Why The Horse’s Eye’s Are So Important When Training Him!
They say the eyes are are the gateway to the soul. When it was said, they were referring to us humans. But the truth is, it also refers to horses.
Many horse owners don’t understand the importance and usefulness of the horse’s eyes while training. That being so, let me share with you some things you may find useful – some you may know…some you may not.
First, there’s the eye which reveals a little about the character of the horse you’re working with. It may have a kind eye. A kind eye indicates the horse will be agreeable to train and will readily respond to your aids while training.
One way to tell if the horse is nervous is by noting his eyes. Horses can be very expressive in their looks. And you can tell if a horse is a nervous horse by the eyes appearing sort of “worried like.”
Obviously, this nervous horse would require more thoughtful handling than would a non-nervous horse.
I have a horse that would get mad after a while of riding. She used to get what I call mad eyes. Her expression was actually a sort of angry expression. Mostly, the expression came from her eyes. Here eyes would get red after a while.
Jesse Beery, a famous horse trainer from the 1800′s, talked a lot about the eyes of the horse. Even those many years ago he knew about the horse’s eyes. Beery discovered there were four different disposition types of a horse. Certain characteristics of the eyes would tell you much about the horse’s personality and how much work it would be to train the horse.
Berry’s classic disposition type 3 was most interesting. Beery said “Where type #2 will allow you to do all the work, type 3 will do all the work for you. You only need to control its movements.”
In all my training experience and many things I’ve read, I concur with Beery’s discovery. The eyes play an enormous role in horse training.
To read more about Beery and his methods, you can go to this web address:
http://www.horsetrainingandtips.com/Jesse_Beery_etips.htm
There is still more to know about the horse’s eyes.
For one, when you work with a horse, it’s advisable to look him in the eye a lot. Why? Because horse’s an extremely observant animal and they study their surroundings. If you’re in their surroundings they are studying you too. If they see you looking at them in the eye it sends a message to them about who is in control.
If you’re working with a horse that’s cunning and known to run over people then you rarely want to lose eye contact with this horse. Sometimes when you look away for just a second he knows it’s his chance to charge at you. But keeping eye contact helps minimize that possibility.
Although a horse’s ears are part of the plan. the eyes are how the horse interprets his world. The horse gladly desires to approach an object or person that has caused him pleasure. Likewise, he runs from objects or persons that cause him pain. (Pain could be a number of things like work, misuse of aids such as spurs, being talked to in an abrasive manner, etc.)
Lots of horse owners get discouraged with their horse because they develop bad habits. One particular habit is kicking. I once read a great book on horses and it said this about kicking:
If a horse kicks at a man and sees he inspired the man with fear and makes him draw back, he will remember this and kick any man who goes near him whom he fears or has the memory of displeasure with.
Note the author said “…and see he inspired the man with fear”. The point is the horse “saw” the man was inspired with fear. The horse used one of his greatest tools…his eyes. If a man shows no fear and knows how to handle a kicker, the horse will “see” he cannot inspire fear in the man and be less apt to kick (although, if confirmed in the habit of kicking, it may require several training sessions to eradicate this from the horse’s memory).
In short, the eyes are the mirror of the horse’s mind. Quiet eyes indicate quietness and sincerity. Quick and lively eye indicate vivacity. Restless eyes turning in all directions indicate suspicion and show the horse is studying all around him and may perhaps be preparing some freak of self will. Turbid eyes indicate fear or anger.
There’s a proverb that tells us not to trust the horse that shows the white of his eyes. Perhaps it’s because the white shows when he’s looking sideways and he’s intent on seizing the moment when no attention is being paid for escape or attack.
I could go on about the eyes but this hopefully gives you a great idea as to how important the horse’s eyes are. Make it a habit to continually watch the horse’s eyes. Learn what he is thinking by learning his eyes.
January 14 2011 | Recreation And Sports | Comments Off
Selecting The Finest Sports Clothes
If you are one of those people who are attempting to find suitable sports apparel you will then be very happy to find a lot of sports suppliers that provide you any item you like at a very reasonable price. The most important thing, nevertheless, is to shop for the clothes that will make you feel at ease any time you exercise. Only then will you get the greatest comfort and fulfillment.
You are able to get sports garments in various sizes and colors. Nevertheless, there is one thing you need to keep in your mind – you need to look chic but more important is to feel relaxed when performing exercises. The sports clothing you pick should be loose enough to permit you to move freely while performing exercises. Plenty of people choose their sports garments based on the color they like most. However, this is a huge mistake. The most important aspect in determining which item of clothing to obtain is the fabric that the item is made of..
You are urged to get only cotton made sports clothes. Natural cotton is the material which best soaks up sweat and makes you feel so relaxed while doing workouts at the same time. If you don’t use suited sports outfits your skin won’t breathe and water will stay trapped against your skin.
