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Triathlon

You have decided to start training for a triathlon, and feel like you have the swim down. You train your swimming on a regular basis, anyway. Now, you find that you have a lot more to do, and a lot more to learn. For example, you may realize that you don’t know anything about triathlon bikes.

These bikes are designed specifically for a triathlon race. There are a few subtle differences between a bike that is made for a triathlon and any other type of bike. Triathlon bikes are shaped specifically to be aerodynamic, so that they move smoother for the race. Everything on these bikes is positioned specifically to help shave off milliseconds in a race. For example, the angle of the seat tube is slightly steeper than that of a road bike. It is generally about three to five degrees steeper, in fact.

A triathlon bike is also made to help conserve as much energy as possible. When you are competing in a triathlon, you will find that you use your muscles a lot. In fact, while training, you will find that you use muscles you may not have even known you had! Because of this, triathlon bikes are designed to help you use muscles that are not as often used in running, so that you are able to do the marathon run easier. This can help you save time and energy through the triathlon.

Understanding how a triathlon bike works can be difficult. Understanding that every detail of the bike is based in aerodynamics to make the ride as quick and smooth as possible is easy. You already know that shaving off a few precious milliseconds, or even seconds can make or break a race. It is not only this way in swimming, but also in the bike race.

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Kayaking- A Fun Ride for Everyone

One water adventure that lasts year round for many people is Kayaking. Also referred to as Paddling, it’s often times a solitary trip. Though there are Kayaks that seat two or more individuals, most are one seaters making it a peaceful trip. Just you, a small boat, and the surrounding nature. There are various styles of Kayaks for different uses-fishing, whitewater, open deck, ocean, day trips, or the classic closed deck that protects the lower body from the spray of water.

As with any sport there are safety precautions that must be taken.

  • Most important for any water event is to wear a life jacket and take a first aid kit. Carry a whistle with you in case of emergency and you need help.
  • Find out the day’s weather and if there will be any forecast changes.
  • Have a “float plan”. Leave a note or itinerary of when and where you’re going to people on share are aware of you leaving.
  • Bring drinking water, at least a gallon if doing a day trip.
  • Wear bright colors when paddling out-preferably yellow or orange as those can be seen from far distances.
  • Flotation bags would be a good investment. They are devices put at the front and rear of the Kayak that keep it afloat if it overturns.
  • A water pump in case of capsize. The device gets the water out of the boat, allowing you to get back in your boat quicker.

It’s also a good idea to take a first aid and rescue class that deals with how to get back in your kayak if the boat overturns. Instructors tell you how to handle the situation, including if you’re injured and can’t lift your body back inside. There are numerous businesses that teach the class or you can find videos online documenting safety measures.

Now that you’re prepared, get out there and paddle away!

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Flying High on a Wakeboard

Wakeboarding is a medley of three different extreme sports: water skiing, snowboarding, and surfing. The rider holds on to a rope like water skiing, rides a board like snowboarding, and maintain balance and agility like surfing. The premise of it is a boat driver goes at a speed of 20 miles and the rider stays on the outside of the wake. When the rider is ready to do tricks they cut across and jump the wake, thereby going airborne. Adrenaline junkies spend hundreds of dollars on equipment and accessories. Most important are lifejackets and helmets necessary for anyone-beginner to intermediate.

There are numerous facets to the art of the sport. Learning how to wakeboard is like taking a crash course in physics. The success of a run depends on factors like how much width and length of board you need to gain a good amount of height when you jump. That’s not even factoring in the bend or “rocker” of the board, nor the position of the fins underneath. Too far apart and they don’t give good height in a life but too close together and your downfall could be sloppy. Wakeboarding is always done on lakes, mostly because ocean waves are unpredictable and constantly changing.

The sport was created in 1980 by two guys looking for extra excitement. Ever since, men have dominated the sport ever since. As with most sports though, women are slowly working their way in to the sport. If there was any doubt that men started the craze, the terminology in the Wakeboarding world alone would prove that. Names for tricks range from Butter Slide, G-Spot, and Hoochie Glide. On the opposite spectrum, some hand trick names are Chicken Salad, Melon, Roast Beef, and Canadian Bacon.

Sex and Food. Yep, that’s definitely a man’s sport.

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Rafting on the River-Safety first

Rafting has come a long way since Huckleberry Finn stood on a raft and slowly pushed it down the river with a stick. Now rafting has taken on a new name and style. White Water Rafting is extreme but, through numerous safety measures, has become a vacation treat for families young and old. There are certain features about the sport that are unsafe no matter what. Even guides can’t predict what Mother Nature will throw their way- fallen trees, low head dams, undercut rocks, and sky high waterfalls with steep drops.

There are six “grades” of White Water rafting. Those in group four levels will already know all the risks and safety hazards so these suggestions are more for beginners. Let’s examine the fundamentals necessary for a successful run.

