American Adventure Sports News

ECARS and TeamSOG are Darn Tough for the second year in a row!

2012-02-25T09:53:00.000-08:00

American Adventure Sports is excited to announce that it is the second year in a row that Darn Tough Vermont is the official sock of ECARS (East Coast American Adventure Series) and TeamSOG for the 2012 racing series. Founded over 30 years ago in Northfield, Vermont, this family owned company really knows their socks.

Challenged with some of the roughest winters and most humid summers in the United States, the Darn Tough family wanted to create a sock that would stand up to the elements keeping feet dry, warm and comfortable. They opened a mill in Vermont, and over the course of a year, the company tested various blends of materials and designs until they were completely confident that they found the winning combination. The final product was the incredible guaranteed for life Merino wool sock. Since then, Darn Tough has perfected their products which now encompass numerous styles and designs useful for any outdoor sport.

What makes Darn Tough Vermont such a great brand is that their socks are manufactured in America using a single, fine gauge needle, which means all products are made with the same high quality raw material and high density knitting techniques. The high density knit ensures lasting strength and durability and maximum comfort without all the bulk of traditional wool socks. The high quality Merino wool used in these socks will keep for feet warm for hours outdoors. If you aren't fond of wool, some socks are created using more of the Coolmax blend of fibers which is great for moisture management. No matter which you prefer, all socks will keep you warm and comfortable for hours.

Other great features of a Darn Tough sock create the best fitting performance sock on the market. All socks have form fitting toe boxes and sculpted heel pockets for a perfect fit. Built in elastic makes sure that the sock retains its shape and even adds support through the arch. The ribbed knit of the calf, shin and ankle areas gives every sock a custom feel, and the sock will never slip or fall down.

Every athlete knows the importance of a great sock, so we are positive that every athlete will love Darn Tough socks. Whether you are an avid skier or trail runner, there is a sock made for you. These socks are designed for fast sweatwicking capabilities, and the Merino wool blend is extremely fast drying. You will never have to worry about your feet being wet or getting blisters. Your feet will be warm and comfortable all day long. The added cushion and support means you can perform longer and harder than ever before. There is no other wool sock out there that can perform so well while being so comfortable without being heavy or bulky.

All Darn Tough socks have a lifetime guarantee. If you are not fully satisfied with your pair for any reason, Darn Tough will give you your money back: no questions asked!

Our adventure racers and customers swear by these socks, and we know you will, too! If you want to learn more about these products, check out www.darntough.com or stop in our American Adventure Sports retail location or our online store at www.shopadventuresports.com to pick up a pair today!

Liberty Bottleworks part of ECARS and TeamSOG!

2012-02-24T12:58:00.001-08:00

We at American Adventure Sports are honored to annouce that Liberty Bottleworks has joined ECARS (East Coast Adventure Racing Series) and TeamSOG as the official recyclable water bottle sponsor! We simply adore this company and are sure you will too after reading more about them.

Liberty Bottleworks was founded in Yakima, Washington because they wanted to create a company that would strive to live up to principles that made this country great. They wanted to be a brand recognized for providing great products and service by honest people. The Liberty bottle is the only American metal bottle made and sold by hard-working Americans. You never have to question the quality of this bottle. They are 100% aluminum and are completely recyclable if you should ever choose to get rid of them. Another great quality to this bottle is that it is BPA free, so concerns about health safety aren't necessary. It is also entirely coated guaranteeing that metal micro-particles do no enter the water and that bacteria will not have a place to grow. They are very strong and durable and will certainly live up to the demands that any athlete will put on them. Liberty continually strives to develop new ways to make their products last long and use less. They even recycle all scrap in their factories. It is amazing how truly green this company is.

Another thing we love about Liberty Bottleworks is that they have a promise to be more than just a company out for profit. They pledge 1% of profits and 1% of working hours to help people in need. No matter the size of they organization they will be there whether they are large, local or grassroots. They are also huge supporters of local artists and small business owners. They hire local artists to design the art on all of their bottles. As for business owners, Liberty provides these people with quality products to sell because they know these owners are part of the backbone of the America.

The promise of this company isn't the only good thing about the company: their products are pretty great,too! They have some nifty features that really set them apart. The lid has a quarter-turn snap on top which means there is no threading allowing for smoother drinking and easier handling during physical activity. No more turning and turning! They are durable and will last a long time, plus you are doing a wonderful thing for the environment by switching out plastic water bottles for a reusable metal one. Just imagine how many plastic bottles you put into a landfill (or elsewhere) every year. Lastly, we can't forget to mention one of the best features of these bottles: the beautiful designs! Every artist has created his or her own collection of designs, and there are a lot of different artists, so everyone should find something they like.

If you want to learn more about this wonderful company or check out their fantastic products, visit www.libertybottles.com. American Adventure Sports retail locations and online store also carry Liberty products, so support your local businesses and stop by!

Custom Bottle orders are available at a discounted rate to all AAS fans and racers. Contact amanda@libertybottles.com, tell her you are a friend of the ECARS.

Headsweats joins TeamSOG and ECARS

2012-02-24T11:28:00.002-08:00

It's official: Headsweats has teamed up with ECARS (East Coast Adventure Racing Series) and TeamSOG as a sponsor for the 2012 racing season! American Adventure Sports is proud to have this innovative company as part of our team.

The story of Headsweats Perspiration Technology Headwear begins in 1998 when hard-core cyclist, Alan Romick, was sick and tired of sweat and sunscreen blinding him and the lovely sunburn pattern left on his head from wearing a helmet. To end his frustration, he worked on improving products already on the market that just didn't stand up to the demands of serious athletes. The result was the Cotton Classic. The popularity of Alan's products and company boomed after national recognition, continual innovation, and unsurpassed customer service and has since become the secret weapon of elite competitors in many sports.

Today the Headsweat brand hats dominate the adventure racing world, and it is easy to see why. There is no reasonably priced hat out there that can live up to the grueling demands of our athletes and team members. These lightweight hats offer protection from any condition you could meet during a race. The new Eventure woven fabric creates optimal water-resistance and the INVISTA fabric is certified sun protection, so you are covered rain or shine. The real secret weapon of the Headsweat hats is in the COOLMAX shell and headband. The Coolmax technology provides super wicking from the entire shell of the hat. In addtion, there is a two inch Coolmax terry headband to keep the sweat out of your eyes. Any athlete will appreciate these awesome features. Without them, no one can perform to his or her max. Plus, the stylish designs are just the cherry on top.

We cannot express how much we love all Headsweats products. If you would like to read more about them and their product lines, check out them out at www.headsweats.com. American Adventure Sports also offers some products at our retail locations in Indiana and Greensburg and on our online store.

Custom discounted hat printing available for all AAS fans and ECARS participants, contact: jack@headsweats.com, tell him you are a friend of the ECARS.

