for young pilots they represent a change to the standard diamond shaped kite and are more suitable than the diamond to changable winds, although not suitable for strong winds as they tend to ‘corkscrew’ in the air. Available in a wide range of sizes, shapes and colours they are a very fun kite to fly and will be an enjoyable gift for any child, check the size of the kite though as some are bigger than others and the larger ones may not be ideally suited for the youngest of pilots. Please also read the section below on safe kite flying.

Box Kites

Another age-old design, the box kite, flies in a different fashion to other kites in that the air passes through the kite to create lift rather than push against a solid face. They usually look as though they shouldn’t fly, but in fact are one of the most graceful flying kites there are. Not available in as many forms as the diamond kite, but every one is beautiful in it’s own way. They are suitable for children as they produce very little drag, but may also appeal to the adult flyers out there, in fact they are the ideal gift for active grandparents to accompany their grandchildren when they’re flying their kites. Single flying line guarantees an easy flying experience. Please also read the section below on safe kite flying.

Stunt Kites

Getting a bit more complicated now than the previously mentioned kites, stunt kites get their name from their ability to perform tricks in the hands of the pilot, this is down to their 2 string control method, which by shortening or lengthening one of the strings by pulling or extending one of the control handles makes the kite take a different course through the air, practice will allow the pilot to perform amazing loops, dives and climbs with ease. Not the perfect choice for smaller children, but will be greatly received by older children, and also adults, for who we stock a wide range of high end stunt kites. When browsing our shop note that the stunt kites are divided into different sections; childrens, novice, advanced and expert, this is generally dictated by the size of the kite – the larger ones produce more pull and require more tug on the lines to perform their tricks. Please also read the section below on safe kite flying.

Power Kites

Finally we reach the cutting edge of 21st century kiting – The power kite, ever more popular and our best selling kites. Powerkites are named for just that reason – they take the maximum power from the wind, flying a power kite is not about watching it gracefully soar into the air, it’s all about the drag. Even the smallest power kite can produce an outstanding amount of pull, and the largest can even make you take off! Always take care when choosing a power kite that the person you’re buying it for will be able to cope with it. Safety is of maximum importance when flying a power kite and that’s why we stock a wide range of safety equipment to accompany the power kites, such as kite killers (specially designed wristbands which will allow the kite to drop out of the sky in an emergency), and a range of protective body wear; like gloves, pads and helmets. We recommend that you work your way up through the sizes of power kite and don’t just jump in at a huge 6 metre kite without prior experience. Safety aside, power kites are popular for one reason, they’re so fun to use, whether you fly it on it’s own or combine it with an ATB (off-road kite powered skateboard) or a buggy, they produce a huge amount of power which is very exciting to be at the end of. Smaller power kites tend to be 2 lined, whilst larger ‘traction’ kites are generally 4 lined, which require some form of handles or harness to fly them, sometimes these are supplied with the kite or they are available seperately. Again we have to stress the safety point with power kites, fly safely, know your limits and most of all choose the time and place to fly your power kite with the greatest of care, for yourself and other people. Please also read the section below on safe kite flying. And see our special page on flying power kites safely.

Safe Kite Flying

Location – Select a location that is free of obstruction such as houses and trees that can pose a danger to your kite and the public, and even more importantly do not fly your kite anywhere near power lines, substations or airports. Make sure wind conditions are right for your particular kite. Also make sure that as well as preventing damage to yourself and your kite, that you are going to fly in an area where you are not going to cause harm to anyone else or any wildlife, a beach is a perfect place, but make sure that there are no people around you if you are using a large or powerful kite. Also be aware of changing weather conditions, if you think there may be a storm approaching, quickly and carefully cease your flying activities, a kite can act as a lightning conductor when it is damp, and even if there’s no lightning, excessive winds can damage or destroy your kite, or just pull it from your hands, which in the case of children can be very upsetting.

Launching – With the wind at your back, take the kite about 50 feet or more downwind and have a friend hold it up, pulling the line tight. As your kite catches the wind, pull on the line handle until the kite gains altitude. Smaller kites can be launched from a smaller distance than this. Ensure you quickly give the kite lines some length after launch as the wind tends to swirl close to the floor and can quickly bring your kite back down. Ensure that there is no chance of wrapping the lines around another person or yourself as this can be dangerous in changable wind conditions.

Landing – Release the tension on the line of your kite and this will allow it to drift to the ground, quickly retreive or immobolise your kite as it can easily take off again in the right conditions. Choose a suitable place away from water and busy public places for this. You may also find that you can just wind your kite back onto the string and as your kite is approaching the ground it can be caught and held for you while you finish winding it up.

Above everything else USE YOUR COMMON SENSE, and constantly be aware of your environment, the wind is always changing and can only be guessed at. Keep aware of other people coming close to you and always supervise young children when flying kites. When you follow the necessary safety steps kite flying can be one of the most enjoyable pastimes all year round. Thank you for reading – and fly safely.