Additionally, the suppliers seek to produce items of clothing that are perfect for costumers’ desires. As a result, experienced joggers can purchase compression pants in order to avoid muscle cramps and basketball players can purchase loose shorts so as to pivot considerably better. Unlike celebs whose only interest is a fashionable brand, professional sports athletes select only high quality products and you should take their opinion into account when choosing a brand.
The sports retail stores also sell apparel of a specific team or player. By doing so shoppers feel in touch with their beloved sport players. Even the idea that they are able to wear the same outfit is enough to brighten anyone’s day.
In addition, online sports shops have commenced to produce garments for extreme and expensive forms of sport activities like scuba diving, skydiving or snowboarding. It is because of high needs at the marketplace.
Manufacturers will always think of new colorations and patterns for sports clothes. However, you may not find what you are searching for in your local stores. Thankfully, you can select between hundreds of online sports apparel stores. At present, wholesale fashion for sports clothing has turned out to be a huge hit online.
January 07 2011 | Recreation And Sports | Comments Off
Stand Up Paddle Board Surfing
Stand Up Paddle Board Surfing or “SUP’S” for short, is fast becoming a global sport that in some areas are shouting as the New Global Surfing Phenomenon.
Stand Up paddle Boards became quite popular but, it seems only in Hawaii, as the rest of the world was not overly impressed, and as the ’60′s moved to the ’70′s the “Sups” were all but pushed aside by the “short board” era, and a bunch of Aussie’s reaping havoc on the world, by winning surfing titles galore, and in Hawaii’s own back yard, did not sit well with the Hawaiians.
The Stand Up Paddle Board or “Sups” as it is called originated in Polynesia, but the Hawaiians took it on as their own and developed it in the ’60′s. They began with it to instruct large groups of learners and the higher stance gave them a better viewpoint, and gave them the control they needed, not only over the learner groups, but also to sight the pending swells way out the back. The Stand Up Paddle Board used a single paddle with a long handle that was used to great effect to propel them forward, and not much has changed today.
However, today pushing 2010, “Sups” have again grabbed a spot in Global popularity and has been suggested by athletes as the total work out fun machine that you can do standing up. In effect it gives you a strong “core’ work out. You can do it on still water anywhere, or as a supplement to surfing by Paddle Boarding the surf.
What is a Stand Up Paddle Board? They can be best described as over sized surfboards that are fairly fat. but thicker or fatter, to offer good flotation. “Sup’s” can be “Custom Made” at a price, but most are shop boards, to keep the cost down, and board makers keep a standard or high performance model on hand in the showroom. These models are between, generally 9’6″ up to 12’6″ in some cases for the larger user, with the smallest size being most popular as a performance model. They also feature padded deck grip with concave or double concave bottoms, with three fins for turn and directional stability.
“Sup’s” can be used pretty well any where, on the lakes, rivers, or for that big work out, used as the new surf weapon. This New Surfing Phenomenon, used in the surf for a complete fun work out, is set to explode in a Global fashion by exploring a new way of surfing, and rest assured a Stand Up Paddle Board, are set to be the New Surfing Phenomenon, and change the current idea of surfing forever.
December 29 2010 | Recreation And Sports | Comments Off
Paddle Board Fishing
Paddling along the shallows you can see the shadow of the board gliding across the sandy lake bottom. It’s not uncommon to see a fish cruising along close to you… so why not seize the moment and cast a line out.
I’ve found that the stand up paddle board can be an excellent fishing platform. Where I live, we have hundreds of inland lakes around that are great for exploring and fishing. Some of the great fishing spots aren’t even accessible from a boat, but with a paddleboard you can scoot right up on a fishing hole without even being noticed. With the high vantage point of stand up paddle boards, you can see the fish about as far away as you can cast. It’s nearly a perfect situation.
Here is my typical paddleboard fishing excursion. For this example let’s assume we’re fishing for Bass. First I’d scope out the satellite layout of the lake on Google Maps. You’d be surprised how many times features of the lake will go un-noticed. Look for dark spots that resemble “holes”, or spots that look like steep drop offs around the edge of the lake. You’ll also want to take into consideration the time of day that you’re planning on fishing. Early morning and late evening are the best times to catch the fish.
When getting ready to go out on the lake, grab a backpack that has an external side pocket for drinks -most do have these. Test fit your fishing pole in this little pouch… You might need to make some small modifications to get it to stay in while paddling. Then put your lures, tackle, and anything else you plan to fish with in the bag.
When you get to the lake, scope out the wind direction. The wind tends to blow the warm top water to one side of the lake… in my experiences; the fish tend to stay in the cooler water. So paddle out to a spot that looks like it might have some fish. Weed beds or underwater debris can be a good place to start.
Reach behind your head and grab the fishing pole. Get yourself steady, and cast. You may have to repeat that process a few times, but with a little skill and a lot of luck, you’ll hook a fish.
This is the fun part… the fish will start pulling back. Sometimes, if you’ve got a decent fish on the end of the line, he’ll actually pull you around a little bit. -Really fun.
