Category Archives: Recreation and Sports

Big Kites and Gliders – One of My Favorites

Posted on December 4, 2011 by cintaduapuluh

It is exciting to know that kites have gone from always needing wind in order to fly, to zero wind kites and gliders that can even be flown indoors. This has been an exciting addition to the incredible adventure of the kite flying world! With the modern technology of today and the creative kite designers, the big glider kites have become very popular among many beginning and advanced kite lovers.

One of my favorite kites is the Aerobe Wala Glider Kite by Flying Wings. With a size of 64 inches by 41 inches, it is just big enough to be a beautiful site in the sky, or indoors, but small enough to control and maneuver with or without wind.

Because the Wala Glider is exceptionally well balanced, the gliding elegance is controlled by pulling or releasing the flying line in no wind or low wind conditions. However, the Wala can also be flown as a traditional kite outdoors in the wind, depending on how it is assembled and set up.

The best way to assemble the kite is to lay the Wala Glider down on the ground, or on the floo,r and remove the upper spreaders from the edge sleeves. Set these spreaders aside, and face the black sail piece forward with the black spine down. For flying indoors or low wind outdoor flying, the spreader rods are connected and set up on the top of the kite. Make sure the “V” legs of the nose piece are facing up and insert the leading edge rods one at a time. Sometimes this is a little challenging to get the rods bent just right to insert. I was concerned the first time I put the kite together for fear of breaking the rods, but the 3mm carbon fiber rods are very durable, so all went well. After the rods are inserted and secure, the next step is to make sure the D connector is on the front or top side of the sail and then insert the spreader rods into the leading edge connectors and the center D connector on the top of the kite.

For flying outdoors and at higher winds, the set up assembly of the Wala Glider is the same as the indoor low wind set up, except the spreaders are at the back or bottom of the kite. You have to push the D connector through the center reinforced cut-out to the back or bottom of the sail. The spreaders are then inserted to the leading edge rod connectors and then into the center D connector on the bottom of the kite.

Flying at higher winds with the Aerobe Wala Glider Kite can be even more exciting to watch with the addition of a tail (or tails) for a nice visual effect. There are two options in adding a tail to the glider – a single tail attached to the spine in the center, or two tails attached to both wings at the tips. The tails and clips are provided with the kite and make the outdoor wind flying a lot of fun, whether you choose a single or double tail option!

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Karate – The Spirit Of Practice

Posted on August 5, 2011 by cintaduapuluh

When your back is against the wall you must either suffer or triumph. I wish I had a dollar for the times I’ve heard that saying. But after surviving the first problem “the assault” you must consider problem number two which may involve such things as police interviews, lawyers and courts etc.

As in other aspects of self-protection chain it is best to consider these aspects in advance. In other words, have a game plan and stick to it at a critical time. That said; let’s move on to the topic of different approaches to combat. Traditional or combative, it’s your choice.

Unlike the traditional Japanese way of the sword where a full blow upon the head, face, arm or legs could spell death the combatives school of thought is less predictable than the regimented traditional sword or karate approach, and is thus harder to defend against.

It’s true, a lot of modern-day combative trainers do not think much of the traditional type of martial arts training because they are influenced by all sorts of philosophical and mathematical considerations. You see, combative training stresses a more physical approach relying on the basis of hit first, hard and with bad intent. Yes, not encouraged in traditional karate circles because it is against their philosophy, there is no first strike in karate. Right?

On top of that, and in my opinion and others most real fighting takes place close in. Whereby, rendering many techniques taught in modern-day karate which is geared for competition fighting only useless in a real confrontation where close in weapons such as: knees, elbows and dirty tactics are employed to win at all costs.

After all, in the street your life or that of others may depend on it. You are not there to win a nice big trophy. And I’m afraid a valiant heart alone will not be enough to prevail in a real unprovoked vicious ambush type attack.Unfortunately these words have been vindicated by many a so-called martial art black belt expert to their cost. They have had to learn the hard way.

This echoes some of the problems of the present-day karate-ka who are presented with on the one hand karate training and a system of self – defence and on the other as a competitive sport which operates under very restrictive rules.

Combative training on the other hand teaches people how to survive in very violent times and in situations where they could expect to be attacked in different ways. Combative training tends to use extreme force to subdue an attacker some might consider it excessive today.

However, because of the hard-earned knowledge gained over the many years of research mainly via the military from conflicts around the world into what works and what does not then taking those same techniques and adapting them for wider civilian use. Then wouldn’t you agree? If not for any other reason than that stated above, combative type training deserves serious attention from those martial artists seriously interested in self-protection?

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Best Longboard Shops

Posted on July 14, 2011 by cintaduapuluh

Introduction

One of the greatest trends of 2011 is longboarding. Longboarding is some sort of variation on the regular skateboarding. However, there are a few differences. First of all the deck of a longboard is a bit larger. Moreover, the longboard is easier to learn and master than the skateboard. Therefore, the longboard is especially loved by adults. Lastly, the longboard can also be used for other disciplines like downhill racing or just for transport in the city. It has to be noted that longboards are quite expensive. The purpose of this article, therefore, is to point out the cheapest and best providers of longboard gear.

Price Causes

First of all, let’s explain why longboards are so expensive. First of all, the demand for longboards is really huge. However, there is a lack of specialized longboard stores, especially outside the United States. Second, longboards are typically made of more expensive material, such as bamboo. Finally, some part of the price is just pure marketing. Some longboard manufacturers promote their model with aggressive advertising to make the general public perceive it as the best or hippest longboard. The longboard will sell no matter how high the price.

