Hot Outdoor Recreation Posts
News: Skiing the Manhattan Tsnownami at 40 MPH
Car + rope + 1 pair of skis + 1 brave volunteer. Chris Branca makes the most of the recent NYC tsnownami by jetting down Park Avenue at 40 miles per hour:
How To: Choose a good deer ambush spot & light a survival fire with steel
This survival video offers up two pieces of useful information: how to scout and choose a good location to hunt deer and how to use the Kodiak fire steel tool to light a fire. These two pieces go hand in hand when you're out in the wild looking for food and needing a way to cook it.
News: AT-AT Crash Lands as Snow Fort
Snow fort + Star Wars = coolest dad in the world. Says Redditor jabo27 : “I actually measured out my son’s big toy AT-AT to get the different parts to the right ratio, but then that all went out the window when I actually started building it in the yard. At least you can crawl into the head (from the back side), through the neck and up a deck on the body. and then slide down it’s ass.”
News: High-Tech Tron Skate Ramp
Okay, so it's a gigantic ad. It still looks amazing. Below, a Tron Legacy skate ramp in Melbourne, Australia, created by interactive agency ENESS:
News: Ride the Reverse Cowgirl
MIT students get to have all the fun... Mike Nawrot and Romain Teil constructed their fully-functional, homemade wooden roller coaster in just two weeks, aptly named the Reverse Cowgirl. We've seen lots of thrill-seeking backyard contraptions, but this one imprisons the rider in a freaky vertical position:
News: Scary As Hell DIY Bungee Jumping
Please. Do NOT try this at home. Previously, Russian Roulette Bridge Jumping.
News: Plank + Wheels + 630-Horsepower = World's First V-8 Powered Skateboard
Australian racing organization V8 Supercars have built an oversized skateboard equipped with a V8 engine for Tony Hawk. Hawk was scheduled to ride the beast last week, but it appears no video footage has been posted yet.
BRING IT ON: Middle School Girls of Small Town Ohio Inspire Hollywood Movie
Remember jumping rope on the playground as a kid? The Kings Firecrackers of Ohio have taken the schoolyard practice into Hollywood epic proportions- literally. The talented 4th-8th graders have inspired a movie in the works. (Bring it on, Bring It On.)
How To: Start a fire anywhere with premade fire starters and natural tinder
Starting a fire is one of the most important things you can do in a survival situation, but doing so is seldom as easy as you'd like. This video will teach you all sorts of ways to light fires, including making firestarters out of cotton balls and petroleum jelly, using natural tinder, and using the old spinning stick and string method.
How To: Tie a Japanese MKII method of square lashing rope
Square lashing is a great way to hold two things together at a perpendicular with rope or cord. Like most any knot, there is more than one way to tie it, and in this video you'll learn how to tie the Japanese MKII version of square lashing.
How To: Do a 1-foot backside 180 trick on a longboard
Many of the most popular longboard tricks are based on sliding, since jumping one of these boards is tough. If you're pretty good already and can do some backside slides, watch this video for tips on pulling a 1-foot backside 180, difficult but awesome.
How To: Do a Double Rainbow longboard trick with James Kelly
Doing flip tricks on a longboard is freaking hard. If you are at the point where you can do a few, watch this video to learn from pro rider James Kelly how to do what may be a completely original trick, here deemed the Double Rainbow. It consists of a shove-it with a body varial in the middle.
News: South Indian Bakers Play Amazing Game of Catch
We've said it before and we'll say it again: Practice makes perfect. Even when it comes to the improbable art of long-distance parotta throwing. If there were an Olympic gold medal for doughy discus throw, this South Indian chef would surely take it.
How To: Pitch a pop-up tent the easy way
Pop-up tents are much more convenient to pitch than the tents of old, but doing it for the first time is still tricky. Watch this video to learn how to set up both types of pop-up tent: the umbrella style and the coiled-spring style.
Double Take: Roof Riding Skyscrapers in Kiev
When I first saw Red Bull's Photo of the Month by photographer Serge Illin, I thought I was looking at some sort of skate ramp with an amazing back drop of skyscrapers.
News: People Are Awesome
Usually there's something semi-dissatisfying about greatest hits compilations on YouTube, but People Are Awesome is pretty amazing. And being this is WonderHowTo, we are all about celebrating people doing amazing things. (*In fact, if you're continual reader, you will see many familiar faces below.)