Good luck… and keep paddling!
December 29 2010 | Recreation And Sports | Comments Off
How to Buy a Stand Up Paddle Board
Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) is one of the fastest growing sports in America. I love this sport! It is fun, helps you get outside and into nature by being on the water ( I saw lots of bat rays swim by under my board this morning – cool!) and is fantastic exercise. The numbers I have seen published on calorie burn from Stand Up Paddle Boarding are 500 to 700 calories per hour for women and 700 to 1000 calories per hour for men. Wow!
In addition, Stand Up Paddle Boarding strengthens your arms, legs, abs, (and all the muscles of your core) shoulders and back. In other words, your whole body.
On the downside, Stand Up Paddle Boards are expensive. The price range for a good board is about $800 to $1500 for a good cruising board, more for specialty boards for things like racing. I guess it is a matter of supply and demand and the demand is high. Because the sport is becoming so popular it is getting easy to find places on the water to rent from. Prices to rent are generally $15 to $25 per hour where I live in Southern California. It’s great to have the availability of rentals, but if you get into this sport the way my friends and I have and want to go 4 to 6 days a week, renting is going to get very expensive fast.
But renting and demo-ing boards is the best way to try out a bunch of different makes, models, styles and sizes of boards to see what you like best. Lots of surf shops, board and kayak shops, and sporting goods retailers will demo boards, sometimes for free and sometimes for a rental fee. Some of these shops have a policy of letting you apply the price of some of the rentals towards an eventual purchase from them. Other stores have demo days where they will bring out a selection of their toys and let you play with them in the hopes you will eventually purchase one from them. This is a great way to get to experience different styles and narrow down what you like.
Most cruising boards are 11 to 12 feet long, 27 to 31 inches wide, and about 4 to 4.5 inches thick and made of EPS (a special grade of foam) and Epoxy resin. Paddles are of varying quality as well from heavier aluminum type paddles to lighter carbon fiber paddles. Some manufacturers sell boards and paddles together and some sell them separately. In addition, you need to know about accessories such as deck pads, (and the difference between boards with deck pads versus a soft top board which are covered with rubber all over and generally used as rentals and at resorts as they are more durable) handles, fins, air vents, and carrying cases.
Keep an eye out in shops, on websites and in community and local newspapers for ads promoting paddle sport demos and rentals. Ask lots of questions so you really understand what it is you are looking for and what is the best way to find it at a price you want to pay. Get out on the water and enjoy!
December 29 2010 | Recreation And Sports | Comments Off
Stand Up Paddle Surfing – Choosing A Board With Craigslist
Craigslist is an excellent place to turn as you begin your search for a new or used stand up paddle surfboard. Craigslist is largely free classified ads service for approximately 450 cities worldwide. You can find everything on there from houses to surfboards, and that’s why we like it. In this article we will talk about why Craigslist.com is a great place to look and what to look for in a posting for a stand up paddle surfboard.
Craigslist is a great place to start your search for a stand up paddle surfboard for two reasons: 1. cheap used boards and 2. cheap new boards. When you first visit craigslist.org, the first thing you’ll want to do is select a city near you from the center of the page. Next in the search box on the left hand side of the page type in a search term such as “stand up paddle”. Right now, I’m on honolulu.craigslist.org and a page of matching listings has appeared. How do we sort through all of these?
If you are are looking for a used board, maybe as one to learn on, or as a second board so you can take a friend out on the water with you, look at the cheapest boards first. Right now I see one for $110 and another for $225. Boards at this price are probably going to be pretty beat up and quite heavy. They are probably old tandem boards that can double as stand up paddle surfboards. Should this deter you? No way. In fact, if it’s already beat up, you won’t worry too much when you, or your friend, dings the rail while still learning to control the paddle. Although tandem boards may be more narrow and tippy than a board shaped for stand up paddling, this can be remedied by putting on the biggest fins you can find. Extra large fins will stabilize the board while you’re learning to paddle.
Another benefit to picking up a used board from craigslist is that, as you skills improve and you feel like it’s time to upgrade, you won’t feel at a loss giving up the used board since you won’t have so much money invested in it. When it’s time to upgrade, you can hold on the the used board as a second board, or pass it along to someone else for the $150 you paid for it.
You’ll also find some used boards in good condition on craigslist. Right now I see some for about $650. This a great price for all the reasons listed above. These boards are probably shaped for more performance surfing but might have the bumps and bruises of a used board in good condition. Again, you can’t go wrong at these prices. I remember a year ago when you couldn’t find anything anywhere for less than about $2000. Shapers were back ordered and there was nothing used. Take advantage of the used stand up paddle surfboard market. Many times, the boards are being sold simply because the owner has discovered he or she is too heavy or light for the board and needs a change. These people’s boards are often in perfect condition and just need to be traded out. I have met several surfers who are selling their boards for this reason.
