Water Skiing
by: Nancy Jackson
Have you ever tried water skiing? It's like flying, only cooler. As you glide across the surface at top speed, cool water splashes over and around you. It's a fun and exciting sport that people of all ages can take part in. If you're strong enough to hold yourself up, you're strong enough to water ski.
To be really good at water skiing does take a little practice; but even more important, it takes the right equipment.
Four basic types of water skis are available on the market:
* Combination: The most common types of water skis sold today are combination skis. The skis have a wider tip, so they're the best style to learn on and are preferred by beginners and advance skiers alike.
* Slalom skis: Used by skiers who prefer to use just one ski. By skiing on one ski, the athlete is able to make sharp turns and reach faster speeds. Recreational slalom skis have a wider tail and a flatter bottom to make it easier to get up and ride straight, while advanced skis have a more tapered tail with beveled edges and a tunnel bottom. These are more difficult to ski on, but will take the skier on a much faster ride.
* Trick skis: Extreme athletes use trick skis to pull off the most outrageous stunts. Trick skis are for spinning, jumping and busting extreme moves in (or over) the water. These are shorter and wider than other style of water skis, and require much more skill. There are no fins on the bottoms of trick skis, so it's easier to slide and turn, but harder to make controlled moves while water skiing.
* Jump skis look like old-fashioned skis, but are made from a hi-tech composite material to make them stronger. As the name suggests, jump skis are used for jumping off of ramps.
The other essential piece of water skiing equipment is a rope. This is what connects you to the boat. Make sure that you have a proper rope with an appropriate handle. Water ski ropes have a flexible elastic quality, so they're able to change speeds and move with the skier. In normal conditions, polypropylene ropes will stretch two to three percent of their standard length of seventy inches.
The comfort of the rope handle is very important, and every water skier has his or her personal preference. Recreational water ski handles usually have a plastic or rubber grip. The plastic molded handles are strong and durable, and will float when dropped in the water. High-performance handles are generally comprised of an aluminum bar covered with a comfortable rubber grip. The construction is lighter, but more comfortable and durable than a molded plastic handle. Higher performance handles are hollow, so they sink when dropped in the water.
It's suggested that you wear goggles while water skiing, especially if you need to wear your eyeglasses. Protective goggles will stop water and debris going into your eyes, and will prevent your glasses from flying off and sinking if you fall into the water.
Water skiing is great exercise and a super fun way to enjoy a sunny day with friends. Strap on a lifejacket, grab some skis and make the most of your day on the water.
About The Author
Nancy Jackson contributes articles to several web sites, such as http://yogey.com and http://zigug.com.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Too Old to Learn Scuba Diving?
Too Old to Learn Scuba Diving?
by: Rona Limsy
We are always told we should learn sports when we are young, when our bodies are more resilient to the bruises and bumps which can be afflicted on us when we learn a new sport. This is true to a certain extent.
Take for example, my experience learning wind surfing. I learnt the sport when I was 26. If I were to learn this sport now at age 42, chances are I would not go far and would probably give up after 1 or 2 tries. Learning wind surfing was like battling with all the forces at the same time! We're talking about trying to balance on choppy waves on a slippery wet board, at the same time maneuvering a sail which weighs more than you in the correct direction that you want to go.In the process, I contributed blood and flesh from cuts on barnacles and bruises from hitting the surf board more than once before falling into the waters.
But there is a huge difference with scuba diving. YOU ARE NEVER TOO OLD TO LEARN SCUBA DIVING. I can never say this enough. I learnt scuba diving when I was 38. Now I'm not saying that 38 is a ripe old age but still, the body does feel somewhat less strong and less resilient. Added to that, as we get older, we also seem to have more fears. Perhaps we feel we have more to lose if something should happen to us.
I say middle age and beyond should never be a factor in learning scuba diving BUT you do need to have these:
- an intense love for the sea
- a willingness to learn from someone younger than you
- relatively good health
and last but very important ... time and money.
Now I'm assuming that you are thinking of learning scuba diving because you want to make this a sport that you can enjoy every other weekend if time and money permits and not just learning for education's sake.
An Intense Love For The Sea
To enjoy a scuba diving trip, you will have to love the sea and I mean really really love it with all its wonderful creatures large and small. You will know what I mean on your first ever scuba diving trip after you have cleared your Open Water tests.
It is unlikely that your scuba diving buddies on your first dive trip will be the same classmates in your scuba diving course. Because of time and money constraints, you will find that you may be the only one keen enough to join a scuba diving trip soon after your certification.
More often than not, your dive buddies will be a dive-crazy bunch who will do at least 4 dives a day plus another at night. This means that on a scuba diving trip, most times you will not do anything but dive, talk about the sea creatures and encounters of each dive, before suiting up for the next dive. For someone who only wants to do one dive a day and then go shopping, he/she may be disappointed as many great scuba diving spots have few of these shopping and entertainment facilities.
In case you are already getting stressed just thinking about this, don't be. Every scuba diving newbie goes through this. Just have an attitude of a newbie, be humble and you will find that the seasoned divers are more than willing to share tips and may even help you to gear up before a dive.
A Willingness To Learn From Someone Younger Than You
Your scuba diving instructor is likely to be someone much younger than you. Some dive instructors have an attitude and are cocky so you may have to live with it for at least 3 weekends before you become certified - 1st weekend for classroom and theory, 2nd weekend for pool sessions and a 3rd weekend for the actual open water tests. Put aside your ego and just bear with it, it'll be worth it in the end.
Having said that, that's not to say that there are no good and kind scuba diving instructors around. I was fortunate to receive dive instruction from PC, a very kind and patient man, without whom my dive learning experience would not be as smooth and enjoyable.
Relatively Good Health
It's not necessary to be in peak fitness before you can take up scuba diving. However, you would need some strength to be able to walk with full scuba diving gear strapped on you. Once you enter the waters with all your gear, you are almost weightless. But it's the few steps you have to make to get into the boat or to cross the beach into the water that may be a challenge for a person who is not used to carrying heavy loads on them.
Having said that, some scuba diving resorts have fantastic dive staff who can help to overcome this by carrying the tanks and gear to the boat for you to suit up inside the boat. And of course if you are on a live-a-board (live, eat, dive, sleep, on board a boat throughout the dive trip), then this may not be relevant.
Time and Money. This is probably the 2 most deciding factors of whether someone continues to enjoy scuba diving after passing the Open Water tests. Getting certified through a scuba diving course is very fast, just 3 weekends basically. And not too expensive, probably about $300 to $400, including an out-of-the country dive trip for the open water tests. But unless you live near a scuba diving area, you are most likely going to have to travel a distance or even out of the country to do a good dive.
Now just think how much each trip is going to cost you and multiply that by how many times you would love to do scuba diving in a year. When you do the sums, it can be staggering. So you cut down the number of dives you want to do in a year, and then calculate and cut down some more.
In our scuba diving class, my husband and I were the only ones who continued to dive after the class was over. Even then, we did not manage to do the number of dives we would really have loved to do in a year. That's how it finally ends up that we are doing an average of 1 dive a year. This more or less ensures that we will always be diving as a "scuba diving newbie" (hence the blog's name). A scuba diver gets "rusty" when the interval is too long between each dive trip. Ideally, we should dive at least once each quarter.
I have not even gone on to calculate the other "investments" to personalise your gear such as your own BC (buoyancy control), your own octopus (breathing appartus) and your wet suit.
Having said all this, I still believe it's never too old to learn and enjoy scuba diving. Even with our limited dives since we were certified and diving as scuba diving newbies, we enjoy each and every one of our dive trips. Find the right people to dive with, find a fantastic dive spot that suits your preferences (whether macro, to check out small sea creatures, or see bigger fish) and nearby spa facilities to sooth your body aches after a dive - it's a wonderful combination that will almost always ensure a great scuba diving experience!
A scuba diving newbie can still enjoy happy diving!
About The Author
Rona Limsy loves scuba diving and has dived in the waters around Indonesia, Malaysia and Maldives. She shares her dive stories so that more people, especially people who are thinking about taking up scuba diving but are apprehensive about it, can find out more about what to expect. Read more on Scuba Diving Newbie
by: Rona Limsy
We are always told we should learn sports when we are young, when our bodies are more resilient to the bruises and bumps which can be afflicted on us when we learn a new sport. This is true to a certain extent.
Take for example, my experience learning wind surfing. I learnt the sport when I was 26. If I were to learn this sport now at age 42, chances are I would not go far and would probably give up after 1 or 2 tries. Learning wind surfing was like battling with all the forces at the same time! We're talking about trying to balance on choppy waves on a slippery wet board, at the same time maneuvering a sail which weighs more than you in the correct direction that you want to go.In the process, I contributed blood and flesh from cuts on barnacles and bruises from hitting the surf board more than once before falling into the waters.
But there is a huge difference with scuba diving. YOU ARE NEVER TOO OLD TO LEARN SCUBA DIVING. I can never say this enough. I learnt scuba diving when I was 38. Now I'm not saying that 38 is a ripe old age but still, the body does feel somewhat less strong and less resilient. Added to that, as we get older, we also seem to have more fears. Perhaps we feel we have more to lose if something should happen to us.
I say middle age and beyond should never be a factor in learning scuba diving BUT you do need to have these:
- an intense love for the sea
- a willingness to learn from someone younger than you
- relatively good health
and last but very important ... time and money.
Now I'm assuming that you are thinking of learning scuba diving because you want to make this a sport that you can enjoy every other weekend if time and money permits and not just learning for education's sake.
An Intense Love For The Sea
To enjoy a scuba diving trip, you will have to love the sea and I mean really really love it with all its wonderful creatures large and small. You will know what I mean on your first ever scuba diving trip after you have cleared your Open Water tests.
It is unlikely that your scuba diving buddies on your first dive trip will be the same classmates in your scuba diving course. Because of time and money constraints, you will find that you may be the only one keen enough to join a scuba diving trip soon after your certification.
More often than not, your dive buddies will be a dive-crazy bunch who will do at least 4 dives a day plus another at night. This means that on a scuba diving trip, most times you will not do anything but dive, talk about the sea creatures and encounters of each dive, before suiting up for the next dive. For someone who only wants to do one dive a day and then go shopping, he/she may be disappointed as many great scuba diving spots have few of these shopping and entertainment facilities.
In case you are already getting stressed just thinking about this, don't be. Every scuba diving newbie goes through this. Just have an attitude of a newbie, be humble and you will find that the seasoned divers are more than willing to share tips and may even help you to gear up before a dive.
A Willingness To Learn From Someone Younger Than You
Your scuba diving instructor is likely to be someone much younger than you. Some dive instructors have an attitude and are cocky so you may have to live with it for at least 3 weekends before you become certified - 1st weekend for classroom and theory, 2nd weekend for pool sessions and a 3rd weekend for the actual open water tests. Put aside your ego and just bear with it, it'll be worth it in the end.
Having said that, that's not to say that there are no good and kind scuba diving instructors around. I was fortunate to receive dive instruction from PC, a very kind and patient man, without whom my dive learning experience would not be as smooth and enjoyable.
Relatively Good Health
It's not necessary to be in peak fitness before you can take up scuba diving. However, you would need some strength to be able to walk with full scuba diving gear strapped on you. Once you enter the waters with all your gear, you are almost weightless. But it's the few steps you have to make to get into the boat or to cross the beach into the water that may be a challenge for a person who is not used to carrying heavy loads on them.
Having said that, some scuba diving resorts have fantastic dive staff who can help to overcome this by carrying the tanks and gear to the boat for you to suit up inside the boat. And of course if you are on a live-a-board (live, eat, dive, sleep, on board a boat throughout the dive trip), then this may not be relevant.
Time and Money. This is probably the 2 most deciding factors of whether someone continues to enjoy scuba diving after passing the Open Water tests. Getting certified through a scuba diving course is very fast, just 3 weekends basically. And not too expensive, probably about $300 to $400, including an out-of-the country dive trip for the open water tests. But unless you live near a scuba diving area, you are most likely going to have to travel a distance or even out of the country to do a good dive.
Now just think how much each trip is going to cost you and multiply that by how many times you would love to do scuba diving in a year. When you do the sums, it can be staggering. So you cut down the number of dives you want to do in a year, and then calculate and cut down some more.
In our scuba diving class, my husband and I were the only ones who continued to dive after the class was over. Even then, we did not manage to do the number of dives we would really have loved to do in a year. That's how it finally ends up that we are doing an average of 1 dive a year. This more or less ensures that we will always be diving as a "scuba diving newbie" (hence the blog's name). A scuba diver gets "rusty" when the interval is too long between each dive trip. Ideally, we should dive at least once each quarter.
I have not even gone on to calculate the other "investments" to personalise your gear such as your own BC (buoyancy control), your own octopus (breathing appartus) and your wet suit.
