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

Not all adventure travel activities are for athletes, there are many things you can do no matter your age, or even disability, even families can enjoy there time together whilst they all go sailing, horse riding or trekking, for example.

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One of the reasons we, S2Si, are different to many other organisers of adventure travel activities is that we pride ourselves on our excellent safety record.  On certain expeditions, due to their length of time and location, we provide our own medical team and equipment.  This will offer families, older travellers and travellers with disabilities much ‘piece of mind ‘.

We are sure that if you went around the world on a vacation, called into a local tour operator and booked some adventure travel activities that you would have a good time and most trips end with everyone satisfied, camera full of pictures and plenty of memories to share later.  However, the ones that don’t always end so good are the ones that we hear about – fatalities or survival situations, for example.

So you don’t become one of the unlucky few who are not happy with their trip or, even worse, suffer due a lack of safety equipment or experience whilst outdoors, here is a basic guide for things to watch out for in the early stages:

• Does the equipment used seem excessively worn or abused?  Check belts or straps for wear and tear, are ropes fraying, brakes on mountain bikes, leaks in kayaks, etc.
• Are you given the right safety equipment for the chosen activity?  Lifejackets for all water sports, a proper lifejacket (not a floatation vest) when sailing, helmets in nearly all sports, if diving and partnered with a stranger make sure they know the safety procedures.
• No matter which activity or where, is there a first aid kit available and someone trained to use it?  Ask to see the first aid kit, does it contain a suitable array of equipment for the activity you are about to engage in?  Is is well packed, clean and items in-date?
• Actually ask about safety concerns.  What is their plan is for emergencies, how have the dealt with issues in the past? If they say they have never had any issues at all then they are probably lying – all the staff at S2Si have had to deal with medical emergencies in the past and would be happy to discuss the procedures used.
• Finally – trust your instinct and don’t be affraid to say NO and leave the agency/office!  If something doesn’t feel right then there might be good cause for that feeling. You can’t thoroughly enjoy a day rock climbing if you have a nagging concern over the safety of the kit!

Our series is up and running, starting with Mountain Climbing, have a read –> Adventure Travel

If you are a person who rarely conducts any physical activities, then there are still adventure sports to suite your lifestyle. Outdoor adventure sports are mainly sports that help facilitate the process of exploring nature in a useful and exciting way. An adventure sport could be as simple as taking a walk through a wooded area, or traveling on a boat through a gently flowing river or stream. One of the most important things to remember is that you do not try to push yourself beyond what you can handle. This will change a fun and educational experience into something painful and full of bad memories. The worst thing that can happen is that you as an individual decide that you never want to participate in any kind of adventure sport again. This feeling can easily be avoided with the choice of an activity that is suited to your activity level.

If you participate in physical activities regularly, then you have more options for outdoor adventure sports. However, not all adventure style sports are able to be completed as a novice. Some sports take training just like regular team sports. The best way to start with adventure sports is to try a short session before moving on to longer activities and sessions. For someone with a moderate daily activity level, there are many choices of activities to choose from. Almost any kind of sport can be undertaken at a novice level. It is important, however, to still know your own limits. There will always be someone with a higher training level than you, and it is really important to not push beyond your own personal limits. This is the best way to stay safe and enjoy yourself.

Individuals who engage in taxing physical activities on a regular basis have the largest amount of options when it comes to adventure sports. Rock climbing, long camping and hiking trips, extreme water sports, and many other exciting and challenging sports are available for individuals with excellent physical capabilities. It is still best to start slow and increase the amount of time spent on the sport. It is important that you don’t push yourself too hard, as this can be very dangerous. As always, it is important to ensure you have all of the necessary equipment as well as plenty of water, food, and any other necessary items for the particular sport that you engage in.

Outdoor adventure sports offer some of the most challenging and unique sports out there. People of any fitness level can enjoy some form of adventure sports. This is a great way to stay healthy while enjoying nature in an exciting way. Outdoor adventure sports have something to offer everyone.

Here is some more information on Outdoor Adventure Sports

While the modern conveniences we enjoy are much appreciated by all, they can also tend to box us in and to disconnect us from the natural world around us. For this reason, it is important for everyone to give up their “home comforts” every now and then, have an outdoor adventure for a while and experience the wonders of a world outside of civilization.

