Hot Outdoor Recreation How-Tos
How To: Perform basic nosespins on a casterboard
If you need to add some tricks to your casterboarding arsenal, this video will show you one called the nosespin (or nose spin). A casterboard is kind of like a skateboard, but feels more like a snowboard or surfboard, only on the pavement and with wheels! It's also like a snakeboard, but this tutorial focuses on the casterboard, with tips from Axis. No matter if it's a Ripstik, Waveboard or Timberwolf, this video will give you the right moves for the nosespin trick.
How To: Perform basic backside 360-degree spins on a casterboard
Forget skateboarding. If you like snowboarding and surfing, but want the pavement in lieu of snow and water, then the casterboard is your board. The casterboard (also called a waveboard) is much like a snakeboard, and can be pretty tricky to learn the moves. But Axis has you covered. Learn how to do some basic backside 360 spins on your caster board, no matter if it's a Ripstik, Waveboard or Timberwolf.
How To: Properly fish in a stream
Fishing is a great way of saving you money on having to pay for over priced pre-cleaned fish at the grocery store, it's also a way to relax and enjoy nature. If you're planning on heading on down to your local stream to get some fish, take these tips into consideration. In this video you will get some tips on what sort of physical characteristics of the stream are and also what sort of fish to expect in what types of waters.
How To: Do A Kickflip On A Skateboard
So, you want to learn how to kickflip? As with other skateboarding tricks, this requires mental and physical practice.
How To: Use the bottle technique to prevent breaking of a traditional-style wooden bow
This video shows you a neat little trick to stop accidental breaking of a traditional wooden bow using a bottle filled with water. This bottle technique is a great way to strengthen your wooden bow. It's used to hold the fibers together, which can reduce the chance of a bow break. To see more videos about traditional bow and arrows, check out Traditional Archery Bows on WonderHowTo.
How To: Prevent accidentally breaking a traditional-style archery bow
The problem with traditional wooden bows are the inadvertent breaking or snapping of them. Compound bows and fiberglass reinforced bows are hard to break, but self-made wooden bows are prone to damage. This video serves up some great tips on preventing any accidental breaking of a traditional-style bow. To see more videos about traditional bow and arrows, check out Traditional Archery Bows on WonderHowTo.
How To: Practice instinct shooting with a traditional-style archery bow and arrow
If you're never hitting the target, maybe archery isn't the sport for you. Maybe it is, you probably just need to work on your technique a little, and this video serves up some great advice for archers when it comes time for instinct shooting. Learn a method for practicing instinct shooting with a traditional wooden bow and arrow. To see more videos about traditional bow and arrows, check out Traditional Archery Bows on WonderHowTo.
How To: Curve (or flex) a traditional-style wooden archery bow with steam
This is the first thing you'll need to do when recurving a traditional bow, and it's called the decurved (or deflexed) process. You'll see exactly how to deflex a traditional-style bow by steaming and bending the wood. You'll need a pot of boiling water, your wooden bow, tin foil and some gloves. To see more videos about traditional bow and arrows, check out Traditional Archery Bows on WonderHowTo.
How To: Store your snowboard in summer & prevent base damage
Summertime is a sad time for your beloved snowboard, languishing in the closet waiting for snow. Did you know that your base can become dried out from all that downtime? Watch this video to learn how to store your snowboard safely. Store your snowboard in summer & prevent base damage.
How To: Buy a safe, effective helmet for horseback riding
Horseback riding is one of the most dangerous sports in the world. If you go flying off a horse into the same area as it's giant hooves, you better have a good helmet. This video will explain some features you should look for in a helmet to make sure you're buying a safe, effective one.
How To: Choose the right camp site to set up your tent
Camping is one of the best ways to enjoy nature, but choosing just the right spot for pitching you tent can be tough. This video will give you some tips for choosing a site that is safe, convenient, and comfortable.
How To: Store your bike in your apartment by hanging it from the ceiling
If you're an urban bike rider, you're probably all too familiar with how hard it is to find a safe, convenient place to store the bike. This video offers one solution, constructing a bike rack on the ceiling in your apartment. It looks cool, and at least it won't get stolen this way.
How To: Properly tie a strong nonbinding bowline knot
If you need a sturdy, super strong knot, but you want be able to reuse the rope, then the bowline knot is what you want. The bowline knot is one of the strongest knots available. It's a nonbinding knot which makes a nonslipping and nonjamming loop at the end of the rope. This is perfect for heavy equipment, and great for boats and other watercraft vehicles. The bowline can take as much weight as the rope can handle, and it can be untied!
