Mastering a basic kayaking technique is relatively simple and intuitive. To move straight, you push one blade of your double-sided paddle through the water and then do the same with the other blade, paddling with each blade at an even pace. If you need to move right, simply push your left-hand blade with greater force through the water. To move left, you use this same technique, but with the right-hand blade. To brake, push either blade backwards through the water.

When participating in adventure travel activities, you might find yourself in contexts where you’ll need to master more complicated techniques than you at first imagined. In most cases, kayaking especially, you can set your own pace and explore nature’s beauty without being distracted by complicated maneuvers.  Or, you can choose to learn them to feel like you have mastered the sport more thoroughly.

As you settle into a regular paddling rhythm, you might not be aware of  how much physical exercise you’re getting. Like all forms of water exercise, kayaking offers gentle, but effective resistance training, as well as a solid cardiovascular workout. There’s no need for the gym.

Kayaking is one of the better adventure travel activities when it comes to people’s ages. Children pick up kayaking techniques quickly, building their confidence by competently exploring rivers and lakes. Kayaking is also a great way for the elderly to experience the great outdoors, with its minimal stress on the body.

Whether you are helping along your partner in a double-kayak, or giving instructions on the best way to navigate through a bend in the river, kayaking offers plenty of opportunities to build teamwork in a beautiful environment. Kayaking brings out the adventurer in all of us, and encourages team building through exploration. It’s no wonder that summer camps often offer kayaking as part of their core curriculum.

Kayaking also encourages mental clarity and balance. Your thoughts become more grounded as you settle into a regular paddling rhythm, surrounded by nature. The sound of the paddles lapping against the water is as soothing as any meditation music.

All adventure travel activities offer the chance to explore, to discover.  Imagine paddling up to islands in lakes that rarely see visitors or observing animals in their natural habitats.

A camping trip is one of the best opportunities to utilize the practical advantages of kayaking. If properly fitted, a kayak can provide adequate storage space for camping gear.

In the world of boats, kayaks are one of the simplest vessels. This simple elegance is an integral part of the kayaking experience, there are no  buzzing motors to remind you of the modern world. This is one of the most endearing qualities of the kayak—it gives you the ability to discover Mother Nature without any distraction.

Mountain biking not only gives people the opportunity to get in touch with nature and discover the hidden gems that have been waiting in their backyard, but it is also a great way to get a little exercise in the process. Riding a bike is a fantastic cardio workout and a good way to workout one’s legs and even upper body, as most people do not realize the full body workout that this activity requires. For most, the physical toll that mountain biking takes does not take away from the mental escape that it offers.

As is true of many adventure travel activities, biking gives people the chance to step away from the routine and do something new or discover something they never knew existed. It gives people the chance to see something or witness an occurrence they have never seen before. Biking with the family or with friends can be good for bonding as well. As a family or a group of friends bikes through nature, they will likely talk and comment on the raw beauty of their surroundings. This helps to build teamwork and can be a good way to get people working together or cooperating with one another. This is an especially good experience for kids or teens.

Mountain biking is a popular sport, as it is relatively cheap and can be done by just about anybody. As long as the proper safety precautions are taken, such as wearing a helmet and making sure that everybody is comfortable riding the bike, this can be an easy adventure travel outing. Mountain biking implies riding a specially equipped bike off-road through a nature trail or on rough terrain or other unconventional surfaces. Some people ride through the desert, along the coast, over a mountain or across a hilly terrain. Whatever one’s preference, this can be a fun and fulfilling adventure for people of all ages and backgrounds.

It is important to stay hydrated while biking, as is true of most other adventure travel activities. As alluded to earlier, wearing proper safety equipment is important. While biking, be sure to wear the proper shoes and clothing for the weather and environment. Some bikers opt to wear gloves to protect their hands from blisters.

Carrying on our series we have Mountain Biking, have a read –> Adventure Travel

When out on the open seas with wind in the sails sailing is often considered as one of the more romantic adventure travel activities. This is often the case, for many sailors choose to cruise around the warmer tropical regions of the world, where is water is crystal clear blue and swimming off the back of the yacht is a daily ritual.

Sailing offers various challenges due to the location one wishes to sail in. Coastal sailing has many tidal influences and weather patterns that are created by the land shape of the coast itself. Off-shore sailing has the challenges of facing whatever weather is thrown at you because there is nowhere to hide. Sailing up rivers or estuaries is a challenge due to currents and moving sandbanks not yet charted.  Obviously the region you are sailing in as well influences many decisions that need making – the warmth of the weather, the availability of food, fuel and water in remote areas, seasonal weather hazards (hurricanes in the Caribbean).

One thing also that needs mentioning is the marine life. Dolphins, whales, seals, sea otters, all the different fish species, the bird life, even, when on coastal cruises, the wildlife on the shores.  The list of potential wildlife encounters is a long one indeed. Remember to take plenty of film (or memory cards and batteries) for the camera and even a good set of binoculars.

