Lifestyle: Yachting, hiking and other active hobbies for everyone
Alexandra Savina
Last month of summer especially want to spend in the fresh air. We talk about eight exciting sports and activities that are worth doing in the remaining warm days.
Hiking and tracking
At first glance, there is almost no difference between hiking and treking - both of these terms imply hiking. But if hiking can be called a walk along a special route that lasts a few hours (remember the popular Terrenkur in Soviet times), then speaking of trekking usually means going for a few days. Hiking and tracking are distinguished from habitual residents of the post-Soviet space by the fact that here tourists go along clearly marked and often limited routes (as a rule, also very picturesque) - although nothing prevents you from choosing the route yourself. When hiking or trekking, it is not necessary to give up the benefits of civilization and spend the night in tents - many routes are designed for a day's journey or less, and on famous paths you can often spend the night not only in the campsite, but also in the hostels, or if you are trekking in the mountains, in shelters.
Do not forget about the equipment, first of all - about the special tracking shoes that will protect the ankle. You can also take along tracking sticks, which partially relieve the load from the knee joints. Remember that to go to the mountains to a great height you will need additional equipment - cats (devices that put on shoes that help you stay on the ice) and an ice ax. For a long hiking trip you definitely need to get ready: for a couple of weeks it is better to work out jogging and squats, in order to more easily transfer the load on your legs. Upon return, you should not abruptly quit exercises - this will help avoid joint pain. In addition, it is important to rely on your strengths and be prepared for different scenarios - for example, if it rains for several days or it will be cold.
River rafting
You can go on water trips at any age - the main thing is to have the desire and strength. Rafting on rivers can be on different boats: rafts, kayaks, kayaks, catamarans, rafts and so-called bagels - ships consisting of two large inflatable wheels, which are interconnected by a frame, designed for rafting on the most difficult rivers. Alas, it will not be possible to do this in the city, but for rafting it is not necessary to acquire your own equipment: in organized tours you can rent a craft. Beginners (and even slightly more experienced tourists) should not be alone on the river: mountain rivers are dangerous and unpredictable, therefore it is better to start with an experienced instructor and with simple routes. In addition, water trips are also a great way to make friends with raft or raft neighbors: nothing unites more than jointly overcoming the water threshold.
For rafting in the warm season and in good weather, you can do without special equipment - sufficiently waterproof clothing, raincoat, sunglasses, headgear and sanskrin, as well as a changeable set of clothes, which you need to change into when you get out on dry land. For rafting in cold water, you need a neoprene wetsuit, and things should be stored in a waterproof hermetic bag.
Rock climbing
It is better to start climbing with climbing at climbing walls: at first you will be taught how to work with your hands, put your feet and hold the body. If you are not used to it, your hands will surely hurt, but then you will feel how the muscles of your arms and backs develop and your stamina grows. Climbing walls are now open in almost all major cities, so finding a training site will be easy. And then, when you pick up the experience, you can try your hand on the rocks, on natural reliefs, both in Russia and abroad - climbing climbing helps to diversify the journey.
Rock climbing is quite an expensive sport, and it is worth considering. We'll have to seriously invest in equipment (although at first it can be rented at the climbing walls): you will need shoes - special rubberized shoes, a safety system and magnesia - a substance that helps your hands not to slip on the hooks.
Bike tours
Those who are not ready to go hiking may like cycling trips - group rides over long distances. Beginners can also take part in cycling trips - the main thing is to correctly calculate the pace of the ride so as not to get exhausted. Small cycling trips will suit beginners, for example, on weekends, you can start with an organized bike tour with an instructor. There are many advantages to such trips: you can cover a greater distance than on foot, and stop along the way to see the sights or admire the view.
The main thing to remember about security is to check the condition of the bike before the trip, have a pump, tools and a spare camera with you, take care of your equipment (first of all a good helmet, as well as a wind-blown jacket) and try to choose clothes with reflective elements.