SCOTT Sports named official sponsor

2012-02-24T09:06:00.000-08:00

American Adventure Sports is happy to annouce that SCOTT Sports is an official sponsor of ECARS (East Coast Adventure Racing Series) and TeamSOG for the 2012 season! We are extremely proud to have this company as part of our team.

SCOTT Sports produces some of the best running shoes on the market today for all types of people from
professional athletes to the casual walker. No two shoes are made the same and come with varying amounts of support and stability depending on what you want out of your pair. All shoes are created to get maximum performance and durability out of a lightweight, minimal design.

They offer five types of shoes; racing, performance, training, trail, and casual. This means you are guaranteed to find something that fits your needs. Racing shoes are best suited for runners who are biomechanically efficient runners who don’t need arch support, and are generally worn by serious, competitive runners. Performance shoes offer less cushioning, less stability, and are less durable than training running shoes. They are for biomechanically efficient runners who want a lightweight and well-balanced running shoe for speedwork, training, and racing. SCOTT Training shoes are either cushioned and neutral or cushioned and stable. Neutral shoes are good for runners who are biomechanically efficient and don’t overpronate. Cushioned, stability training shoes feel more rigid and stiff making them more appropriate for runners who need both good mid-sole cushioning and arch support. The trail shoes are designed for off-road and rugged conditions in which extra traction and stability are important. They offer extra upper and forefoot protection and water-resistant or weather-resistant features and great traction with enhanced stability and durability.SCOTT Casual shoes and the Recoveries, designed for walking and everyday wear, are extremely lightweight and stay comfortable during long days on your feet. The outsole is made of a durable rubber built to last.

These shoes boast revolutionary technology scientifically proven to turn you into a more efficient runner. What sets these running shoes apart is SCOTT's trademarked eRide Technology. Ergologic Ride is a new style of midsole shape that converts downward momentum into forward motion. Energy loss during the propulsion phase of the stride is effectively reduced resulting in a smooth ride that is very stable at midstance, for fast, efficient running with less stress and increased performance.

SCOTT shoes are also made with Ergologic Fit. Ergologic Fit is a unique technology for the upper of the shoe that uses a smooth and conforming mono-sock design in the forefoot and an overlapping heel and midfoot cradle to secure and support the foot. This design maximizes adjustability and fit for different foot shapes, and creates a smooth, comfortable feel over the instep, flex point, and toes.

Here at American Adventure Sports we simply love these shoes and are sure you will too. We are also sure you will find a shoe that suits your needs as an athlete or runner, so be sure to check them out at http://www.scott-sports.com/ and get a perfect pair today!

Grand Trunk Double Hammock named official hammock of ECARS and Team SOG

2012-02-17T11:44:00.000-08:00

American Adventure Sports proudly announces that the Grand Trunk Double Hammock is the official hammock of ECARS (East Coast Adventure Racing Series) and the nationally ranked adventure racing team Team SOG! Grand Trunk Goods offers a great product line for the on the on-the-go adventurer. From Hammocks, tents and a recycled Bamboo Collection of sleep gear, Grand Trunk is a perfect fit for American Adventure Sports, so will be offering Grand Trunks Double Hammock at our retail locations.

This Double Hammock is awesome because it boasts the largest hammock bed space on the market, a light weight of only 20 oz. and the capability to hold up to 400 lbs. making it perfect for you alone or with that special someone.

Made from high quality parachute nylon and nautical- grade hanging carabiners, the Hammock was featured in the New York Times with rave reviews “…by far the simplest set up…just wrap it around the tree, cinch and hook, and it doesn’t require any knots, which is great…”. - Banjo Weymouth, New York Times Reviwer.

These things are extremely comfortable and add tons of fun to any outdoor adventure you go on. They are really easy to pack and set up, so there is no fussing around. Without that added frustration, you can spend your time enjoying the relaxing comfort of the hammock instead of struggling to put it together. Stop in our retail locations to get one today or check them out on our online store www.shopadventuresports.com.

Honey Stinger joins ECARS and TeamSOG as official product!

2012-02-17T11:08:00.000-08:00

Have you heard the buzz? American Adventure Sports is proud to announce Honey Stinger as the official food sponsor ECARS (East Coast Adventure Racing Series) and nationally ranked adventure racing team TeamSOG. We are excited to be selling their products at our retail locations in Indiana and Greensburg. The Honey Stinger company offers pure, natural foods and supplements. All of the products are sweetened naturally with honey instead of being packed with other sugars and artificial sweeteners. Honey has been used for centuries as a source of pure energy and modern research is currently providing more information to show the benefits of how well it works.

The Honey Stinger Energy Bars are great for anyone who's on the go. They are made to grab and carry with you for a quick and easy snack. They pack a lot of nutrition in a little bar since they are made with over 30% honey and contain 20% of the daily recommended allowance of protein, 22 vitamins and minerals, calcium, antioxidants, natural flavors and all the benefits of the energy gel. They come in four delicious flavors to suit all tastes; apple cinnamon, berry banana, peanut butter and honey, and rocket chocolate.

Another great product is the Honey Stinger Energy Gel packet which are unlike any other energy gel out there. There are many ways to use this convenient, little gel. You can drink it straight from the packet for a long-lasting boost of energy or spread it on toast or even stir it into tea. All flavors also mix well with water for a great-tasting a natural energy drink. are available in five flavors; Gold, Ginsting, Banana, Chocolate and Strawberry. All five include pure honey from the USA, water, sodium, potassium, B complex vitamins and all-natural flavors. Strawberry and Ginsting flavors contain kola nut extract which is a natural source of caffeine.

Lastly, the one product that we really love from this company is the Organic Stinger Waffles. This snack was inspired by Lance Armstrong who ate similar products all the time while bicycle racing in Europe. He suggested that the company come up with their own version of the waffle to introduce to American consumers since they are so popular with professional cyclists overseas. Lance is never caught cycling without one in his back pocket! Honey Stinger Organic Waffles are the only product of their kind that's certified organic and available in a single-serving wrapper and are available in three flavors; honey, vanilla, and strawberry. Ashley Reefer, director of business development of American Adventure sports, says this are "absolutely amazing and delicious. Everyone will love these!"

We will be carrying all of these products plus additional others such as Honey Stinger Organic Energy Chews and Protein Bars. Our athletes and costumers will love this company and the quality of their products. They are tasty and are proven to provide energy without any unhealthy gimmicks or artificial additives. With these, you truly don't have to worry about what's in them unlike similar products on the market. If you want something all-natural and guaranteed to boost your energy levels in a healthy manner, these products are for you. Be sure to stop into our American Adventure Sports retail locations in the near future to check them our or visit the Honey Stinger website for more nutritional and company information

Additional Factors When Choosing Your Route

2012-02-14T12:40:00.000-08:00

Some other insight.

One great characteristic to have as a navigator is creativity. It is a hard thing to learn and even I think this is an area in which I lack. You have to be able to look at all potential possibilities. Open your mind and inspect the entire map. A lot of times your mind sees one route and will focus on only that. Take some time after you have found a route to see what other options there may be, and be creative.