Having said all this, I still believe it's never too old to learn and enjoy scuba diving. Even with our limited dives since we were certified and diving as scuba diving newbies, we enjoy each and every one of our dive trips. Find the right people to dive with, find a fantastic dive spot that suits your preferences (whether macro, to check out small sea creatures, or see bigger fish) and nearby spa facilities to sooth your body aches after a dive - it's a wonderful combination that will almost always ensure a great scuba diving experience!
A scuba diving newbie can still enjoy happy diving!
About The Author
Rona Limsy loves scuba diving and has dived in the waters around Indonesia, Malaysia and Maldives. She shares her dive stories so that more people, especially people who are thinking about taking up scuba diving but are apprehensive about it, can find out more about what to expect. Read more on Scuba Diving Newbie
Friday, July 20, 2007
What You Need To Know Prior To Scuba Diving
What You Need To Know Prior To Scuba Diving
by: Clive Jenkins
Scuba diving can be a great pastime for you if you love the water. In the summer it's a great water sport where you can cool off while keeping physically fit! However there are aspects that you will want to consider first. These will indeed help you better decide if it's for you, and make it very enjoyable as well.
You are also required to complete a form to guarantee you are fit to dive. To find out what is required on the form in preparation, you can find it online at Divers Alert Network. Like any sport, you need to be in a condition to endure times of physical exertion. These include carrying a heavy oxygen tank above water, as well as times when you might need to swim faster. The diving gear adds extra strength demand to some degree as well.
You will need to be at least 15 years old for adult Scuba diving, or at least 10 for junior diving instructions and limited privilege. Certification will involve a Scuba Diving Test which will prove you know what is needed to dive safely.
Of course the most important scuba diving equipment is your breathing apparatus. It can be heavy, and there are important aspects of it that you need to be sure of each time you use different equipment.
Beyond these, you also need a wetsuit, fins, and other items that will help protect you from the underwater environment where you might need to keep warmer, as well as protected from sharp objects and certain water life.
For the sake of good experienced maintenance, as well as the price, many opt to rent their gear. Often this will be from a sport shop where you scuba dive. You can also buy your own gear, though that will leave much of the burden of keeping it fit on you, as it is yours.
Scuba diving can be a usually relaxing form of exercise that still keeps you fit. If you love the water, are interested what happens under it, and looking for a change of scenery, scuba diving is probably for you.
With that, you will need to find a course for certification in scuba diving. This is required to teach you what you know to enjoy, and stay safe while enjoying this inspiring sport. It teaches you how to avoid accidents and other mistakes when you dive that can have dangerous impact on the rest of your life. Then when you dive you will be able to enjoy this potentially addicting experience.
About The Author
If you're a Scuba Diving enthusiast or simply want to learn more facts about Scuba Diving, then be sure to visit the Scuba Diving Certification Site. Clive thoroughly recommends this site so check it out today here: - Best Scuba Diving Certification. For excellent and helpful Scuba Diving advice.
by: Clive Jenkins
Scuba diving can be a great pastime for you if you love the water. In the summer it's a great water sport where you can cool off while keeping physically fit! However there are aspects that you will want to consider first. These will indeed help you better decide if it's for you, and make it very enjoyable as well.
Diver Requirements
Before beginning any new physical activity, you should always be sure you can handle what it requires. If you have any conditions that preclude you from other activities such as heart conditions, diabetes, high blood pressure, breathing problems and definitely anything that would make you more susceptible to drowning, you will need to consult a physician to be sure you are able to dive! This is recommended for anyone else as well.You are also required to complete a form to guarantee you are fit to dive. To find out what is required on the form in preparation, you can find it online at Divers Alert Network. Like any sport, you need to be in a condition to endure times of physical exertion. These include carrying a heavy oxygen tank above water, as well as times when you might need to swim faster. The diving gear adds extra strength demand to some degree as well.
You will need to be at least 15 years old for adult Scuba diving, or at least 10 for junior diving instructions and limited privilege. Certification will involve a Scuba Diving Test which will prove you know what is needed to dive safely.
The Right Equipment
As with nearly any sport, there is some gear required. Though when it comes to scuba diving, having the right equipment, and knowing well how to use it can turn out to be a matter of life and death under extreme circumstances.Of course the most important scuba diving equipment is your breathing apparatus. It can be heavy, and there are important aspects of it that you need to be sure of each time you use different equipment.
Beyond these, you also need a wetsuit, fins, and other items that will help protect you from the underwater environment where you might need to keep warmer, as well as protected from sharp objects and certain water life.
For the sake of good experienced maintenance, as well as the price, many opt to rent their gear. Often this will be from a sport shop where you scuba dive. You can also buy your own gear, though that will leave much of the burden of keeping it fit on you, as it is yours.
Why Many Scuba Dive
While the majority of scuba diving is recreation, there are those that do it for a living as well. Scientific exploration and research is another area with a lot of scuba diving demand. They spend a lot of time in the water watching sea life cycles, and how microorganisms/coral fit the whole underwater environment. There are also others that work in constructing underwater platforms that are often used for research as well as offshore oil.Scuba diving can be a usually relaxing form of exercise that still keeps you fit. If you love the water, are interested what happens under it, and looking for a change of scenery, scuba diving is probably for you.
With that, you will need to find a course for certification in scuba diving. This is required to teach you what you know to enjoy, and stay safe while enjoying this inspiring sport. It teaches you how to avoid accidents and other mistakes when you dive that can have dangerous impact on the rest of your life. Then when you dive you will be able to enjoy this potentially addicting experience.
About The Author
If you're a Scuba Diving enthusiast or simply want to learn more facts about Scuba Diving, then be sure to visit the Scuba Diving Certification Site. Clive thoroughly recommends this site so check it out today here: - Best Scuba Diving Certification. For excellent and helpful Scuba Diving advice.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
What Is Fishing Bait?
What Is Fishing Bait?
by: Travis Clemens
There is such an assortment of bait that it is difficult to recommend any particular color, size, or type as the best. There are more than a thousand good baits on the market. All will catch fish at some time or another.
Fishing baits usually weigh from ¼ to an ounce to three ounces. The most popular weight preferred by the majority of bait casters is the 5/8-ounce bait, while the average is between ½ and 3 quarters of an ounce. Baits can either be used as a whole or cut into chunks. Anglers can also use dead or live baits.
The Different Types of Bait
There is a wide array of organisms being used as fishing baits. Among the different types used in fishing, the commonly used are the small fishes. These consist of widely used fishing baits such as herring, anchovies, menhaden, and some others that are inborn to certain local waters. Larger fishes are usually used as chunk baits.
Fishing baits can be used whole, chunk, and strips, based on the activities of the type of fishes being chased. The size of the fishing bait is usually well matched with the size of the fish being hunted. Other common organisms used for bait fishing are crabs, worms, shrimps, crabs, clams, sand fleas, eels, and squid. Among all of the organisms mentioned, the crabs and the shrimps are the well-liked organisms to be used as fishing baits.
Shrimp are favorably used as fishing bait and are considered to be very valuable bait for a huge number of saltwater fish, especially those that are considered “inshore fish” like redfish, speckled trout, shook, and a lot more.
Whereas, various crab species, especially the fiddler crab, sand flea, and the blue crab, are perfect fishing baits for many varieties of “inshore fishes” and “bottom fish.” These crabs are usually clasped through their shell, usually on either the right or left of the head.
How to Acquire Fishing Bait?
Fishermen can acquire fishing bait either buying them in bait shops or simply by capturing it themselves.
The advantage of buying fishing bait is convenience, while catching live fishing bait is less expensive and can be more effective in luring fish. Digging for earthworms is another activity. Earthworms make an excellent bait.
Indeed, when it comes to bait fishing, using the proper fishing bait are important and imperative to the success of fishing. Hence, anglers should know the basics of choosing fishing baits in order to save time and money.
About The Author
Travis Clemens is a life time fisherman and he knows the ins and outs of gettinem on the hook! You too can gettem on the hook with Travis as your guide! Best Fishing Tips.
by: Travis Clemens
There is such an assortment of bait that it is difficult to recommend any particular color, size, or type as the best. There are more than a thousand good baits on the market. All will catch fish at some time or another.
Fishing baits usually weigh from ¼ to an ounce to three ounces. The most popular weight preferred by the majority of bait casters is the 5/8-ounce bait, while the average is between ½ and 3 quarters of an ounce. Baits can either be used as a whole or cut into chunks. Anglers can also use dead or live baits.
The Different Types of Bait
There is a wide array of organisms being used as fishing baits. Among the different types used in fishing, the commonly used are the small fishes. These consist of widely used fishing baits such as herring, anchovies, menhaden, and some others that are inborn to certain local waters. Larger fishes are usually used as chunk baits.
Fishing baits can be used whole, chunk, and strips, based on the activities of the type of fishes being chased. The size of the fishing bait is usually well matched with the size of the fish being hunted. Other common organisms used for bait fishing are crabs, worms, shrimps, crabs, clams, sand fleas, eels, and squid. Among all of the organisms mentioned, the crabs and the shrimps are the well-liked organisms to be used as fishing baits.
Shrimp are favorably used as fishing bait and are considered to be very valuable bait for a huge number of saltwater fish, especially those that are considered “inshore fish” like redfish, speckled trout, shook, and a lot more.
Whereas, various crab species, especially the fiddler crab, sand flea, and the blue crab, are perfect fishing baits for many varieties of “inshore fishes” and “bottom fish.” These crabs are usually clasped through their shell, usually on either the right or left of the head.
How to Acquire Fishing Bait?
Fishermen can acquire fishing bait either buying them in bait shops or simply by capturing it themselves.
The advantage of buying fishing bait is convenience, while catching live fishing bait is less expensive and can be more effective in luring fish. Digging for earthworms is another activity. Earthworms make an excellent bait.
Indeed, when it comes to bait fishing, using the proper fishing bait are important and imperative to the success of fishing. Hence, anglers should know the basics of choosing fishing baits in order to save time and money.
About The Author
Travis Clemens is a life time fisherman and he knows the ins and outs of gettinem on the hook! You too can gettem on the hook with Travis as your guide! Best Fishing Tips.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Benefits of Fishing Tackle Box Organization
Benefits of Fishing Tackle Box Organization
by: John Packer
There are all different kinds of fishermen throughout the world. Some have been reeling in the "big one" for decades, whereas others can only dream of the day when the "big one" bites. Many fishermen like freshwater lakes, some like rivers or streams, and then there are those who prefer the ocean. Regardless of age, experience, or preference, there is one must: the right equipment and an organized tackle box.
Most fishermen have accumulated various lures, tackle, rods, and reels over the years. They have developed favorites, and they certainly have discovered which equipment works best in which conditions. Being prepared with the right equipment to suit the fishing conditions will make or break a fishing trip. One way to prepare yourself as a fisherman is to have an organized tackle box.
Organizing all of your gear, especially what is located in your tackle box, has many advantages. Some of these include:
1. Many fishermen don't fish in the same fishing spot every time they go out. In fact, some may fish in the ocean one day and on the lake the next. If your gear is organized according to what conditions you will be fishing in, you will most likely have a more successful trip. Better yet, organize two different tackle boxes; one for freshwater fishing and the other for saltwater fishing.
2. No tangled lures! That is the worst; you get out onto the water and are all set to go, only to find that all of your lures are tangled into a huge mess. You end up spending half of your time fixing the jumbled mess. By using a tackle box that is designed to separate lures and keep them from tangling with other lures you are going to save yourself a lot of time.
3. Quick lure exchange. Whether you are in the middle of a tournament or just enjoying a Saturday afternoon, no one likes wasting time changing their lures. With a tackle box that is organized you are bound to spend more time with your line in the water.
If you haven't yet bought a tackle box, or are looking into an upgrade for better organizational benefits, consider these aspects before buying:
1. Durability. You definitely don't want your nicely organized tackle box falling apart on you. Pick a strong plastic or a metal that won't rust. Fishing is not for pansies, your tackle box shouldn't be built like one either.
2. Is it waterproof and watertight? Most tackle boxes are made of material that is waterproof, but can water still creep inside through the cracks? This could form mold on your expensive equipment if there is not adequate ventilation. Some boxes come with removable parts to air out wet lures and remove any water that snuck in.
3. The size and function of your tackle box should largely depend on your intended use. Tournament fishermen need to have quick access to different lures and a fairly light box. The same goes for shore fishermen; they have to carry their tackle box to the shore, so it would make sense to consider weight when purchasing a new tackle box. On the other hand, many fishermen use the same boat and prefer to store their tackle box on board. In this case, they can afford to have a bit more weight in exchange for extra storage or waterproofing features.
4. It is always nice to have a little extra space for gear other than lures, weights, etc. A compartment for a pair of pliers (with quick access) is a plus. Some tackle boxes even come with a spot for a flashlight; always handy when fishing at dawn or dusk.