Web shops

It is recommended to consult a web shop for a good new longboard. These longboard shops are often way cheaper than the normal brick and mortar stores. If you are looking for a particular model, I highly recommend thelongboardstore.com. They have a huge supply, and if you cannot find your favorite longboard here, you will probably find it nowhere! Another good web shop is daddiesboardshop.com. They are very passionate about this sport, and I think this is the best place for advice. For both newbies and experts daddiesboardshop.com is an excellent place to shop. They will consult you with the purchase of your first longboard, but will also help you tweak your gear to gain a better performance. The last web shop I like to discuss is theskateboardexpress.com. This is a very no-nonsense shop that directly ships their boards from the factory to your home. In this way you do not have to pay for things like shelf space, marketing or other non-board related things.

Second Hand
Good old eBay is still one of the best places to look for second-hand longboard. Especially the German and Spanish versions of eBay have a great supply of high quality longboards. The British website Extreme Sports Trader is a sort of Craigslist for extreme sports. You can also find some great deals here. Lastly, you could also check out specialized longboard forums. Experienced users are often selling longboards here, because they want an even better or hipper longboard. These longboards are often in great condition. However, you have to be careful on these types of forums, because you do not know who you can trust. Therefore, it is recommended to only buy from people with authority, such as admins, moderators, or people with a big post history.

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Cheap Table Tennis Table: Price Is Relative and Durability Is Key

Posted on January 21, 2011 by cintaduapuluh

How do you define a cheap table tennis table? Is it based solely on the price range among brand names? A cheap table for you may not be cheap to somebody else. A branded professional table which you bought for $1,600, inclusive of a 30% discount and free shipping may be cheap from your perspective. For an ordinary table tennis sport enthusiast, that amount will be quite expensive for him. It is difficult to define in specifics the meaning of cheap equipment because the subject is relative.

It is safe to say that a cheap table tennis table is one which is durable, sturdy, safe, enjoyable, and always ready to serve and be with you for many years. In your journey to become an excellent ping pong hobbyist, player or motivator to yourself, your family and friends in promoting the sport, your table tennis table is always there at your side. In this case, you can rightfully and truthfully claim that it is cheap because the short and long term tangible and intangible benefits you get far outweigh your investment. On the other hand, how can you claim honestly that you got a good deal when you were able to bargain a used professional model worth $1500 for only $500 when you use it only occasionally? If you will just store it in your garage and basement and allow it to warp, it is not a cheap buy.

From a simple point of view, one example of a good deal is when you are able to buy a branded model of a table tennis table at the lowest price and with some extras after canvassing several stores selling the same brand and model, you can say that you bought it cheaply. Another example is when you participate in an online auction for a table tennis table owned by a former world champion, you can still claim that it is cheap compared to its future worth as a collector’s item even if you paid several thousand dollars for it. Another example from a collector’s item perspective is if you were able to buy one which was used to be owned by a popular Hollywood celebrity. Based on the premise of relativity, there are lots of illustrations to validate this point.

However, from an average person’s point of view, a cheap buy is always based on your budget and what type of equipment it is going to be. Would you prefer an outdoor or indoor table for recreation or for training? Are you planning to buy a beginner’s recreational model or a professional brand? Would you be open to a used one or a conversion table top to start with? The motive, taste, goals, preferences and budget play the key roles in your project. How often do you intend to use the ping pong table? One thing for sure is that it is not only the price or acquisition cost which determines whether or not the table tennis table you bought is relatively cheap.

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Table Tennis Boards: Learn About the Features of Outdoor and Indoor Models

Posted on November 12, 2010 by cintaduapuluh

Table tennis, otherwise known as ping pong, is a favorite household sport all over the world. It is already an Olympic sport since 1988 and the best players come mostly from Sweden and China. Its popularity keeps on growing because the sport is easy to learn, fun and exciting. What is nice about with this game is it can be played b the entire family during weekend or as often as they can. It becomes an alternative form of competitive and recreational exercise and an opportunity for the family to bond together in leisure and enjoyment.

If you are planning to purchase a table tennis for your family, you need to consider whether you will use it for indoor or outdoor. Table tennis boards come in many different styles and designs. There are outdoor and indoor tennis tables. Their price ranges vary depending on the brand, quality of the table and features.

Choosing the right one will depend on your purpose. If it is for outdoor use, the board needs to be more durable and easy to transport and store. Outdoor ping pong tables are made usually of aluminum as outer layer and a wooden inner core. They are UV and moisture resistant for longevity. You can find a model which has a crafted steel body and a melanine laminated top for strong heat, light and rain resistance. It has a latch system that has a safe security triangle aid mechanism, usually a dual kind. When it comes to the undercarriage, you can opt for a rollaway type possibly with a playback feature so that you can even practice and play by yourself. To protect the table board, you have to purchase a durable nylon cover.

There are also many versions of indoor table with unique and innovative designs. You can select an indoor favorite model with a 19mm special chipboard top and gray non-glare playing surface. It has a stable fixed net which is adjustable. You can easily fold it for safe handling and storage. It can also be transported with its four (4) double rotatable and rubber cushioned wheels

The usual dimension of the table board is 2.74 cm (9 ft) long, 1.525 m (5 ft) wide and 76 cm (30 inch) high. It can be 19mm thick up to the official 25 mm thickness. There are tables with a playing surface divided into halves for easy storage. The acceptable table surface approved by the ITTF is either green or blue. The middle net used is 15.25 cm (6 inch) high and is sometimes permanently fixed to the table even if you fold it.

There are some ping pong table models with an innovative electronic scoring feature. Its automatic serve indicators monitor scoring of points and identify the turn of the server. It has a smooth painted top coating to create pro style ball spin. Its steel table aprons provide stability to the flat surface. For safety and storage features, it has a thick tubular steel frame with auto folding legs. This model also has a playback fold up and comes complete with the electronic scorer, net, post set and official game rules.

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