Sailing is one of those adventure travel activities that can be a bonding experience capable of bringing friends and family closer. When sailing, a person or group of people not only bonds with Mother Nature and the beauty of the body of water surrounding them, but they also bond with the people that are sharing the vessel with them. Passengers of the boat have to have a good firm confidence in their skipper, assured that he or she knows what they are doing. This sort of confidence and trust creates a great bond between friends and family alike.

Carrying on our series we have Mountain Biking, have a read –> Adventure Travel

Not only is mountain climbing a great learning experience, but also it has enormous physical and mental health benefits. The physical benefits are clear in that you will be moving nearly the entire time and challenging your body to do things it may have never done before. This can build muscle mass, increase your stamina, and keep your heart in shape. The mental benefits may not be so obvious, but once you get out there, you will know that this experience is great for your psyche. It is proven that vitamin D can increase your endorphin release, which can give you the feeling of happiness, so make sure you go on a day when the forecast is sunny. Oxygen is also plentiful, and usually much cleaner near mountain climbing areas because of the surrounding countryside, lack of vehicles and plentiful vegetation, so this can clear your head and help boost your energy as well. Although, if you are going on higher mountain routes the air will actually become thinner so be aware of altitude sickness. Another great part of climbing in the outdoors is reconnecting with nature, and with the people you care about, so make sure you go with a group. It’s always safer that way, and you can work on teamwork skills as well as you pull each other through any rough patches.

Mountain climbing can be as simple as hiking along well beaten trail up to a mountain vista point, or it can be as complicated as climbing the face of a nearly vertical cliff with just your toes and finger tips for gripping. There are many well marked, maintained and mapped trails on the mountains of the world so it can be very easy to plan a trip. Make sure you take lots of water, healthy snacks like fruits and nuts and suitable outdoor clothing and safety gear. Whichever way you choose to go, you are guaranteed to have a wonderful time full of learning and exercise outdoors, which will surely create lasting memories for you and whomever you choose to go with. Mountain climbing is a fabulous type of adventure travel that is a great way to expose your family to new places and learn more about the world, and how you can appreciate it in a healthy and rewarding way.

In the future, when planning your next series of adventure travel activities, whether it be mountain climbing, or something else, that you always tell someone you know exactly where you are going in case of an emergency. Remember to have fun, be safe, and keep learning about the outdoors! It’s an exciting place out there; isn’t it time you enjoyed all the world has to offer?

Carrying on our series we have Sailing, have a read –> Adventure Travel

In the old days, taking on the mental and physical challenges of farming was a means of survival. Every family member had to work as a team to tackle chores to ensure food, clothing, and shelter. They had to be able to communicate and know each other in order to be able to rely on each other for the daily struggles of life and to secure their futures.

In today’s society family life looks very different. However, just as it was important to be able to rely on one another then, it is just as important now. Since we no longer face the physical and mental challenges of farm tasks, families should consider joint projects or family adventure travel to achieve the same results.

Physical challenges are a means of encouraging teamwork. When it comes to physical strength and endurance, no one can be self-reliant. Whether mountain biking, climbing, whitewater rafting, hiking, scuba diving or exploring, it takes assistance from others to succeed. Not every person has the same skills and abilities. Every person in a team must compensate for and help build on weaknesses by drawing upon every person’s strengths.

Adventures not only bring physical challenges, but they bring mental challenges as well. Just as family members must help each other face physical aspects of tasks, they must also help one other face mental aspects of tasks. They must cheer each other onward to overcome fear, lack of self-confidence, and tiredness. They have to find ways to motivate one another to try new things and learn from the world around them.

In order for family members to help one another face the physical and mental challenges of life they must bond and grow as a family. Family adventure travel bring everyone closer together because it forces them to get to know each other. Family adventures work to repair breakdowns in communication that lack of quality time causes. Issues can surface in order to bring about healing. When families begin to communicate well they experience victory.

The lessons learned from family adventure travel can last for a lifetime. Upon arriving home and back to the daily business of today’s society, families feel the differences made by their experiences. The idea of a family unit takes on a new meaning and priorities change as members hold more value. They are able to communicate in an effective manner and rely upon one another to deal with the daily struggles of life.

Camping

One of the best ways to spend a holiday is to take your children camping. The wonderful thing about camping that there are so many different ways to do it that “camping” itself becomes an umbrella category for a host of different activities classed as family adventure travel. Whether it be finding a remote area in the middle of the woods and pitching a tent, roasting marshmallows and exploring the untouched wilderness that surrounds you, or taking a camper van or caravan across the country and stopping to camp at various sights to take in the surrounding culture, camping allows you too many options to even list. Family adventure travel is wonderful for the child because it encourages both physical and mental exercise. Whether it be traversing a river by climbing from tree to tree or just simply using your head to try and find a way out of a seemingly impossible maze of wilderness, camping clearly beats a mundane trip to a theme park in terms of enrichment for the child.