If you call on a board only to find out that it’s been sold, ask the seller who he or she knows that might be selling a board like the one you’re looking for. More than likely they’ll know of someone who has a used board for sale.
New boards are a great find on craigslist.org as well. Often, shapers and distributors will put their brand new production models on craigslist, to simply get their boards in the marketplace and on the water. Since craigslist is a free service, the marketing costs are zero and the board makers can afford to give a good deal to those who are shopping on craigslist. If you see a new stand up paddle surfboard on craigslist, check it out for sure. It’s a great way to save a couple hundred bucks on a new board. If it’s a posting by the shaper, they’ll probably even ship it to you.
In conclusion, as you start looking for a new or used stand up paddle surfboard, check out craigslist.org It’s a great resource. And finally, when you find that magic model online, try and arrange to take it out on the water before you buy it. Meet up with the seller at a lake or at the ocean so you can verfiy that it floats you and that it’s what you’re looking for.
December 29 2010 | Recreation And Sports | Comments Off
Stand Up Paddle Boards – An Introduction To SUP Board Shapes
There are many different types of stand up paddle board shapes on the market today. We will explore the main SUP board shapes and talk about their purpose and performance.
Are you in the market for a Stand Up Paddle board? Have you finally decided to give the new sport a try but still have a few questions about the many different board options? Maybe you have graduating from your first board and looking for a second purpose specific board? Let’s delve into the many shape options available today on the SUP market.
Here are the basic types of stand up paddling that have become popular:
Recreational flat-water Paddling
Paddle Surfing
Flat Water Racing
Downwind Paddling
Touring Paddle Boards
River/Rapid Paddling
All Around SUP shapes
Many stand up paddle boards that cater to the first time or casual paddler will fall into the “All Around” category. All Around shapes can be used for all the above mentioned types of paddling to greater or lesser extents although they are most suitable for Recreational flat-water paddling. An All Around SUP board will usually be around 30″ wide if not wider. Typical lengths for a beginner are 11′ -12′. Lighter riders may be able to start on a 10′ – 10’6″ board. All Around boards usually feature a fairly wide nose and tail as well as considerable overall thickness in the 4 1/2″ to 5″ range. The wide nose, wide tail and considerable length, width and thickness make for a very stable and forgiving board. Stable and forgiving are great characteristics to have in a board while learning the basics of balance, paddling, wave negotiation, wave riding as well as building your overall strength and conditioning. Many All Around shapes will also feature a single center fin configuration.
While some may feel the need to jump right into a performance shape there is a lot of wisdom in starting out on an all around shape and graduating after some time to a more performance tailored shape. Plus once you have graduated you will have a second board to loan to your girlfriend/boyfriend, wife/husband or friends. If you choose wisely you can find a board that will allow you to progress from flat-water basics and will also allow you to paddle surf in waves, test out the flat water racing scene, enjoy an SUP tour and navigate rivers and small rapids. Here is an example of what may be the first “All Around” production board originally aptly named the Jimmy Lewis – All Around although it is now called the “Cruise Control”. Other “All Around” boards available include the Hovie – Grand Sport, Hovie – LCSUP, Coreban – Cruiser, King’s – King Model, Siren Sojourn, SUPatx and SurfCore.
Paddle Surfing Shapes
Stand Up Paddle Surfing has progressed in leaps and bounds as board shapes and riders have pushed the limits of performance. There are multiple styles of SUP surfing that relate to preference and wave size. Some prefer to “rip” and “shred” on a smaller board keeping their feet in relatively the same position on the board, others prefer to “walk” the board from nose to tail in a more traditional although no less skilled manner. Each of these varied styles are generally but not exclusively performed on different board shapes.
When it comes to learning to paddle surf an “All Around” shape is usually a great shape to start on especially in smaller surf. The extra stability will allow you to paddle into the wave with confidence and the length will help your glide as your gain speed to enter the wave. Once on the wave an All Around shape will be very stable under the feet.
While bigger is usually considered better for first time paddlers you might want to consider a smaller board for surfing. You will most likely want a board that is as small as possible while still being stable enough for you to balance on. If you are headed for the surf you might want to borrow a slightly smaller board from a friend if possible and give it a try.
Nose Riders: Similar to an all around shape a nose rider shape meant for paddle surfing will have a fairly wide nose for hanging “five” or “ten” of your toes off the edge. The tail can be a variety of shapes which could include, square, squash, round, or pin tail. A SUP nose riding board specific for surfing will have much narrower tapered rails and it’s nose thickness will be less. The tail will many times be thinner as well to allow it to be buried into the waves during turns. Other maneuvers can include “backward takeoffs” which are performed by paddling the board backwards into the wave and spinning the board around 180 degrees after you catch the wave and “helicopters” with are essentially a 360 degree turn initiated while nose riding. Some examples of great Nose riding SUP shapes are the Jimmy Lewis – Striker, Coreban – Icon, King’s – Knight Model and Siren – Sojourn.