There are many things to think about and prepare before any fishing trip. An organized tackle box will ensure arriving on the water with the right equipment every time!
About The Author
John Packer is an avid fisherman and recommends GoFishin.com, www.gofishin.com, for all your fishing tackle needs based on their wide selection, super discount prices, and great service.
by: John Packer
There are all different kinds of fishermen throughout the world. Some have been reeling in the "big one" for decades, whereas others can only dream of the day when the "big one" bites. Many fishermen like freshwater lakes, some like rivers or streams, and then there are those who prefer the ocean. Regardless of age, experience, or preference, there is one must: the right equipment and an organized tackle box.
Most fishermen have accumulated various lures, tackle, rods, and reels over the years. They have developed favorites, and they certainly have discovered which equipment works best in which conditions. Being prepared with the right equipment to suit the fishing conditions will make or break a fishing trip. One way to prepare yourself as a fisherman is to have an organized tackle box.
Organizing all of your gear, especially what is located in your tackle box, has many advantages. Some of these include:
1. Many fishermen don't fish in the same fishing spot every time they go out. In fact, some may fish in the ocean one day and on the lake the next. If your gear is organized according to what conditions you will be fishing in, you will most likely have a more successful trip. Better yet, organize two different tackle boxes; one for freshwater fishing and the other for saltwater fishing.
2. No tangled lures! That is the worst; you get out onto the water and are all set to go, only to find that all of your lures are tangled into a huge mess. You end up spending half of your time fixing the jumbled mess. By using a tackle box that is designed to separate lures and keep them from tangling with other lures you are going to save yourself a lot of time.
3. Quick lure exchange. Whether you are in the middle of a tournament or just enjoying a Saturday afternoon, no one likes wasting time changing their lures. With a tackle box that is organized you are bound to spend more time with your line in the water.
If you haven't yet bought a tackle box, or are looking into an upgrade for better organizational benefits, consider these aspects before buying:
1. Durability. You definitely don't want your nicely organized tackle box falling apart on you. Pick a strong plastic or a metal that won't rust. Fishing is not for pansies, your tackle box shouldn't be built like one either.
2. Is it waterproof and watertight? Most tackle boxes are made of material that is waterproof, but can water still creep inside through the cracks? This could form mold on your expensive equipment if there is not adequate ventilation. Some boxes come with removable parts to air out wet lures and remove any water that snuck in.
3. The size and function of your tackle box should largely depend on your intended use. Tournament fishermen need to have quick access to different lures and a fairly light box. The same goes for shore fishermen; they have to carry their tackle box to the shore, so it would make sense to consider weight when purchasing a new tackle box. On the other hand, many fishermen use the same boat and prefer to store their tackle box on board. In this case, they can afford to have a bit more weight in exchange for extra storage or waterproofing features.
4. It is always nice to have a little extra space for gear other than lures, weights, etc. A compartment for a pair of pliers (with quick access) is a plus. Some tackle boxes even come with a spot for a flashlight; always handy when fishing at dawn or dusk.
There are many things to think about and prepare before any fishing trip. An organized tackle box will ensure arriving on the water with the right equipment every time!
About The Author
John Packer is an avid fisherman and recommends GoFishin.com, www.gofishin.com, for all your fishing tackle needs based on their wide selection, super discount prices, and great service.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Surfing a Begginers Guide To Buying A Surfboard
Surfing a Begginers Guide To Buying A Surfboard
by: Curtis Ashford
Generally people begin surfing on long ultra buoyant boards that are easy to paddle and easy to balance on after the take off. If you don’t want to drop hundreds of dollars to try a sport your not sure you will like I would recommend you find a close surf shop and rent a board and wetsuit if you need it. If you have balance and can surf than the only difference between you and I is time in the water! I try to surf as much as I can to hone my skills, you must commit yourself if you are going to be a surfer. I have taught dozens of friends to surf and get immense joy in seeing surfers having such a good time during a session.
I recommend a long board if you’re learning the basics and are always going to beginner breaks. A shorter board will give you more speed and more maneuverability on the wave. Manipulating the barrel and hitting the lip are extremely important and the shape and design of each board has different results on different waves. A pin tail helps in the barrel so you can sit your back foot right on the foam ball…but that comes in years and years of surfing. I have a grave yard of short board because I buy boards used…usually. For $100-$250 you can find a decent short board to start learning to RIPP!
I don’t know much about long boards but I know they are very unique in their own way. I hope some one that has something to contribute about long boards would post a similar article.
If you are intimidated about going out to a surf spot just go to ANY surf shop and they will tell you of a beginner beach that you can go to a get used to swimming in the surf and taking a pounding or two by a clean up set. Don’t worry I was a kook not to long ago but 5 years ago I decided to put in TIME and really get to learn about the culture and sport. I love everything about it and it has changed my life around. I hope you can surf and have fun as often as you can because it means so much too so many people around the world. For some people I know good waves are the only thing that truly matters in life.
About The Author
Curtis Ashfort
Surf Barrel
by: Curtis Ashford
Generally people begin surfing on long ultra buoyant boards that are easy to paddle and easy to balance on after the take off. If you don’t want to drop hundreds of dollars to try a sport your not sure you will like I would recommend you find a close surf shop and rent a board and wetsuit if you need it. If you have balance and can surf than the only difference between you and I is time in the water! I try to surf as much as I can to hone my skills, you must commit yourself if you are going to be a surfer. I have taught dozens of friends to surf and get immense joy in seeing surfers having such a good time during a session.
I recommend a long board if you’re learning the basics and are always going to beginner breaks. A shorter board will give you more speed and more maneuverability on the wave. Manipulating the barrel and hitting the lip are extremely important and the shape and design of each board has different results on different waves. A pin tail helps in the barrel so you can sit your back foot right on the foam ball…but that comes in years and years of surfing. I have a grave yard of short board because I buy boards used…usually. For $100-$250 you can find a decent short board to start learning to RIPP!
I don’t know much about long boards but I know they are very unique in their own way. I hope some one that has something to contribute about long boards would post a similar article.
If you are intimidated about going out to a surf spot just go to ANY surf shop and they will tell you of a beginner beach that you can go to a get used to swimming in the surf and taking a pounding or two by a clean up set. Don’t worry I was a kook not to long ago but 5 years ago I decided to put in TIME and really get to learn about the culture and sport. I love everything about it and it has changed my life around. I hope you can surf and have fun as often as you can because it means so much too so many people around the world. For some people I know good waves are the only thing that truly matters in life.
About The Author
Curtis Ashfort
Surf Barrel
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Fishing for Salmon
Fishing for Salmon
by: Milos Pesic
Are you planning to go fishing for salmon? If you are and you are one of the beginners or first-timers, there are basic things you need to know to get you started and to help you enjoy this enjoyable outdoor activity.
First off, there are several species of salmon that you should know about before you go fishing for salmon trips. There are Atlantic and Pacific salmons. Atlantic species are from the Atlantic Ocean, as the name implies. Also, you can find a wide variety of salmon in the various lakes that are in the eastern North America areas. They are the kind of salmon that don’t immigrate as they prefer fresh water than salt water.
The most popular of all salmons are the Chinook or king salmon or spring salmon, black mouth, however you call them, as they are the biggest among the salmon species, weighing between 25 to 65 pounds, or even more. They are found from southern California coast to the Bering Strait. Alaska has earned its fame in fishing for salmon, since it is where the heaviest ever recorded king salmon, weighing over 96 pounds. Chinook salmon is the state fish of Alaska.
Other types of salmon include the red salmon or sockeye salmon, pink salmon, silver or Coho salmon, chum salmon, and the Atlantic salmon, which are left run wild in the on the Atlantic coast only. Each of the pacific salmon species have different life cycle and each returns to their fresh water spawning grounds at different times. When salmon returns to the rivers where they’re from, they are collectively called run that is, in turn, named after the river. So, if you hear the word run or runs, you know what it means.
Due to the fact that salmon always come back to where they hatched, you know when the ideal times are to go fishing for salmon or mostly called fishing season and you know there will always be salmon to catch. This is why many fishermen became fascinated with fishing, whether as hobby, sport or pastime.
Fishing for salmon requires bait. There are various types of baits that you cause in fishing for salmon. There are plugs, worms, lures, and flies in which you can use for fresh water salmon; for salt water, you can go for flies, streamers, crustaceans, and lures.
Fly fishing for salmon will require you to have 12-16 ft. graphite or fiberglass rod, fly reel and line. For bait fishing, you will need a 10 ft. spinning rod and bait caster reel with up to 20 lb. test line. But if you are into fishing for king or Chinook salmon, you will need a boat or a trolling rod. And because Chinook are known to be the biggest and heaviest of its kind, you will 20-40 pound or more test line. Who knows, your simple fishing for salmon trip could land you to catch king salmon?
About The Author
Milos Pesic is an avid fisherman and owner of popular and comprehensive Salmon Fishing web site. For more articles and resources on Salmon Fishing related topics, Salmon Fishing equipment, tips and trips, visit his site at:
salmon-fishing.need-to-know.net
by: Milos Pesic
Are you planning to go fishing for salmon? If you are and you are one of the beginners or first-timers, there are basic things you need to know to get you started and to help you enjoy this enjoyable outdoor activity.
First off, there are several species of salmon that you should know about before you go fishing for salmon trips. There are Atlantic and Pacific salmons. Atlantic species are from the Atlantic Ocean, as the name implies. Also, you can find a wide variety of salmon in the various lakes that are in the eastern North America areas. They are the kind of salmon that don’t immigrate as they prefer fresh water than salt water.
The most popular of all salmons are the Chinook or king salmon or spring salmon, black mouth, however you call them, as they are the biggest among the salmon species, weighing between 25 to 65 pounds, or even more. They are found from southern California coast to the Bering Strait. Alaska has earned its fame in fishing for salmon, since it is where the heaviest ever recorded king salmon, weighing over 96 pounds. Chinook salmon is the state fish of Alaska.
Other types of salmon include the red salmon or sockeye salmon, pink salmon, silver or Coho salmon, chum salmon, and the Atlantic salmon, which are left run wild in the on the Atlantic coast only. Each of the pacific salmon species have different life cycle and each returns to their fresh water spawning grounds at different times. When salmon returns to the rivers where they’re from, they are collectively called run that is, in turn, named after the river. So, if you hear the word run or runs, you know what it means.
Due to the fact that salmon always come back to where they hatched, you know when the ideal times are to go fishing for salmon or mostly called fishing season and you know there will always be salmon to catch. This is why many fishermen became fascinated with fishing, whether as hobby, sport or pastime.
Fishing for salmon requires bait. There are various types of baits that you cause in fishing for salmon. There are plugs, worms, lures, and flies in which you can use for fresh water salmon; for salt water, you can go for flies, streamers, crustaceans, and lures.
Fly fishing for salmon will require you to have 12-16 ft. graphite or fiberglass rod, fly reel and line. For bait fishing, you will need a 10 ft. spinning rod and bait caster reel with up to 20 lb. test line. But if you are into fishing for king or Chinook salmon, you will need a boat or a trolling rod. And because Chinook are known to be the biggest and heaviest of its kind, you will 20-40 pound or more test line. Who knows, your simple fishing for salmon trip could land you to catch king salmon?
About The Author
Milos Pesic is an avid fisherman and owner of popular and comprehensive Salmon Fishing web site. For more articles and resources on Salmon Fishing related topics, Salmon Fishing equipment, tips and trips, visit his site at:
salmon-fishing.need-to-know.net
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Underwater Digital Cameras
Underwater Digital Cameras
by: Jakob Jelling
Underwater photography's is primarily focused towards entertaining and informing the people and the users themselves about what is happening in the world of under water with the aid of photography. The advent of digital cameras has opened up new horizons for such ventures. These digital cameras are not only handy and sleek but also they offer a spectral range of features that helps the underwater photographers in their work a lot. In this discussion these special features of underwater digital cameras are necessarily been revealed and done justice to!
Looking at the grass root level some of the main features that the users of the underwater digital cameras must necessarily seek are as follows. They are applications for land mode, sea mode and external flash mode. This helps in shooting in any conditions in the sea and obtains much better picture quality than ever before. Some other features are like instant delete option after each picture in both sea and external flash modes along with one-button operation features. These mentioned features provide the sophistication as well as ease of control for the photographers. Some more desirable features are expandable and good quality standard lenses, flashes and accessories.
Some of the sophisticated and well know underwater digital cameras such as the Aqua Pix DX3100 are fully functional and even have a 3.1 mega pixel resolution. These digital cameras can be aptly described as being effusively amphibious! Thus the chances of water damage and flooding in these underwater digital cameras are greatly reduced and are hence extensively used for professional purposes too.
Scrutinizing in some more detail it can be said that the underwater digital cameras mostly use a meniscus lens that can be used above or below the surface of water. The also have features for built in color correction filter and macro lens along with built in flash diffusers too. They utilize multi flash functioning in order to get adequate good quality pictures in the most adverse conditions too. They have sufficient memory of around 15MB and come equipped with complete storage, editing and image manipulation software.
