Sports Carnival Ecstasy - January 9, 2014

New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker on the field prior to an away game against the Oakland Raiders. The Patriots won 49-26. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Welcome to the January 9, 2014 edition of Sports Carnival Ecstasy. In this issue we have a couple of stories from Rob Hyland on Polamalu going to the NFL Pro Bowl and whether Wes Welker is overrated or underrated. We will find out for sure when the Broncos play this weekend. Finally Bill Smith has some Ohio State recruiting stories including one on Johnnie Dixon joining their 2014 football class. Have a good week and see you next time.

Andrew Dickow presents 8 Ways SportsCenter Can Teach You How To Nail Your Next Presentation - Finance Penguin posted at Finance Penguin, saying, "Want to blow them away in your next presentation? Quit reading business books and turn on the television. You can learn everything you need to impress your audience in a half-hour of SportsCenter. The high-energy, action packed, ‘God, I hope they show that play again’ highlight show grabs the viewer by the collar and shakes them around until they can’t take their eyes off the screen. It’s exhilarating! SC uses powerful tools to seize the audience and so should you! Use these seven winning tricks to put the odds in your favor."

rob hyland presents Does Polamalu Deserve Another Pro-Bowl? posted at New England Sports Talk.

baseball

Albin Henneberger presents Sandy, Stay Away From Stephen Drew posted at Standing O Sports.

basketball

rob hyland presents Celtics- Too Much Talent to Win? posted at New England Sports Talk.

football

rob hyland presents Brady’s Best Attribute posted at New England Sports Talk.

rob hyland presents Sunday Over/Underrated — Wes Welker posted at New England Sports Talk.

rob hyland presents Patriots – Ravens, What We Learned posted at New England Sports Talk.

rob hyland presents Does Anyone Remember David Givens posted at New England Sports Talk.

rob hyland presents N.E. Patriots Surprise Overachievers posted at New England Sports Talk, saying, "List of what Patriots players have impressed so far this year"

rob hyland presents Patriots – Bills Quick Prediction posted at New England Sports Talk.

rob hyland presents Dant’a Hightower – Over/underrated Monday posted at New England Sports Talk.

Bill Smith presents Johnnie Dixon Joins Ohio State Football posted at BrutusReport, saying, "Occasionally, unlikely events occur and, during the recruitment of Johnnie Dixon (the wide receiver from West Palm Beach), the Buckeyes were regarded as an unlikely option by many pundits."

Bill Smith presents Ohio State-Clemson: Which Defense Will Step Up? posted at BrutusReport, saying, "The loss that Ohio State suffered to the Spartans was one that some people actually predicted."

Bill Smith presents A Preview Of The Upcoming High School All-American Games posted at eFilmRoom, saying, "In January 2014 the High School All-American Games, Army All-American Game, Offense-Defense All-American Bowl, Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl and the Under Armour All-American Game, will be taking place to showcase the top high school football talents in the United States."

Bill Smith presents Ohio State Football From The Eyes Of Raekwon McMillan posted at eFilmRoom, saying, "When it comes to college football recruiting, Urban Meyer, Ohio State Football head coach, is without a doubt the best closer."

Bill Smith presents Lombardi and Banner should be on notice: Heads will roll! posted at FryingPan Sports, saying, "If Banner and Lombardi screw up the choice of coach or the 2014 draft, please fire them by this time next year! They should never have been hired and need to go."

rob hyland presents Ladarius Green — Monday Under/Overrated posted at New England Sports Talk.

rob hyland presents Time to Trade Gronk? Speculating Gronkowski Trades posted at New England Sports Talk.

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of sports carnival ecstasy using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

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What Will Happen To The Olympic Village After The Games

English: Construction work on the London 2012 Olympic Village outside Stratford International railway station. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

What will happen to the Olympic Village after the games? This is a common question asked by most people especially if they have been following this event from the start to the end. The construction of the London Olympic Village caused quite a buzz all over the world due it its exquisite infrastructure that included a bike park, an elegant shopping mall, modern health centers, neat lawns and world-class apartments. During the Olympic Games, this village acts as the perfect accommodation for various athletes from the participating countries.

However, when the event comes to an end officially, the Olympic Village is set to be of great importance to the entire community in London. Its current name will be transformed to East Village and it will act as a luxurious housing unit for the residents. According to reports, more than 6,500 people have started booking these elegant apartments in advance due to their high market demand.

This is a commendable move by the UK government considering the fact that not all previous Olympic Villages were utilized constructively. Some of them became wastelands while the rest were advertised for hire. For example, the village in Athens was barely sold since most buyers believed that it was located far away from the rest of the urban areas. These housing units are now filled with graffiti and empty rooms. The conversion of the London Olympic Village into a major housing unit has received warm response from the real estate industry as a major way of reducing congestion in the city while providing high quality housing with sweet memories of the previous games.

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Bob Costas: Poster Boy For Gun Control

English: US President George W. Bush speaks with Bob Costas of NBC Sports during an interview ``while attending the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Bob Costas, sports journalist at NBC, knows a great deal about the Olympics and is well known for his knowledge of the Games. He has also recently shown himself to be an advocate for gun control. During a monologue to the United States public regarding the Second Amendment, Costas borrowed an article by Jason Whitlock (quoting him directly) regarding the murder/suicide of Jovan Belcher and Kasandra Perkins. During his 1 ½ minute recital, Bob Costas insisted that the two would still be alive if not for the right of U.S. citizens to own a gun privately.