Rippers: SUP boards sometimes referred to as “rippers” are essentially blown up short board shapes that allow the paddle surfer to turn faster, drop-in on steeper waves and negotiate barrels with greater ease. Typical “Ripper” shapes have a pointy nose and pulled-in tail and have a 3 fin “thruster” or 4 fin “Quad” setup. Sizes are typically in the sub 7 foot to 10 foot range. A common size is 9′ to 9’6″. Some great examples of “Ripper SUP” shapes are the Coreban – Performer, Coreban – Nitro, Jimmy Lewis – Mano and Kings – WCT Model.
Big Wave Boards: Big wave boards need to be able to be paddled quickly enough to catch a fast moving wave. Once up to speed a big wave board needs to be able to make the drop and turn at high speeds while keeping it’s rails in contact with the wave. Typical big wave boards will be in the 11′ to 13′ range and be thinner in width than a normal board with very pulled in point nose and a pin tail. Typical fin configuration is the 3 fin “thruster”. An example of a big wave gun SUP is the Jimmy Lewis – Bombora.
Flat Water Racing Boards: Racing boards are designed to allow the paddler to move through the water very fast, with the least amount of resistance. Typical widths of a racing board will be from 27″ to 30″ wide with thickness in the 4.5″ to 5.5″ range. Although race boards come in many lengths there are a few standard lengths that conform to official race event classes. These classes include: Stock 12’6 and under, 14′ and under and “Unlimited which could include boards 14’1″ and over. Race boards usually will have a very narrow nose and tail. Many boards will also feature a displacement hull which is basically a deep vee nose running into a rounded bottom. Displacement hulls generally excel in rougher ocean conditions. The displacement hull design is similar to many boat hull designs. Other variations of race boards will have a slight vee in the nose but will feature a flatter bottom that carries out to more square rails. The flatter bottom designs are more favorable for very flat and calm water race conditions. Some boards especially in the 14′ 1″ and over lengths will feature a rudder that can be controlled or “trimmed” by your foot while paddling. Race regulations only allow rudders on the 14′ 1″ and over “Unlimited” Class. This can be very helpful when facing cross winds that normally could only be counterbalance by paddling on one side. Trimming with your rudder will allow you to paddle even strokes on each side preventing fatigue while traveling in your desired direction. Examples of Race boards include the Jimmy Lewis – Slice, Coreban – Alpha Race 12’6″, Coreban – Alpha Race 14′, Nah Skwell – Race and Hovie – Comet.
Downwind Paddling: Downwind Paddling consists of paddling with the wind typically from point A to B. In the ocean it is possible to catch open ocean swells that allow the paddler to ride the wave for short distances. Once a wave is caught the paddler can rest for a few seconds and adjust their directional course before paddling again into another wave or “runner”. In this fashion the paddler can travel great distances at impressive average speeds. Downwind boards are typically in the 12’6″ to 18″ range. They feature narrow widths in the 27″ to 30″ range, have pointed nose profiles, and pulled in tails. Downwind boards typically have a fair amount of nose rocker that allow them to drop into the trough of waves without the nose “pearling” or going underwater. The bottom of the boards are typically flat with fairly sharp rear rails allowing them to ride the waves and change direction easily if needed. Examples of this type of board include the Coreban – Alpha Race 12’6″ and Jimmy Lewis – Albatross.
Touring Paddle Boards: A touring board will allow you to cover great distances and have ample floatation to allow you to carry extra camping gear, small dogs or small children along with you. Touring boards are usually in the 12′ and longer range. If you are a lighter rider you can get away with using an “All Around” board for touring purposes. Likewise some All Around boards in the 12″ range can work well as touring boards. Accessories for touring boards can include deck mount attachment kits that allow you to create attachment points for strapping down backpacks, dry bags, coolers or anything else you see fit to bring along with you. Multi-Day paddle trips are a great way to explore lakes, rivers and the ocean while camping along the way. Here is a link to our recent paddle trip down the “Lost Coast” of California’s Humboldt County. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryeRzaugAbk. A great example of a Touring SUP board is the Jimmy Lewis – Albatross.
River/Rapid Paddle Boards: A growing sector of Stand Up Paddle boarding is the use of paddle boards to run rivers and rapids. Of course there are many classes of rapids that one could choose to run. Just as in surfing you will want a board that is just big enough to be stable without being to long. Many choose a board with a 3 fin thruster configuration commonly used for surfing which allows them to use 3 small fins instead of one large fin giving them more clearance over shallow rocky river sections. Also common today are inflatable SUP boards that are practically impervious to rocks. These feature softer fins that are less likely to seriously catch on a rock or causing damage to the board. Another benefit of inflatable boards are their portability once deflated.
Another variation on River paddling is standing wave surfing. Certain river rapids have standing waves caused by the fast moving water running over the rocky bottom contour of the river. If you can paddle into this standing wave you have a theoretically endless wave until you fall or are physically exhausted.