It still remains a fact that underwater photography is a difficult yet fascinating profession. Moreover, with the underwater digital cameras this task has become even easier and creative along with greater scopes to express much more through the eyes of the lens. It is hoped that the new depths of underwater photography would be fathomed with the aid of the underwater digital cameras!
About The Author
Jakob Jelling is the founder of www.snapjunky.com. Visit his digital camera guide and learn how to take better pictures with your digicam.
by: Jakob Jelling
Underwater photography's is primarily focused towards entertaining and informing the people and the users themselves about what is happening in the world of under water with the aid of photography. The advent of digital cameras has opened up new horizons for such ventures. These digital cameras are not only handy and sleek but also they offer a spectral range of features that helps the underwater photographers in their work a lot. In this discussion these special features of underwater digital cameras are necessarily been revealed and done justice to!
Looking at the grass root level some of the main features that the users of the underwater digital cameras must necessarily seek are as follows. They are applications for land mode, sea mode and external flash mode. This helps in shooting in any conditions in the sea and obtains much better picture quality than ever before. Some other features are like instant delete option after each picture in both sea and external flash modes along with one-button operation features. These mentioned features provide the sophistication as well as ease of control for the photographers. Some more desirable features are expandable and good quality standard lenses, flashes and accessories.
Some of the sophisticated and well know underwater digital cameras such as the Aqua Pix DX3100 are fully functional and even have a 3.1 mega pixel resolution. These digital cameras can be aptly described as being effusively amphibious! Thus the chances of water damage and flooding in these underwater digital cameras are greatly reduced and are hence extensively used for professional purposes too.
Scrutinizing in some more detail it can be said that the underwater digital cameras mostly use a meniscus lens that can be used above or below the surface of water. The also have features for built in color correction filter and macro lens along with built in flash diffusers too. They utilize multi flash functioning in order to get adequate good quality pictures in the most adverse conditions too. They have sufficient memory of around 15MB and come equipped with complete storage, editing and image manipulation software.
It still remains a fact that underwater photography is a difficult yet fascinating profession. Moreover, with the underwater digital cameras this task has become even easier and creative along with greater scopes to express much more through the eyes of the lens. It is hoped that the new depths of underwater photography would be fathomed with the aid of the underwater digital cameras!
About The Author
Jakob Jelling is the founder of www.snapjunky.com. Visit his digital camera guide and learn how to take better pictures with your digicam.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Underwater Photography: The Wonders Under the Sea
Underwater Photography: The Wonders Under the Sea
by: Colin Hartness
The world of photography is an amazing one. It’s been with us for quite a while now but it is constantly changing. Cameras are changing and improving. Methods of developing are changing and improving as well. We have digital cameras that allow people to take a view of their pictures immediately without traditional developing. Another change in the world of photography is underwater photography.
What do you think brings us those great shots of saltwater fish and movies that film in the ocean and under the sea? What about shots taken in swimming pools? You see those in the movies a lot but may not have thought about how they take those pictures and videos.
You probably never thought about it because for a long time underwater photography was not really an option for everyday people. But now it is not just an option, it’s really easy to achieve.
- What is Underwater Photography?
Underwater photography is as the name implies photos that are taken under water. This is pretty interesting since early cameras could not function if wet. But as people started discovering the wonders under the sea, they wanted to be able to share that with others or even just to prove what they actuallysaw. So we began creating cameras that could work under water.
It is no surprise that underwater photography is a favorite pastime for scuba divers. The idea could have come from those few people that were able to experience the joys and beauty of underwater life and a desire to share that beauty with others.
There are many different occasions where people use underwater photography. As we mentioned earlier, underwater photography is used in Hollywood for movies. You have probably also seen it used on documentaries and national geographic type programs about underwater life.
But it is still most commonly used by divers. There are many websites dedicated to all the ins and outs of underwater photography; which cameras and lenses are best, which film to use, and much more can be found on these sites.
- How to Take Underwater Photography
Equipment is an important factor in taking great underwater photography. Of course you will need an underwater camera but there is more than just that.
You can take some amazing pictures using underwater photography. There are now even disposable use underwater cameras and you can take them on vacation with you and get that great underwater look. Even an amateur can do it. Disposable underwater cameras can typically be developed at your local Wal-Mart or other film developing center. You can also purchase underwater cameras for more of a price but they last whenever you need one. Some people find this more economical than disposables, especially if they want to take these pictures often.
Just like other venues of photography, you will probably start off with a cheaper and less advanced camera and work your way up if you continue underwater photography for a long time. There are two basics kinds of cameras; the underwater or waterproof camera and the encased camera which is inside a housing that protects it.
When taking pictures, you are going to need to be familiar with:
* Your camera
* Your lens
* Your film
* Your flash
There are different things in your environment that will affect the quality of your underwater photography.
Such as:
* Depth of water and transparency of water
* Light
* The angle of the sunlight on the top of the water
* The backscatter
* Water has a magnifying effect
These are some things to help you get started in the world of underwater photography. If you are lucky enough to be swimming in the sea, you should get some proof to share with others.
About The Author
Looking for information about Photography?
Go to: www.asaphotography.com
'ASA Photography' is published by Colin Hartness -
An excellent resource for Photography!
Check out more Photography articles at:
asaphotography.com/archive
by: Colin Hartness
The world of photography is an amazing one. It’s been with us for quite a while now but it is constantly changing. Cameras are changing and improving. Methods of developing are changing and improving as well. We have digital cameras that allow people to take a view of their pictures immediately without traditional developing. Another change in the world of photography is underwater photography.
What do you think brings us those great shots of saltwater fish and movies that film in the ocean and under the sea? What about shots taken in swimming pools? You see those in the movies a lot but may not have thought about how they take those pictures and videos.
You probably never thought about it because for a long time underwater photography was not really an option for everyday people. But now it is not just an option, it’s really easy to achieve.
- What is Underwater Photography?
Underwater photography is as the name implies photos that are taken under water. This is pretty interesting since early cameras could not function if wet. But as people started discovering the wonders under the sea, they wanted to be able to share that with others or even just to prove what they actuallysaw. So we began creating cameras that could work under water.
It is no surprise that underwater photography is a favorite pastime for scuba divers. The idea could have come from those few people that were able to experience the joys and beauty of underwater life and a desire to share that beauty with others.
There are many different occasions where people use underwater photography. As we mentioned earlier, underwater photography is used in Hollywood for movies. You have probably also seen it used on documentaries and national geographic type programs about underwater life.
But it is still most commonly used by divers. There are many websites dedicated to all the ins and outs of underwater photography; which cameras and lenses are best, which film to use, and much more can be found on these sites.
- How to Take Underwater Photography
Equipment is an important factor in taking great underwater photography. Of course you will need an underwater camera but there is more than just that.
You can take some amazing pictures using underwater photography. There are now even disposable use underwater cameras and you can take them on vacation with you and get that great underwater look. Even an amateur can do it. Disposable underwater cameras can typically be developed at your local Wal-Mart or other film developing center. You can also purchase underwater cameras for more of a price but they last whenever you need one. Some people find this more economical than disposables, especially if they want to take these pictures often.
Just like other venues of photography, you will probably start off with a cheaper and less advanced camera and work your way up if you continue underwater photography for a long time. There are two basics kinds of cameras; the underwater or waterproof camera and the encased camera which is inside a housing that protects it.
When taking pictures, you are going to need to be familiar with:
* Your camera
* Your lens
* Your film
* Your flash
There are different things in your environment that will affect the quality of your underwater photography.
Such as:
* Depth of water and transparency of water
* Light
* The angle of the sunlight on the top of the water
* The backscatter
* Water has a magnifying effect
These are some things to help you get started in the world of underwater photography. If you are lucky enough to be swimming in the sea, you should get some proof to share with others.
About The Author
Looking for information about Photography?
Go to: www.asaphotography.com
'ASA Photography' is published by Colin Hartness -
An excellent resource for Photography!
Check out more Photography articles at:
asaphotography.com/archive
Monday, July 2, 2007
Trout Fishing Guide
Trout Fishing Guide
by: Soh Suad Hun
Trouts can be found in many freshwater streams, lakes and rivers across the globe, particularly in the United States, Canada, Europe and New Zealand.
As a fisherman, it is important that you always consider what type of trout you are after and their feeding habits to better understand and plan your approach.
There are three very popular types of trout:
• Speckled trout (brook trout)
• Rainbow trout
• Brown trout
The species and type will depend on where you are fishing at and what part of the world you are in.
Brook trout (speckled trout) thrive in smaller streams of good water quality, in pools of water more shallow than where you typically find other types of trout. They are smaller in size than other trouts but can be very aggressive.
Rainbow trout are typically native to the west coast of USA but due to stocking, they are found in many other areas as well. They occupy large water of streams and rivers and have different habitats than the other two types. They are famous for their "tail-walking" which is similar to water acrobats and is quite exciting for many fishermen to watch.
The Brown trout is larger in size compared to the Brook trout and the Rainbow trout. It is found in abundance in many areas of Europe and USA. This type of trout are usually more difficult to catch as they are wary of fishing lures and bait and not aggressive as the brook trout. More patience are required when fishing for brown trout. They are usually found in deeper pools of water and most often feed early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
Before you set off for your trout fishing trip, do you homework. Find out as much about the area/ streams/rivers that you will be fishing on. Are there many fishermen fishing there too? What's the temperature and climate? Is the area a public or government owned that has regulations? Go on the internet and join a forum so you can ask around people who have fished there before.
The more you know about the area and the fish that you plan to catch, they more successful you will be in your trout fishing attempts.
To learn more about fishing, tips and news, please visit fishing-funsite.com
About The Author
Soh Suad Hun is the webmaster of fishing-funsite.com
by: Soh Suad Hun
Trouts can be found in many freshwater streams, lakes and rivers across the globe, particularly in the United States, Canada, Europe and New Zealand.
As a fisherman, it is important that you always consider what type of trout you are after and their feeding habits to better understand and plan your approach.
There are three very popular types of trout:
• Speckled trout (brook trout)
• Rainbow trout
• Brown trout
The species and type will depend on where you are fishing at and what part of the world you are in.
Brook trout (speckled trout) thrive in smaller streams of good water quality, in pools of water more shallow than where you typically find other types of trout. They are smaller in size than other trouts but can be very aggressive.
Rainbow trout are typically native to the west coast of USA but due to stocking, they are found in many other areas as well. They occupy large water of streams and rivers and have different habitats than the other two types. They are famous for their "tail-walking" which is similar to water acrobats and is quite exciting for many fishermen to watch.
The Brown trout is larger in size compared to the Brook trout and the Rainbow trout. It is found in abundance in many areas of Europe and USA. This type of trout are usually more difficult to catch as they are wary of fishing lures and bait and not aggressive as the brook trout. More patience are required when fishing for brown trout. They are usually found in deeper pools of water and most often feed early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
Before you set off for your trout fishing trip, do you homework. Find out as much about the area/ streams/rivers that you will be fishing on. Are there many fishermen fishing there too? What's the temperature and climate? Is the area a public or government owned that has regulations? Go on the internet and join a forum so you can ask around people who have fished there before.
The more you know about the area and the fish that you plan to catch, they more successful you will be in your trout fishing attempts.
To learn more about fishing, tips and news, please visit fishing-funsite.com
About The Author
Soh Suad Hun is the webmaster of fishing-funsite.com
Friday, June 22, 2007
Underwater Photography - Just a Hobby or is there a Serious Side?
Underwater Photography - Just a Hobby or is there a Serious Side?
by: Sandi Faist
When we think of underwater cameras and photography, we think of capturing what we see while snorkeling and diving; we think about the pictures we’ll take and share. We practice taking better and better pictures; it’s a hobby and we love it. Or we share them with people not lucky enough to have seen the beauty of what lies beneath the seas and oceans. The fish whose colors we’ve only seen in saltwater tanks. We think about good things; vacations and relaxation, adventure and exotic creatures.
But there are other uses for underwater cameras that don’t paint such a pleasant picture. Unfortunately, I was reminded of this recently when two young children disappeared after wandering off. Their home was by a river. I’m sure they’d been told of the dangers of the water, to not go near it without an adult. But the draw may have been too much. The river was running high as there had been recent storms.
Search and rescue operations use underwater photography to search for drowning victims as well as missing objects. Of course, the recovery of drowning victims as quickly as possible to bring closure to families suffering from the loss of a loved one is the primary purpose. These searches typically have been done using divers and water-trained dogs. However; underwater searches can be very treacherous to the divers, and are time consuming. Another problem being that many times it is unknown where the victim was last seen, broadening the search to a vast area, often to hundreds of acres.