Other aspects to consider when evaluating terrain: (there are probably more I am not thinking of)
1. Elevation
Note the total gain and the grade. Also realize that climbing leads to descending. Descending can either be fast or slow depending on how steep it is and the smoothness of the “trail.”

2. Path
Are you traveling on a road, trail, bushwhacking, etc. Degree of bushwhacking is also something to consider. Orienteering maps often show how thick terrain is but topo maps usually only specify field or forest and are often incorrect. Try to get a feel for how thick the forest may be. It is good to know your speed through all types of terrain. So you can compare different routes.

3. Facilities
In expedition races you may also want to see if one route will provide you with water or food especially if the route will take many hours this could be a deciding factor.

4. Ease of navigation
Will one route be easier to follow than another? Are you less likely to make a mistake? One route may be faster but if you have to stop every 10 minutes to figure out where you are or get lost you are wasting a lot of time.

5. Roadblocks
Does the route require you to fjord a river or drop down a cliff. Look for key features like this on your map. They may slow you down or prohibit your progress

6. Uncertainty
Maps are not always accurate. Evaluate the route (road/trail) you are going to use to determine how likely it is that the road or trail may not be there. Mapping errors are always something you have to have in the back of your head.

Technical AR Principles: #10 - Choosing Your Route

2012-02-10T12:59:00.000-08:00

Continuing on with our blog series about general Adventure Racing principles, we move on to what to consider when choosing a route during an Adventure Race.

Route Selection:

Route selection is a topic that can be as individual and different, from team to team, as the teams are themselves.

Obviously, in Adventure Racing, the object is to move your entire team, as rapidly as possible, from point A through point Z. Therefore, route selection will depend upon several factors.

1. The Rules: The race director's rules are "all-powerful". Breaking them can result in a penalty, or worse yet, disqualification from the event. Be sure to read through the rules carefully for each leg of the race, and adhere to them closely.

2. Time: How much time do you have available? Answer: Never enough! Some routes may be quicker, however, they may involve a greater amount of energy being expended than another route that may offer smoother travel. Take an honest assessment of your team and their energy level before selecting a route.

3. Energy and Equipment: How much energy will be expended on this leg? Are you fresh enough to take the "short-cut" over the hill, or will you benefit later in the race by taking the longer, smoother route and saving your energy for later in the race? With respect to the type or amount of food or equipment that you have at your disposal, what route is possible or more advantageous? If you don't have enough food, take the "easier" (less energy-dependent) route.

4. Competition: While you want to focus your energy inward, and "race your own team's race", the choices and abilities of you competitors do, at times, dictate your decisions. After all, it is a race.

And, as always, keep in mind... safety first! Make smart decisions.

Soleus Running Watches Named Official Sponsor of ECARS

2012-02-08T11:34:00.000-08:00

Here at American Adventure Sports we are proud to announce that Soleus has been named the exclusive watch and heart rate monitor of the East Coast Adventure Racing Series (ECARS) for the upcoming season. As part of the new partnership Soleus will be providing equipment for the racers and our team, and our retail and online stores will be selling a full range of their awesome products.

We just love this company and are excited to be able to introduce it our clients! The watches and monitors are perfect for athletes who want to keep track of their performance and want something new and innovative to improve their workouts. What we like so much is the fact that you can tell that Soleus has really thought about the customers when designing their product lines. The vision for Soleus is all about CORE functionality: simple-to-use, large viewing area and digits, bright colors, and value-priced. Soleus watches offer “everything you need; and nothing you don’t”.

“We could not ask for better training watches for our clients”, said Ashley Reefer, Partner and Director of Business Development at American Adventure Sports. “We’re thrilled to offer racers these quality watches, with great color and functionality!"

What really drew our attention is the GPS “Tech Goes Further" Campaign which they entered in Fall 2011. They will introduce a new GPS 1.0 for under $99 – the first in the market place at such a reasonable price. Spring 2012 will bring consumers the GPS 1.0 in hot pink and bright yellow; the GPS 2.0 with interval timers and downloadable USB cord; and the GPS 3.0 with all that plus HRM.

The GPS 1.0 lives up to the saying that looks can be deceiving. It may look small, but it can do everything you want and then some! It is one of the smallest and lightest GPS training watches out there and has an accuracy comparable to any Garmin device.

It keeps track of distance in Miles or Km, current and average pace/speed, and calories burned. The watch also has 100-lap memory, world time with 106 programmed cities in all time zones, and is water-resistant up to 3 ATM. The battery is a USB rechargeable lithium-ion battery. The best thing about this device is that all of the features and power is packed into a 2 ounce, low-profile design.

In the sport of adventure racing the condition of your body is crucial. You want to be able to count on accurate technology to get you into peak form while training. There is no need to go on being unsure if you're getting enough out of each workout session. Having a heart rate monitor makes sure you are working out at the proper intensity. You'll know when to slow yourself down or push yourself even harder. Maybe the hardest thing for you was figuring out lengths of running routes, or maybe you want to know a more exact mileage if online routes weren't very accurate. Now keeping track of the endless miles you run is made simple with these watches and their built in GPS systems. We all know gym equipment isn't very reliable at guessing calories burned plus when running outdoors there is no way to know for sure how much you've burned. Knowing how many calories you burn in very important when monitoring your nutritional needs. Before these innovative products came along this tracking process was oftentimes too complicated, tedious or inaccurate but still highly necessary. All serious athletes know this. If you want a product the worth the cost and that will truly come in handy (not to mention stylish and fun even) then Soleus is for you!

If you are interested in reading more information and want to see the full range of products offered, be sure to check out http://www.soleusrunning.com/. Also, be sure to keep an eye for the Soleus products coming soon to the American Adventure Sports retail locations in Indiana and our future Greensburg location. They will also be available on our online store.

East Coast Adventure Racing Series, Untamed New England AR Sells Out in Record Time

2012-02-03T09:48:00.000-08:00

Untamed New England Adventure Race Sells Out In Record Time

February 2, 2012 | Littleton, NH

Only four months after opening registration, the Untamed New England

Adventure Race is sold out with its final spot going to a team from Quebec, Canada.

This is the third straight sellout for the expedition adventure race that has established itself as THE destination adventure race in the Eastern US if not all of North America.

"There are teams from all corners of the continent: California, Alberta (Canada), Florida, and all points between," stated Clay Abney, Marketing Director for Untamed New England. "The race continues to attract international teams from as far away as Ecuador, Sweden and Denmark."

With over four months to go until the racing begins, this marks the fastest the race has ever reached capacity.