December 29 2010 | Recreation And Sports | Comments Off
Stand Up Paddle Surfing
Paddle Surfing
So you have taken your SUP out for a lazy Sunday afternoon cruise across calm waters, and now you think your ready for some stand up paddle surfing. First things first, do you have enough experience to hit the big waves? Things are quite a bit more hectic out on the surf..
Paddle Board Equipment
Get the right board… we’re not saying it is impossible, but it can make the experience much less enjoyable if your out there with the wrong board. Kind of like riding through sand with a thin tired road bike… even the most experienced riders will find it difficult. That being said, makes the best of what you’ve got, and go for it! It would however be a good idea to wear a life jacket when paddling out on the surf for the first few times. Worst case scenario, you fall onto the board, and bust yourself up a bit. This is why having multiple people to spot each other is always recommended. Most importantly, USE A LEASH!
Choose a Good SUP Surf Spot
Assuming you have an average sized stand up paddle board, you’re gonna want to start out on some pretty small waves. Anything between two and four feet should work well. The last thing you want to do is go out in six footers and get rocked… which also might decrease your interest in the sport a bit too. So don’t go overzealous when choosing the stand up paddle board surf spot. You want to start on waves that are less than waist high.
Get To Know the Rip Current
Even though you’re starting out on small waves, you want to get into the practice of using the rip current to your benefit. It is almost easier to spot the rip current on a stand up paddle board, simply because you have a better view of the waves. You will notice that they tend to crash more in some spots. In between the break points, the water is actually flowing slowly out away from shore. Stay in these areas when paddling out… it may not seem like it helps, but when you get into big waves you will be amazed at how much easier it is to get out beyond the surf when riding one of these. This is probably the number one mistake that is made by new surfers and stand up paddle surfers: they will exert all of their energy paddling out through the waves, only to find they are exhausted when it comes time to ride a wave.
Paddle Out
After locating the rip current, you’re gonna want to paddle out right down the middle of it. You will find that the waves aren’t quite as steep in this area. One major issue that people with paddling out over waves is the lack of longitudinal stability. Your feet are side by side as if your riding on calm waters, but your balance will not be able to handle going up and over the waves. Use your paddle as much as you need to, and don’t be afraid to drop to your knees if need be. Some people find it easier to put their dominate foot a little bit back, just to get a little front to back stability on their stand up paddle surfer. One thing to keep in mind, no matter how out of balance you feel, keep your board straight on the waves. The second you go sideways, your most likely going for a swim.
Catch the Wave
Once you’re out beyond the waves, paddle away from the rip current, towards the breaks. It will still be wavy beyond the breaks, but the waves are much less steep. Stand up paddle surfers have the unique advantage of being able to see much lower into the trough, and they can also spot waves much easier. So at this point, your just gonna want to cruise around and wait for the right wave to come. This is a good time to greet all of the sharks that are circling below your feet;)
Once you see the wave, position yourself so you’re looking at the wave behind your left shoulder. You want to start paddling to the left or right side of the break point when the wave is about fifty feet behind you. It’s important to be aware of where the wave is going to break. Look over your shoulder and postition yourself so you are right on the edge of the break point. When the wave is right on your tail, paddle your heart out and try to match its velocity. Depending on the paddle surf board that you’re riding, you will want to start off at an angle to the wave. In some cases, when the wave begins to catch the tail of your board, it can push the nose of your board underwater.
Ride It Home
Some stand up paddle surf boards are not easy to turn, especially when you’re riding a wave. If you are having trouble steering your board on the wave, try laying the paddle in the water for a bit more resistance. You’ll be surprised at how little resistance it takes to get you pointed in a different direction.
Now you’re up and riding! Just remember to stay over the board and the wave as long as you would like. Enjoy, and keep paddling!
December 29 2010 | Recreation And Sports | Comments Off
Stand-Up Paddle Boards Are Making a Comeback
I think it’s safe to say that Stand-Up Paddle Boarding is the closest we’re ever going to come to walking on water. These specialized boards are derived from the sport of paddle boarding, which has been around since the early 20th Century and like the surfboard, was created in Hawaii. Stand-Up Paddle Boarding began making a comeback in the 1940′s and 1950′s, primarily in Waikiki when surf instructors started using paddles to help them take pictures of the students they were teaching. Today, Stand-Up Paddle Boards, also known as SUP’s, are back on the water in a big way.
Beginning its resurgence back in the forties, SUP’s were a great alternative for surfers to continue their training even when the surf wasn’t great. The main factor that differentiates the Stand-Up Paddle Boarding from other water sports, such as surfing or straight Paddle Boarding, is that the SUP doesn’t require waves. They can be used in a lake, river, or small swell day at the beach. Also because you’re standing, you have a much great visibility of the life underneath the water’s surface, which can be key for observing marine life, or seeing undertows that may be picking up around you.