Many journalists and Americans consider this to be spurious logic. What Bob Costas fails to point out is that, while the Jovan Belcher situation was a tragedy, guns are far less dangerous than cars. For instance, Olympic sprinter Daniel Batman of Australia died in a car accident. Being an authority on the Olympics, he would know this, yet Costas does not propose stopping people from privately owning and driving cars which are statistically more deadly than guns worldwide. Jovan Belcher only used the most convenient weapon.

Jovan Belcher was a burly NFL linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs. His girlfriend Kasandra Perkins was tiny by comparison. Belcher was strong enough to have committed murder with his bare hands or using any item that was readily available. A gun was not Belcher's only option for violence. 

Bob Costas received some bad press for his comments about this case but did not respond, citing a lack of time. This makes it difficult to engage in any fruitful discussion with the journalist over his borrowed diatribe and his point of view, about which many Americans strongly disagree. In the meantime, he must be eagerly awaiting the XXXI Olympic Games in Brazil. He will surely be sharing his views about Olympic sports people and various forms of harm they can do to themselves in the run up to Rio's highly anticipated event.

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A Guide to Climbing Mt. Whitney

Mount Whitney is a geographical wonder that’s full of contrasts. This first becomes apparent when one realizes that the 14,505 ft behemoth is less than 90 miles away from Badwater at Death Valley National Park, which is the lowest point in North America. Thus, you have the highest point in the continental U.S., and the lowest point on the continent, within extremely close geographical proximity. Contradictions, it seems, are inherent in this region.

Contrasts also abound in terms of the challenges presented to those who wish to reach the mountain’s summit. The most popular path is the Mount Whitney trail, a 22-mile round trip stretch that most can do in two days (though some have made the trip in one). For more technical climbers, the East Face of the mountain offers some of the most challenging opportunities in the U.S. Still others will prefer to “scramble,” up the mountain, which essentially involves climbing up the mountain without the use of technical gear. The record for the fastest round trip scramble to the summit and back is 3 hours and 10 minutes.

The best time to climb Mt. Whitney is between May 1 and November 1st. You must remember, however, that there’s a distinct possibility of snow, ice, and other natural hazards being present towards the top of the mountain, even in the middle of summer. Also, the further up you go, the cooler the temperature will be, so it’s recommended that you have a serious backpack that includes a heavy down jacket. Eddie Bauer is a good brand for this, because the company outfitted the first American attempt to summit K2, and also the first American to summit Everest. There are also a lot of Eddie Bauer coupons online that can save you some money.

Another thing to be wary of is that Mt. Whitney trail is very popular, so hiking permits can be difficult to come by. It is much easier to get a day permit than an overnight permit, so if you’re an experienced climber with a lot of endurance, attempting to do the hike in a 24 hour period will be less hassle and less expensive. If you’re like most of us, however, it’s recommended that you’ll probably want the overnight one. Either way, permits are awarded through a lottery system, which begins on February 15th. To be considered for the lottery, hopeful climbers must mail their application (yes old-fashioned style mail, it’s the only way) to the Mt. Whitney Permit Office, the address of which can be found on the mountain’s website. It’s recommended that you get your application in early, because once they hit their quota of climbers, that’s it.

If you are lucky enough to receive an invitation to climb Mount Whitney, the best and safest way to go about your climb is through a two-day hike on the Mount Whitney Trail. You will be able to camp almost anywhere during this hike, but most people prefer one of two camping spots, Outpost Camp and Trail Camp. The latter is a bit more treacherous, but it is 6.3 miles from the trailhead (as compared to only around 3.8 for Outpost Camp), making it a better day hike, and also providing for a more balanced amount of hiking over the two-day stretch. Trail Camp also provides access to a lake, which is a good source of drinking water.

Climbing Mt. Whitney can be a really special experience, especially since it carries with it the title of the highest point on the continental U.S. If you want to make the hike, make sure you apply for a permit sooner than later, because winning their lottery is the only way you’ll be able to touch the mountain. Once you do have a permit, plan out which style of hike you want to attempt, and then make sure you have adequate supplies to complete it safely. Good luck, and happy peaking!

Stefan Georgi is an avid outdoorsman who has been to the summit of some of the highest points in the U.S. He highly recommends using Eddie Bauer coupons when buying a jacket for this hike.

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Siberian Black Ice Race About to Kick Off

First-time contenders in the Siberian Black Ice Race are about to get a serious education in adrenaline fueled extreme sports. The Siberian Black Ice Race 2012 is about to kick off and give everyone - women included - a serious boost of testosterone. All mothers out there shouldn’t watch the race, it’ll make you cry with pride, and some fear thrown in for good measure.

The Black Ice Race

At midday on March 17th the super cool – by super cool we mean extremely cold – ice race will start on the world’s deepest and one of the oldest lakes, Lake Baikal, which is also known as the “World’s most terrifying lake.” It has a dark eerie layer of ice covering the lake. With temperatures as low as -40, it’s set to be one of the globe’s most extreme multi-disciplined ice races ever. Endurance is essential to survival but we’re sure the contenders are set to give it their aces. The Black Ice Race was designed for people who want to test their boundaries and push the envelope in the way of adventure. The race runs over three weeks and may not necessarily be a once in a lifetime opportunity but there aren’t many people who would do it more than once. Are there?