1. De-Stress and Rejuvenate

Most people in the 21st Century live very busy lives, replete with responsibilities and constant demands on their time and attention. All of this can add up to serious stress and depletion of energy and positive perspective.

Getting out of the routine trappings of life and into the elements can serve as a natural de-stressor and can help you to replenish yourself by breathing in fresh air and living out in rustic surroundings that allow one to forget about their daily obligations. Living in the dirt, surviving off the land and sleeping out under the stars can help your body to release the toxins that have built up over time and can bring a fresh wave of invigorating life and joy to any man or woman.

2. Gain New Perspective

When you are caught up in the rat race of office politics and amassing creature comforts, you can lose perspective on what is most important in life. When people leave these comforts behind for a time and step out into a rustic setting, their perceptions and values can begin to shift dramatically.

Many people become more spiritual in natural settings than they do in man made surroundings. In addition, most people report that when they have a good outdoor adventure and get ‘back to basics’, they begin to feel their hearts and minds settle to the point where they can ‘hear themselves think’ and cultivate their inner lives instead of focusing primarily on the external trappings of life.

3. Gain Global Awareness

When you leave behind your own culture and comfortable surroundings, you may be shocked and delighted by the wealth of beauty and knowledge that becomes available to you. Each country boasts differing ecosystems, traditions, and geographic distinctives that will expand the horizons of the traveler.

Much of the world lives a great deal more ‘in tune’ with nature than does the average westerner. Experiencing this truth first hand can help men and women to gain a better understanding of how the rest of the world lives. In some cases, individuals will gain compassion for certain tribal groups that do not enjoy the necessities of life. In other cases, travelers will come to understand that many cultures that live basic lives are far richer than western cultures in a multitude of different ways.

Taking time to break out of natural surroundings and have an outdoor adventure can be beneficial for every man and woman on the planet. In fact, it is a necessary part of maintaining a balanced and full life.

Mountain climbing is an excellent example of an outdoor adventure sport, and is extremely popular throughout the world. Though most climbers stick to smaller mountain ranges, and climb more for the exercise, many climbers push themselves even further, and attempt to dare the most dangerous mountains in the world. Mount Everest, in Asia, and Cerro Anconcagau, in Argentina, are two of the tallest mountains in the world, which have been successfully trekked by multiple climbers, though many others have perished due to their extreme conditions. Mountain Climbing forces participants to take an active hold on their life, physically building their body to assault sheer walls of rock, mentally mapping each move while trying to practice some form of safety and common sense.

Kayaking is another notable outdoor adventure sport, as many people brave some of the craziest waterfalls and rivers in the world, armed with only a paddle and a plastic kayak. Extremely beneficial to the upper body, such as the chest, arms, and back. Kayaking offers an amazing workout! Mentally, kayakers must navigate fast flowing rivers, tall waterfalls, and other treacherous courses, constantly mapping their place, trying to maintain the correct speed, while avoiding all rocks and obstacles that may spring up at anytime, building observational skills and quick reaction times.

Though hiking does not seem like a very adventurous sport, hiking and camping in the wilderness is a whole different story, and is another popular sport. Competitive hikes, such as the one held every year along the Appalachian Trail in the States, offers participants an invigorating, yet well paced workout, while forcing them to navigate over tough terrain to stay on the correct course. Other forms of hiking are just as challenging, forcing participants to navigate some of the most difficult terrain in the world, such as deserts, dense forests, or swampland. During these days out hikers must endure harsh weather, unimaginable terrain, and extensive wear on their minds and bodies whilst carrying their equipment and navigate safely.

Survival courses are another type of adventure sport, throwing individuals completely into the wild, forcing them to make their own fire, shelters, and find their own food.  Survival courses force people to their most basic instincts, and are often hard on the body, and even more difficult on the mind, building the weak into the strong….. or they can be a good laugh if done with a friendly group and an instructor who knows the limits of his students.

Outdoor adventure sports are an excellent and active way to build the body and mind, so get out and try one today.