Buzz Gnosis

Oakland NJ – A Great Town for Kids

My children, my wife and I have been fortunate to have lived in the town of Oakland NJ, for the past 18 years. The commitment to kids sports programs, especially girls softball, I think would be hard to surpass by any other town this size. ( 14,000 – 15,000).

I have seen many girls flourish in the Softball program, playing on traveling teams, and at the varsity level at our High School. Part of the success the girls have is due to the efforts of a handful of men and women who are the commissioners, coaches and administrators of these programs I would hate to think what my daughter’s life would be like if she was not playing softball. She loves that softball.

In the spirit of keeping the game going; I have seen them organize teams, balance schedules, and choose coaches. I have watched them scramble to find an umpire so the game could be played. I have seen them on the golf cart riding around – trying to locate the key that opens the shed, so the lights could be turned on for a night game. They are always around to make sure that things worked. I wonder how they are able to calm parents, satisfy their critics, and keep a cool head in so many volatile situations. I guess the answer is they love the game more than it’s headaches.

My thanks to the tireless people that run the sports programs in the town of Oakland.

Neil Malmud, from Oakland NJ, was an inspiration in the writing of this story. For his efforts as an administrator, commissioner and especially as a coach, I am extremely grateful..

About the Author

Aron Wallad has been a baseball lover for over 45 years. His passions have included; playing, watching, reading , evaluating, and coaching the game he adores. Check out his baseball ezine. For inspiring quotes, unusual statistics and most of all heartwarming stories go here.

http://www.baseballsprideandjoy.com/index.php?tag=goart

Surfing is not an easy sport to learn, but starting off with the right kids beginner surf board will make things a lot easier. The best kids beginner surf board to learn on is the lightest, widest and thickest board you can find. All the cool guys and girls will have small, narrow boards and that is the type of kids beginner surf board your child is going to go for. Your kid is a beginner and will probably never learn to surf if he/she tries to start out on an expert board. This larger style board is called a mal or mini mal and are used by nearly all of the surf schools.

The other beginner surf board is the soft surfboard and are usually a lot less expensive. Some call these foamies and are a good choice because because you will out grow your first surfboard pritty quick. Remember, a wider thicker board will be more stable than a narrow thin board. Also you want a beginner surf board with a single fin or three fins. A two or four fin board is too loose in the way it turns for a beginner. Choose a board that is six to ten inches taller than the child.

You’re kid is going to beat the heck out of his/her beginner board, so pay the least amount possible. He/she is going to ding and scratch a board if he/she really puts it to use. In fact, you can probably find just the right beginner surf board at from your local surf shop – or even rent one there for the summer.

When you shop for your kids beginner surf board it should not have dings that will allow water to get under the fiberglass layer into the foam of the board because it will cause discoloration of the board and will weaken the board in general. As the number of dings go up the price should go down. All dings should be properly repaired befor you use the board.

Choosing the Right Surf Spot to learn with your beginner surf board

Okay, your kid has a big, thick used beginner surf board to start, now where should he/she go to ride it?

Get away from the crowd! Nothing can get in the way of the learning process more than a bunch of other kids hogging the waves. Find somewhere your kid can catch different kinds of waves and really practice his/her technique without getting in the way of the more experienced surfers. There is absolutely no shame in learning to surf in small, unpopular waves. In fact, others will be thankful!

Watch and talk to good surfers, and watch videos (all levels). In my opinion, the best non-surfing activity is to watch surf videos. That subliminal power is very persuasive.

About the author:

Deb Andersen is the owner of http://www.water-sport-center.comwhich provides extensive information about Surfing, Water Skiing, Scuba, Kayaking and Kids Water Fun. Plus how to find your perfect water sport vacation.
http://www.water-sport-center.com

Never too old to shred – snowboarding

More and more adult boarders are appearing on the slopes of Western ski resorts, joining the legions of brash young skate-and-surf types who have popularized snowboarding since its arrival on the alpine scene a decade ago. Most adult snowboarders are learning to “shred” through ski schools, where they discover that it’s not as difficult as it looks. In fact, most professional ski instructors say that snowboarding is easier to learn than skiing. If you’ve ever been curious about snowboarding, it’s worth signing up for a lesson or two, no matter what your age or experience on snow. Armed with an open mind and some patience, you’ll soon get a feel for snowboarding’s rhythmic moves, which are downright liberating. No hard boots, no poles, no crossed tips: just you, the board, and a giant frozen wave.

Once you’re proficient enough to roam the slopes, you’ll discover the free-flowing sensation of the snowboard in powder and ungroomed snow. Snowboards also excel in warm conditions that can be difficult or even hazardous for skiers.

LEARNING THE BASICS

Most Western ski areas now allow and encourage snowboarding (Alpine Meadows in California and Park City in Utah are two notable exceptions). In addition to classes for children and mixed ages, many areas offer ones for adults or women only. Novice packages are often reasonably priced (expect to pay about $50) and usually include board and boot rental, a 1 1/2- to 2 1/2-hour lesson, and a lift ticket.

In a typical group lesson (usually four to eight people–many fewer than a typical ski class), you start on a gently sloping beginner area where, after stretching exercises and a safety talk, you strap your front foot (left or right, depending on your natural inclination) into the binding. Your instructor will have you shuffle around, skateboard-style, just to get used to the board underfoot.

Next, you practice side-slipping to get a sense of holding an edge. After that, you’re ready to assume the proper forward-leaning, bent-knees, outstretched-arms stance and ride the board in a slow, straight line for a short distance. Once you feel comfortable with standing on the board while it’s moving, you strap in the rear foot and practice turning by leaning hard on the heel- and toe-side edges. Finally, you learn to link turns, using sinking and rising body movements to help pivot the nose of your board across the fall line. By the end of the session, you may be ready to ride a chairlift to the top of the bunny hill for some serious shredding.

About the author:

http://www.a1-snowboarding-4u.info/