The race is extreme south and north-pole races. Competitors for the Ice Race may choose between the 379 Mile Marathon or the 155 Mile Sprint using non-motorised transport such as skates, foot, skis or bikes. 2012 Is the second Black Ice Race in one of the harshest landscapes in the world. Anyone lacking experience or having heart problem should opt to be spectators instead. The Siberian Black Ice Race pushes the human body to the ultimate limit, and then some!

Set Up

The team from Extreme World Races are already setting-up tents, cookers, hovercraft and snowmobile hangars and everything that will be required for the Black Ice Race to go off without a hitch. Apparently the weather is pretty warm at -6! Um...! The Ice Race team are working to ensure all safety aspects are completely met.

Countdown

Two more days to go to the start of the Siberian Black Ice Race and contenders are probably getting itchy feet to get stuck in. All we can say is, take it easy because your body is going to hate you enough when you start the race, let it chill for the next couple of days. Good Luck!

Vida Denning is a freelance writer married to an extremist who has competed in a couple of races and swears by his workwear trousers and safety workwear in times of extreme conditions.

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The World's Most Terrifying Ski Runs

Lighthearted blue slopes not your thing?

Well, let's ramp it up a notch; vertical drops, sharp banking turns, speeds of up to 80mph, does that sound more like it?

(In the interests of safety, we would like to note that these runs are for hardcore skiers only, and many pros take years of their lives preparing, and you should always seek the help of an experienced guide when thinking about tackling these runs for the first time).

Corbet's Couloir, Jackson Hole

Situated in Wyoming, USA, this slope is known as America's scariest ski run. The allure lies unmistakably in the slope's opening drop; a thirty foot free-fall to the banks below. Once skiers have overcome this beast, and landed on the soft snow, they forget their worries, and can enjoy one of the best runs of their life. The resort itself is beautifully decorated with log cabins, lodges, and ranches.

The Swiss Wall, Avoriaz

Located at the Portes Du Soleil ski resort, this slope may seem scary at first, but with the right amount of snow cover, this is actually a run which many can take part in. Again, it is the initial drop that spooks even the sturdiest skier, and is difficult to pilot in the wrong conditions, but once bested, the slope evens out and is great for a skier testing out their own ability for more challenging slopes.

Le Tunnel, Alpe d'Huez

Found high up in the French Alps, this black run is located in the same resort as the longest ski slope in Europe, yet is considered significantly more daunting. After skirting along the initial drop, you are led to 'the tunnel', a small hollowed out section in the rock, which leads to a rather horrifying sight as the slope drops rapidly to your left once you've exited the tunnel. Again, it's dependent on the weather conditions, but is certainly one of the more unique runs in Europe.

Tortin, Verbier

This one is truly terrifying; full concentration is vital if you are to steer your way down this slope safely. Like many of these runs, the hardest part is perhaps having the nerve to stand on the brink, and push yourself off, especially as the early view can be quite intimidating -- it starts off in similar vein to a rollercoaster, and you will traverse sharply in each direction, and across steep sloping bumps, but as you get on, it eases off, becoming considerably smoother, and surprisingly, the resort is considered ideal for beginner/intermediate skiers.

La Grave, France

Ominously named, and for good reason, this French Alps-based ski slope is unpisted, and skiers are strongly recommended to take an experienced guide. There are two main descent routes for skiers, on the left and the right of the gondola station, both which run through rocky terrain, and based on the weather, can sometimes lead to small icefalls on the run or even grass meadows.

Not for the faint hearted, these slopes are designed to test and challenge; do you have what it takes?

The author is a keen skier and blogger who has stayed in many European resorts including chalets in Val d'Isere, Alpe d'Huez and Verbier.

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What is Gig Rowing and Who is it For?

gig practice and dogs playing (Photo credit: grakki)

Gig rowing is a traditional Cornish sport that has taken the boating world by storm in recent years. Its roots lie in the late 18th century when gigs were used as work boats. Incoming ships to harbour needed a pilot to guide them through treacherous waters and teams would race to the ships to deliver their pilot first and get paid. Side jobs included salvaging goods from wrecked ships and they were known to row the English Channel, smuggling goods from France and outrunning duty officers.

Modern Day Gig Rowing
Though gigs are no longer used for work, little else has changed. Teams comprising six rowers and a cox compete in races over 1-2 miles of choppy coastal water. Most popular on Britain's South-West coast, gig racing has seen a global expansion since the 90s with clubs in France, The Netherlands, Australia and the USA. Many events and regattas are held during the Spring racing season, culminating in the World Championships. Held over four days on the Isles of Scilly, the population here doubles as 2000 rowers and spectators descend onto the islands. In the 2011 competition over 200 teams competed in Mens, Ladies and Veterans classes with rowers aged 16 to 80. International teams gave a strong showing, with a Dutch team finishing runners up in the ladies event. Gigs can be seen at inland races too, such as London's Great River Race.