Chris Haycock asked:


Rock climbing did not start to become a sport in its own right until the latter part of the 1900s. At first, rock climbing was just a necessary part of mountain climbing: the set of techniques that one had to make use of in order to scale sheer rock faces. However, with climbing locations around the world that are specially suited to this and only this style of climbing, rock climbing has become a popular pastime. While rock climbing may still be necessary for some mountain ascents, most people who rock climb for fun climb at relatively low altitudes, where weather conditions and lack of oxygen are not major concerns and where attention can be focused on the techniques of climbing.

Usually when ascending a vertical surface, climbers work together in pairs. One of the rock climbers will move further up the face of the rock, while the other stays where he or she is. Both of the climbers will be linked by a rope, and the lower climber will give the upper climber a longer length of rope using a belaying device as the climber ascends (the length of rope between the two should be minimized in order to prevent the strength of sudden jerking motions which take place if one of the climbers drops). When the lead climber falls, the distance that he or she falls will be twice that of the length of rope between the lead climber and the climber belaying the rope. Modern climbing rope is designed with a certain degree of elasticity to help absorb the shock of a fall without breaking, and the rope is usually threaded through a series of sharp curves on a belay device which prevent the rope from running loose and the lead climber from falling any farther.

Once the lead climber has ascended a short vertical distance, he or she will set up an anchor system using bolted hangers and / or spring loaded cams to secure the belaying equipment on his end of the rope to the rock. After that, the lead climber will take a rest and become the second, while the second becomes the lead climber and passes by on the way up. By taking advantage of such a system, the process of climbing is made much safer, and as long as the belaying system is safely secured to the outcroppings and niches of the rock face both of the climbers should be able to protect each other with a safety line that is always in place. Only in special conditions should rock climbers attempt to “move together”, or both climb at once, as this leaves them without a solid support and if one falls the other may be dragged off as well. When moving together, the lead climber will usually place a large number of handhold supports into the face of the rock to help the second hang on if there is an accident, but this is still very risky. Climbers must always remember to exercise proper safety precautions for a fun, controlled ascent.

Carol King asked:


The first and simplest form of kayak trailer is the: -

Single kayak Trailer

This trailer carries one kayak only. It uses rubberized steel suspension to counteract road bounces on the kayak. The trailer is easy to assemble and is made of aluminum, thus making it lightweight and durable. It is maintenance free and it can carry a kayak weighing up to 200 lbs.

You can also get other accessories for trailers like Trailer spare tires, front parking jack, Aluminum box for paddles and life jackets etc.

Multi kayak trailer:

Multi kayak trailer has epoxy-coated leaf springs to hold kayaks weighing up to 250 lbs. It is made up of aluminum and so it is also durable and lightweight. It is maintenance free and can be assembled very easily with a few simple tools. It has two center vertical supporters to carry multiple kayaks.

The two vertical risers can be placed at any point along the T bar. It has safety cables to keep your kayak safe. It also consists of high-speed wheels and tires. You can get similar accessories like the aluminum box, spare tires etc separately.

Trailex 16 kayak trailer:

This kayak trailer has supporting crossbars. The cross bars have cushioned vinyl extrusions to protect the kayak when being towed. The ends of the cross bars also have vinyl extrusions to prevent kayaks from damages while loading and unloading. It has epoxy-coated springs and safety cables. It also has an adjustable under carriage. It has a separate padded area for the paddles. The weight of this trailer is about 390 and it can hold a capacity load of up to 1200 lbs.

Rack and Roll kayak trailer:

This kayak trailer is the safest method for transporting kayaks. It is also made of aluminum to be durable and lightweight and it has loading bars to keep kayaks in place. Rack and roll trailers are far better than the roof rack method of carrying kayaks since they have aerodynamic capacity. They operate with less noise and they can improve the gas mileage. Another important advantage the rack and roll trailer has is that it can be folded and stored when not in use. Therefore it occupies less space. You can assemble and disassemble it within seconds.

AAA kayak trailer:

This # UKT4 model kayak trailer can carry 4 kayaks. It has rubber protective strips to prevent damages in kayaks. You can also get the storage box for the trailer separately. It has adjustable carrying arms to keep the kayaks safe. You can place two kayaks in the lower side and two on top. This kayak trailer can carry kayaks up to 12 inch long and 32 inches wide. The total load capacity of this trailer is 1200 lbs.

The advantages of aluminum kayak trailers are, aluminum is a very durable material and is noted for its lightness of weight. It weighs just fraction of steel yet it is stronger than steel. It has a rust resistance capacity and it will provide a longer life span. There is no need for maintenance. These are the main reasons why kayak trailers are built from aluminum.