Underwater cameras enable law enforcement to see water crime scenes in areas too dangerous for divers, and without disturbing the site. Investigations with video tapes may be used to determine whether or not there actually is an underwater crime scene. Rather than send divers in to dangerous waters, cameras can be used to search in polluted and hazmat areas. There are underwater cameras designed to search at depths of up to 120 feet in most water conditions. Infra-red systems allow for searches in low light situations.
Amazingly, divers have used video photography to locate objects that have been missing for several years or more. A missing persons’ case was solved after 72 years when a couple’s car was found, putting to rest what had happened to them, and bringing closure to their family. Not to mention the unfortunate rumors that they had left their children voluntarily.
Besides simple pleasure and law enforcement, underwater photography is used in many other ways. Marine biologists can locate fish and living marine animals to study their habitats. On a boat, cameras can check the anchor and hull and look for items that have fallen overboard. Pools can be monitored. Swimmers can be filmed under water to evaluate their swimming and diving techniques.
In sport fishing, underwater photography is used to identify actual fish from underwater debris, decreasing fishing time. You can check what type of fish is in your location; see that your lure doesn’t become entangled in weeds; check the hull; and check crab or lobster pots without getting wet. The cameras can even be used for ice fishing.
Not only are these remarkable cameras and their technology an exciting hobby, they have numerous other valuable applications.
About The Author
Sandi Faist was in the insurance and medical industries for 20 years, the last 16 with the same medical practice. Now she is working from home building her internet business and writing articles. She has been published in several directories. One of the best benefits of working from home is being there for her two daughters.
Water Camera Photo
by: Sandi Faist
When we think of underwater cameras and photography, we think of capturing what we see while snorkeling and diving; we think about the pictures we’ll take and share. We practice taking better and better pictures; it’s a hobby and we love it. Or we share them with people not lucky enough to have seen the beauty of what lies beneath the seas and oceans. The fish whose colors we’ve only seen in saltwater tanks. We think about good things; vacations and relaxation, adventure and exotic creatures.
But there are other uses for underwater cameras that don’t paint such a pleasant picture. Unfortunately, I was reminded of this recently when two young children disappeared after wandering off. Their home was by a river. I’m sure they’d been told of the dangers of the water, to not go near it without an adult. But the draw may have been too much. The river was running high as there had been recent storms.
Search and rescue operations use underwater photography to search for drowning victims as well as missing objects. Of course, the recovery of drowning victims as quickly as possible to bring closure to families suffering from the loss of a loved one is the primary purpose. These searches typically have been done using divers and water-trained dogs. However; underwater searches can be very treacherous to the divers, and are time consuming. Another problem being that many times it is unknown where the victim was last seen, broadening the search to a vast area, often to hundreds of acres.
Underwater cameras enable law enforcement to see water crime scenes in areas too dangerous for divers, and without disturbing the site. Investigations with video tapes may be used to determine whether or not there actually is an underwater crime scene. Rather than send divers in to dangerous waters, cameras can be used to search in polluted and hazmat areas. There are underwater cameras designed to search at depths of up to 120 feet in most water conditions. Infra-red systems allow for searches in low light situations.
Amazingly, divers have used video photography to locate objects that have been missing for several years or more. A missing persons’ case was solved after 72 years when a couple’s car was found, putting to rest what had happened to them, and bringing closure to their family. Not to mention the unfortunate rumors that they had left their children voluntarily.
Besides simple pleasure and law enforcement, underwater photography is used in many other ways. Marine biologists can locate fish and living marine animals to study their habitats. On a boat, cameras can check the anchor and hull and look for items that have fallen overboard. Pools can be monitored. Swimmers can be filmed under water to evaluate their swimming and diving techniques.
In sport fishing, underwater photography is used to identify actual fish from underwater debris, decreasing fishing time. You can check what type of fish is in your location; see that your lure doesn’t become entangled in weeds; check the hull; and check crab or lobster pots without getting wet. The cameras can even be used for ice fishing.
Not only are these remarkable cameras and their technology an exciting hobby, they have numerous other valuable applications.
About The Author
Sandi Faist was in the insurance and medical industries for 20 years, the last 16 with the same medical practice. Now she is working from home building her internet business and writing articles. She has been published in several directories. One of the best benefits of working from home is being there for her two daughters.
Water Camera Photo
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Career In Scuba Diving: Your Future Being A Dive Instructor
Career In Scuba Diving: Your Future Being A Dive Instructor
by: Clive Jenkins
Scuba Divers are made of many people that are tired of the usual tedious workday, followed by the nerve-racking task of driving; add all the noise pollution it instigates. That's before everything else scuba divers encounter in these fast paced times outside of scuba diving.
Some scuba divers go even further by finding a career in scuba diving. Some become diving instructors themselves. They find their career in scuba diving rejuvenating compared to many other choices.
Scuba diving doesn't usually start there though. It usually starts where many other's scuba diving began; with the open water course. Then they move onto the advanced course and learn much more and realize they really enjoy all that scuba diving has to offer. They see diving underwater in a whole new way, and really want to share that with others as well. Often this leads them to work towards a career in scuba diving instruction.
It's not all simple courses and then going to work with your new career in scuba diving. You need to be a master at it. This of course means a lot of diving time in a variety of situations and an instructor or more. You need to know how to dive and survive well. With that, as a scuba diving instructor you will be able to bring others up to scuba diving. You need to know what they have to, to dive safely. This is quite a worthy career!
Many look up to the diving instructor assuming they know it all about scuba diving. Since the potential to inspire them can be great or potentially heartbreaking, you really do need to know anything they need to know, and more! When you don't, you need to admit that as well! If your journey is endlessly learning more when diving in many situations, you should seriously consider a career in scuba diving as an instructor.
Though also consider that you need to deal with people, and follow timelines. You need to be able to teach your students in a short time, how to remain safe and alive when scuba diving. This is quite a responsibility. If you feel this is for you, it's time we look further towards your career in scuba diving instruction.
To become a diving instructor you must first be a Dive master. With that out of the way, then you have to take the Instructor Development Course (PADI IDC). This extensive course will take you deeper into diving than you have been. It will educate you on diving standards, safety, students, the PADI system, and relevant law. To be all you can be you will definitely want to master every bit of it. That way when you begin your career in scuba diving instruction, you will be well versed from the start. Of course beyond that, experience will follow that will truly make you a complete export in your craft.
As with anything these days, while working on your career in scuba diving, you can expect much product marketing information, as well as sales literature too. While it's not wise to buy everything, you should understand the market, as it does affect your students as well.
About The Author
If you're a Scuba Diving enthusiast you may even consider Scuba Diving Lessons For further info on this please visit the Scuba Diving Certification Site. Clive thoroughly recommends this site so check it out today here: - Best Scuba Diving Certification. For excellent and helpful Scuba Diving advice.
by: Clive Jenkins
Scuba Divers are made of many people that are tired of the usual tedious workday, followed by the nerve-racking task of driving; add all the noise pollution it instigates. That's before everything else scuba divers encounter in these fast paced times outside of scuba diving.
Some scuba divers go even further by finding a career in scuba diving. Some become diving instructors themselves. They find their career in scuba diving rejuvenating compared to many other choices.
Scuba diving doesn't usually start there though. It usually starts where many other's scuba diving began; with the open water course. Then they move onto the advanced course and learn much more and realize they really enjoy all that scuba diving has to offer. They see diving underwater in a whole new way, and really want to share that with others as well. Often this leads them to work towards a career in scuba diving instruction.
It's not all simple courses and then going to work with your new career in scuba diving. You need to be a master at it. This of course means a lot of diving time in a variety of situations and an instructor or more. You need to know how to dive and survive well. With that, as a scuba diving instructor you will be able to bring others up to scuba diving. You need to know what they have to, to dive safely. This is quite a worthy career!
Many look up to the diving instructor assuming they know it all about scuba diving. Since the potential to inspire them can be great or potentially heartbreaking, you really do need to know anything they need to know, and more! When you don't, you need to admit that as well! If your journey is endlessly learning more when diving in many situations, you should seriously consider a career in scuba diving as an instructor.
Though also consider that you need to deal with people, and follow timelines. You need to be able to teach your students in a short time, how to remain safe and alive when scuba diving. This is quite a responsibility. If you feel this is for you, it's time we look further towards your career in scuba diving instruction.
To become a diving instructor you must first be a Dive master. With that out of the way, then you have to take the Instructor Development Course (PADI IDC). This extensive course will take you deeper into diving than you have been. It will educate you on diving standards, safety, students, the PADI system, and relevant law. To be all you can be you will definitely want to master every bit of it. That way when you begin your career in scuba diving instruction, you will be well versed from the start. Of course beyond that, experience will follow that will truly make you a complete export in your craft.
As with anything these days, while working on your career in scuba diving, you can expect much product marketing information, as well as sales literature too. While it's not wise to buy everything, you should understand the market, as it does affect your students as well.
About The Author
If you're a Scuba Diving enthusiast you may even consider Scuba Diving Lessons For further info on this please visit the Scuba Diving Certification Site. Clive thoroughly recommends this site so check it out today here: - Best Scuba Diving Certification. For excellent and helpful Scuba Diving advice.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
How To Choose The Right Scuba Fins
How To Choose The Right Scuba Fins
by: Laura Cain
When it comes to investing in your own pair of scuba fins, you have a plethora of choices from a number of manufacturers who continue to advance the engineering they use to produce the most durable, efficient fins possible. While the original, traditional full foot scuba fins are still popular among some people, there are many more styles available now. Most of the new styles of scuba fins are designed by using technical and involved mathematical angles and engineering so that the fin works to the divers advantage as far as efficiency and ease of use.
Some people find themselves being turned off by the complex and technical features of these efficiently advanced scuba fins, leaving them to be content with basic, traditional fins, which is not a bad thing. The main point to remember when purchasing your own scuba fins is comfort. If you are uncomfortable or awkward in a pair of fins, they aren't going to work for you as intended. The specialized angles or split fins used to create greater kicking efficiency are only effective if you are comfortable wearing the fin and using it in the water. Comfort is important because only when you are fully satisfied with you fins will you be able to use them properly.
To help you choose which type of scuba fins will work best for your intended use you should research each style. First are the traditional paddle fins. Paddle scuba fins can be either full foot or have an adjustable heel strap. For scuba diving purposes, people most often use the adjustable heel strap fins of any style. Full foot fins are commonly used as snorkeling fins. Traditional paddle fins work to move water up and down as you kick and they are complimented by divers as being useful when free diving or in currents.
Several major scuba equipment companies have released a new, specially engineered paddle fin that provides much more move for you kick. Dacor and Tusa both have scuba fins with the optimized pivoting blade which is a design that angles the fin so every time you are kicking upward or downward the fins are at the most efficient angle for getting a more forceful kick. The specialized angles of these scuba fins alter the angle traditional paddle fins have, which makes you loose full force during part of the kick.
The next type of scuba fins are all altered in some way with splits, cutouts or vents that the manufacturers say enhance the kicking force and efficiency. The most prevalent of these are the split fins, also known as "Bio-fins" by some companies. These scuba fins divide the paddle of the fin into two parts with a sliver taken out of the middle vertically. Many people have come to appreciate the efficiency and forceful strokes split fins have been proven to allow you. The modification to these fins is supposed to minimize the number of kicks needed to get a set distance. Some divers still believe the most capable scuba fins are the basic ones. Again, the fins you choose should be primarily based on comfort and how easily you function in them.
Other types of split fins have horizontal splits or cutouts and vents at strategic places on the paddle. The Apollo Bio-fins are split scuba fins engineered to push water back, as opposed to up and down, like most fins. The Bio-fin acts like a propeller instead of a paddle, allowing you a much easier kicking task.
Force fins are an additional style you have to choose from. This type of scuba fins is considerably smaller than others, but if you are comfortable using them, they can provide equal kicking force. Force fins mimic a small scale whale tail, which is part of the reason they are claimed to have successful kicking efficiency.
Choosing between these broad types of scuba fins is only the beginning. Within each type there are several other designs to pick from and choosing which brand can be difficult too. Most people limit their selection by having a budget or price range not to exceed. Limiting yourself to a budget will not spoil a large selection though, because there is a variety of scuba fins in every price range. Obviously, the basic and simple scuba fin designs will be the least expensive and as the fins advance in efficiency technology and specialized features, the price will rise.
If you are an avid diver, owning pair of durable and efficient scuba fins is a must, so it would be wise to spend a little extra money on fins with some of the advanced features. At asudoit.com there equipment sold for many adventure sports, including several brands and styles of scuba fins. Here you can look through the features of all the broad types of scuba fins such as force, split, full-foot, heel strap and traditional paddle fins. DiversDiscount.com also has a large selection of scuba fins of all types. At this site you pay less than half the original price for the Tusa Platina fins, which have dual blade fins for greater propulsion force. These Tusa scuba fins are high-performance and available at a cheap price at the discount site.