Specifications
Boats measure 32 feet long an 4'10 wide. Built by hand out of Cornish elm as they have been for 200 years, they are rigorously inspected at several points in their construction by the Cornish Pilot Gig Association. The recent popularity of the sport has kept the traditional gig building alive and well in Cornwall, where a new boat will set you back around £25,000. Though a fair outlay, the quality of build ensures their seaworthiness for many years to come. All boats conform to the specifications of Treffry, one of the oldest functioning gigs in existence having been built in 1838. It is owned by the Newquay club along with two others named Newquay (1812) and Dove (1820). These three have a special race of their own with the top club rowers competing fiercely for the pride of crewing them.

Many coastal towns in the South West will have clubs, with larger cities farther afield competing too. Clubs are looking for members of all ages and their long histories promote a strong esprit de corps unique to this sport. If it's not there already, gig rowing will be soon coming to a coastline near you.

Crew Clothing sponsor gig rowing teams and are trying to get more people involved in the sport of rowing. For more information, click here.

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An Introduction to Scuba Diving

Scuba Diving (Photo credit: John Kotsifas)

The idea that people could breathe underwater was once a fantasy. But today, diving has left the realms of imagination and grown into a worldwide sport with millions of followers. Those who take part in it are granted privileged access to a mysterious yet beautiful world, and every dive is an adventure into the unknown.

Since prehistoric times, people have been drawn to explore the incredible world that lies underwater, whether in pursuit of food or lost riches or from sheer inquisitiveness. There is evidence, for example, that people were holding their breath and diving for shellfish by about 3,000 BC.

Recent Improvements

Despite this long relationship with the undersea world, the human body is not designed to remain underwater for prolonged periods of time. Only comparatively recently, with the development of rudimentary diving bells and helmets from the Middle Ages onward, did it become possible to stay submerged for longer than a single breath allows. During the 18th and 19th centuries, there were remarkable advances in diving technology, such as full diving suits supplied by air pumped from the surface. These advances, which were often spurred on by the lucrative rewards of salvage work, extended dive times and gave access to ever greater depths.

The invention of Aqua Lung in the mid-20th century permitted divers to explore the depths of the world's oceans freely for the first time. This truly remarkable apparatus enabled people to take their own air supply with them when they dive, eliminating the need to be connected to the surface by an airline. The system that evolved from it—scuba—is today widely used in recreational and professional diving.

Global Appeal

As scuba technology became better, diving opened up to the general public. What was once the realm of experts and professionals gradually became a sport with global appeal. Even in countries without a coastline, you will find divers who spend time underwater at inland sites, such as lakes and rivers, or who travel abroad to experience the beauty of the oceans. Once you are qualified, you can dive virtually anywhere in the world. Language is no barrier underwater, since divers use standard hand signals that are understood internationally.

It is hard to tell how many divers there are in the world today, but well over a million people qualify each year. Since its inception in 1966, over 13 million divers around the world have been certified by PADI (the Professional Association of Diving Instructors), and PADI is just one of many training agencies. Diving is one of the fastest-growing hobbies in the world today.

Laura Ginn is a writer and editor for Extreme Sports X, an extreme sports magazine that is updated daily with the latest news, reviews and feature length extreme sports articles.

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Sports Carnival Ecstasy - January 5, 2012

Image via Wikipedia

Welcome to the January 5, 2012 edition of Sports Carnival Ecstasy.In this edition we start with Steve and his article on the NCAA banning the Buckeyes from bowl games next season. That Random Guy has a look at the Playoff Picture for the NFL. Steve previews the Gator Bowl 2012: Ohio State Buckeyes vs Florida Gators. And Eric Gargiulo thinks Brock Lesnar Almost Screwed The UFC. Bookmark, share, tweet, like on Facebook and come back real soon.

Steve presents 5 Weird Discontinued Olympic Sports posted at FryingPan Sports, saying, "If you happen to look on the modern Olympics have always featured the same, traditional events then you’re wrong."

presents The Fantasy Sports Dilemma (AKA The Saga of the Category 2's and 3's) posted at RyComedy, saying, "An look into the mind of a real fantasy sports fanatic - and those who will never understand..."

baseball

Rick Sincere presents Did Baseball Save the American Judiciary? posted at Bearing Drift, saying, "Most people would not expect the Chief Justice of the United States to open his annual report on the judiciary with a reference to baseball. But he did."

extreme

Steve presents Tighten Your Core with Break Dance posted at FryingPan Sports, saying, "Of all the dance disciplines, there are few as intense and body-transforming as break dance. Not only does it look amazing (and, let’s face it, really cool), but it also does incredible things for your body."

football

Steve presents NCAA Bans Ohio State from Bowls in 2012 posted at BrutusReport, saying, "NCAA comes down hard on the Buckeyes while future OSU recruits stay committed."

Steve presents 2012 Ohio State Defensive End Se'von Pittman Highlights posted at eFilmRoom, saying, "Ohio State recently acquired a verbal commitment from Se’Von Pittman of the 2012 class."

Michael presents Se’von Pittman Switches from Michigan State to Ohio State posted at eScoutRoom, saying, "After much belief, Canton McKinley defensive end Se’von Pittman switched his verbal from MSU to OSU."

That Random Guy presents Playoff Picture for the NFL posted at Wow Another Random Blog!.

Steve presents Gator Bowl 2012: Ohio State Buckeyes vs Florida Gators posted at BrutusReport, saying, "A preview of the Gator Bowl (TaxSlayer.com) prior to Ohio State giving up two really bad special teams plays and losing to Florida."