Yachting
Contrary to the prevailing stereotypes, yachting does not always require huge monetary investments (the company will take as much money to rent a yacht as it does to an average hotel, and there will be much more impressions), and in order to master the basics of sports, it’s not necessary to go abroad - theoretical lectures and training sessions are held not far from Moscow (although later you will probably want to try your hand in the Mediterranean).
To become a captain, you will not have to make great efforts: it’s enough to find a school, complete a theoretical course, and then practice in open water (a week or ten days of training in the Mediterranean will be enough) and pass the exam. After that, it remains to gain experience and hone the technique. You can also try your hand at sailing races - they require not only yacht management skills, but also tactics, experience, and well-organized teamwork.
In training, you will definitely need a sanskrin, long-sleeved clothing, a hat, white-soled shoes, sunglasses and gloves that will protect your hands when working with ropes. In cold or windy weather, you should take a waterproof jacket with you. You should not be afraid of seasickness - it is not manifested at all, and medications are easily coped with. In addition, the yacht is almost impossible to roll over: on the keel she has a special metal bulb, whose weight is approximately equal to the weight of the yacht; at the moment of lurch he creates an effort that returns the yacht to its place.
Hang-gliding
The hang-glider is suitable for everyone: this type of activity has no restrictions on age and level of fitness - the main thing is not to be afraid of heights. For classes, you will first need comfortable clothes and shoes - the rest of the equipment, like the hang-glider itself, can be rented at the respective schools. We think it’s unnecessary to explain why you shouldn’t start to go on a hang-glider on your own - before practical exercises you need to listen to a course of lectures on the hang-glider, safety and flight management, and practical exercises should be carried out under the supervision of an instructor: often in hang-gliding clubs, students learn to fly in tandem with him . Classes with an experienced instructor will help you learn to count their strength and avoid injuries. You can learn to fly in the highlands, when hang gliders start from a height - both in Russia and in Europe.
You can fly on a hang glider all year round - so that with the onset of autumn the season does not end. Hang-gliding is not the most expensive activity, but it requires regular investments: from time to time it is not possible to master the hang-glider intermittently.
Coastering
Unusual word "coastering" refers to movement along the shoreline of a reservoir - on foot or by bicycle. Due to the fact that travelers can meet a very different landscape, coastering can combine several sports at once: swimming, climbing, jogging, trekking and cycling. In addition, athletes need to follow the ebb and flow, which may make it difficult to move on. Routes vary in complexity and may be suitable for beginners (there is even a children's coastering), but you should count on your strengths - at least you will have to travel a long distance. To practice coastering, you need reliable and comfortable shoes, a wetsuit, a life jacket and a helmet - however, special equipment can often be rented.
Coastering is often part of larger sporting events that require serious physical fitness. Coastering is most popular in the UK - so if you want to work with it specifically and under the supervision of an instructor, you will have to choose one of the companies that organize tours in Northern Ireland, Wales and other parts of the country. In addition, coastering classes are organized in Portugal and Spain. However, nothing will prevent you from practicing on your own - naturally, observing safety precautions and caution.
Wakeboarding
Wakeboarding in Russia is becoming more popular. Especially like it will have to those who are fond of snowboarding or love surfing, but do not have the opportunity to do it in the city. True, most clubs where you can ride a wakeboard are located outside the city - you should take this into account if you plan to get carried away seriously. The athlete rolls on the board with mounts and rides, holding the cable, which is attached to the boat or winch; riding a winch will cost less, but in this case you will move along one trajectory.
Newbies from wakeboarding can be scared away by prices (the cost of a 15-minute set of skating behind a boat is 1500-2000 rubles), but 15 minutes may be enough for an inexperienced athlete who are not used to it. A wetsuit, vest, helmet (blows to the water can be hard and painful) and, of course, the board itself is a must for training, though it’s usually possible to rent it.
The photo:Sailing School / Facebook