  • The most important rule is to go with a group and an experienced guide.
  • Always tell the organizer your plans, specifically the time you want to return. This helps them know when to send help if you don’t come back for any reason.
  • Don’t lie about your skill level. If it’s your first time, let the guide know. The worst thing would be to say you’re experienced, get into a dangerous situation, and not know what to do.
  • Being a good swimmer is a plus, but not always a necessity. If you aren’t experienced, inform your guide so they can factor that in to their safety measures.
  • Always wear safety gear. Most Rafting companies provide free helmets and life vests to customers. Protective shoes are important. Stay away from flip flops and instead wear sneakers, strapped sandals, or water shoes.
  • As with any rented equipment, check for tags that say it’s certified and approved by the Coast Guard.

Follow these guidelines and you’ll have nothing to worry about except how wet you are about to get!

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Under the Sea-scuba diving safety

We’ve all seen the pictures of scuba divers with their thumbs up surrounded by tons of beautiful underwater life. These pictures are one of the reasons people go in droves to beaches and rent the equipment. There are things you don’t see in the pictures that are only taught in the classes. For those paranoid people, like myself, who wonder if you’re fully aware of all the negatives before swimming over 30 feet down to a watery abyss, this article is for you.

The number one key rule instructors teach people before sending them out is to never dive alone! Having a friend with you underwater could be the difference between life and death if something happens. They also use the phrase “Plan your dive and dive your Plan”. Simply put, it means be prepared for your journey down: how far down are you going, how long will you be, and how much air is needed to come back. You can still enjoy yourself, just be careful while doing it. No horseplay either! All you would need is someone to accidentally snag your air hose and pull it out. The repercussions of that are horrific as your ascension must be extremely slow to compensate for the lack of nitrogen in your blood due to the descent. If it does happen, your friend would have to help you to the surface by alternately sharing their air through the mouth piece.

This brings me to another point-always check your equipment! Even if you are a certified diver and this is your 100th dive, you never know if a hose has begun to corrode inside or if something else could be wrong. Definitely check it if you are on vacation and renting because there is no guarantee how long it’s been since the shop updated their equipment.

Don’t forget to breathe slowly as holding your breath can lead to lung damage.

Enjoy your underwater adventure!

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Lough Neagh- the most beautiful lake in the Irish Sea

Northern Ireland claims one of the largest lakes in Europe- Lough Neagh. The freshwater lake is considered the biggest among the British Isles. Its shoreline touches five of the six counties that make up the Northern country: Antrim, Down, Armagh, Tyrone, and Londonberry. It stretches approximately 151 miles and, though shallow around the margins, reaches a depth of 80 feet. Lough is one of the few lakes so big you cannot see the other side of the shore.

Some locals believe the folklore that a famous Giant created the Lake but the origin is much simpler than that. Lough Neagh was formed years ago when a fracture in the earth’s surface caused the ground to split and water from the River Bann to rush in. Today, the waters of Lough move outward to the river and eventually funnel out in to the sea. The Lake supplies Northern Ireland with the bulk of its water supply. In addition, it’s also used for eel fishing since so many can be found there. Fishermen go out in their boats year round and have a constant supply of food available to sell. The lake never freezes which is a huge draw for visitors from the farther North countries.

There is always something wonderful to see at Lough Neagh any time of the year. The huge variety of birds and wildlife seen in both summer and winter attracts hundreds of people and helps tourism in the surrounding counties flourish. A major event at the lake during winter is the migration of a breed of Swans from Iceland that fly on to Lough Neagh and stay until March. Just to be safe, a local group of volunteers formed a rescue team years back in case of emergencies in and around the water.

No matter when you go, Lough Neagh is an experience not to be missed.

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Fun in the Sun-Water and Jet Skiing

There are numerous types of Water Sports but some of the most entertaining are those done in oceans and lakes.
When the sun comes out, thousands of people pile in their cars and head to the beach. Jet skis and water skis are two things that sell out quickly because of how fun the experience is. The joy of going fast on skis or harnessing the power of the machine a person rides is all part of the beach going experience.
Water skiing originated in Minnesota in 1922 when Ralph Samuelson used two boards for skis and a clothesline for rope. He then began to tour the United States and became known as the first man to ever ride them. Over the years it has evolved and expanded. Water sports enthusiasts can use a wake board instead of skis for an extra challenge.
Jet skiing actually got its title from Kawasaki who bought rights to its manufacturing in 1971. The concept was first thought of in 1968 by Matt Bradley who wanted to make a Bus for the Sea. Now it’s a fun way for two people to race across the water with less chance of injury than standing on a set of boards and holding on to a rope.
Competitions around the world focus on people’s ability to do tricks on the machines such flips and turns.
Today every beach and lake has at least one shop set up to rent them, often times with an instructor going out with them to ensure no harm comes to the tourist riding it. Many people rent because it’s so expensive to own one. Jet ski prices start in the thousands and water skis can run at least three hundred dollars on the low end. That doesn’t even include the accessories needed to ride them.
However you spend time by the water, this pass time is definitely worth trying.