Steve presents Noah Spence Class of 2012 Season Highlights posted at eFilmRoom, saying, "In this highlight video of 2012 Bishop McDevitt HS defensive end Noah Spence, you can quickly see his ability to dominate the high school game."

Michael presents Noah Spence Commits to Ohio State and Urban Meyer posted at eScoutRoom, saying, "Noah Spence wasn’t talking about Ohio State prior to Urban Meyer joining the Buckeyes this past month, but now he is firmly committed even after OSU was restricted from playing in a bowl game in 2012."

Steve presents How to start your own sports team in five easy steps posted at FryingPan Sports, saying, "Sometimes, it has to be said, organizing team raiding sessions in World of Warcraft doesn’t really fulfill all your social needs."

mma

Eric Gargiulo presents How Brock Lesnar Almost Screwed The UFC posted at CamelCluchBlog.Com, saying, "While the UFC lost its top draw Saturday night, the news may not be all that bad. Brock Lesnar reportedly planned to win the UFC title, leave the UFC, & return to the WWE thus screwing the UFC and Dana White if things played out as planned."

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of sports carnival ecstasy using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

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Five Alternative Winter Sports

Image via Wikipedia

As winter closes in ski and snowboard enthusiasts start to dream of hitting the slopes for long days on the piste, reveling in the wintry air and soaking in the dramatic scenery of and snowy mountain ranges. But there are plenty of alternative ways to enjoy winter thrills on snow and ice without having to step into skis or strap on a board. You don’t even have to fly out to the mountains or wait for winter to experience days of snow-filled fun either. So whether you’re heading out to the slopes this season, or staying home for the winter, here are some of our favorite alternative winter activities to get your heart pumping.

Snowmobile riding

If you like fast cars, fresh air and awesome scenery, then you will simply love hopping on board a snowmobile. The awesome power of these machines lets you glide across the snow at high speed, with all the excitement of a James Bond movie. There are some stunning locations to try it out too, including some of the most popular Alpine resorts in Europe, or try snowmobiling across a frozen lake in the beautifully remote surrounds of Finnish Lapland for one of the most thrilling yet peaceful high speed activities imaginable.

Ice climbing

Tackle terrifying terrain that you couldn’t even consider taking on with skis on your feet. Introductory courses are available for beginners with expert instructors based at some of Europe’s biggest ski resorts, such as Chamonix in France, who will soon have you digging your ice pick and crampons into sheer, icy cliff faces, clambering over frozen waterfalls and abseiling down icefalls. You don’t have to stray too far to try it either, guided climbs are available in the Scottish Highlands while there are indoor climbing centres in the UK where you can try out ice climbing at any time of year, whatever the weather.

Parapenting

The snow equivalent of paragliding, parapenting is one of the most thrilling ways to soak in the mountainous scenery of your ski resort. Point your skis down the slope and as your parachute fills with air, it lifts you gently into the air before taking you soaring high above the trees and mountains. Total beginners can give it a go strapped safely to an instructor, who takes control of the chute and ensures you land safely back on the snow.

Tubing

A hit with adults and kids alike, you can forget about learning tricky techniques and stocking up on expensive equipment, all you need for fun on the slopes is an inflatable ring and nerves of steel! Some resorts these days even have special areas for tubing, otherwise you can give it a go any small slope with a safe place to stop, or you may be able to try it out in the evenings on floodlit nursery pistes. Back on home soil, indoor skiing centres in the UK offer the activity for simple, no frills fun on the snow.

Snowshoeing

One of the more gentle ways to enjoy the slopes, snowshoes give you a great way to enjoy the beautiful surrounds that many ski resorts boast, even if you don’t want to partake in skiing or boarding. You can follow safe walking trails around the foothills or more rigorous routes higher in the mountains which will still put your fitness to the test. Guided snowshoe experience days are also available in many resorts both in Scotland and abroad.

This article has been created by Activity Superstore, the UK's leading Gift Experience Days supplier.

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How to Be a Fashionable "Sporty Spice"

Image by joanneteh_32(loving Laduree) via Flickr

Hut, hut, hike! Every Fall ushers in a brand new season one of America’s greatest spectator sports: football. Let the tailgates commence! So what does the female sports fan wear to the games this fall? A team jersey or tee is a given, but that’s not enough to keep you warm a cozy during those chilly night games. There are a variety of ways to spice up your sporty outfit.

