About Lacrosse

Lacrosse is a contact sport that combines the speed of basketball with the contact of football. It’s an exhilarating game to play and moves at a fast pace. If an opportunity to score is created at one end of the playing field, a goal can occur at the other end in seconds. Lacrosse requires skill, power, intelligence and speed.

The Fascinating History of Lacrosse

Lacrosse was originally played by Native Americans, who were chronicled by writers in the 1600s. The name “lacrosse” is from the French word for “the stick”, and the game was played far and wide by native peoples, with rackets and balls which can now be seen in museums. Originally lacrosse was played with a straight stick that had a curved end, and over time the stick evolved to become a netted stick made with woven bark or rawhide string. Balls were originally fashioned from animal hair, or sometimes from wood.

Rather than play the game on a level playing field, the original field would have been rough ground with trees, which could be as much as a mile apart, being used as goals. A colonist reported two villages enjoying a game involving hundreds of players!

Lacrosse was once a very violent game, often resulting in injuries. It was sometimes used as a way to settle arguments, to train warriors and to resolve disputes about territory. In the middle of the nineteenth century, the sport gained popularity among gentlemen in Canada and quickly spread into New York State and beyond, eventually reaching the UK.

Playing the Game

Lacrosse is played on a field about the same size as a football field, with two goals which are 6 feet square. Sticks are now made of moulded plastic with a nylon mesh pocket. A stick can be between 40 to 72 inches long, depending upon the position of the player.

Each team has 10 players – a goalie, three players in defense, three midfielders, and three playing in attack. Goalies have a wider stick and wear chest protectors to stop balls which can be flying at speeds of over 100 mph. Defenders must be quick, aggressive and tough. Midfielders run the length of the field and are often substituted for fresh players. They need to have a good level of fitness and endurance. Attackmen have the shortest sticks to lower the chances of them losing the ball. The best attackers are quick and agile.

Equipment

Lacrosse can be a dangerous sport to play. A lacrosse ball flying up to 100 mph can easily kill a man. There have been 19 recorded deaths in the game since 1980. In 2004, George Boiardi, a Cornell University defenseman stopped a shot using his body. His heart stopped and he died on the spot. All players need to wear protective clothing including helmets, shoulder pads, gloves and mouthpieces. Normally arm pads are also worn, and rib pads are also popular. Goalies require a chest protector and throat protector.

Finding a club

To locate a club in the UK and to find out more about training see www.englishlacrosse.co.uk/club-finder.

Photo credit: cooper.gary

Location – Location – Location

Aside from your skill level, most of your surfing experience will be affected by your choice of surf. To get the adrenaline pumping, you need big waves. But, they can’t just be big – they have to be dangerous, too.

One of the biggest, most dangerous waves you can find is in Oahu. The North Shore Banzai Pipeline is almost legendary as the most deadly wave on the planet. More people have died surfing this wave than on any other in the world. In fact, in 2005 and 2004, it claimed the lives of some of the most famous surfers and surf photographers. The heavy wave of the Pipeline breaks right off of the beach of Oahu, right over a jagged reef. Powerful lefts and rights, and barely controlled lip-launching are characteristic of this surf spot.

The heaviest waves of the coast of California is at Ghost Trees. Cold water and great whites combine to make these dangerous waters, and, combined with boulders along the shore and the bottom of the surf area, you have a challenge ahead of you. But these waves will reach 80 feet before they break with all of the power of the North Pacific. 20 foot wide boils charge out of the face of the breaking wave, and you’d better know what you’re doing when you tackle this right-handed surf.

Half Moon Bay, also in Northern California, is another right-hand break surf. With temperatures in the 40s and huge great white sharks surfing along with you, it’s one of the most dangerous surfs in the world. The Mavericks has brutal, thick lips that pitch off of the boil, and hit has hollow spots, ledges, and the waves (and sharks) can hit you like a freight train.

Teahupoo IN Tahiti is often seen as perhaps in the top 5 of the most challenging breaks on the planet. About ½ mile out in the ocean, you’ll find top heavy waves that break to the left. If the size of the lip doesn’t scare you, the coral reef below you will. The wave itself is unique at Teahupoo. As it swells, it doubles onto itself. It’s one of the heaviest waves you can surf.