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The Caspian Sea- Ocean or Lake?

The Caspian Sea is the largest land locked lake in the world and shares its coastline with five different areas: Southern Russia, Northern Iran, Western Kazahkstan and Turkmenistan, and Eastern Azerbaijan. It’s then separated in to Northern, Middle, and Southern regions. The Northern part is very shallow, a mere 16-20 feet deep, as it consists mostly of the Caspian shelf. The Middle is much deeper, plunging to depths of 620 feet and going farther down at the Southern part, reaching 3,300 feet.

This famous body of water has been classified as either a lake or sea because of the different levels of salt in the water. The inflow of water causes the Northern parts to be freshwater while the Southern area has a higher saline level due to the limited flow that spills in the catchment basin. The original inhabitants classified it as a sea because of its saltiness and the sheer vastness of the lake.Though it is surrounded by land, there are over 130 rivers that flow in to the enclosure at any given time.

The two major inlets are the Volga and Ural rivers. Volga constitutes 80 percent of the water entering the Caspian Sea, which now faces an environmental problem because of oil and gas pollution. Caspian Sea has been an untapped source of oil for decades, a fact the US government and the five coastal states that surround it are working to change. Other issues are using it for travel of fishing vessels and transportation of foreign goods. If Caspian becomes labeled a Sea, there are numerous treaties and permits that would need to be filed for foreign vessels to come through. If the label is a Lake, no such permits are needed.

With a value of about $12 trillion in oil, talk about exploiting its depths will continue for a while.

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South America’s Crown Jewel- Lake Titicaca

While there are many famous lakes worldwide, the most well-known is Lake Titicaca. Located on the border of Peru and Bolivia, it is the largest lake in South America. Its width is more impressive than its depth, which is only 922 feet. Records show the lake stretches for 50 miles and the length is over twice that at 118 miles. Another fact that cements it as interesting is how high it is above sea level-a whopping 12, 507 feet.

Five major river systems empty in to the lake and twenty smaller streams end there. There are 41 islands on the lake, some of which are heavily populated.  Three towns worth visiting are on opposite sides of the lake: Puno, found on the Peruvian side and Challapampa, situated on the Bolivian side. The Isla del Sol is the biggest island on the lake and holds over 180 ruins from the Incan period. This island is supposedly where the first Inca King Manco Capac was born from the sun God, Inti. Manco created the Kingdom of Cusco which began the Inca Empire. Titicaca also contains the island Copacabana, the name later used in the popular song created years ago.

Another set of islands to visit are the Uros isles, consisting entirely of reeds. Due to that fact, they float making it an amazing sight to see when visitors go to Lake Titicaca. On the opposite side of that is Taquile, the bigger island fashioned from the earth. All islands are rich in Incan history and architecture.

Titicaca flourishes due to rainfall and meltdown from the glaciers high in the Andes Mountains. The merging of the 27 smaller inlets in to Titicaca makes the water cold all year long. Tourists go more for the vastness of the lake and the simplistic beauty of the numerous islands scattered across the body of water.

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Lake Tahoe- a California Classic

There are over 400 lakes in California but one of the most popular is Lake Tahoe in Northern California. It stretches across the border to Nevada and, at a depth of 1,645 feet, it’s the second deepest freshwater lake in the USA. It was formed about 2 million years ago and got its shape during the ice ages. It’s a popular destination in both Nevada and California, bringing thousands all year round for the snow activities as much as the water ones.

Tahoe has a fascinating history that not many people may know of. It was originally settled by Native Americans almost 10,000 years ago but they soon died out when the silver and logging boom hit. The interesting part that stayed under the radar was the amount of mafia activity that existed there in the 1950s. There are supposedly hundreds of bodies at the bottom of the lake, rumor saying they are almost perfectly preserved because of the depth and freezing water. It wasn’t hard getting victims out there, weighing down their bodies and throwing it over. The water is warm at first but turns frigid at 600 feet. The drastic change in temperature alone causes hypothermia before their lungs take on enough water to drown. Ironically, Tahoe never freezes because the water is in constant motion.

One native of Tahoe said the lake could also be full of Chinese immigrants who were brought over with promises of gaining citizenship after their work building a railroad around the city. Once the work was over, the government officials took them to the middle of the lake, tied the people together and tossed them overboard. Many residents say there will not be concrete evidence because it would implicate the government in a horrific cover up.

Whether the rumors be true or not, the speculation will doubtless continue for years to come.

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