Outdoor Adventure Sports

It is also wise to consider some of the many adventure sports, such as whitewater rafting, kayaking, climbing, trekking, horse riding to introduce the family to various team or solo challenges. All these activities can be extremely exciting, and allows the child to be exposed to nature’s raw elements in ways he or she has unlikely been before. This can instill a sense of empowerment as well as a boost in confidence.

Foreign Lands

Lastly, one of the best cultural experiences you can give your children is to take them to a country that they have never been to before. For instance, if you are living in the UK, taking your children to France would likely end up being an unforgettable experience that would be more than worth the money it costs to get there. It is not until a child is actually able to experience a new country that he or she can finally get a grasp on the differences between cultures and how important they are.

Make a combination of all three

We here at S2Si can provide all the above three useful pieces of advice and put them into a purpose made individual package for you.  Why not visit a far off land, engage yourselves in exciting and adventurous activities, sleep under the stars and whilst all this is going on you will meet the local people, learn some of their language and understand their culture better.

If you would like any information on how we can provide you with the perfect family adventure, travel on over to our contact us page.

You don’t have to travel far with your family, adventure travel can be anything you are all not familiar with in outdoor surroundings, all the way up to a full blow, well organized family adventure travel vacation with a company like ours.

We are going to look at hiking.  This can be done anywhere at any time and in almost any weather.

To make hiking a family activity without the fear of unhappy or lost children, remember these six tips:

1. Wear and Bring Proper Outdoor/Hiking Clothing

Having the correct clothing on will make all of the difference while hiking. If you only plan on a half day hiking trip to the park, a comfy shirt, casual shorts/tracksuit, and sneakers will do just fine. For more serious hiking, bring coats, long and short pants, t-shirts, sweaters, rain outfits, and hiking boots. Try on your clothes before you leave home. If they don’t fit right or they’re too uncomfortable and your kids are complaining, switch outfits. Having the proper clothing can prevent you all from being too hot or cold, or dry and wet.

2. Plan Out the Route You Wish to Take Before You Get There

You definitely don’t want to roam around for hours trying to find the right path. Get a map of the location you’ll be hiking at and plan out a route beforehand by highlighting it, or at least go somewhere you are familiar with. Consider how far you’d like to walk each day if you’re camping as well, and how far you think your kids can walk before they become irritable. Allow your kids to use the map and guide you, as this is a great learning experience for them. We all know how quickly the young ones can lose interest, so involving them will help keep their mind focused.

3. Food and Water

Whether you’re hiking for an hour or three days, it’s essential to bring food and lots of water. Don’t bring foods that perish easily or contain too much sugar. The best snacks for hiking are trail mix, sandwiches, granola bars, fruit, and crackers. Keep your food safe from nature’s wildlife and teach the little ones the importance of taking home with you your waste! Don’t forget you are there first outdoor coach, they will remember what you teach them.

4. Bring or Find Hiking Sticks

Hiking sticks provide not only stability, but the feeling of being an actual explorer, which is great for kids. Hiking sticks also provide safety on more challenging trails and terrain. When buying or finding hiking sticks, be sure to pick sticks that are a good height and weight for children. Or, if in a wooded area and on a short stroll pick up a suitable stick (don’t snap one off a tree) and let them poke around the leaves with it.

5. Pack a First Aid Kid

This is very essential. Nothing ruins a day out than the start of a blister! Make sure your first aid kit has things like band-aids, anti-biotic creams or sprays, anti-itch creams, bug spray etc, and extremely important is any immediate medication they might need during their time out (inhalers, Epi-pens for severe allergies, insulin). Children are more likely to complain about a little scratch, so having the first aid kit with you at all times can prevent hours of discomfort for your kids.

6. While Hiking

Start your hiking day early and learn to be patient with your child’s hiking efforts. Smaller children may only want to walk so far, while older children don’t mind longer hikes on rougher terrain. Make the trip exciting for your children; make them find certain animals and plants. Know what the poisonous plants and animals are and keep a good eye on your kids at all times.

7. Be Prepared for the Worse

Being prepared is essential when hiking with your children. Taking simple precautions can prevent anything from a tiny scrape on the knee to missing a child. If you’re bringing young children especially, get footprints of your child’s shoes in tin foil and carry it with you, give your child a whistle or a bright plastic bag or poncho with holes to wear in case they get lost, and establish rules to keep together; like hiking buddies. Having radios and walkie talkies are great as well to keep track of everyone. Stop to rest and reconnect occasionally. If in range use mobile phones and make sure you know the right numbers to call in emergencies.

The end of part one. Remember … don’t hide your kids away from the great outdoors. Family adventure travel is an excellent way to bond, get fit and have fun.

(Thanks to Paul de Bruin of Spain for letting us use this excellent family picture)