A Kayaking Community at your FingertipsWritten by Monica Marty
Do you have questions about kayaking? Do you want to seek advice of kayakers that are more experienced and relate to kayakers that are at your level? Wouldn’t it be nice to connect with other kayaking enthusiasts? The Internet can supply you with robust information about kayaking such as necessary equipment, costs, and travel destinations. However, Internet also provides forums and discussion boards dedicated to sport of kayaking. Hop online and plug into kayaking community.Several kayaking websites provide message boards. Many websites allow free access to these forums; however some require a small fee. Let’s take a look at three websites that will be of interest to kayakers. They offer discussion boards to post and answer questions, comments, and concerns. Boatertalk.com: (http://www.boatertalk.com) Boatertalk.com has a bounty of boating and kayaking resources including forums, articles, gear swap, and events. Forums range from Boatertalk to SurfZone and RaftZone. Each discussion board is filled with helpful hints, information, and personal experience. To post to boards you must pay a small membership fee. There are different types of membership ranging from $6 to $36. Paddler Magazine online: (http://www.paddlermagazine.com) They have a bulletin board with industry news and several discussion boards. The discussion boards are broken down into whitewater, squirt, touring, and gear swap. Under “touring” you can find a kayak forum. This forum is for sea kayaking and discusses trips, kayak building, technique, and design. It is a public forum so you can read messages on it. Your name and email address are only requirements to be able to post on discussion board.
| | Join the American Hiking SocietyWritten by Monica Marty
Have you taken up hiking as a new form of family recreation? Are you a serious hiker that spends hours on challenging trails? Do you want to find a way to become more involved in hiking across nation? Hikers of any background will want to check out “American Hiking Society”. This society is an alliance of local hiking clubs and provides a wealth of resources and activities for hikers of any background.They have a bounty of events to choose from including National Trails Day and Winter Trails Day. Thousands of trail events are held across nation in June and January encouraging hikers to get involved in conservation and other hiking activities. For example, during Winter Trails Day hikers can learn how to snowshoe, cross country ski, and many other winter activities along hiking trails. It is a great way to meet up with fellow hikers and experience richness and fun of hiking. Hikers can also participate in volunteer vacations, jobs, and internships. During 2005 they planned 1-2 week volunteer trips where hikers can lend a hand in building footpaths, cabins, and shelters. Hikers will not only be able to bond with their fellow hikers, but add value to beauty of hiking experience for others. It is a learning experience that is priceless. Do you hike because you are trying to increase your fitness? The American Hiking Association has found hiking trails just for you. They have identified top ten “fitness” trails all across country. These trails are sure to give you a great workout. Plus, you can skip confines and boredom of your regular gym workout. The majority of trails are situated on East and West coasts. A trail overview including length and terrain are provided. This will help you to get started on your fitness hike.
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