1. VESTS! They are perfect for football tailgates and games, since they allow your team apparel to show through AND they keep you insulated when the sun goes down. This multi-purpose, practical garment can pull an entire outfit together. Check out the Juicy Couture “Quilted Nylon Thinsulate Puffer Vest” on zappos.com. Right now this incredibly well made and stylish vest is 43% off. For just $129 (down from $228) you can purchase this it in Angel or Black, both equally appealing. Don’t forget to look for a zappos coupon code on coupon sites, like CheapSally.com. You can save even more on this great find!
2. Boots. Now that your all vested up with your jersey proudly tucked underneath, you’ll need some killer boots. The key for tailgates and games is comfort, but you also want to look feminine and pretty. A fall 2011 favorite: the “Venus Riding Boot” from Banana Republic. This gorgeous, soft, black leather boot has a comfortable memory foam and cushioned insole that will keep your feet happy for hours. Your arches won’t be begging for mercy by halftime in these one-inch heeled Banana boots. If your feet are warm and comfy, you’ll be able to fully enjoy the event.
3. The Perfect Denim. You will need to tuck a form-fitting jean into your killer boots. Try on Paige Denim ‘Verdugo’ Stretch Denim Leggings. Paige Denim offers some of the world’s most comfortable, lasting pants that never go out of style. These jeans don’t stretch out after one wear, so they’re perfect for games and tailgates; you’ll constantly be on the move, sitting and standing, replenishing your drink, and of course, rushing to the restroom. The ‘Verdugo’ dark jean will fit perfectly in your boots and add a chic statement to your sporty spice outfit. Designer jeans are indeed an investment, but Paige is worth every penny.
4. Tote. Without a doubt, women have a reputation for carrying too much “stuff.” Well, that still applies at football games. In fact, that “stuff’ multiplies. Not only do you need your wallet and lip gloss, but you’ll want to stash a pair of mittens, perhaps a scarf, some binoculars, and some snacks (Don’t deny it…you sneak things in, too.) This fall, you’ll want to carry a good-sized tote with you to football festivities. Check out the ‘Large buckle tote’ from Gap. This chocolate brown purse measures 8 ¼ inches by 12 ½ inches by 15 ¼ inches, leaving plenty of space for all the goodies. With front pockets and darling zipper embellishments, this fall accessory will make you a tote-ally stylish sports fan.

Even sporty spice can look feminine and flirty. Be the sports fashionista at your next football game!

Erin Prickett is a fashion enthusiast and bargain hunter. She enjoys finding great deals on apparel, shoes, jewelry and accessories and recommends using a Zappos coupon code to save on this fall’s hottest fashions.

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Sports Carnival Ecstasy - September 29, 2011

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Welcome to the September 29, 2011 edition of Sports Carnival Ecstasy.In this episode we have some 39 different stories from many great blogs. Rose starts us off with a look at the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. We have the 10 Most Shocking Sports Tragedies of All Time from Katie Gilbert. Lisa Hood stays with college football and reports the 10 Football Freshmen to Follow This Fall. Finally we have two articles by Steve including What have we learned from the first 2 weeks of the NFL and The Future of College Football, Super conferences. Hope you enjoy all the material, bookmark, share, tweet, like on Facebook, and come back next time.

Rose presents Rutgers Scarlet Knights ? October 1 2011 at 03:30 PM, Carrier Dome posted at Sports Tickets Schedule, saying, "Come see the highly anticipated Syracuse Orange vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights sport on Saturday, October 1 2011. Enjoy watching your favorite Basketball team as they attempt for Division domination! Watch and the entire Rutgers Scarlet Knights in one of the greatest Basketball match-ups! Make sure to cheer on your favorite team in Syracuse, New York for this approaching performance."

Steve presents Santa Pod Hosts European Drag Racing Finals posted at FryingPan Sports, saying, "For most normal people in the British Isles, chugging to the shops in something dull, the idea of drag racing conjures up images of glamorous Yanks, sun-drenched desert airfields and blingin’ USA style showmanship, as ridiculously powerful nitrous-methane fuelled drag cars launch their sacrificial pilots into mind-numbingly fast races which are over in seconds."

kuhlmad presents Youth Sports, Winning the Right Way posted at The World of Kuhlmad.

Michael Donelly presents The most Efficient combination: Anaerobic and Aerobic training posted at www.anotherway.org, saying, "Read this if: You want to achieve fitness results effectively taking advantage of the latest methods in fitness training. The latest findings reveal that you are more likely to lose body fat and build up muscles if you combine aerobic exercises with anaerobic ones. Another interesting fact is that experimental and observational research show that aerobic exercise and resistance training contribute to the maintenance of functional capabilities during aging."

Rose presents 10-07-2011 Carolina Hurricanes vs. Tampa Bay Lightning at Rbc Center Raleigh,North Carolina posted at Sports Tickets Schedule, saying, "Head to Rbc Center on Friday, October 7 2011 to witness the Carolina Hurricanes in action! The Carolina Hurricanes vs. Tampa Bay Lightning game will commence at 07:00 PM as both teams battle for a win in Raleigh, North Carolina."

Michael Donelly presents Weight is not the Problem: Fat is! posted at www.anotherway.org, saying, "Gain: a life-time strategy to maintain good-looking and healthy body.

Cost: about 2,5 hours per week training and some money for home sports equipment or gym cards depending on your preferences and budget."

Katie Gilbert presents 10 Most Shocking Sports Tragedies of All Time posted at Best Online Colleges.com, saying, "Sports, though an escape, encapsulate the human condition, and those who follow them closely know that players aren't immune to the same randomness, unpredictability and personal issues we face in our lives."

Steve presents Djokovic Wakes up from 2011 Dream Season posted at FryingPan Sports, saying, "Coming off his incredible win over Nadal in the US Open tennis final, Djokovic was unable to complete his Davis Cup match due to a lingering back injury."

Lisa Hood presents 10 Football Freshmen You Should Follow This Fall posted at ZenCollegeLife, saying, "Hardcore followers of college football are already familiar with this year's top freshmen."

Steve presents How Many Different Competitions Are Part of An Olympic Pentathlon? posted at FryingPan Sports, saying, "The modern pentathlon is composite event which tests the endurance, strength, timing, precision and skill of an athlete."