Another key difference when it comes to SUP’s are the ramifications you have to keep in mind when using one. When it comes to surfboards, there are basic guidelines depending on if you are a beginner or a more experienced surfer. Do you want a Shortboard, or a Longboard? On the flip side, when using a Stand-Up Paddle Board, you need to consider and judge the width, height or length, and thickness of the board.
The average width of a Paddle Board is around 29 inches. Width is important to consider, because it determines the stability of the board. If you’re a beginner, and are looking for the board to relax and hang out on, then you may want to go a bit bigger, between 29 and 31 inches. Conversely, if you’re more of an experienced rider, you may want to go a little thinner, somewhere between 27 and 28 inches.
Next, is the height or length of the board. Similarly to the width, the length also determines stability, but length is most important in maneuverability. So if you’re looking for stability, the shorter board would be better, but if you want to be able to glide, and paddle, then the longer board would be better suited to you.
Lastly, you have to keep the thickness of the board in mind. Most boards have a thickness that ranges between 4 inches and 5 inches. The thicker the board, the more stabilization it will provide. A thick board gives the surfer a better opportunity to catch waves, and provides a more stable platform for the rider as well. Stand-Up Paddle Boards are a great way to stay in shape or train during off season, and they’re a great adventure to share with your whole family, and they’re a great new sport for you to learn. The excitement of riding SUP’s is growing, so jump on one and be a part of the craze!
December 29 2010 | Recreation And Sports | Comments Off
Wrestlers Weight Training
When designing a wrestlers weight training program there are a number of things to consider. I like to use 5 simple steps when designing a weight training program for wrestlers.
Wrestlers Weight Training Program Step #1- Select the Core Exercises
As a strength and conditioning coach for wrestlers and MMA fighters, all too often I have wrestlers come to me and tell me that they want a weight training plan to get in better shape or they want to get stronger. I always ask them what that means. If you want to get in shape does it mean you want to run a 5K in a certain amount of time, are you gassing out in the 3rd period, do you want to lose 5% body fat so you can make weight easier, or do you want to do weighted chinups with a certain amount of weight so you can finish takedowns easier? Putting a concrete number behind your goal will not only let you know when you’ve reached it, but it will also allow you to better select the exercises that are going to best measure your progress.
For example, if getting into better shape is your goal, and completing a 5K in less than 20 minutes is going to be your indicator and/or the first step major goal you set, then that is one of your core exercises. In a weight training for wrestling plan, the core exercise is the test that you use to measure your progress. It is used to determine the overall success of your strength training program.
When competing in a strength sport like powerlifting the selection of the core exercises is easy; it’s the lifts you perform at the meet. If your squat, bench, and/or deadlift go up, then your training cycle was successful. If one or all of the lifts didn’t go up then you need to reevaluate.
When looking to select a core exercise(s) for vague goals like “get in shape” or “get stronger” you need to really spend some time thinking exactly what that means to you. What do you do that makes you feel out of shape or weak? Let those things help to determine what may or may not be a good core exercise and develop your wreslter weight training plan from there.
Wrestlers Weight Training Program Step #2- Select 2 Derivatives
There are a number of ways to prevent a training plateau from occurring while you’re weight training as a wrestler. My favorite way to prevent this from happening is to rotate exercises. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that you select at least two derivatives that will mimic your core exercise. That way you can rotate the core exercise with an exercise that is similar every 3-5 weeks to prevent boredom and plateauing.
For example, if one of your goals for wrestler weight training program is to increase your upper body strength and you’ve selected the bench press to be one of your core exercises then you may select a floor press and a close grip bench to be two of your derivatives. You’ll then rotate those exercises as your primary lift for the day. For 3-5 weeks you’ll bench press, then the next 3-5 weeks you’ll floor press, then the last 3-5 weeks you’ll close grip bench. After you finish up that training block you’ll then return to the bench press to see how much your max has increased. If it increased then it’s safe to assume that the floor press and close grip bench (assuming those increased as well) have a positive correlation with your bench press and that continued use of these exercises will lead to further increases in your bench press.
When you return to your core exercise after rotating through the derivatives and you happen to find that your bench press did not go up even though your floor press and close grip benches did, then it is probably safe to assume that those two lifts do not have a direct carryover to your bench. Once you reach this conclusion it is important to then select other derivatives to work into your wrestler weight training program to see what effects they may have both on your strength and wrestling performance.
As you can see, proper derivative exercise selection in your weight training for wrestling plan can be difficult, but it will eventually provide you with a great understanding of what works best for you and what doesn’t carryover as well for you which will ultimately lead to better progress through a greater understanding in the long run.