How To: Hunt the elusive hairy and yeti-like beast called Sasquatch (or Bigfoot)
Much like UFOs and chupacabras, the Sasquatch has yet to officially take its name out of the fictional section, but that doesn't mean Bigfoot won't transform from fiction to reality someday. In fact, with the hunting and tracking skills outlined in this video, you may just be the one who slams the yeti-like Sasquatch into the science books. Learn to track the elusive Bigfoot creature like an expert!
How To: Set up the mast on the Open 570 single-handedly
In this video, we learn how to set up the mast on the Open 570 single-handedly. First, look to see where the mast is going to fit on the boat. Pick the mast up in the middle so it balances out on each side, it's very long. Turn the mast around and place the edge facing the foyer. Put the base of the mast into the mast step, then let it rest on a step ladder. From here, get into the boat and add the safety pin into the base of the mast to keep it locked. Now take the mast and push it up into t...
How To: Do a slapdown ollie up a curb on a longboard
Longboards are known more for their efficiency of transport and thrilling downhill riding than for tricks. Silly Rabbit, tricks are for shortboards! Or not. This video will show you how to do a cool little longboard trick, a slapdown ollie onto a curb. It's pretty easy, and is a very cool way to arrive somewhere on your longboard.
How To: Make a cheap but realistic goose call
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to make a realistic goose call. The materials required for this project are: a plastic bottle cap, scissors, rubber band and a piece of paper. Begin by making a small hole in the bottle cap. Then wrap the paper around the other side of the bottle cap and secure it with the rubber band. Now just blow in the hole and make a humming sound to create a goose call. This video will benefit those viewers who enjoy goose hunting, and would like to learn how to...
How To: Use arapuca in a bird trap
In this video, we learn how to use arapuca in a bird trap. First, place the arapuca underneath the trap, then place two bricks on both sides, along with a stick to prop up the trap. Now, leave this around until you catch a bird. When you finally catch the bird, stick your hands through the top of the trap and get your hands around the bird. After this, lift the trap up and let the bird go. Make sure the goat doesn't see you set the trap, or else they will eat the arapuca that you have laid ou...
How To: Find the right bike and bike fit for you
In this video, we learn how to find the right bike and bike fight. First, you need to think about what you are using the bike for, then look at the bikes that are included in that category. After this, you need to test out different bikes to see what type of size works best for you. Once you test out a bike that closely fits you, you can fine tune the bike to fit your body exactly. Once you get on your bike, you need to get your position down correctly and make sure your hands are in the corr...
How To: Tie a one-handed bowline knot quickly
When climbing one of the most crucial knots to have in your arsenal is the Bowline Knot. But sometimes you may find yourself in a situation that requires you to tie one quickly. In this video you'll learn how to tie one quickly withn one hand so that way you can really leave yourself hanging!
How To: Tie a great sailor's chain (sea chain) knot
Have a lot of left over rope that you don't need? Looking for an easier way to store your extension cables and the like without getting them all tangled up? Then learn how to make a sailor's chain! This great video shows you the basic steps that you'll take to creating an endless set of slip knots that'll keep your wires, cables and ropes all tidy without.
How To Live Underwater: A Nevada Family's Bubble Fort
Would you rather live far up in the trees? Or deep underwater? A Nevada family of scuba divers have built the ultimate childhood getaway: the Needham family's "Bubble Room" is an underwater fort that sits at the bottom of a lake in the Sierras. The room is an air-filled pocket, made with vinyl and anchored down by an octagonal framework of metal pipe.
How To: Use a two anchor system to set up a fixed rappel station for climbing
A fixed rappel station is an important part of climbing, and there are a lot of ways to make one. This video will show you how to use a two-anchor system with a redundant backup for maximum saftey. It also has a hip-seat rappel with a safety prusik.
How To: Make a Fast Rope for Climbing, including an eye splice
Generations of Americans have struggled to climb up normal ropes in gyms across the nation. If only they had this stuff. Fast rope is a thick braided rope that makes climbing a hell of a lot faster and easier. This video will show you how to make it in three parts: first making the rope itself, then making an eye splice for it, then whipping and fusing the end of the rope. This is great stuff to have for any serious climbing trip or survival situation.
How To: Set up a bank line or trot line while fishing
Several fishing techniques are demonstrated in this video, including how to set up a trot line (where heavy, baited hooks are set at intervals along a tree branch) and a bank line (a line set up along the bank of the lake or river).
How To: Do nymph fly fishing
Nymph fly fishing is pretty tough and requires some key elements to make it successful. With this video you'll learn how much weight you'll need to use for your lure, how to cast and lure properly, as well as what sort of equipment you should have with you.
How To: Catch trout in freshwater rivers and lakes
Trout is a popular fish to find in freshwater rivers and lakes. Learn useful bait, tackle and fishing techniques to catch a tasty fish. So for your next trip to the great outdoors, don't forget to pack your fishing rod!