For a neck-breaking shorebreak and 60 foot waves, you can’t beat Waimea. It’s just down the coast from Pipeline, and has taken its toll on famous surfers. They still hold the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational there for a reason. Even though the tow-surfers have taken over, you’ll still find that these big waves will get your adrenaline pumping faster than you ever thought possible.

Featured images:

• Photo credit: smartphotostock.com
• License: Creative Commons image source

Ed Brooke loves his extreme sports, when he isn’t making the most of his traveling, you can usually find him working for Zumajay a surf board shop in Cornwall.

What makes dirtsurfing so popular?

This relatively new sport is ideal if you are hooked on speed and heights, as it provides great adrenaline rushes. The dirtsurfer can fly up to 70 mph which is a good deal faster than your average skateboard. If you have ridden a snowboard or surfed before, you won’t find dirtsurfing too hard. It’s a great alternative to surfing or snowboarding as no water or snow is required.

How does a dirtsurfer work?

Skateboards have a chassis which moves independently from the deck, unlike surfboards which are at one with the rider who controls the board. A dirtsurfer is more like a surfboard than a skateboard and lets you glide around on any kind of surface and stay in control. Surprisingly, the faster you go, the more control you have, and there are no problems with speed wobbles. One of the advantages to this versatile sport is that you can dirtsurf anywhere you like – on grass, fields, forests, bike paths, beaches and even in skateparks.

Riding a dirtsurfer

It is very easy to learn to ride a dirtsurfer. The rider’s weight is automatically centred, creating good stability and control. It helps to have good balance, but this is a sport you can learn in half an hour. To ride, you push with your front foot. This ‘old style’ skate pushing is not as difficult to master as you might expect.

Equipment

Dirtsurfing equipment can be quite expensive, as dirtsurfing is a relatively new sport. As well as the dirtsurfer, riders should purchase and use foot straps in order to prevent injuries. Strong footwear like skate-style shoes are recommended. Gravity sports are a fast growing area for sport, with more and more competitors and fans with each new competition. The United Kingdom Gravity Sports Association (UKGSA) supports gravity sports in the UK. They recommend all riders wear full protective gear including leathers, stout gloves and a suitable helmet. They also advise wearing gear that is resistant to impact like chest, elbow and knee pads.

The UKGSA was set up in 2003, by a small group of enthusiasts in order to raise awareness, create more events and raise safety. To find out more about gravity sports see www.ukgsa.org

What is roller derby?

Originating in the 1920s in the USA, roller derby is a fast-paced and sometimes fairly brutal team sport that is becoming more and more popular throughout the UK. It’s mostly a female-orientated sport, played by teams of five women on roller skates who have to race each other around an elliptical track for short periods of time, trying to gain points by sending their “jammer” (often the fastest person on the team) around the track as fast as possible to overlap the competition. The other team concentrates their efforts on preventing the jammer from achieving this, which is where the aggressive element comes in.

The growth of the sport

Roller derby is growing in popularity, with the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association in the US reporting a significant rise in the registration of clubs. In less than ten years more than 400 clubs have been formed in the USA. In the UK, no one would even have heard of roller derby four years ago, but now there are more than 24 leagues across Great Britain. With a feature film “Whip It” featuring the sport recently released, roller derby is set to continue to grow in popularity.

Why is roller derby so popular?

Roller derby is a fun and competitive sport ideal for those wanting to keep fit, and a great alternative for women who aren’t keen on the gym, or for those who have a challenging career and are looking for some escapism in their leisure time. This kind of fast-paced contact sport specifically targets the hamstrings and core muscles and provides a great adrenaline rush and release of endorphins, making it fun and ensuring players want to keep coming back for more. There are also the advantages to the sport of the social aspects of being part of a team of five. Players are usually given nteresting nicknames which have become an important part of the sport, providing a kind of alter ego for a new confident persona when playing.