How To: Make a shield in two ways for Amtgard live action RPG
Why role play online with an avatar when you can live out your princess-rescuing and spellcasting fantasies in real life? Amtgard is a real life, live action RPG in which people roleplay in set up situations.
Skateistan: To Live and Skate in Afghanistan
Skateistan is a nongovernmental organization providing lessons in skateboarding, environmental health, information technology, art and language in a coed setting to hundreds of urban kids in Kabul, Afghanistan. Below, a short documentary on the movement, directed by Orlando von Einsiedel.
News: The Lazy Man's Parkour
The Lying Down Game doesn't require the skill parkour does. In fact, it doesn't require any skill at all, which means anyone and their grandma can do it. Founded in the UK, The Lying Down Game is described as "Parkour...for those who cant be arsed". The rules are simple:
How To: Clean skates or rays
In this video, we learn how to clean skates or rays. First, use a sharp knife to remove the roughness from the top of the ray. After this, stick the knife in both of the sides and cut all the way down. From here, you should just have the middle left and the two sides should go in a bath of clean water to get the dirt off. Continue to repeat this process for all of the rays that you have. You can cook however you want when you are finished cleaning. Make sure you cut the right parts off, the m...
News: BMXers Invade Saddam Hussein's Crib
Bikes Over Baghdad is a BMX tour designed to "hype" the troops in Iraq. Looks like it worked.
How To: Winterize your boat
In this tutorial, we learn how to winterize your boat with Bill Sisson. First, you need to make sure everything that moves stays moving. You can help this by adding some oil and cream to the parts that need to stay moving. Anything that is related to the fuel system should be treated as well. The fuel system needs to be treated or else it won't work properly when you start your boat up again in the summer. Make sure you have a good fuel stabilizer in the fuel and treat the filter as well. Jus...
How To: Winterize your boat and prepare it for Winter
In this tutorial, we learn how to winterize your boat and prepare it for winter. First, you will remove the drain plug from the boat and let the water out. After this, remove the oil drain and drain the oil out of the motor while it's warm. Exhaust fumes while the engine is turned on as well. Now, start the engine and let it run for a few minutes staying idle. After doing these steps, your boat will be ready to be stored for the winter. So when you turn it on when it's ready, it won't stall o...
How To: Winterize the sterdrive unit on your boat
In this tutorial, we learn how to winterize the stern drive unit on your boat. By draining the oil as the last step, you must inspect for moisture. If you have no moisture, you can assume there is no water intrusion so you don't have to do any repairs. Remove the oil out of the lower unit first, making sure to keep an eye out for metal shavings and moisture. Use the proper gear lube to make sure you are draining all the areas properly. When finished, your boat will be ready to be stored and b...
How To: Make sure your game is really dead
In this tutorial, we learn how to make sure your game is really dead. One of the best things is to stay away from the feet, then touch the eyes with the end of your rifle. If there is no reaction at all, then the animal is dead for sure. After this, you will need to attach a validated elk tag to the animal, making sure it's secured. Glue it to the ear using your hands and pressing it down for several seconds. In different states, there are rules and regulations as to where you have to apply t...
How To: Play roller derby for beginners
Roller derby is a sport (kind of) that involves two teams skating rounds around an oval track and trying to get ahead of one another. The fun, of course, is that there are "blockers" who try to prevent the "jammers," or scoring players, from getting ahead.
News: Rollerblade Wiz Takes on Parkour (Get Ready for Insanity)
Not surprisingly, parkour is even more awesome when performed on rollerblades. Especially when the performer is incredible stuntman Mathieu Ledoux.
How To: Create a rope ladder with a ladder lashing
This clip presents an introduction to ladder lashing. Once you get the hang of it, you'll find it's quite easy. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started creating your own ladder lashes, watch this video tutorial.
How To: Field dress a deer
In this tutorial we learn how to field dress a deer. First, put some gloves on and grab a sharp knife. After this, puncture a hole in the lower half of the throat of the deer. Next, start to cut up until you reach the neck. There will be a lot of blood that comes out, just a warning. Then, you will see the inside of the deer start to come out from the fur. Cut the piece of the neck and then tie together at the end. To finish, go to the rear end of the deer and cut from the hole. Tie it with a...
How To: Score a big buck or elk
In this tutorial, we learn how to score a big buck or elk with Stan Potts. First, take the bottom of it and remove a bottom line from the main beam. Measure the length of all of the sides. If you're going to cut it out, you should be perfectly even with the top. Then, you will do this on the other side for a typical frame. From here, take the greatest inside spread at a perpendicular angle and that will be your spread credit. Add up each side individually and then you will find the difference...