The record setting sellout can be attributed to 3 main reasons, explained Race Director Grant Killian: "It's a testimony to our ability as an organization to deliver an authentic adventure race with emphasis on a real back-country experience; we've been organizing great races since 2004 and word has spread about the Untamed New England Adventure Race. It's also validation by our racers who can't wait to explore the wilds of our course in Maine, based from Northern Outdoors Lodge. Finally, it's a statement that the sport of adventure racing is vibrant and capturing the hearts of endurance athletes who are bold enough to give it a try."

Forty-five of the teams racing in Untamed NewEngland are listed at www.UntamedNE.com/Teams.aspx -- but the full race roster will not be announced until March, as a few teams are finishing payments and formalities surrounding their registration.

Teams still interested in participating can join the waiting list, and there are still teams looking to add a teammate or two. Visitwww.UntamedNE.com for more information.

About Untamed New England Adventure Race Untamed New England is a 4-day expedition adventure race that is a qualifier for the Adventure Racing World Championship. The race includes mountain biking, canoe and kayak paddling, trail running, off-trail trekking, orienteering and fixed ropes. The 2012 edition will take place in the Maine wilderness. www.untamedne.com

Technical AR Principles: #9 - Orienting Your Map and Compass

2012-01-12T11:35:00.000-08:00

Moving further into navigation basics, this entry talks about orienting your map and compass, measuring distance, and taking and finding a bearing.

Orienting the map:

Place the map on a flat surface, or hold it flat.
Place the compass on top of it.
Align the edge of the compass with the grid lines.
Keeping the compass aligned with the grid lines, rotate the map and the compass as one, until the north arrow of the compass overlaps with the north lines on the dial.
Now that the map is situated due north, you can compare the features on the map with the terrain features that you see around you.

Measuring distance on a map:

Go to the scale on the map and mark the given distance on a piece of paper.
Take that piece of paper and place it along the given route that you want to measure.
Add up the distances for the route.

** If the route is not in a generally straight line, a string can be used.

Find a bearing from point A to point B on a map:

A bearing is a measurement of direction between two points. Bearings are generally in one of two formats: azimuth or quadrant. An azimuth bearing uses all 360˚ of a compass to indicate direction, (north=0˚, east=90˚, south=180˚, west=270˚). Quadrant bearings only go up to 90˚ and are given either east or west from the north or south. For instance, N 40˚E would be northeast; specifically, 40˚ east of north.

To find the bearing from point A to point B, first plot points A and B.
Draw a line from point A to point B.
Lay the compass on the map in line, so that it connects points A and B.
Rotate the compass dial until the magnetic north arrow overlaps with the north lines on the dial. Make sure that the magnetic arrow points in the same general direction as grid north.
Read off the number on the dial where the line between points A and B go across the compass. This is your bearing from points A to B.

Note: you can use a protractor if you have one, which might be easier for finding an exact angle.

- At this point, you must either add or subtract the GM angle, or difference, in degrees from grid north to magnetic north.

Taking a bearing with the compass:

Face the object that you want to take a bearing to.
Hold the compass level in front of you.
Look through the notch or sight of your compass, until you see the desired object.
Rotate the dial until the north lines align with the north-seeking arrow of the compass.
Read the bearing at the index line on your compass. That is your magnetic bearing to that object.

Technical AR Principles: #8 - Terrain Features

2012-01-09T13:02:00.000-08:00

Terrain Features

Here are some basic features that you need to be able to recognize and understand while map-reading.

Hill: An area of high ground, shown by contour lines forming concentric circles. Excellent points to help locate one’s own position. Commonly used for Check Points (CP).

Ridge: A sloping area of high ground. Excellent for fast travel from high ground to low or vice versa.

Valley: A stretched-out groove in the land, typically formed by a stream or river. Possible sources for water, but often filling with vegetation, resulting in slow travel.

Saddle: A dip or low point between two areas of higher ground. Representing by an hourglass shape on the topographical map.

Depression: A low point in the ground, surrounded on all sides by higher ground.

Draw: A less-developed stream course than a valley. Contour lines are either U-Shaped or V-Shaped, pointing to the high ground. Excellent to use as a point of reference to identify one’s progress or location, but typically having a heavy vegetation and being slow for travel.

Spur: A short, continuous sloping line of ground, normally jutting out from the side of a ridge. Contour lines point away from the high ground. Typically open and excellent for travel.

Cliff: A vertical or near vertical feature. An abrupt change in the land. Contour lines either converging or running close together, or a line with “tick” marks pointing out towards the lower ground.

Learn how to read these on the map and be comfortable recognizing each feature. Here is a overview of all common features shown on a topographic map.

Technical AR Principles: #7 - Navigation Basics

2011-12-30T15:37:00.000-08:00

Ok, now that we've thoroughly discussed paddling, let's move on to Navigation! Navigation is possibly the most interesting aspect of Adventure Racing, and certainly one of the characteristics that makes AR so unique. To start out, let's talk about some of the very basics involved with Navigation.

Map: A map is a geographic representation of a portion of the earth’s surface, as seen from above.

Topographical Map: Most common map used for Adventure Racing, this map uses contour lines to depict the area’s terrain.

Marginal Information:

Legend (bottom right margin) shows symbols, colors and their meanings.

Scale (bottom middle) 1:40,000, 1:24,000, 1:50,000, etc.

Contour Interval (bottom middle) may be in meters of feet.

Declination Diagram (bottom) difference between “grid north” and “magnetic north”.

True North: A line leading to the North Pole (star).
Magnetic North: The “north” that is indicated by the north arrow on a compass.
Grid North: The vertical grid lines on a map.

Colors on a Map:

Green: areas of vegetation
Blue: water bodies
White: open areas, sparse vegetation
Brown: contour lines
Black: roads, man-made features
Red: built-up areas/objects
Purple: map revisions and changes
Other: other colors may be used to denote specific objects noted in the marginal information

Plotting Points:

1. UTM Coordinates are used to identify any point on a map. You are given a UTM coordinate that is divided into two parts, representing the East/West, and the North/South quadrants.

2. Typically, there are an even number of digits in a set of UTM coordinates.

4 digits: you are within 1000 meters
6 digits: you are within 100 meters
8 digits: you are within 10 meters

3. In the event that there are an odd number of digits in the coordinates, refer to the edge of your map and determine if the East/West or the North/South coordinates contain the extra digit.

4. First plot RIGHT, then plot UP.

5. Plot the first two numbers of the first and second coordinates. This will put you in the proper grid square. Then plot the remaining numbers of the coordinate.

Snyder to Join TeamSOG

2011-12-28T13:13:00.000-08:00

TeamSOG, the 2011 United States Adventure Racing National Champions, is proud to welcome Dan Snyder to the roster for the 2012 season.

Dan Snyder, who originates from Bradford, Pennsylvania, tried-out for a place on the team at the East Coast Adventure Racing Series (ECARS) Championship race in September of this year. During the 18-hour championship race, Dan raced as a solo, but kept up with the nationally-ranked team throughout the entire race. Dan proved himself not only as a physical powerhouse, but also as a great teammate through the encouragement and attitude he brought to the race. Snyder would’ve won the 1^st place in his category (i.e., solo male) by several hours; however, Dan asked to not be considered for official placement due to his opportunity to race closely behind the nationally-ranked TeamSOG. Dan contended that he considered this race to be an audition for the team, and therefore he did not think it would be fair to be officially placed on the scoreboard.