Wrestlers Weight Training Program Step #3- Select Accessory Exercises
Once you have your core exercise(s) and derivatives selected for your wrestler weight training plan, you can then go on to choosing your accessory exercises. Accessory exercises are utilized in a strength training program to provide a number of benefits- increased performance, better injury prevention, better muscular balance, etc. Not every accessory exercise needs to directly simulate the core exercise. For example, there are lots of great strength training accessory exercises for the lats/upper back to perform after you bench. Do the lats actually provide assistance during a bench press in that they help you press the bar? No. However, strong lats provide you with increased stability and help to keep your shoulders in balance from a muscular standpoint. Additionally, as a wrestler, using lots of heavy pulling weight training exercises will provide you with the strength to finish more takedowns and dominate more on top. Also, neglecting to work muscles on the opposite side of the body will lead to imbalances and instabilities which will ultimately lead to injury. So selecting accessory exercises that may not directly complement the core exercise will lead to better long term gains in your weight training for wrestling program. Here are some examples of suitable accessory exercises if the bench press is one of your core exercises:
Dumbbell Bench Variations- flat, incline, floor, decline Lat Exercises- pullups, pulldowns, different types of rows Shoulder Exercises- overhead presses, different types of raises, internal/external rotations Trap/Upper Back Exercises- shrugs, upright rows, face pulls Tricep Exercises- pressdowns, extensions Bicep Exercises- different types of curls
As you can see not all of the exercise categories listed above will directly carryover to a bigger bench, but they will all play a factor in your overall strength training. For instance, while your biceps don’t actually move the weight while benching, curls help maintain proper balance around the elbow and may help prevent pain associated with overdeveloped triceps and underdeveloped biceps. Additionally, from a wrestling perspective, adding curls into your strength training for wrestling plan will help increased your weighted chinup which will have you scoring more takedowns. So while curls don’t directly contribute to a bigger bench, they will help to promote overall elbow health which will keep you benching for longer periods of time and off the injury reserve list which will also help your further development as a wrestler. Remember- you can’t get stronger and better when you’re sitting on the sidelines.
Wrestlers Weight Training Program Step #4- Design Template
Once you have identified and selected your exercises and everything that you plan on working in to your wrestler weight training program, you can then design the template itself. The template is going to provide you with an outline for your strength training program and will enable you to add in and take out different exercises within a certain category so that you can constantly be making changes without missing a key component. Below is a sample weight training for wrestling template used for the increasing the bench press and overall size when you’re out of season.
Exercise #1- Bench Press or Derivative (5×5)
Accessory Superset #1- Dumbbell Bench Variation and Lat Exercise (4×8)
Accessory Superset #2- Shoulder Exercise and Upper Back Exercise (3×12)
Accessory Superset #3- Tricep Exercise and Bicep Exercise (3×10-15)
Sets and reps are completely dependent upon your strength training for wrestling goals. I put my suggestions in parenthesis but by no means are these set in stone. I tend to favor going heavier with fewer reps on core movements and multi-joint accessory movements with a focus on developing strength and power. In the wrestler weight training programs I use I usually have my wrestlers go lighter (especially in the off-season) with more reps on some of the single-joint accessory exercises with a focus on simply working the muscle and promoting equal development and balance within the body.
Wrestlers Weight Training Program Step #5- Implement Plan
Finally, once your work is done and your wrestler weight training plan is ready to go; it’s time for the real work to begin! Once you begin to implement your strength training plan you must constantly be assessing how things are going. Look back from week to week to see where you’re making gains and where you are stalling out. If you have a good block of training, look back to see what exercises you were doing, what weights you were lifting, and what the sets and reps looked like. Similarly, look at the same pieces of information if you have an underproductive block of training and look to make the necessary changes. I won’t lie to you, it’s a constant battle trying to determine the missing links in your weight training plan especially when you have to factor in all of the wrestling you’re doing. It’s situation specific and can sometimes take a while to figure it all out. No matter how tough it can get though, it’s all worth it in the end so stay focused on your goals, keep an open mind, and train hard as often as you can.
Finally, here’s an example of a week of in-season weight training program I had one of my wrestlers perform. By working hard and following the plan he was able to win his 2nd NYS Championship and a few weeks later claim his 3rd High School National Championship. The next year as a True Freshman he won a D1 National Championship.
Wrestler Weight Training Workout 1
Cambered Bar Box Squat (5×3)
#1 Pin Pull + 4 Chains (4×3)
Superset- Power Squat (4×6) and GHR Situp (4×12)
Triset- Back Extension (4×12) and Reverse Hyper (3×12) and Db Side Bend (3×12)
Wrestler Weight Training Workout 2
Incline bench press (4×5)
Pullup (4×5)
Superset- DB Floor Press (4×10) and Chest Supported Row (4×12)
Superset- Seated DB Overhead Press (3×10) and DB Upright Row (3×12)
Wrestler Weight Training Workout 3
Superset- Zercher Squat (3×8) and Weighted Back Extension (3×8)
Superset- Cable Pulldown Ab (3×10) and Weighted Russian Twist (3×10)
Superset- DB Curl (4×6) and Cable Pressdown (4×8)
For more wrestling workouts, wrestler-specific strength training exercises, and top weight training training mistakes made by wrestlers visit my blog below and sign up for my free newsletter.
December 13 2010 | Recreation And Sports | Comments Off