As for shopping by specific brands, you may want to start with the most commonly know names in scuba equipment such as Apollo, Dacor, Oceanic, Sherwood and Tusa. Some scuba equipment companies are conglomerates, which means some of the less known and less expensive brand names you see may actually be made by one of the larger companies. This is a plus for you because often the branch off brand equipment will be cheaper price wise, but with quality and durability nearly equal to that of the more expensive, better known brands. Each of these manufacturers will have scuba fins for all types. Brand name preference is a personal choice, but each of the above brands are well known, reliable names in scuba fins.
Choosing scuba fins is a matter that is based on personal preference and each individual's selection will be different, but none of them are wrong. Because of this, it is helpful to have the wide selection available so that everyone's preferences are accommodated. Whatever your choice, know that you are comfortable in the fins before you purchase them and look in to the quality and durability of the fins, as it will determine the fins life span and help you decide if they are worth the money.
About The Author
Laura Cain is a freelance author that writes regularly on items pertaining to scuba diving and snorkeling. You can find many of her articles at http://www.1-scuba-diving-gear.com/ .
The site also features tips on budgeting for scuba equipment ( Scuba Equipment ) as well as a scuba gear checklist ( Scuba Gear Checklist ) .
by: Laura Cain
When it comes to investing in your own pair of scuba fins, you have a plethora of choices from a number of manufacturers who continue to advance the engineering they use to produce the most durable, efficient fins possible. While the original, traditional full foot scuba fins are still popular among some people, there are many more styles available now. Most of the new styles of scuba fins are designed by using technical and involved mathematical angles and engineering so that the fin works to the divers advantage as far as efficiency and ease of use.
Some people find themselves being turned off by the complex and technical features of these efficiently advanced scuba fins, leaving them to be content with basic, traditional fins, which is not a bad thing. The main point to remember when purchasing your own scuba fins is comfort. If you are uncomfortable or awkward in a pair of fins, they aren't going to work for you as intended. The specialized angles or split fins used to create greater kicking efficiency are only effective if you are comfortable wearing the fin and using it in the water. Comfort is important because only when you are fully satisfied with you fins will you be able to use them properly.
To help you choose which type of scuba fins will work best for your intended use you should research each style. First are the traditional paddle fins. Paddle scuba fins can be either full foot or have an adjustable heel strap. For scuba diving purposes, people most often use the adjustable heel strap fins of any style. Full foot fins are commonly used as snorkeling fins. Traditional paddle fins work to move water up and down as you kick and they are complimented by divers as being useful when free diving or in currents.
Several major scuba equipment companies have released a new, specially engineered paddle fin that provides much more move for you kick. Dacor and Tusa both have scuba fins with the optimized pivoting blade which is a design that angles the fin so every time you are kicking upward or downward the fins are at the most efficient angle for getting a more forceful kick. The specialized angles of these scuba fins alter the angle traditional paddle fins have, which makes you loose full force during part of the kick.
The next type of scuba fins are all altered in some way with splits, cutouts or vents that the manufacturers say enhance the kicking force and efficiency. The most prevalent of these are the split fins, also known as "Bio-fins" by some companies. These scuba fins divide the paddle of the fin into two parts with a sliver taken out of the middle vertically. Many people have come to appreciate the efficiency and forceful strokes split fins have been proven to allow you. The modification to these fins is supposed to minimize the number of kicks needed to get a set distance. Some divers still believe the most capable scuba fins are the basic ones. Again, the fins you choose should be primarily based on comfort and how easily you function in them.
Other types of split fins have horizontal splits or cutouts and vents at strategic places on the paddle. The Apollo Bio-fins are split scuba fins engineered to push water back, as opposed to up and down, like most fins. The Bio-fin acts like a propeller instead of a paddle, allowing you a much easier kicking task.
Force fins are an additional style you have to choose from. This type of scuba fins is considerably smaller than others, but if you are comfortable using them, they can provide equal kicking force. Force fins mimic a small scale whale tail, which is part of the reason they are claimed to have successful kicking efficiency.
Choosing between these broad types of scuba fins is only the beginning. Within each type there are several other designs to pick from and choosing which brand can be difficult too. Most people limit their selection by having a budget or price range not to exceed. Limiting yourself to a budget will not spoil a large selection though, because there is a variety of scuba fins in every price range. Obviously, the basic and simple scuba fin designs will be the least expensive and as the fins advance in efficiency technology and specialized features, the price will rise.
If you are an avid diver, owning pair of durable and efficient scuba fins is a must, so it would be wise to spend a little extra money on fins with some of the advanced features. At asudoit.com there equipment sold for many adventure sports, including several brands and styles of scuba fins. Here you can look through the features of all the broad types of scuba fins such as force, split, full-foot, heel strap and traditional paddle fins. DiversDiscount.com also has a large selection of scuba fins of all types. At this site you pay less than half the original price for the Tusa Platina fins, which have dual blade fins for greater propulsion force. These Tusa scuba fins are high-performance and available at a cheap price at the discount site.
As for shopping by specific brands, you may want to start with the most commonly know names in scuba equipment such as Apollo, Dacor, Oceanic, Sherwood and Tusa. Some scuba equipment companies are conglomerates, which means some of the less known and less expensive brand names you see may actually be made by one of the larger companies. This is a plus for you because often the branch off brand equipment will be cheaper price wise, but with quality and durability nearly equal to that of the more expensive, better known brands. Each of these manufacturers will have scuba fins for all types. Brand name preference is a personal choice, but each of the above brands are well known, reliable names in scuba fins.
Choosing scuba fins is a matter that is based on personal preference and each individual's selection will be different, but none of them are wrong. Because of this, it is helpful to have the wide selection available so that everyone's preferences are accommodated. Whatever your choice, know that you are comfortable in the fins before you purchase them and look in to the quality and durability of the fins, as it will determine the fins life span and help you decide if they are worth the money.
About The Author
Laura Cain is a freelance author that writes regularly on items pertaining to scuba diving and snorkeling. You can find many of her articles at http://www.1-scuba-diving-gear.com/ .
The site also features tips on budgeting for scuba equipment ( Scuba Equipment ) as well as a scuba gear checklist ( Scuba Gear Checklist ) .
Saturday, May 12, 2007
How Do Underwater Cameras Work?
How Do Underwater Cameras Work?
by: Nicola Kennedy
Underwater Cameras are cameras that are specially designed for underwater use or in circumstances that requires protection to prevent any water and pressure damage. There are many types of underwater cameras, depending on your budget and uses.
There are underwater cameras that are simply disposed of after use. These are the cheapest type of underwater camera available in the market. They have the capacity to take between 20 to 30 pictures, and photos can easily be developed. They are waterproof enough to be used in harsh rain and snow storms, and are usually tolerant of being fully submerged up to twenty or thirty feet.
There are also underwater cameras that are cheap reloadables. These cameras are designed with economy of price in mind. These are very similar to disposable underwater cameras, expect that the user can replace the film and use the camera multiple times. They are usually capable of greater water depths than their disposable counterparts.
New generation cameras have resolutions in the 3-4 megapixel range and can take excellent quality pictures underwater.
These cameras offer options for every level of diver and snorkeler. For the experienced diver/photographer who wants more control over the camera functions. The Advanced-Dive control system allows users to manipulate resolution, light sensitivity (EV), exposure modes and much more while underwaterwhile the Easy-Dive control system is the perfect choice for divers seeking a simple underwater photo system that produces breathtaking results.
Underwater cameras are designed for one-Button-Operation and can be set to Land or Sea modes plus modes that take into account the unique aspects of underwater photography. Cameras also feature three dedicated underwater external flash modes, allowing for more exposure control when using an external flash. For perfectly lit photos in any situation, users can toggle among Macro Flash, Portrait Flash and Far Flash modes, which adjust exposure based on camera-to-subject distance.
While an on-camera flash helps illuminate objects below the surface, cameras are also compatible with external flash units, which ignite the vivid colors of the underwater environment and allows users to illuminate objects from different angles. Because the external flash is a unit activated via the on-camera flash, no sync cord is necessary. Set the camera to "External Flash," and it automatically de-activates the digital pre-flash.
To compensate for low-light conditions that naturally occur as divers travel below the water's surface, cameras can adjust the shutter speed and aperture automatically to compensate for difficult light conditions, ensuring vivid images without worry of underexposure.
Photos can be composed via a large color LCD monitor on the back of the camera; or users can frame subjects through a top-mounted SportsFinder. Either way, composition is simple, even when viewing subjects through a dive mask. To help conserve power during underwater adventures, users often shut off LCD monitors while the camera is on and compose photos using large top-mounted viewfinders.
With the many technological advances of recent years, underwater photographers now no longer have to compromise on quality. Users are almost guaranteed to return to land with a stunning set of images.
About The Author
Nicola Kennedy publishes articles and reports and provides news, views and information about photography and underwater cameras at Underwater Camera.
This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact. All rights reserved. Copyright Under-Water-Camera.info.
by: Nicola Kennedy
Underwater Cameras are cameras that are specially designed for underwater use or in circumstances that requires protection to prevent any water and pressure damage. There are many types of underwater cameras, depending on your budget and uses.
There are underwater cameras that are simply disposed of after use. These are the cheapest type of underwater camera available in the market. They have the capacity to take between 20 to 30 pictures, and photos can easily be developed. They are waterproof enough to be used in harsh rain and snow storms, and are usually tolerant of being fully submerged up to twenty or thirty feet.
There are also underwater cameras that are cheap reloadables. These cameras are designed with economy of price in mind. These are very similar to disposable underwater cameras, expect that the user can replace the film and use the camera multiple times. They are usually capable of greater water depths than their disposable counterparts.
New generation cameras have resolutions in the 3-4 megapixel range and can take excellent quality pictures underwater.
These cameras offer options for every level of diver and snorkeler. For the experienced diver/photographer who wants more control over the camera functions. The Advanced-Dive control system allows users to manipulate resolution, light sensitivity (EV), exposure modes and much more while underwaterwhile the Easy-Dive control system is the perfect choice for divers seeking a simple underwater photo system that produces breathtaking results.
Underwater cameras are designed for one-Button-Operation and can be set to Land or Sea modes plus modes that take into account the unique aspects of underwater photography. Cameras also feature three dedicated underwater external flash modes, allowing for more exposure control when using an external flash. For perfectly lit photos in any situation, users can toggle among Macro Flash, Portrait Flash and Far Flash modes, which adjust exposure based on camera-to-subject distance.
While an on-camera flash helps illuminate objects below the surface, cameras are also compatible with external flash units, which ignite the vivid colors of the underwater environment and allows users to illuminate objects from different angles. Because the external flash is a unit activated via the on-camera flash, no sync cord is necessary. Set the camera to "External Flash," and it automatically de-activates the digital pre-flash.
To compensate for low-light conditions that naturally occur as divers travel below the water's surface, cameras can adjust the shutter speed and aperture automatically to compensate for difficult light conditions, ensuring vivid images without worry of underexposure.
Photos can be composed via a large color LCD monitor on the back of the camera; or users can frame subjects through a top-mounted SportsFinder. Either way, composition is simple, even when viewing subjects through a dive mask. To help conserve power during underwater adventures, users often shut off LCD monitors while the camera is on and compose photos using large top-mounted viewfinders.
With the many technological advances of recent years, underwater photographers now no longer have to compromise on quality. Users are almost guaranteed to return to land with a stunning set of images.
About The Author
Nicola Kennedy publishes articles and reports and provides news, views and information about photography and underwater cameras at Underwater Camera.
This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact. All rights reserved. Copyright Under-Water-Camera.info.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
The Protection of a Diving Wetsuit
The Protection of a Diving Wetsuit
by: Jakob Jelling
Wetsuits are meant to keep divers warm by giving them thermal protection. There are some important guidelines which a diver should learn regarding the wetsuit he might acquire and use. First of all, it is important to know that they are usually made from neoprene; most of the times open cell neoprene. Besides, when wetsuits have a coating added to the neoprene they are easier to be worn and taken off.
The practice of free diving and scuba diving imply the use of different kinds of wetsuits. While a 5 mm thick wetsuit would be ideal for keeping warm a free diver, a scuba diver would need a 7 mm thick wetsuit to achieve the same results. Besides, while most free diving wetsuits don't have a zipper, most scuba diving wetsuits do come with them.
If you are looking for an open cell neoprene wetsuit, it is important that you have into account the fact that they can be easily damaged. If, for example, you are going to use jewelry under your open cell neoprene wetsuit, this could easily damage it and open it, so you should be very careful with it or try to find another kind of wetsuit instead of it. If you have long finger nails you should be careful as well since you could damage it while putting it on or taking it off.
It is also important to have in mind that free diving wetsuits should fit the diver in order to work well and give him the proper thermal protection. If a free diving wetsuit is loose or too tight it would not give the protection it should and it could even become a problem since it could be an obstacle to the diver's movements.