Potential risks

There’s a lot of crashing into one another, falling over and getting up again, and generally whizzing around involved. Competitors commonly sustain injuries, and not just bruising, but can break bones, injure their shoulders and even become concussed. Everyone who takes part in the sport should have the appropriate protective gear.

Safety gear

It’s important to have the right gear – a correctly fitted helmet is perhaps the most important. Find one made especially for extreme sports, with an indication that it has been rated for safety, and replace it at least once a year, or more often if there is any damage to it. Your helmet should not move when you shake your head. Try on more than one to find the best fitting. You will also need elbow pads, ankle supports, good quality knee pads and wrist guards – make sure yours fit well and cover nearly all of the palm of your hand. A mouthguard is also a good investment.

Find a club near you

To find out about roller derby clubs in the UK go to www.quadskating.com/roller-derby/teams/

Photo credit: 4nitsirk

What’s a Kite Landboard?

Kite landboarding is a field of power-kiting. A landboard is the same as a mountainboard that power-kiters use to move about, suitable for rough terrain. The board is quite similar to a skateboard but has bigger trucks, inflatable wheels and foot bindings to enable the boarder to have more control. A kite landboard can be used to simulate the action of snow boarding, but of course without requiring any snow or open water! A good kite boarder can get up to speeds of 40mph as well as performing various tricks.

The development of the sport

Snowboarders in America first developed mountain boards when they were keen to snowboard in the summer when there was no snow! As power kiting developed, many people used mountain boards to replicate the kite-surfing feeling, using them mainly on beaches. Now the sport has really taken off around the world.

How do they work?

Using your resistance to the force of the kite pulling you, you transmit power to the wheels of the kiteboard. This helps you to gain speed, slow down, and do tricks. The kite provides list, helping your balance and if you are skilled enough, achieving airs. When you have achieved the knack of positioning your kite and balancing on the board, you can control the direction that you travel in. Anyone can learn the basics quickly and begin to go upwind within a few hours!

What equipment do I need for Kite Landboarding?

Beginners should start off with a steadier kite and progress to one that allows higher performance. Kite boarding can be dangerous! There are many different types of kites that although may be similar in size, lift differently according to their specifications. Beginners should try a 4-line kite of around 3-4 metres in size. You should also have a suitable safety helmet.

Types of landboarding

There are many different ways to practise landboarding. You can try cruising, which is going up, down but mostly crosswind, in any location suitable for power kiting. Free styling is when you try to get up in the air as much as you can! Competitions often involve what is called a boarder cross where there are obstacles to be overcome in a race. Cross country landboarding is a mixture of all three and performed on hilly terrain, and is best left to the experts.

Weather precautions

It’s not just your skill level that can prevent you from flying safely. Strong winds can be hazardous, or there may just not be enough of it for you to achieve your goals.

Safety precautions

It’s wise to undertake some training from an experienced instructor or flyer. Make sure you are insured and always wear the right protective clothing like a helmet and pads. Keep away from power lines, roads, trees and any other hazardous areas. Do not fly in stormy weather, and know your own limits. Look after your equipment and inspect it regularly.

How do I get started?

Go to www.britishkitesurfingassociation.co.uk for more information and to find training in your local area.

Photo credit: Memkaos

BMX racing was born in the late 1960s in California, following the popularity of motocross racing in the USA. The rules were devised following the motocross format, but using pedal power. BMX racing is now popular worldwide and has become an Olympic sport. It’s an exhilarating and nerve-wracking sport which is fun for all ages to enjoy.

How do I Begin BMX Racing?

BMX racing is an easy sport to get in to requiring minimal equipment. BMX bikes are simply made and therefore reasonably priced. A BMX bike has no gears, but has powerful brakes. BMX racing is family friendly with a wide range of categories covering all ages including novices, and riders can be aged from as young as 10 right up to 60 years of age and over. It’s easy to find a BMX club which will have a track that is used for events and practices.

What Does a BMX Race Consist Of?