Snyder out on the water practicing his paddling.

Snyder, 27, currently resides in Erie, PA, where he works for a custom injection molding company for the medical device industry as a technical sales engineer. Dan was not introduced to racing until a few years ago. While interning at an engineering firm, Dan signed up to run a 5k with a few coworkers. After that, he was hooked. Dan began doing longer races, eventually moving into triathlons and Adventure Races. Only four years after his first 5k, Snyder completed in an Ironman in St. George, Utah.

Snyder is excited to join the line-up, which also includes AR all-stars Toby Angove, Kristin Eddy, Brian Mayer, Julia Pollock, Kristen Dieffenbach, and Chris Caul. TeamSOG had a great 2011 season, and with all of the up-and-coming talent, promises to be a team to watch in 2012. This year, TeamSOG took 1^stplace in the USARA National Championship as well as the East Coast Adventure Racing Championship. They also took 2^nd place in the Checkpoint Tracker National Championship. To find out more information about TeamSOG and the East Coast Adventure racing series, visit these sites:www.eastcoastadventureracing.com, www.americanadventuresports/com/about/Team_AAS/.

Switch Magnetic Interchange Lens System

2011-12-20T13:56:00.000-08:00

Switch Vision has been named the exclusive eyewear of the East Coast Adventure Racing Series (ECARS) founded by American Adventure Sports. Switch Magnetic Interchangeable Lens System^TM is the world's first eyewear frame with fully interchangeable lenses offering convenience, speed and ease of use. These frames ideal for a full range of athletics are available in prescriptions and a variety of light management systems. They offer total versatility, function and design that is simultaneously flexible and durable, making them ideal for adventure racing, travel, and leisure activities.

At the Switch Vision website there are eleven styles of frames to suit the tastes of everyone. They are built with superior grade thermoplastic nylon for amazing durability and toughness to withstand the demands of even the most extreme activities. There are rubber TPR contact surfaces along the temples and bridge for added grip. A 3-point comfort fit technology stabilizes and balances the glasses. As for the magnetic lenses, all Switch frames have high-energy magnets which ensures the security of the lenses. The magnetic frames also allows for quick and easy changing when light conditions change during the day.

There are at least 14 different types of lenses designed for any type of condition you could run into while being active. They have glare, sun, and shade lenses, and they also offer specialty lenses for specific sports. For example, the yellow Switch ski lens (pictured at left) reduces glare on the snow making moguls and uneven snow distinguished and visible instead of just blending in. Regardless of the type of lens, all are made from lightweight, optical grade polycarbonate TriGuard^TM technology coating which acts as a water repellent and resists smudging and scratches.

When you order the glasses it comes as a Switch kit including a magnetic interchange frame, a pair of Primary Lenses, a pair of low light rose amber lenses, a microfiber cleaning pouch and a LensPod. A LensPod stores and protects the lens that are not in use.

When asked about this new product Doug Crytzer, Owner and Founder of American Adventure Sports said, "We could not ask for better sunglasses for our client . We’re thrilled to offer racers a pair of sunglasses boasting lens kits they can change in literally seconds, it is so important to have the right eye protection both day and night while adventure racing. Our athletes will never go back after experiencing this innovative lens system, I am sure of it.”

Anthony P. DiChiara President and CEO of Switch Vision said, ”Switch Vision is extremely excited about our partnership with the East Coast Adventure Racing Series. The athletes that compete in this series of events are the ultimate competitors and they need a Sunglass like Switch Vision that will stand up to the elements that they are competing in."

This system of eyewear is perfect for every person athlete or not. To see more information or to get yours today, visit http://www.switchvision.com/

Technical AR Principles: #6 - Equipment

2011-12-14T11:20:00.000-08:00

Life jackets – there are a number of good Coast Guard approved life jackets, or PFDs (Personal Floatation Device) on the market. They come in all sorts of designs and thicknesses. Life jackets fulfill a dual function: when you’re swimming through a rapid, they help keep you afloat, and when you are up-side-down in your boat, they offer back and shoulder protection from subsurface hazards. In general, the higher the buoyancy rating of the jacket, the better. The only drawback with a rather large life jacket is the bulkiness. This can be a technical limitation in a couple of paddling fields. Slalom racers, forexample, use an approved, but less padded life jacket to keep from hitting the gates. Most boaters should start off with a big PFD. As your skill improves, you can start using less restrictive ones. If you start running difficult water, return to the high floatation jacket.

Helmets – Your helmet is the single most important piece of safety equipment. As with PFDs, helmets come in a wide variety of colors and styles. Although a snug fit is absolutely necessary for adequate protection, you can get a headache if your helmet is too tight. Some helmets are adjustable, but most come in small, medium, and large sizes. If your helmet is slightly loose and non-adjustable, glue in some foam to tighten the fit. A properly fitted helmet should not jiggle when you shake your head. Most helmets that cover your ears will provide excellent protection. The type of helmet that can be used for the paddling portion of the event depends on what the event director will authorize. While some events/directors will allow bicycle or climbing helmets to be used on the water, others may require that the helmet be specific to paddling. Be sure to check the gear list for the event and contact the race director, prior to the event, if there is any question regarding the allowed gear.

Clothing – An endless topic. The bottom line: dress appropriately! Avoid over- or under-dressing for the anticipated temperature. You want neither heatstroke nor hypothermia. Because getting cold, or hypothermic, is the most common river danger, it’s better to err on the side of warmth, but try not to overdo it. If it’s 90 degrees out and the water temperature is 75, don’t wear your dry-suit with all of the insulating trimmings. You’ll not only stew in your own juices and get sleepy and lazy from the heat, you’ll also lose your friends when you release those simmered bodily vapors into the environment. If you’re unsure of how many layers of clothing to wear, bring some extra clothes in a dry bag and put them on if the need arises. Make sure that your paddle clothes fit well but don’t restrict movement.

Dry-suits – In cold weather, a dry-suit over some insulating layers will keep you warmer than any other combination. Dry-suits come in one-piece and two-piece styles. Their rubber gaskets and waterproof zippers keep you essentially dry, even when rolling. Both styles are equally waterproof, but the two-piece suits give you the option of wearing just the top as a paddle jacket when the temperature is too warm to justify a full dry-suit.