There also are recommendations on how to maintain and store your wetsuit. In order to store it properly while you are not using it, you should hang your wetsuit up avoiding folding it since that could damage it. Besides this, you should make sure to wash the suit after using it and make sure to wash all salty water off from it.
About The Author
Jakob Jelling is the founder of Diving Pilot. Please visit his website to discover the world of diving!
by: Jakob Jelling
Wetsuits are meant to keep divers warm by giving them thermal protection. There are some important guidelines which a diver should learn regarding the wetsuit he might acquire and use. First of all, it is important to know that they are usually made from neoprene; most of the times open cell neoprene. Besides, when wetsuits have a coating added to the neoprene they are easier to be worn and taken off.
The practice of free diving and scuba diving imply the use of different kinds of wetsuits. While a 5 mm thick wetsuit would be ideal for keeping warm a free diver, a scuba diver would need a 7 mm thick wetsuit to achieve the same results. Besides, while most free diving wetsuits don't have a zipper, most scuba diving wetsuits do come with them.
If you are looking for an open cell neoprene wetsuit, it is important that you have into account the fact that they can be easily damaged. If, for example, you are going to use jewelry under your open cell neoprene wetsuit, this could easily damage it and open it, so you should be very careful with it or try to find another kind of wetsuit instead of it. If you have long finger nails you should be careful as well since you could damage it while putting it on or taking it off.
It is also important to have in mind that free diving wetsuits should fit the diver in order to work well and give him the proper thermal protection. If a free diving wetsuit is loose or too tight it would not give the protection it should and it could even become a problem since it could be an obstacle to the diver's movements.
There also are recommendations on how to maintain and store your wetsuit. In order to store it properly while you are not using it, you should hang your wetsuit up avoiding folding it since that could damage it. Besides this, you should make sure to wash the suit after using it and make sure to wash all salty water off from it.
About The Author
Jakob Jelling is the founder of Diving Pilot. Please visit his website to discover the world of diving!
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Have Fun With a Sea Scooter
Have Fun With a Sea Scooter
by: Jakob Jelling
A sea scooter is a water propeller which facilitates the practices of divers as well as it ads fun to their activities. It makes the practice of this sport easier and allows divers to spend their energies in a better way. These devices usually are small and light, providing comfort not only in their use but also in their transportation.
Sea scooters are used for many different sea related sports and practices besides diving, such as for swimming and snorkeling. Whatever sport you practice you will find it to be an easier and funnier activity by including a sea scooter in your practices. Sea scooters come with a set of batteries which allow you to use them for a certain amount of time and which might vary from 60, 90 or even 150 minutes without having to recharge them.
Most sea scooters can be used in many different water environments, from a swimming pool to the sea. Therefore, they would allow you to use them in many different situations and places, providing a very wide range of uses in such a way that let your imagination fly.
Sea scooters are designed and thought in order to be as practical and useful as possible according to the help which swimmers and divers might need from them. If you let them go or they become obstructed by something, they would instantly stop and float. Besides, if you are on a depth down to about thirty feet, most sea scooters allow you to select and adjust the buoyancy. The speed in which they run is usually 2mph although you might be able to find some of them faster as well as some of them slower.
Most divers find sea scooters easy to use without having problems regarding their functioning. Besides, they are very easy to be carried. Manufacturers usually use light materials for making them, allowing divers to handle them without much effort or difficulty. They are thought according to divers and swimmers needs, and this becomes reflected on the way in which they easily adapt to these sports practices.
About The Author
Jakob Jelling is the founder of Dive Pilot. Please visit his website to discover the world of diving!
by: Jakob Jelling
A sea scooter is a water propeller which facilitates the practices of divers as well as it ads fun to their activities. It makes the practice of this sport easier and allows divers to spend their energies in a better way. These devices usually are small and light, providing comfort not only in their use but also in their transportation.
Sea scooters are used for many different sea related sports and practices besides diving, such as for swimming and snorkeling. Whatever sport you practice you will find it to be an easier and funnier activity by including a sea scooter in your practices. Sea scooters come with a set of batteries which allow you to use them for a certain amount of time and which might vary from 60, 90 or even 150 minutes without having to recharge them.
Most sea scooters can be used in many different water environments, from a swimming pool to the sea. Therefore, they would allow you to use them in many different situations and places, providing a very wide range of uses in such a way that let your imagination fly.
Sea scooters are designed and thought in order to be as practical and useful as possible according to the help which swimmers and divers might need from them. If you let them go or they become obstructed by something, they would instantly stop and float. Besides, if you are on a depth down to about thirty feet, most sea scooters allow you to select and adjust the buoyancy. The speed in which they run is usually 2mph although you might be able to find some of them faster as well as some of them slower.
Most divers find sea scooters easy to use without having problems regarding their functioning. Besides, they are very easy to be carried. Manufacturers usually use light materials for making them, allowing divers to handle them without much effort or difficulty. They are thought according to divers and swimmers needs, and this becomes reflected on the way in which they easily adapt to these sports practices.
About The Author
Jakob Jelling is the founder of Dive Pilot. Please visit his website to discover the world of diving!
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Carp Fishing With Liquids!
Carp Fishing With Liquids!
by: Jeffrey Ryall
In this article, I will try to give you a list of the best liquids to use when fishing for carp. Everyone has different ideas as to which is their favourite but I hope to give you some choices.
This is good whether you use it in a mix or as a dip. You can only get it through
Yateley Angling Centre or Tackle Box.
By using these liquids for carp fishing it has been known to catch carp up to 40lbs in weight but you must be sure to have the right tackle to land these big fish.
About The Author
Jeff Ryall runs a sports website that focuses on information about sport and sport related products. You can enjoy reading tips, tricks and techniques about golf at his site at fishermensfriend1.blogspot.com
by: Jeffrey Ryall
In this article, I will try to give you a list of the best liquids to use when fishing for carp. Everyone has different ideas as to which is their favourite but I hope to give you some choices.
Ming Oil
This liquid is a ruby, fishy blend and is considered to be one of the best warm water carp attractors when splashed over any sort of pellets to add real pulling power. Its also good in any boil mix, use 20-30 ml to per 1 kilo of dry mix.Marmite
Like the saying goes, you either love it or you hate it, well carp seem to love it. This is salty and very rich in vitamin B and they do seem to like it. Use between 15-30 ml with 6 eggs in a boil mix, sometimes warming the jar makes it easier to work with. Beware your bait may soften quicker in the pond, I also use dog biscuits soaked in marmite when fishing on the surface.Corn Steep Liquor
This is one of the biggest corn steep liquors or CSL is a brown thick liquid made during glucose extraction from maize. You can use this in a boil mix, pour it neat over ground bait or splash it over pellets. There are different qualities around and prices but try to buy one that’s not been watered down to much as it looses its effectiveness.Liquid Molasses
Liquid molasses can come in many different strengths and sweetness’s. It can range from top quality to a bitter black strap molasses. It’s very thick, sticky and tastes a bit like sugar that’s been burnt. This liquid is very cheap and does not sound exciting which is perhaps why more anglers don’t use it, but I find it quite good. Use it in a boil mix at 15 ml with six eggs or try it direct on pellets or something else.Squirrel Dip
Squirrel dip is a blend of several concentrated extracts and liquid foods. It is very reliable of getting a bite off a carp, whether it is in the warmer or colder months.This is good whether you use it in a mix or as a dip. You can only get it through
Yateley Angling Centre or Tackle Box.
By using these liquids for carp fishing it has been known to catch carp up to 40lbs in weight but you must be sure to have the right tackle to land these big fish.
About The Author
Jeff Ryall runs a sports website that focuses on information about sport and sport related products. You can enjoy reading tips, tricks and techniques about golf at his site at fishermensfriend1.blogspot.com
Monday, January 22, 2007
Australia's Fraser Island – Escape Forever
Australia's Fraser Island – Escape Forever
by: Glenn Murray
For all its conveniences, modern living leaves a lot to be desired. We spend our days enduring the ever-increasing pressures of work, the city’s oppressive unfriendliness, the daily commuter grind and the aggressive reality of impatient road-ragers.
Spend a week on and in turquoise waters, a week without shoes with the sand between your toes, a week fishing and perhaps living off your catch. Your perspective can’t help but change.
It’s not a mere fleeting appreciation. It’s something you take with you.
Fraser can help remind you that you’re not your job. How important are the forms and the filing, the meetings and memorandums? You can learn a lot about yourself when you take away all the things that don’t matter.
And really… is there any better way to experience this epiphany than in paradise?
Fraser Island certainly is a paradise, no matter which way you look at it. At the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef, and a short boat ride from Hervey Bay in South-East Queensland, Fraser is 124 km from tip to toe and 16 km across the middle. At 163,000 hectares, it’s the world’s biggest sand island.
Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s all just sand. Not by a long shot! The whole island is laced with crystal clear fresh water streams, and deep midnight blue fresh water lakes. In fact, with over 40 fresh water lakes – it’s home to half of the world’s known ‘perched’ lakes. It also boasts a dazzling diversity of plants and animals (including Australia’s purest strain of dingo), and an amazing variety of spectacular landscapes, from 120 km of non-stop tropical beach to dense and towering rainforest, weathered headland to ochre gorge, inspiring cliffs to wandering dunes, eerie mangroves to wind-blown salt pans.
What’s more, you have your choice of accommodation, so you can choose your own level of ‘communion with nature’. From 4½ star luxury resorts to rental retreats to motels and units, right through to the good ‘ole campsite. Whether you’re a sucker for a bit of pampering, or you’re perfectly at home with a tent and a campfire on the beach, Fraser is a great provider.
And great accommodation is just the start… The island boasts average temperatures of 29°c in summer and 22°c in winter, so it’s no surprise that outdoor activities feature prominently on the agenda. Adrenalin addicts and dedicated sunbathers alike will appreciate the vast range available. From sunrise to sunset (and beyond), there’s always something for everyone. The only problem is choosing! Fishing, 4-wheel-driving, eating, sailing, bird-watching, bush-walking, swimming, eating, whale & dolphin-watching, shipwreck exploration, eating, beauty therapy, massage, lazing in the sun, eating, beach volleyball, tennis, cricket, eating, canoeing, sailboarding, snorkelling, eating… And needless to say, a few quiet drinks might make their way onto the agenda as well…
With so much to offer, it’s no surprise that the Fraser Island was originally known as K’gari – or ‘Paradise’ – by local Aboriginal peoples.
Fraser Island certainly is “paradise for everyone”!
Don’t be scared though – it’s not all about extreme driving for experts! Whether you’re an novice, or you just prefer a more leisured pace of life, you’ll find a much more sedate satisfaction in one of the many organised 4WD tours offered around the island. Or if you just want to get out on your own, you can hire a 4WD for a day, and indulge in a bit of quiet exploring.
No matter which option you choose, though, there are a few ‘ground rules’ you should observe. Remember the dangers of driving on the beach. The further you adventure from the shoreline, the softer the sand. The softer the sand, the more likely you are to get into trouble. Generally speaking, keep your speed down, and remember you’re in a World Heritage listed environment… so be careful.
The famed ‘tailor run’ occurs on the eastern (ocean) side of the island between July and October each year. In the angling world, this time – known as ‘tailor season’ – is a much anticipated event, with huge schools of big fish working the beaches. But if you can’t make it between late winter and early spring, rest assured, tailor season is just one date to mark in your calendar. The western side of Fraser has been known to reward the odd angler with a fine bag of bream, whiting and flathead.
Fish: Tailor
Bait: Pilchard, 3 hook gang, lure
Timing: Late July to October
Location: Eastern Beaches
Fish: Dart
Bait: Pippies or worms
Timing: All year
Location: Eastern Beaches
Fish: Bream
Bait: Flesh strips, mullet gut, fowl gut, pippies
Timing: May to September
Location: Rocky outcrops on east coast or creeks on the west
Fish: Whiting
Bait: Worms, yabbies, pippies, prawns
Timing: All year
Location: Low tide on the east, creeks on the west
Fish: Flathead
Bait: Live baits, pilchards, lures
Timing: All year
Location: Rocky outcrops on east coast or creeks on the west
Fish: Jewfish
Bait: Whole mullet, tailor fillets, beach worms
Timing: May to September at night on the full moon, low or high tide
Location: Deep gutters and rocky outcrops
Of course, many more varieties are there for the taking, including mackerel, tuna, and reef fish. And if you’re not indisposed to a bit of sea fishing, you can book a berth on one of the larger boats launched to take advantage of the red emperor, coral trout, maori cod and parrot to be found off the Continental Shelf and local reefs.
Ease yourself into the aqua-life with a refreshing dip at one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Surrounded by pure white sandy beaches, the clear blue waters of Lake McKenzie are without doubt amongst the most idyllic to be found. Alternatively, exercise your imagination with a visit to the ghostly shipwreck of the “Maheno”, then submerge yourself in the crystal clear waters of Eli Creek.