Up to eight BMX riders race in a motocross style around a track which is 300-400 metres. The first rider over the finish line is the winner. The track will have various bumps, ramps and banked corners which are known as berms. Riders race against their own age and ability groups so it is a great family sport. Each race meeting usually has within it a group of “Motos” or qualifying races. The best riders from each category go on to ride in the ride-offs, which are then followed by the final. Often the races are run in quick succession, with the non-stop action making for a fascinating extravaganza. A good start is very important in any race, but the best BMX riders are those that combine both skill and power. It’s worth having a good look at the track to see how other riders cope with the both the track and the jumps before attempting to race on the track yourself.

What Kind of Bike do I Need?

There are two types of race bike. A normal everyday BMX bike has 20 inch wheels but you can also purchase a slightly larger model with 24 inch wheels. It’s not necessary to have a top of the range bike to begin racing.

Maintaining Your Bike

You should always make sure your BMX bike is in a good state of repair, and remove any pegs or chain guards. Ensure that your brakes are in good working order and that you have plenty of tread on your tyres. You will need a number plate for racing but many clubs will give you one of these when you begin.

Safety Gear

Make sure you have a good quality and well-fitting helmet, and wear sensible clothes like a long sleeved shirt, trousers or jeans and padded gloves. Elbow, shoulder and knee pads are all worth investing in, as well as a mouth guard when you begin riding.

How Do I Find Out More?

British Cycling (www.britishcycling.org.uk) can give you more details of clubs that are local to you. Find out when they have races and practices and if any training is available.

Photo credit: bluviolin

What is Mountain Boarding?

Mountain boarding is a bit like surfing or snowboarding, with no snow or water required. You can go mountain boarding on any surface, whether grass, dirt or rocks. You can use a mountain board in any weather, at any time of the year. It is also easy to learn. This has led to it becoming a popular sport, and although it originated in the United States, it is now fast becoming popular in the UK. The U.S. Olympic snow boarding team now uses mountain boards to train in the summer. Mountain boarding is known by many other names including terrain boarding, grass boarding, dirtboarding, and offroad boarding.

What equipment will I need?

Equip yourself with the proper protective gear including a helmet, wristguards, and elbow and knee pads. Padded shorts and body armor are also available. Always check that your board is in good condition before starting, with air in the tyres. It’s easy for parts of your board to come loose when it is used frequently, so be vigilant.

How do I ride?

First, place your feet in the bindings and adjust the foot straps for a good fit. Work out which way standing on the board feels right for you. Usually your strongest leg will be at the rear of the board. Bend your legs to lower your centre of gravity.You should always ride with more weight on your front leg than your back to have good control. Fight the impulse to lean back when going downhill, and try to lean forward instead. It’s a good idea to enlist the services of a helper to start you off. Beginners will find it best to start on a hill. Steering is a little different from the way it’s done on a snow board, as you have to keep your body weight positioned over your feet to keep your centre of gravity through the board. You cannot steer with your ankles as this does not give you enough control and could make your board wobbly. Instead, use your hips, pushing them out a little for a wider turn or further for a sharper one. To stop, you can either turn uphill so that you lose momentum and slow, or do a toe-side or heel-side turn. A quick way to stop is by sliding.

Dangers

You need to learn to fall off safely to lower the chances of seriously injuring yourself. Always try to stay within your limits to minimise the dangers. Learn how fast you are capable of going before you lose control. If you think you are going to fall and your board is wobbling, try crouching lower to the ground, which may give you control back. If this isn’t working, learn to carry out a controlled fall. Don’t go mountain boarding alone in case you have a serious accident.

To find out where you can learn more about mountain boarding or to book a lesson at one of the 15 centres in the UK visit www.atbauk.org.

Photo credit: HockeyholicAZ

Etienne Stott and Tim Baillie lead the exciting British one-two in the C2 two-man canoe slalom event at the London summer 2012 Olympics. This was a breathtaking race with Stott and Baillie winning the gold and the more well-known David Florence and Richard Hounslow taking the silver medal. After the race, all four medallists dived into the water to celebrate, delighted with the unexpected result.

