Active Outdoor Recreation Posts

How To: Duck Gybe

Watch and see how to duck gybe with this video from windsurfer Sam Ross. This is an advanced move so, hopefully, you have plenty of experience ducking a rig and a good stance. It's a great alternative to the carve gybe and, for many people, it has a much higher planing exit rate. This is not only a new move to learn but will help improve any kind of gybe.

How To: Tack

The tack is an important transitioning move that occurs when the nose of the board goes through the eye of the wind. Learning how to tack is key because it allows you to turn around. It is one of the most important transitions in windsurfing, allowing you to stay upwind and aid in your progression to using smaller boards in stronger winds. In this video, windsurfer Sam Ross shows you how.

How To: Beach Start Clew First

This video is all about gaining clew first sailing skills. If you've mastered the beach starts and water starts, then you're ready to learn how to get up on the board using the clew first style. When crashing gybes, jumps, and getting into waves, the clew first water start can be a great way of getting back on the board without having to flip the rig. Watch Sam Ross show you how.

How To: Carve Tack When Windsurfing

Tacking is an important part of windsurfing and, of course, it's best to start learning when there are light winds. Usually, at this level, most time is devoted to the gybe move, and the carve tack is a variation of this, a transition that you need and will give you the confidence to get on smaller boards and go out in stronger winds. When done well, the tack can also look impressive. Watch Sam Ross teach you how.

How To: Chop Hop When Windsurfing

Here's a great video from windsurfer Sam Ross that shows you how to get some air when windsurfing. The chop hop is a beginner move and is exactly what the name implies: hopping choppy waves. Get the board out the water on flat water, chop, and waves.

How To: Vulcan When Windsurfing

It's time to learn how to do some aerial freestyling with the Vulcan move, also known as the Air Gybe or even Big Mac Tack move. Make sure your chop hop and popping skills are up to par because you'll need them for this windsurfing move, which is the gateway move to getting into modern freestyle. The video from windsurfer Sam Ross gives all the details you'll need to learn this move like the back of your hand.

How To: Do a slant gainer/cheat gainer

In this video tutorial the performer demonstrates the slant gainer, also known as the cheat gainer. Basically, it involves hurling yourself away from the ground, spinning in the air for a while and then trying to land without busting your ankles and/or head. If accomplished successfully, it looks extremely cool. If it ends in failure, at least you might get a hit YouTube clip out of it.

How To: Use Telescoping Poles for Fishing

Discover the art of Telescopic Pole Setup in this informative video, where we guide you through the process of preparing your pole for speedfishing. Whether you're targeting Bluegill, Crappie, Trout, or Perch, pole fishing stands out as one of the most effective methods to reel in a catch.

How To: Set up a tent when camping outdoors

In order to set up a tent, for a camping trip, you'll need to lay out all of the parts of the tent. Place the poles at the end of the tent. Work on opposite sides. Inserting the pole on both sides. It may be easier with two people. Once you insert the pole, then you'll need to snap it, fastening all the snaps. After you have completed this step, lay the fly over the tent. Snap it in place, in all four corners. Make sure that sides are below the mesh. Now, you can stake the tent. Staking the t...

How To: Properly clean skateboard bearings

In this tutorial, we learn how to clean skateboard bearings. You will need: a socket wrench, a dirty skateboard with dirty bearings, super glue, rubbing alcohol, and an empty glass jar. First, use the wrench to remove the bearings from the skateboard. After this, pour the alcohol into the jar, then drop the bearings inside. You can also drop in other parts that need cleaning if they fit inside the jar. Now, place the lid of the jar on and shake it for about a minute. When finished, let the so...

How To: Keep Mosquitoes & Other Annoying Bugs Away from Your Campfire or Backyard Fire Pit

I'll be honest—I've never been a huge fan of camping. It's not that I have anything against nature, I'm just partial to showering and sleeping in my own bed. In fact, the only part of camping I've ever really enjoyed is sitting around a campfire. Outdoor fires are perfect for socializing and cooking hot dogs, but they're also great at helping remove one of camping's biggest annoyances.

How To: Cast a Spinning Rod Backhanded

When fishing with a spinning rod, you may encounter a situation that does not allow you to cast off the side of the body that is holding the reel, like sharing the bow of the boat with another angler. In such situations, it is easier to cast backhanded or with the tip of the rod on the left side of your body if you are a right handed caster. This video demonstrates the backhand cast for spinning rods and reels.

How To: Make Tight Loops When Fly Casting

When casting a flyrod, in most cases, tight loops will allow the fly to travel farther, more accurately, and with less effort. To cast these tight loops, the tip of the rod must travel in a straight line path, slack must be eliminated, and there must be a constant acceleration to a sudden stop. The most common mistake is using the wrist to move the rod which causes the tip to travel in a half circle or windshield wiper type motion.

How To: Avoid Wind Knots in Braided Line

Many people who use braided line complain that it gets wind knots which may have to be cut off and expensive line discarded. Almost all "wind knots" have nothing to do with the wind and are caused by user error. This video explains how to avoid those knots and start taking advantage of braided fishing line.

How To: Cast a Spinning Reel

Learning the most effective way to use a spinning reel will help you to catch more fish in a variety of situations. In this tutorial, fishing guide Capt. Chris Myers explains how to operate and cast a spinning reel combo.

How To: Tie the Easiest Loop Knot for Fishing

A loop knot can be used to attach most fishing lures and all hooks and flies. A loop allows greater action of the lure or fly and always ensures the line will pull straight down the shaft. With knots that cinch tight agains the eye of the hook, the may move off to one side causing it not to pull straight.

How To: Perform a basic ollie, pogo, and other skate tricks

In this tutorial, we learn how to perform basic skate tricks. To start, you need to know which end is the front and back of the skateboard. Flip the board over and look to see that there are four wheels on the bottom of it. To get on the board, put it in front of you and put one foot where the wheels are then one foot in the middle. To get off the board, lean on the tail and walk off. When you are ready to move, put your foot in the middle and use your other foot to push off. You can now prac...

How To: Build a shelter in the wild

In this tutorial, we learn how to build a shelter in the wild. You can use trees with a branch as the top to cover yourself from rain. You can also use tree branches and sticks to keep the shelter up. A shelter is great to store things in, or to sleep in. You can keep the fire close to the shelter so the heat goes into your shelter, but not too close so you don't set a fire. If you work quickly, it should only take a few hours to build this shelter. Also, place a tarp over the branches and le...

News: I Traded My Fishing Rod for a Camera

Had so much fun filming underwater fish releases that I now enjoy filming them rather than fishing for them. You can view my latest (make believe) adventure on YouTube. I have to admit that adding the right music really makes a difference.

How To: Do a cheat gainer for parkour

Here is a cheat gainer freerunning tutorial video. First, take a little run. This is the starting position of your kicking legs and arms. Kick your kicking leg high as possible. Swing up you both arms and jump off. Turn sideways and spot the ground. Pull down the kicked leg and land on it. Use this back flip move for stunts, parkour, freerunning or dance. Awesome stunt that takes some practice. Hope this tutorial helps.

How To: Make an All-Night Campfire with Just One Log

The next time you're out camping, whether it's outdoors in the wilderness or right outside in your own backyard, try this hack out for an effortless campfire all night long. While there is definitely some prep work involved, it's well worth it if you don't need a huge bonfire, and more so if you plan on cooking meals over the flames.

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