Paddle jackets – Almost every paddle jacket on the market is made of nylon. Variations in quality are primarily a result of different types of waterproof coating on the inside of the jacket. Some of the more inexpensive paddle jackets have a urethane coating that peels off after a few years, turning the paddle jacket into something more like a spaghetti colander than a water-shedder. High-quality coatings will last for years. Wear a paddle jacket that fits. It’s especially important to have some range of motion when your arms are extended so that you don’t feel bound up when stroking. Your jacket should go over your sprayskirt and be cinched fairly tightly to keep water out. You can also purchase a dry-top by itself to use as a paddling jacket. A dry-top is drier than a paddle jacket but won’t keep you as warm as a dry-suit. Since your legs are insulated somewhat by the boat, if you’re not going to swim, a dry-top is a good option over the full suit when conditions are cold, but not frigid.

Throw ropes and safety gear – A throw rope is an important piece of safety gear. Throw ropes are thrown by someone on the bank to a swimmer; the thrower then braces himself and pendulums the swimmer downstream into shore. Ropes are also invaluable for unpinning boats from rocks. If your group has only one throw rope, the best boater should carry it. Carabiners and prusik slings are vital for many river rescue operations.

First aid kits – a first aid kit is always good to have along. Keep it dry and stocked with basic first aid materials. A kit can be bought at any recreation store or assembled on your own.

Dry-bags – a dry-bag to store lunch, a first aid kit, and extra clothing is nice to have along, Be sure to clip it to the inside of the boat so that it doesn’t float free if you swim. Our recommendation: Pacific Outdoor Dry-bags (Can be found on our online store!)

Technical AR Principles: #5 – Reading White Water

2011-12-12T11:04:00.000-08:00

Reading white water – Learning how to read water is like learning a foreign language. Just as being relaxed and confident helps your cross-cultural communication skills, being relaxed will also enable you to pick the best routes through rapids while in your boat. A cool head allows you to clearly see obstacles, drops, and paths, whereas anxiety clouds your vision so that you see only an undecipherable mass of white froth.

Volume – Volume is the amount of water flowing past a point in the river per unit of time. In the United States, volume is almost always expressed in cubic feet per second (cfs), though occasionally it is given in some other dimension, such as cubic meters per second or cubic yards per minute. Depth gauges usually give the river level in feet, which is meaningful only if you know the individual river and therefore have a reference level or some other basis for understanding the relevance of the gauge reading.
A river’s power and speed always increase with an increase in volume. This usually means a difficult river will become harder with more water, but sometimes the opposite is the case. Sometimes high water causes a rapid to wash out and diminish in intensity. Experience on a particular river is really the key to knowing what to expect.
High water can create other problems. Flooding can cause trees to fall into the river or be picked up from the banks, increasing the danger to boaters. Extremely high water also tends to wash out most of a river’s eddies, those still-water havens behind rocks that are used for scouting and resting. On a difficult, flooded river, there’s little room for error. The water can be so powerful that your strongest attempts at maneuvering will be ineffective. If you want to learn all sorts of fun facts about rivers in flood, see William Nealy’s book, Kayak.

Gradient – River gradient refers to the average steepness of the riverbed. A rapid forms when a stretch of river has a higher gradient than the river’s average. A consistently steep river forms one very long rapid. Conversely, pools form where the incline levels out and the velocity of the water decreases. Most rivers are characterized as pool-drop rivers, with the riverbed alternating between relatively steep sections and level sections. These are the type of rivers most commonly run because they allow kayakers to rest after each rapid and provide them with an opportunity for checking out upcoming drops.
Gradient is measured in feet per mile. The most popular stretches for river running have gradients ranging from 10 to 100 feet per mile. The relation between gradient and difficulty depends, of course, on the individual river. Some rivers drop so evenly that they have miles of continuous low-grade riffles, despite high gradients. Conversely, a river with a low gradient may have miles of flat water with only one drop—a 200 foot waterfall.
As an extremely rough rule of thumb, most rivers that have gradients from 5 to 30 are usually Class 1 to 2 rivers, and gradients from 30 to 60 are likely to be Class 3 or 4. But as always, this depends on the particular river. Rivers with gradients up to 300 feet per mile are run, but only by experts, crazed maniacs, or those who can’t read topographical maps.

Water Velocity – Water velocity depends on where it’s being measured. In a straight section of river, the fastest current is in the middle where the river is deepest (See photo above). Water velocity decreases toward the banks and near the river bottom. Friction accounts for much of this loss of speed.

When a river bends, a majority of the water travels on the outside of the bend. This causes a deeper and faster channel to form on the bend’s outer curve. Because the inside of the bend has slower-moving water, not much of a channel is cut into the river bottom and the water is shallow. Often, the riverbank is higher on the bend’s outside. If there are waves going around a bend, then the biggest and best waves are where the water is deepest—toward the out bank (See photo to the right). But be wary—the faster water at the outside of the turn can undercut the outer bank, causing trees to topple into the water. In addition, the outside bank may be covered with overhanging brush. The water wants to take you there, but this is not where you want to go, unless you enjoy being slapped and snagged by shrubbery.
When water hits an obstacle (midstream rock, bank outcropping, and so on), it piles up on the upstream side of the obstruction and then accelerates as it continues downstream. Consequently, water speed is somewhat faster downstream and to the side of (but not behind) and solid obstacle.

Water speed increases past obstacle and near eddy line

Eddies – An eddy is any spot in the river where the water is moving more slowly or in a different direction than the main current. Rocks in the river are the most common cause of eddies, but eddies also form behind logs, bridge pilings, and bedrock outcroppings, as well as on the inside of bends and along the riverbank where friction slows the water. The water in an eddy can move at a slower speed than the main current, be completely still, or most often, move back upstream. An eddy’s character depends on the shape of the obstacle and on the level of the water. The faster the current is moving when it hits an obstacle, the stronger the current moving upstream behind the rock. This upstream current is always fastest just below the obstacle, making the eddy strongest near its top. The phenomenon of eddy water flowing counter to the direction of the main flow is caused by downstream water pulling eddy water downstream out the top of the eddy. Water from the downstream end of the eddy then moves upstream to fill the void. This leads to a constantly circulating flow of eddy water upstream and then downstream with the main current. A big powerful eddy on the side of the river with a lot of upstream current is, in essence, a giant whirlpool. The center is somewhat like the eye of a hurricane and is sunken in relation to the periphery.

New Princeton Tec Spectrum Customizable Headlamps!

2011-12-08T07:06:00.000-08:00

Want a way to spice up your old, boring head gear? American Adventure Sports have found a perfect solution! The Princeton Tec Spectrum program is now offering a customizable $35 Fuel headlamp which is sure to add some personality, flair or fashion to this useful piece of gear. In order to celebrate, our store will be giving you the chance to win a free PT Spectrum Fuel headlamp and offering a 25% discount coupon code in the near future, so be sure to keep an eye out!

What we love about this lamp is that the added fun and fashionable element doesn't mean that it has lost its function. The Fuel has four LEDs for 43 lumens of light with three brightness settings and a flashing setting. It runs on three AAA batteries and goes for up to 146 hours. They are hand-assembled in the U.S. to your color specifications. The online design process is easy and gives you a very accurate idea of what the final product will look like.