Stott and Baillie had been the slowest of the six teams that qualified, and so this was the race of their lives. The course presented huge undulations and amazing twists and turns, and a 12,000 strong crowd were there to cheer them on through the waves. Third to race were the French pair Gauthier Klauss and Matthieu Peche who clipped a pole and received a time penalty, adding to the excitement, and the favourites to win, twins Pavol and Peter Hochschorner, finished 1.87 seconds slower than Stott and Baillie, getting a bronze medal for their efforts.

David Florence and Richard Hounslow had a chance to redeem themselves after failing to make the final in individual events and finished only 0.36sec slower than Stott and Baillie and were thrilled with the result. Stott and Baillie missed out on the Beijing Olympics, so their gold medals at London 2012 were a dream come true for them. Their medal win compensated for earlier disappointing results from Team GB, as British athletes struggled to reach the individual finals at the Lee Valley course.

In the sprint event, Great Britain did well again, with Ed McKeever achieving a fantastic gold medal in the 200m distance, and bronze medals going to Liam Heath and Jon Schofield. The Canoe Sprint 200m race made its Olympic debut at London 2012. The final round of the men’s canoe sprint K4 1000m started with ten countries, but was reduced to the quickest eight teams on the first day. These eight competed in the final run. The Australians recorded the fastest time and won the gold medal, with Hungary winning the silver. But it was a close call for Australia whose win was only separated from the German team who came in fourth by one second. Slovakia were the favourites for this event, but came in at sixth place, demonstrating how unpredictable and how interesting the sport of canoeing can be.

Ed McKeever claims that the British success at London 2012 can help the squad to become the best in the world. London 2012 saw Great Britain get their biggest ever canoeing Olympic medal haul, with both gold and silver in the slalom and gold and bronze in the sprint. McKeever argues that Team GB, if pushed forward could one day become the leading canoeing nation in the world.

The Slovakian Hochschorner brothers each have three gold medals to their names from three successive Olympic Games that were held in 2000, 2004 and 2008 and were clear favourites to win. In the Canoe Slalom, Slovakia has the most gold medals (seven) and France the most medals overall (fourteen). Other leaders in the sport include Germany and the Czech Republic.

Photo credit: Dave Hamster

While at first glance Abraham Lincoln and Mao Tse Tung may seem to have little in common, one love they shared was a love of kayaking, since they both enjoyed participating in what has become a popular sport and leisure time activity for millions of enthusiasts throughout the world. The opportunity to get some exercise, while enjoying breathtaking scenery, beautiful lakes, rivers and oceans and fresh air is irresistible. It is also a low-impact activity that is affordable and available to all ages and abilities. Kayaking industry experts encourage participants with the fact that even a complete novice can reach a reasonable level of competence in a short time, making it a sport that the whole family can participate in together. Easily combined with other outdoor pursuits such as hiking and camping, it is no surprise that interest in kayaking is rapidly increasing.

There are three main types of kayaking:

Recreational kayaking allows participants to enjoy their surroundings to the fullest as they gently paddle around a lake, pond or slow moving river.

Touring and sea kayaking allows access to tidal and other large expanses of water in kayaks that are specially designed for the purpose and trips of a longer duration.

Whitewater kayaking allows thrill seekers to navigate fast-moving whitewater rivers which can be challenging and invigorating and requires significant skill.

Opportunities for kayaking abound throughout the world, but, as with all sports, some are not to be missed, if given the opportunity to put a kayak in the water and enjoy an unforgettable experience in 2013:

At 2,200 miles long, the Zambezi is Africa’s fourth-longest river. Its source is in Zambia and it flows through Angola, along the borders of Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe, before crossing Mozambique and into the Indian Ocean. There are three sets of falls on the Zambezi, the most famous of which are the Victoria Falls. Kayakers can experience the majesty of this African giant with a kayaking adventure on the Zambezi in Zambia. With huge waves, whitewater rapids, over-sized holes, powerful eddy lines and the world-famous rapid number 11 tubing wave, which generally occurs in July, there is plenty to exhilarate experienced kayakers. An ideal base for accessing the mighty Zambezi in Gambia is Livingstone, where many kayaking and rafting trips depart from.