How To: Skin a deer with a golf ball
In this tutorial, we learn how to skin a deer with a golf ball. First, hang it up by a tree around its neck. From here, taper down from the shoulders until you reach the bottom. Then, cut each of the ankles right around the knuckle and slice it down the front like normal. From here you will take a golf ball and stick it in the hide. Hold the hide over the golf ball and then make a ball with it. Then, take a slip knot and wrap it around the golf ball, tightening it up tight. From here, you wil...
How To: Land a basic kickflip
With this video, we learn how to land a basic kickflip. First, you need to learn how to olly, and become an expert with it. Next, you need to learn how to do the flick with your feet. This is a slight flick with your foot like you are trying to get something off your foot! After you flick it, you will bring the board into the air and then turn it around. After you do this, you will be able to continue riding away. Once you learn this well, you can start doing different variations and travel f...
How To: Ollie on a skateboard for beginners
In this tutorial, we learn how to ollie on a skateboard for beginners. To start, your front foot needs to be right behind the front bolts with the ball of your shoe hanging off. Your back foot needs to be on the end of the skateboard. Now you will try to do the ollie. Put your feet into position and then bend down. From here, you will pop the skateboard gently by pressing your foot back on the lip of the board. Don't try to hit it as hard as you can when popping it. From here, you will finish...
How To: SKin a deer the easy way
In this video we learn how to skin a deer the easy way. First, you will lay the deer down on its back and remove the fur from the stomach area. By this time, the legs and arms of the deer should be cut off. Next, you will use your knife to cut all the way to the throat and around the neck area. From here, you will pull the fur back from the deer all the way around. Once you get to the back, you will need to turn the deer around to get the rest of the fur from the back.
How To: Change a flat BMX tire
In this tutorial, we learn how to change a flat BMX tire. First, take the wheel off with a wrench. Then, let all the air out of the tire if it's not already completely out. Next, find what gave you the flat tire and make sure you remove it from the tire. After this, grab the top of the tire and pull it off of the wheel. If it's completely flat, it should be easy to take off from the rim. Work your way around until it's completely off. Then, put the new tire on and then pump it with air. After...
How To: Make a bow and arrow from a ball point pen
In this tutorial, we learn how to make a bow and arrow from a ball point pen. First, you will take the top and bottom off of the pen. Then, use a knife to poke a hole in one side of the case until you reach the other side. Now, make small notches in the top of it so you can stick a rubber band on it. Do this on both sides and try to make it equal. Now, take the top of the pen and stick it in the little hole you made in the middle. Then, take the rubber band and stick it on. Then, shoot this a...
How To: Ride a skateboard
In this tutorial, we learn how to ride a skateboard. First, you want to look at the board and find where the bolts are. After this, you will put your feet where the bolts are and stand on the board. Get your balance together while standing on the board. After this, you can use one of your feet to push you and then put it back on the board to continue to ride on a smooth surface. If you need more momentum, use your feet again to help you push. Once you find your balance and can ride normally, ...
How To: Do a shove-it revert on a PumpRockr skateboard
With this video, we learn how to do a shove-it revert on a PumpRockr skateboard. This is a fun board to skate on because the skating system is different. The front wheel will turn in place so you can carve and turn as you are riding. Try out tricks on it after you learn how to just simply ride it. You can go front to backwards and turn around on it as well. To do the shove-it revert, you will get on the board and then flip it over. After that, you will jump back on it without falling off or l...
How To: Tie a Palomar knot to secure a fishing line
In this video, we learn how to tie a Palomar knot to secure a fishing line. This knot is pretty easy to tie, it won't take long. First, you will take the fishing line and make it into a loop. After this, insert it through the eye on the hook. Next, bring it back over and then tie an overhand knot, leaving it a little loose when you tie it. You should be able to see the working end hanging down. Now, take the loop and put it over the hook. Now when you tighten it up, you will have the complete...
How To: Skin a deer hide
In this tutorial, we learn how to skin a deer hide. First, cut into the joint on the back legs. Cut across this, then down through the back side of the leg. Open the leg up with the knife and continue to cut until you see the last joint. After this, you can snap the leg and then repeat this same process for all of the legs. Now, apply pressure to the neck where you want to cut and then skin the stomach area from the inside area. Keep the tip of the knife away from the hide so you don't poke a...