There are 10 colors to choose from and you can select different colors for each individual part, including the body, battery door, end cap, and bracket. With all the options you are pretty much guaranteed that no one will have one exactly like yours.

Currently, the Fuel headlamp is available to customize, but the stronger $45 Remix is going to be added soon. A non-customized Fuel costs $30, so you're only looking at $5 charge to be able choose your own colors. Definitely well worth it.

Never underestimate the utility of this little guy. You don't have to be an expert cave explorer to use one of these. They come in handy around the house whether you are attempting to fix a leaky pipe or trying to find a precious piece of jewelry you dropped on the floor. This colorful Fuel will have many comfortable and stylish uses.

To customize your own check out the Princeton Tec Spectrum website!

Technical AR Principles: #4 – Different Strokes, Part 2

2011-12-05T13:09:00.000-08:00

#4. Strokes

Paddling Smoothly – Now for fine tuning. As you stroke on each side of the boat, your weight shifts from side to side. This lateral rocking is unavoidable to some extent but should be minimized as it wastes energy. Why rock the boat from side to side when you can channel that same force into moving forward? As they say, “Don’t rock the boat.” In addition, don’t lean forward when you plant the blade, and don’t lean back as you take it out. Bobbing forward does give you a bit more reach with the paddle, but it inhibits a good torso twist and causes the boat to rock from front to back. More wasted energy.

To keep the boat moving slowly, make a quick transition from the exit to the catch—you want to do the next stroke just before the boat starts slowing from the previous stroke. Don’t rush to insert the next stroke: just make sure that you’re not pausing. If your timing is right, the boat will travel smoothly, without a jerky stop-and-go motion. To practice this, try paddling in slow motion on flat water. Concentrate first on perfecting each phase of the forward stroke. Then, without speeding up, let the parts flow together in a continuous, graceful motion.

The Reverse Stroke – Picture a forward stroke, only in reverse. The main difference is that you can’t insert the blade as far from your body as you can when doing a forward stroke. The blade is inserted a foot or so behind your hip and is taken out about 2 feet in front of your body. To make insertion easier, slide the blade in a little from the side before applying power. Don’t put the paddle in too far behind you or you’ll end up pushing a lot of water down.

It’s pretty easy to get the basic idea of the reverse stroke, but if you had a hard time keeping the boat going straight while paddling forward, you’ll be particularly frustrated now. Because it’s hard to see where you’re going, the boat will get farther off track before you realize it. It’s also hard to gauge how much correction is needed. To make it easy on yourself, you’ll have a tendency (everyone does) to insert wimpy little reverse sweep strokes out to the side—this drives you backward, but not very efficiently. To do proper reverse strokes, keep the paddle vertical and close to the boat. When you need to correct, put in a reverse sweep at the beginning of a stroke.

Avoid turning your head from side to side as you paddle backward: look back over only one shoulder. Otherwise, you’ll get disoriented from the swiveling, and by the time you adjust to the new perspective, it’ll be time to switch back.

The Sweep Stroke – The sweep is the most basic of the turning strokes. It’s also the easiest to do. The sweep stroke turns the boat while allowing it to maintain momentum, so you’ll find it useful in situations where it’s important to keep up your forward speed as you change your course. As always, a good fit in the boat is important. If the fit isn’t good, your sweep will just twist you, rather than turn the boat. There are two parts to the sweep stroke. These are usually combined into one fluid motion but can be done independently if the situation demands. For a right hand sweep, the first part of the stroke begins at the front of the boat (twelve o’clock) and ends at the three o’clock position: it turns the boat by pushing the front of the boat away from the paddle blade. The second part continues the motions from the three o’clock position and ends at the stern. This second component continues turning the boat, but here you affect the turn by pulling the stern toward the blade. This is called a stern draw. This may seem like an artificial distinction, but the two parts of the sweep do have different applications, depending on context.

The Rudder – The rudder position is basically the same position you’re in before you take the forward sweep out of the water. Don’t let the blade touch the boat. Your hands are low (you’re holding a horizontal paddle), your “lower” arm is nearly straight, and your upper arm is fairly bent. Both hands are over the same side of the boat. The rudder is sort of an intentional dragging of a vertical blade through the water. To rudder, hold the paddle close to the stern—6 inches is about right. Keep the whole blade in the water and vertical. From this position, you can turn the boat one way by doing a stern draw, or the other way by pushing the blade away from your stern—a reverse sweep. The utility of the rudder is especially apparent when way surfing, where it allows you to cut powerfully across a wave face.

The Draw – No other stroke has as many variations and permutations as the draw. And few strokes are as versatile. The plain old generic side draw is done at the three o’clock position and is used to pull the boat sideways. But if a draw is done near the bow or stern, it acts as a turning stroke.

Next Post: We'll go over how to read water effectively!

Technical AR Principles: #3 – Different Strokes, Part 1

2011-12-02T11:11:00.000-08:00

#3. Strokes, Part 1

Next we're going to go over to the different types of paddle strokes. Because of the lengthy amount of information regarding paddle strokes, this will be split into two blog postings.

Vertical and Flat Blades – There are three main categories of strokes: propulsion strokes, turning strokes, and recovery strokes. A proper propulsion or turning stroke requires a vertical blade, perpendicular to the water’s surface, because a maximum amount of blade surface needs to come into contact with as much surface water as possible to aid in recovery. Naturally, there are hybridizations of all of these strokes—we’ll get into those too!

Static and Dynamic Strokes – Propulsion strokes can be either dynamic or static. The term dynamic refers to a stroke that moves through the water in relation to the boat. Conversely, a static stroke remains in place once inserted, even though you, the water, or both may exert force on it. Most propulsion and turning strokes are dynamic, but a static stroke that has water hitting against it can move the boat around even though the blade itself does not move. Examples of this include ferrying across the river on a stern draw and surfing a wave on a rudder stroke.

The Forward Stroke – The forward stroke, also called the power stroke, is the most commonly used stroke and is in many ways the foundation of paddling technique; it moves the boat more efficiently than any other stroke. It’s easy to learn the rudiments of the forward stroke, but it’s also easy to develop bad habits. If you spend time perfecting the forward stroke early on, you’ll plateau; by reviewing the basics, you’ll give your performance a needed boost. The forward stroke can be divided into four parts: the setup, the catch, the power phase, and the exit. This division is only a guideline for analysis; if you take it too seriously, your forward stroke will be segmented and jerky.

The Setup – The setup is the foundation of a good forward stroke. Make your wrists form a basically horizontal plane with the shoulders. The elbow of your upper arm will be in this plane, but the other elbow (the one that’s cocked and close to the shoulder) will sit below. Extend your pulling arm far forward by rotating your shoulders, torso, and abdomen. If you flex this same knee up, you’ll help rotate your hip forward. This, in turn, will help twist your torso and shoulders into the correct setup position. The hand of the extended arm needs to be over the boat’s midline. When you extend your paddle by twisting your torso, you’re arranging your body to allow the powerful muscles of your back and abdomen to be unleashed later during the power phase; this helps you store energy.

