Outdoor Activities // Water // Water Skiing

Water skiing was invented in the United States in 1922 when Minnesotan Ralph Samuelson built the first pair of skis and was towed on them behind an outboard-powered boat. What Samuelson originated became an exhibition sport on both sides of the Atlantic in the 1920s and early 1930s.
more...

Outdoor Activities // Earth // Fencing // History of Fencing - Where did it start?

Swordfighting as sport has existed since ancient Egypt, and has been practiced in many forms in various cultures since then. Although jousting and tournament combat was a popular sport in the European middle ages, modern FIE fencing owes more to unarmoured dueling forms that evolved from 16th century rapier combat.
more...

Outdoor Activities // Water // Diving // How to Photograph Blue-Banded Gobies

California underwater photographers are always looking for bright colors to shoot against the muted greens, blues, grays, and browns of the reef and water. The striking contrasts make for excellent images. In Southern California waters one of the most brightly colored fish is the blue-banded goby.
more...

Outdoor Activities // Earth // Billiards

We are unable even to state when or where the game was born. The French word "Bille", meaning a ball, could provide the first syllable of the word "Billiards". Charles Cotton, author of "The Complete Gamester" in 1674 suggests both Spain and Italy.
more...

Outdoor Activities // Earth // Bowling // Tips on bowling

Bowling is a sport where, occasionally, amateurs perform as well as the pros. With a little training, even the beginner can improve his or her score. These tips will get you started on your way toward a higher bowling score. These tips are mainly designed for the bowler who does not have a hook on their ball, and whose ball is dropped in the center of the lane.
more...

Outdoor Activities // Earth // Cricket // Batting: Forward-foot defence // Batting: The Cut

The cut is probably the most commonly-used shot in the game. It is particularly favoured by small, compact players who haven"t got much "reach" for drives and other forward shots. However, to a ball that is widish and shortish, they can jump back on their stumps in a jiffy and bring the bat down like an axe.
more...

Outdoor Activities // Earth // Billiards // Pool School // Bridges // Kinds of Bridges

Open Rail Bridge is the most effective bridge when the cue ball is frozen to, or less than three inches off the rail. In this bridge, the hand should be flattened, with the heel of the hand slightly raised.
more...