Originating near Mount Shisha Pangma in Tibet, the 167-mile Sun Kosi or ‘River of Gold’ drains the eastern Himalayas and runs eastward through Nepal. At 167 miles long, the Sun Kosi flows through some of Nepal’s remotest areas. Kayakers of all abilities will enjoy calm warm waters lapping against white sand beaches, which give in to bouncy grade III-IV rapids, large holes and waves, providing plenty of challenges against Nepal’s stunning backdrop.

If sedately paddling while exploring peaceful surroundings is what the kayaker is looking for, he can do no better than visit New Zealand’s South Island. The numerous bays, sheltered coves and secluded beaches of Marlborough and Queen Charlotte’s Sounds provide ample places for a picnic along the way, as well as opportunities to hike and mountain bike, too.

Those that prefer to watch the sport of kayaking, will not want to miss the International Canoe Federation’s 2013 World Freestyle Kayaking Championships, where 500 world-class kayakers from more than 40 countries will compete. The event will take place from September 2-8 on the Nantahala River, near Bryson City in North Carolina, USA. Fast moving water and the agility of the competitors who must perform a series of tricks and moves, makes freestyle kayaking, also known as playboating, a great spectator event.

Photo credit: freezelight

Skydiving is one of the most thrilling sports you can participate in, producing an unmatched mixture of endorphins and adrenaline in the body. Thrillseekers will enjoy finding new and more interesting locations in which to indulge in their favorite hobby. There are so many places to choose from, so how do you choose?

New Zealand

You could start in the skydiving capital of the world, Taupo in New Zealand. Every summer around 30,000 people come here to jump from the sky with a spectacular view over the lake, so they are well prepared for new skydivers with great packages to entice you in. The scenery is world famous, with scenes from Lord of the Rings filmed in this area. New Zealand has it all – craggy mountains, amazing rainforests and majestic glaciers. Fox Glacier is a fantastic New Zealand skydive with amazing views. New Zealanders are passionate about their extreme sports, so you don’t need to worry about the experience and quality of the instructors and the facilities here. Australia is also great for skydiving. Imagine the views of the Great Barrier Reef and those long sandy beaches.

For the really adventurous…

If you want to be really daring, why not try skydiving into a volcano? At the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia, tours include a skydive jump over Mutnovsky, the area’s active volcano. If you prefer waterfalls to volcanoes, you could try soaring above the highest waterfall on Earth, Victoria Falls. Or for the ultimate in skydiving, you can go to the highest peak in the world, Mount Everest. It’s very expensive and needs to be booked in advance as there are only four skydiving trips made there every year, so you need to put some serious thought (and cash) into this option.

If you really want the opportunity to skydive in some snow-capped mountains, it might be more realistic to head to Switzerland where the Alps await you. This is one of the most popular spots for new skydivers to learn, where you can indulge in some hand-holding. Also in Europe, Andalusia in Spain is a popular destination.

Island Sky Dives

Hawaii is a great location for environmentally conscious skydivers, with energy efficient planes. You will also see almost the whole island from your dive. But for the best in island views, head to the tiny island of Guam, supported mainly by tourists from its neighbour, Japan, but with a US military presence, it caters to both English and Japanese speakers. You can see the whole of the island from 14,000 feet above.

South Africa

Plettenberg Bay in South Africa offers great views of wildlife sanctuaries and mountains. It’s even possible to see whales and dolphins here. Plettenberg Bay is perfect for scenic skydiving with its beautiful beaches and untouched forests. Brazil is another colorful option with the recent Skydiving World Championships hosted in San Paulo. This is a landscape full of sunshine and mountains and one of the most popular spots for skydiving in Latin America.

Skydiving Events

Florida has its own Skydive City in Zephyrhills, bringing in lots of skydiving and parachuting enthusiasts from all over the world. There are many events held both here and at Eloy in Arizona that you can watch. The Indoor Skydiving World Championships take place at iFly Singapore, from the 13th-16th December 2012 and registration is now open.

Photo credit: DuReMi