Steve presents The Barclays ATP World Tour Finals 2011 posted at FryingPan Sports, saying, "The draw isn’t like a normal tournament, instead it begins with round robin play that eliminates half the field."

Michael Donelly presents The Difference Between Good and Bad Exercise posted at www.anotherway.org, saying, "Gain: Toned body and other significant health benefits without damaging your joints

We all know that physical activity and doing sports is healthy. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released its new Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, calling for adults between the ages of 18 and 64 to exercise moderately. The positive effects of physical exercises are numerous..."

baseball

Tina Marconi presents 10 Indoor Sports Kids Can Play posted at Babysitters, saying, "After a day or two of being stuck indoors, kids often need a way to burn off some of the energy that they normally use up in outdoor play. Here are 10 sports activities that can be adapted for inside the house."

extreme

Laura presents Extreme Skydiving posted at Extreme Sports XExtreme Sports X | Extreme Sports X, saying, "Awesome article on extreme skydiving"

football

Steve presents This Weekend: Ohio State Buckeyes v University of Miami Hurricanes posted at BrutusReport, saying, "Nationally ranked (17) Ohio State University, with new coach Luke Fickell at the helm, is slated to play at the University of Miami this weekend. Both teams have been under the microscope this season, amidst controversy involving NCAA infractions."

Steve presents Talent Rich Ohio State Drops Akron 42-0 posted at BrutusReport, saying, "Welcome to the Luke Fickell era. With 8 missing players on Saturday, Ohio State was still able to shutout the Akron Zips 42-0 in front of 100,000 Buckeye fans in Ohio Stadium."

Steve presents Najee Murray 2012 Steubenville Ohio Athlete Highlights posted at eFilmRoom, saying, "In this exclusive video from Ohio Varsity, Steubenville Ohio defensive back and Ohio State commit demonstrates his great speed on kick returns and his hart hitting ability on defense."

Michael presents De’Van Bogard Cleveland Glenville 2012 Safety posted at eScoutRoom, saying, "De’Van Bogard came to Ohio State just as things were looking a little sour, with NCAA violations looming, Coach Jim Tressel Resigned, and their star recruit from Cleveland switching to Michigan."

Michael presents Najee Murray 2012 Ohio State Corner Back Scholarship Commitment posted at eScoutRoom, saying, "Najee Murray from Steubenville, Ohio was the eighth commitment for Ohio State for their 2012 recruiting class."

Steve presents Eagles Looking Strong in 2011/2012 posted at FryingPan Sports, saying, "Preseason is over, but the war has just begun. Football fans have been coming out of summer hibernation to support their favorite teams with fervor, body paint, beer, air horns, and dreams of the Super Bowl dancing in their heads. Many teams are already proving their worth in the pre-season, and the Philadelphia Eagles are one of them."

Steve presents My Fearless League Predictions posted at FryingPan Sports, saying, "It is time again for my fearless attempt (note: no dart boards were injured during this exercise) to predict the outcome of the 2011 NFL Season. I know that some of you will doubt my crystal ball but it seldom fails me (except when it needs repair which happens around this time every year)."

Shyam Anjaria presents The Beginning??..of a Business Empire? posted at Glocal Outlook.

Shyam Anjaria presents UEFA Champions League: Inequality at its friggin’ best. posted at Glocal Outlook.

Steve presents Ohio State Buckeyes v Miami Hurricanes 2011, Questions I Have posted at BrutusReport, saying, "Watching the game on Saturday was difficult as Buckeye fans are used to seeing Ohio State compete with the exception those two horrible NC games when they didn’t show up in 2006 and 2007."

Steve presents Who Holds the NFL Single Season Rushing Record? posted at FryingPan Sports, saying, "A great running back that defenses must game plan for week after week and still can’t be stopped is as formidable in 2011 as they have been throughout NFL history."

Steve presents What have we learned from the first 2 weeks of the NFL? posted at FryingPan Sports, saying, "The Bills are 2-0 but had to pull a miracle to win vs. Oakland. They are not as good as they looked last week vs. KC because the Chiefs are TERRIBLE. They face the Pats this week."

Steve presents Ohio State 2012 Commit Bri'onte Dunn Discusses 2011 Preparation posted at eFilmRoom, saying, "In this nice interview of Bri’onte Dunn prior to the 2011 season, he discusses what GlenOak needs to do to be successful this year."

Steve presents Bri’onte Dunn Highlights from Scouting Ohio posted at eFilmRoom, saying, "Pretty decent highlights from the Canton GlenOak running back Bri’onte Dunn considered the 10th best running back in the country by Rivals.com."

Steve presents Ohio State Takes Colorado with Turnover Free Play posted at BrutusReport, saying, "The 37-17 win gives the Buckeyes some confidence as they head into conference play against Michigan State this coming week."

Steve presents Super conferences: The Future of College Football posted at BrutusReport, saying, "Unfortunately, college football is taking a new direction this year, and next year traditions and rivalries might disappear altogether."

Steve presents Ohio State to Face Michigan State Saturday in Ohio Stadium posted at BrutusReport, saying, "The Big Ten conference is beginning for the 3-1 Buckeyes this coming weekend with a visit from 3-1 Michigan State."