How To: Do an Early Grab trick on your longboard
Longboards are known more for being fun to ride than for their great potential for tricks, but if you ride a longboard and like to get a little air, watch this video! It will teach you how to do an early grab off a curb or other drop. Basically, you just grab the board right before you get your air, which give you enough to get up and recover before you hit the ground. This is one of the few airs you can reasonably do with a longboard, so practice up!
How To: Choose accurate paintballs for your paintball marker
There's a little trick to making sure you're getting the best paintballs for your paintball marker, and it takes hardly any work, except maybe hiding from the department store employees! The tip is to open the packaging and remove a couple paintballs. Then find a flat surface in the store and roll them to see if they're smooth or have dimples (which can cause inaccuracy in shooting).
How To: Choose the right paintball gun (low-end electronic or mechanical markers)
This video will help you decide which paintball marker (or paintball gun) is right for you. The low-end electronic marker or the mechanical paintball gun. Mechanical guns are extremely loud, and semi-automatic, but effective. It uses a CO2 tank. Electronic markers have a higher rate of fire (super fast), and aren't very loud.
How To: Catch summertime bass using finesse and reaction fish baits with Kevin VanDam
Fishing can be tough when it's really hot outside, but don't worry, professional bass angler Kevin VanDam has some advice for outwitting those bass in the summertime. Beat the heat, and beat the bass, with these summertime fishing tips, like using finesse baits and reaction baits.
How To: Snorkel
Why the Love? Every one has a reason for loving something. Mine was that it was the only thing I had. That one sure thing. I loved it because I had nothing, and it cost me nothing. At times I had no idea what was going to happen to me, or where I was going to be. The shore is always there! Rain or shine( the water is always calm beneath the surface), day or night( bring a waterproof flashlight).
How To: Make a stone rocket stove
To build a stone rocket stove, you will need the following: stones, wood, a tender pile, and lighter (or something to start a fire)
How To: Catch more crawfish
In this tutorial, we learn how to catch more crawfish. First, you will need to have a crawfish trap that is long and has a large door on it. Some different kinds of bait that you can use include: blue gill, shell crackers, red ears, perch, and any other fresh water fish. Take the bait and place them into a hook on the outside of the trap. You will want to hook them through the eye and place as many as you can on the hook. Now, you can place the trap into the water and close the trap up. Now, ...
How To: Carve in snowboarding
In this video, we learn how to carve in snowboarding. While you are riding the snowboard, you will want to move your body weight so you are making a carving motion with your board along the side of the mountain and down the slope. Make sure you pay attention to where your legs are placed so you are properly pushing your weight on the ends of the board. If you fall, make sure you try to fall with your rear end so you don't break your knees or hands when you go down. With practice, this will ge...
How To: Make and cook with camp fires
This video demonstrates the tripod method of setting up a campfire for cooking in the wilderness. In order to set up the tripod, you will need three large branches of hazel, some copper wire, and a hooked branch to be used to hang a pot from the tripod. The copper wire will be used to attach the hooked branch to the tripod setup and cord or rope may be substituted. Another method of cooking which is demonstrated is to cook food in a pot over some embers. A hole is dug in the ground and a fire...
How To: Tie an Alpine Coil knot
In this tutorial, we learn how to tie an Alpine Coil knot. When you start your coil you want the starting end to be inside your hand. First, take the working end of your rope on your last coil and make a loop in your rope. Then, wrap a couple of turns around the rope and lock it into place. Once you've made a couple of turns, the working end will go into the loop. To secure, go over to the end from the loop and give it a tug, which will lock the working end into the rope and make a nice way t...
How To: Properly put on a heavy mountaineering backpack
In this video, we learn how to properly put on a heavy mountaineering backpack. It's very important to do this properly, or else you can severely injure your back. To put this on, grab the strap with both of your hands, then lift it up onto your knees, then slide it and kick it up onto your back. Next tie it around your waist and pull it so it's nice and tight. After this, use a chest strap so it's tight, but not enough so that you cannot breathe and it takes weight off your shoulders. Next, ...
How To: Make clean burning fire starters with non-toxic materials
It's really easy to take lazy route and purchase fire starters at a grocery or hardware store to aid you in creating campfires, but storebought fire starters tend to have massive amounts of environment polluting chemicals and toxins that you probably shouldn't be anywhere near.
How To: Splice a loop into the end of a three strand rope
Sometimes when you're camping it's necessary to pitch a little something called a tent after a long trek hiking and exploring the great outdoors. And when you're ready to call it a day, make sure you can do so peacefully without the fear that your tent contraption will fall down on you during the middle of the night.