Fraser Island sits on a huge reservoir of fresh water, and is home to numerous spectacular fresh water lakes, including some perched high above sea level. You have your choice of over 40 lakes… Lake Wabby, Champagne Pools, Basin Lake… to name but a few. Clearly, Fraser Island is amply equipped to pamper even the fussiest fresh water connoisseur.
For something a little more strenuous, why not hire paddle ski or canoe and paddle yourself up Dundonga Creek. It’s generally a 1 hour round trip, so by the time you return, you’ll be ready to settle back into some more relaxed pastimes.
The annual humpback migration is truly an awesome spectacle. Family pods take a well earned rest in the waters west of Fraser Island after travelling 5000 km from the icy waters of the Antarctic. The sight of a 15 tonne (that’s the weight of 11 elephants!) adult female humpback rearing out of the ocean is absolutely awe-inspiring.
And don’t worry… if your holiday doesn’t coincide with the migration, you can still catch a cruise questing for dolphins, dugongs, turtles and the odd Indo Pacific Humpback.
Speak to your hotel or resort for information about organising a whale or dolphin watching cruise. Alternatively, contact Kingfisher Bay Resort and ask about their tours.
4WDs only on Fraser Island (there are no paved roads except in resorts)
Don’t feed or pet the dingoes (or any other animals)
No domestic animals allowed
Most activities on the island can be enjoyed individually or as part of a booked tour group
You’ll need permits to 4WD or camp
4WDs can be hired on the mainland or on the island
Don’t leave food unattended
All but the hardest sand can be unpredictable and perilous for a 4WD
High and low tide gutters around dawn or dusk are best for fishing
If four wheel driving, take a good map and a tyre pressure gauge
For further information about all aspects of Fraser Island, including accommodation, hire guides, and barge booking details and timetables, see www.boxatrix.com.
Permits - A 4WD vehicle permit will cost you $31.85. Camping permits are $4 per person per night or $16 per family per night. Children under 5 are free. To purchase a permit or obtain detailed information, call the Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service at Rainbow Beach on (07) 5486 3160.
Vehicular Barge Access - Barges operate daily from Hervey Bay and Rainbow Beach. Tickets start at $82.20 return per vehicle per driver. Extra vehicle passengers will cost $5.50 each. Several barges operate with different destinations on the island. Most require bookings.
4WD Hire - Rates start at around $90 per day for a Suzuki Sierra, up to $130 per day for a Landrover Defender (depending on the duration of hire).
Flights to Queensland - Qantas offers return flights to Hervey Bay via Brisbane from $407 departing Sydney, and from $527 departing Melbourne.
About The Author
Glenn Murray heads advertising copywriting studio Divine Write. He can be contacted on Sydney +612 4334 6222 or at glenn@divinewrite.com. Visit Divine Write for further details or more FREE articles.
by: Glenn Murray
For all its conveniences, modern living leaves a lot to be desired. We spend our days enduring the ever-increasing pressures of work, the city’s oppressive unfriendliness, the daily commuter grind and the aggressive reality of impatient road-ragers.
Is something missing?
Unfortunately, work is a reality for most of us. So too is city and suburban living, dreary weather, pollution, traffic… But it doesn’t have to be all there is to life. Try something that puts you in touch with who you really are. Try something elemental. Try something that soothes your soul.Try Fraser Island
Fraser Island isn’t just an island paradise. It’s a unique and luxurious combination of Australia’s rich natural heritage, its earthy roots, its wholesome majesty, and its refreshingly simple essentials. It’s a chance to touch the fine sands, to drift in the temperate water, to bask in the sun that seems all yours… It’s your chance to partake of a life that most Australians have forgotten.Spend a week on and in turquoise waters, a week without shoes with the sand between your toes, a week fishing and perhaps living off your catch. Your perspective can’t help but change.
It’s not a mere fleeting appreciation. It’s something you take with you.
Fraser can help remind you that you’re not your job. How important are the forms and the filing, the meetings and memorandums? You can learn a lot about yourself when you take away all the things that don’t matter.
And really… is there any better way to experience this epiphany than in paradise?
Fraser Island certainly is a paradise, no matter which way you look at it. At the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef, and a short boat ride from Hervey Bay in South-East Queensland, Fraser is 124 km from tip to toe and 16 km across the middle. At 163,000 hectares, it’s the world’s biggest sand island.
Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s all just sand. Not by a long shot! The whole island is laced with crystal clear fresh water streams, and deep midnight blue fresh water lakes. In fact, with over 40 fresh water lakes – it’s home to half of the world’s known ‘perched’ lakes. It also boasts a dazzling diversity of plants and animals (including Australia’s purest strain of dingo), and an amazing variety of spectacular landscapes, from 120 km of non-stop tropical beach to dense and towering rainforest, weathered headland to ochre gorge, inspiring cliffs to wandering dunes, eerie mangroves to wind-blown salt pans.
What’s more, you have your choice of accommodation, so you can choose your own level of ‘communion with nature’. From 4½ star luxury resorts to rental retreats to motels and units, right through to the good ‘ole campsite. Whether you’re a sucker for a bit of pampering, or you’re perfectly at home with a tent and a campfire on the beach, Fraser is a great provider.
And great accommodation is just the start… The island boasts average temperatures of 29°c in summer and 22°c in winter, so it’s no surprise that outdoor activities feature prominently on the agenda. Adrenalin addicts and dedicated sunbathers alike will appreciate the vast range available. From sunrise to sunset (and beyond), there’s always something for everyone. The only problem is choosing! Fishing, 4-wheel-driving, eating, sailing, bird-watching, bush-walking, swimming, eating, whale & dolphin-watching, shipwreck exploration, eating, beauty therapy, massage, lazing in the sun, eating, beach volleyball, tennis, cricket, eating, canoeing, sailboarding, snorkelling, eating… And needless to say, a few quiet drinks might make their way onto the agenda as well…
With so much to offer, it’s no surprise that the Fraser Island was originally known as K’gari – or ‘Paradise’ – by local Aboriginal peoples.
Fraser Island certainly is “paradise for everyone”!
Four Wheel Driving
Being a sand island, the only mode of land transport is 4WD. Of course, for many visitors, that’s the main attraction. 4WD enthusiasts from all around the world visit Fraser Island to pit themselves and their vehicles against the rugged terrain found all over the island. From the hard-packed seashore to the shifting dune to the forests of the interior, Fraser Island is the ideal 4WD location.Don’t be scared though – it’s not all about extreme driving for experts! Whether you’re an novice, or you just prefer a more leisured pace of life, you’ll find a much more sedate satisfaction in one of the many organised 4WD tours offered around the island. Or if you just want to get out on your own, you can hire a 4WD for a day, and indulge in a bit of quiet exploring.
No matter which option you choose, though, there are a few ‘ground rules’ you should observe. Remember the dangers of driving on the beach. The further you adventure from the shoreline, the softer the sand. The softer the sand, the more likely you are to get into trouble. Generally speaking, keep your speed down, and remember you’re in a World Heritage listed environment… so be careful.
Fishing
No island holiday would be complete without a lazy day or two spent fishing. Beach fishing is the big drawcard for Fraser Island. And with 150 km of ocean beach to choose from, why wouldn’t it be? Middle Rocks, Sandy Cape, Waddy Point, and Seventy Five Mile Beach are just a few of the choice locations available for you to finally get the better of ‘the one that got away’.The famed ‘tailor run’ occurs on the eastern (ocean) side of the island between July and October each year. In the angling world, this time – known as ‘tailor season’ – is a much anticipated event, with huge schools of big fish working the beaches. But if you can’t make it between late winter and early spring, rest assured, tailor season is just one date to mark in your calendar. The western side of Fraser has been known to reward the odd angler with a fine bag of bream, whiting and flathead.
Angler’s Advice
Pick the fish you’re after, and take advantage of the handy hints below to make the most of your fishing trip.Fish: Tailor
Bait: Pilchard, 3 hook gang, lure
Timing: Late July to October
Location: Eastern Beaches
Fish: Dart
Bait: Pippies or worms
Timing: All year
Location: Eastern Beaches
Fish: Bream
Bait: Flesh strips, mullet gut, fowl gut, pippies
Timing: May to September
Location: Rocky outcrops on east coast or creeks on the west
Fish: Whiting
Bait: Worms, yabbies, pippies, prawns
Timing: All year
Location: Low tide on the east, creeks on the west
Fish: Flathead
Bait: Live baits, pilchards, lures
Timing: All year
Location: Rocky outcrops on east coast or creeks on the west
Fish: Jewfish
Bait: Whole mullet, tailor fillets, beach worms
Timing: May to September at night on the full moon, low or high tide
Location: Deep gutters and rocky outcrops
Of course, many more varieties are there for the taking, including mackerel, tuna, and reef fish. And if you’re not indisposed to a bit of sea fishing, you can book a berth on one of the larger boats launched to take advantage of the red emperor, coral trout, maori cod and parrot to be found off the Continental Shelf and local reefs.
Water Sports
As you’d expect, Fraser Island plays host to a vast array of water sports. Whether you’re after a lazy drifting afternoon – cocktail in hand, or an invigorating workout, there’s a water sport for you. All fitness levels (and energy levels!) are catered for.Ease yourself into the aqua-life with a refreshing dip at one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Surrounded by pure white sandy beaches, the clear blue waters of Lake McKenzie are without doubt amongst the most idyllic to be found. Alternatively, exercise your imagination with a visit to the ghostly shipwreck of the “Maheno”, then submerge yourself in the crystal clear waters of Eli Creek.
Fraser Island sits on a huge reservoir of fresh water, and is home to numerous spectacular fresh water lakes, including some perched high above sea level. You have your choice of over 40 lakes… Lake Wabby, Champagne Pools, Basin Lake… to name but a few. Clearly, Fraser Island is amply equipped to pamper even the fussiest fresh water connoisseur.
For something a little more strenuous, why not hire paddle ski or canoe and paddle yourself up Dundonga Creek. It’s generally a 1 hour round trip, so by the time you return, you’ll be ready to settle back into some more relaxed pastimes.
Whale and Dolphin Watching
Every year from August to October, you can book a berth on a whale watch cruise. Enjoy a fantastic half day of sun, salt, and ocean breezes while keeping your eyes peeled for Fraser’s famous migrating humpbacks.The annual humpback migration is truly an awesome spectacle. Family pods take a well earned rest in the waters west of Fraser Island after travelling 5000 km from the icy waters of the Antarctic. The sight of a 15 tonne (that’s the weight of 11 elephants!) adult female humpback rearing out of the ocean is absolutely awe-inspiring.
And don’t worry… if your holiday doesn’t coincide with the migration, you can still catch a cruise questing for dolphins, dugongs, turtles and the odd Indo Pacific Humpback.
Speak to your hotel or resort for information about organising a whale or dolphin watching cruise. Alternatively, contact Kingfisher Bay Resort and ask about their tours.
Tips & Reminders
Access to Fraser Island is via vehicular barge or catamaran4WDs only on Fraser Island (there are no paved roads except in resorts)
Don’t feed or pet the dingoes (or any other animals)
No domestic animals allowed
Most activities on the island can be enjoyed individually or as part of a booked tour group
You’ll need permits to 4WD or camp
4WDs can be hired on the mainland or on the island
Don’t leave food unattended
All but the hardest sand can be unpredictable and perilous for a 4WD
High and low tide gutters around dawn or dusk are best for fishing
If four wheel driving, take a good map and a tyre pressure gauge
For further information about all aspects of Fraser Island, including accommodation, hire guides, and barge booking details and timetables, see www.boxatrix.com.
How Much?
Accommodation - Prices vary from approximately $4 per night if you’re camping right up to $850 per night for the VIP room at the 4½ star luxury of Kingfisher Bay Resort.Permits - A 4WD vehicle permit will cost you $31.85. Camping permits are $4 per person per night or $16 per family per night. Children under 5 are free. To purchase a permit or obtain detailed information, call the Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service at Rainbow Beach on (07) 5486 3160.
Vehicular Barge Access - Barges operate daily from Hervey Bay and Rainbow Beach. Tickets start at $82.20 return per vehicle per driver. Extra vehicle passengers will cost $5.50 each. Several barges operate with different destinations on the island. Most require bookings.
4WD Hire - Rates start at around $90 per day for a Suzuki Sierra, up to $130 per day for a Landrover Defender (depending on the duration of hire).
Flights to Queensland - Qantas offers return flights to Hervey Bay via Brisbane from $407 departing Sydney, and from $527 departing Melbourne.
About The Author
Glenn Murray heads advertising copywriting studio Divine Write. He can be contacted on Sydney +612 4334 6222 or at glenn@divinewrite.com. Visit Divine Write for further details or more FREE articles.
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