Michael presents Canton GlenOak RB Brionte Dunn Looks Around posted at eScoutRoom, saying, "At 6’2” 215 lbs, he has great size and speed that reminds many of Chris ‘Beanie’ Wells who excelled in his time at Ohio State at tailback."

golf

Steve presents Six Golfing Swing Tips posted at FryingPan Sports, saying, "This is a quick guide to a super swing and a satisfying session of the sport, golf."

nascar

Steve presents A Look At The Fiat 500 posted at FryingPan Sports, saying, "Quite honestly, the first impression, based on these ads was not particularly favorable. It looked like just another toy car doomed to quick extinction by American tastes for big and bigger."

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of sports carnival ecstasy using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

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Underwater Diving and Scuba Diving

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Scuba diving is a type of underwater diving. In this form of diving, the diver carries his/her own compressed air apparatus to breathe when he/she is under water. This allows them to stay under water for a longer period of time.

Originally, SCUBA was used as an acronym for self contained under water breathing apparatus. Typically, a scuba set consists of air hose, mouth piece, regulator, harness, back plate, and the tank. People perform scuba diving for personal as well as professional reasons. People dive for recreational purposes and there a many different disciplines like cave diving, wreck diving, ice diving, and deep diving.

Professional scuba divers are employed by companies to perform certain underwater tasks. These tasks include oil exploration, underwater welding, repair and inspection of boats and ships, salvage of wrecks, spear fishing, etc. It is not enough if air is simply supplied to a scuba diver. As the diver goes down, water also exerts pressure on the chest and lungs apart from the normal atmospheric pressure. It is approximately 1 bar for every 33 feet of depth. As such, the pressure of the inhaled air should match with the ambient pressure so that the lungs remain inflated. The regulator, that is part of a scuba set, ensures that air is supplied at ambient pressure. This enables the diver to inhale and exhale naturally and effortlessly at any depth.

Visibility is a problem for people under water as the refractive index of water is higher than that of air, but same as that of the cornea of the eye. The diving masks and helmets are designed to resolve this problem. They create an air space in front of the diver’s eyes. The error in refraction created by water is corrected when light travels from water to air through a flat lens. However, the objects appear about 34% bigger and nearly 25% closer than they actually are. As the field of view gets reduced, adjustment of eye-hand coordination is essential. Generally, divers who use corrective glasses will need to use the same glasses when wearing the mask.

How safe is scuba diving? It is a sport with risks like any other. It is the fear associated with drowning and the nervousness of using the scuba set that makes it seem riskier. Scuba diving is not as dangerous as some other activities that we take up without hesitation. The truth is that the number of fatalities is coming down every year, despite the fact that the number of divers has increased by leaps and bounds.

Daniel Blinman is writing for Scubaskool, a diving company offering dive course and divemaster internship

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2 of the Greatest Ever Female Pool Players

Many of the greatest ever female pool players come from a snooker background and moved over to the smaller pool tables after weighing up which of the two sports they preferred. Let's take a look at two of the greatest ever female pool players.

Alison Fisher

Once ranked as the best female pool player in the world, Alison Fisher has only recently had her top spot challenged by some world class Asian players appearing on the scene. She has been known on the snooker and pool scene by many different nick names, some of which include “Dutchess of Doom”, “Fisher Queen” and “the Barracuda”. Alison, who is said to have been very competitive from a very young age, picked up her first cue at the age of seven after watching snooker on the TV with her dad and asking for a table for christmas. Having access to her own table every day ultimately led to her playing every spare minute of every day and challenging anyone who walked through the door. Alison sacrificed a lot in her childhood, such as going out with friends on weekends and parties, to become the women and the player she is today.

As you can imagine someone with such passion and dedication for the sport did very well during her snooker and pool career. By her mid twenties she had beaten every other women on the snooker scene and she become the worlds number 1 snooker player. At the age of 27 she dropped her family, life at home and headed of over the Atlantic to learn and master the game we know her so well for today, Pool. After she started playing in American leagues and tournaments she very quickly became a household name, ranked number one yet again and winning 80 national titles and 11 world titles.

Julie Kelly

Currently ranked the number 1 pool player in Ireland, number 4 in America and number 11 in the world this strong willed, determined and passionate farm girl and pool / snooker player is not one to put your money on the table against, should you come across her in your local.

Compared to Alison Fisher, Julie was a late starter and first started playing snooker with her dad at the age of 15. Ever since she first picked up that cue it became very clear that she had a natural talent for the sport and this was quickly recognised, resulting in her competing, part-time, in the English women's circuit for seven years. During this time Julie also represented her own home country, Ireland and reached her highest ranking of number 7.

Regarded as one of the best female snooker players to ever come out of Ireland, she has won seven Irish titles, won the world plate snooker championships and finished top in other world events, in England.

It was Early 1998 when Julie headed of around the world, taking part in snooker exhibitions, only after arriving in America and checking out the pool scene she ended up staying there and competing in American pool tournaments and leagues. In 2000, one of her best years after she qualified for the world championships and won the World Ladies 9-ball Championship in Quebec, Canada, in the same year. She went on for several years to win other big titles, earning her a number 3 ranking in 2005, her highest ranking to date.

This article was produced on behalf of pool table suppliers, Home Leisure Direct - whether you're looking for English or American pool tables then check out Home Leisure's extensive catalogue of specialist home sports equipment.

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