The Catch – A good catch is critical for maximum power and efficiency because it places the blade in the vertical position necessary for the effective application of power. A solid catch gives the blade a firm grip on the water so that the boat moves forward in relation to the stationary blade; in effect, it allows you to move the boat toward the paddle rather than vice versa. From the setup position, a combination of a downward movement with the pulling arm and a forward thrust with the pushing (upper) arm will immerse the blade. This upper-arm punch is accomplished by thrusting straight out with your top hand, from a level even with your shoulder to a level about even with your forehead. Avoid punching higher than your head or lower than your nose. If you’re practicing the forward stroke on flat water, aim your punch at the horizon. Keep the blade close to the boat, since the farther from the boat you place the stroke, the more it will cause the boat to veer off course. Strive for a splashless catch: if you stab the blade, it has the correct vertical orientation. A very slight sideways motion with the blade as you immerse it facilitates a smooth insertion.

The Power Phase – Now you apply power to the paddle. If you’re performing the forward stroke correctly, the majority of your power comes from the untwisting of your torso. The pull from the lower arm also contributes to the force of the stroke; the push from the upper arm contributes least because it has already been mostly extended to achieve the catch.

As you pull on the paddle with your lower arm, keep the paddle shaft perpendicular to your wrist and keep your lower forearm parallel to the water surface. The paddle should remain fairly vertical throughout the stroke. In addition, remember to keep the blade square to your direction of travel—forward. Maintain the blade’s throat at surface level. Also, stroke so that the boat turns minimally. As you apply power to the paddle, visualize having set the blade in concrete (during your catch) so that the boat, not the blade, moves through the water. Inserting the blade as far forward as possible (without bending at the waist) increases the distance traveled with each stroke.

The Exit – Taking the blade out of the water is easy enough; the trick is in the timing. If you take it out too early, you cheat yourself of some power, and if you take it out late, the blade drags slowing the boat. In addition, if you drag the blade, you pull water up in order to get the paddle out. This is a nonproductive use of energy, and it causes your stern to sink slightly, slowing you even more.

To exit at the correct time, start pulling the blade out of the water when your lower hand becomes even with your hip. Lifting up some water is unavoidable but try to minimize it to avoid slowing the boat with your blade exit. Try taking the blade out by pulling it out slightly to the side, away from the boat. By lifting you lower hand up to a position right in front of the same shoulder, you assume the now familiar setup position for the next stroke on the other side. It’s time for another forward stroke!

Technical Adventure Racing Principles! #2 -- Hand Placement

2011-11-30T14:01:00.000-08:00

Proper hand placement on the paddle is important, and there’s a general rule of thumb for hand positioning. With the paddle set horizontally on top of your head, your elbows should form close to a 90-degree angle.

Where your hands actually find their place on the paddle depends on your own anatomy, but outside this narrow range, power and control are lost if your hands are too close together, and effective paddle reach is reduced if your hands are too far apart. Check your hand positioning by looking in a mirror, by putting your back to the sun and looking at your shadow, or by having a friend check it for you.

Another rule of hand placement is that each hand should be the same distance from the nearer blade. This allows you to execute strokes with the same amount of power on each side. If your hand spread is uneven, one side will have more leverage than the other and the boat will tend to turn to the opposite side when paddling forward – a very frustrating and common phenomenon for novices. To alleviate this, put some electrical tape around the shaft to mark the correct hand position; this way, you can maintain the correct grip without constantly resorting to a visual check. For most people, it’s the non-control hand that tends to travel toward the middle of the shaft, so you may only need to tape the inside part of the grip, the area next to your thumbs. This is a good tip even for advanced paddlers who often have a traveling hand.

TOMORROW: Various strokes; how and when to use them.

Technical Adventure Racing Principles! #1 -- Holding Your Paddle

2011-11-28T13:23:00.000-08:00

For the next few weeks, I will be posting general principles, methods, and suggestions on Adventure Racing disciplines. While an infinite number of volumes could be written on any one of the disciplines found in this sport, we have highlighted a few of the major points in order to help you develop yourself and your team as Adventure Racers. I am starting with Boat Basics and will eventually move on to Navigation, Climbing, and last, but not least, Biking.

#1. Holding Your Paddle

Curved and offset blades are standard on all performance paddles. Blade curvature imparts more power to a stroke than a flat blade, but it does make proper paddle control a little confusing at first. The concave side of the paddle is called the power face, and the opposite, or convex side, the non-power face. A paddle is always held so that during a forward stroke, the power face is pointed toward the stern, or the rear of the boat.

Because of the offset and curve, you need a strategy to make sure both blades enter the water with their power faces pointed back. Without such a system, one blade may slice through the water, offer no resistance, and possibly cause you to tip. Here’s the strategy: one hand, designated the control hand, maintains a firm grip on the paddle shaft and rotates the shaft within the other hand (the non-control hand) so that the correct blade angle occurs on both sides. Depending on the blade orientation, paddles are controlled with either the left or the right hand. Most paddles on the market are right-hand controlled. The control hand grips the paddle so that the wrist and forearm are at 90 degrees to the blade, with the power face pointed back. To place the opposite, non-control blade correctly, cock your control wrist out while maintaining the control grip. Keep in mind, for later reference, that there are times when you’ll want to cock your control wrist in. It’s not necessarily the case that left-handlers should automatically paddle left-handers should automatically paddle left-control. Some instructors go so far as to maintain that a paddler’s dominant hand should be the non-control hand.

Beginners sometimes mistakenly rotate the shaft partially within both hands. This causes blade disorientation because the permanent reference grasp the control hand is meant to provide, gets compromised. In addition, rotating the shaft within both hands makes it difficult to do some of the more precise strokes. If you’re having this trouble, try a visualization exercise and imagine that there’s super glue bonding your control hand to the shaft.

An oval shaft (instead of a round shaft), at least in the area of around the control hand, facilitates the correct positioning of the control hand and gives you more control over the blad angle with strokes such as the draw and the duffle (which will be explained in future posts). In addition, an oval shaft gives you a better grip and slightly more leverage with your control hand. If you already have a round shaft, you can make it oval in the control area by applying a thick line of Shoe Goo or some contoured fiberglass putty. You can even improvise an oval by placing a Popsicle stick on the non-power side of the shaft. A wrapping of electrical tape will secure the stick and provide a good grip.

ONLINE STORE LAUNCH!

2011-11-25T17:32:00.000-08:00

Happy Black Friday to everyone. If you’ve decided to go out and brave the crowds, hopefully you’ve found some great deals to make it worthwhile! For those of you who prefer to avoid the stampedes and do your shopping from the comfort of your couch, we have some great news: American Adventure Sports has launched an online store! To celebrate the launch, and keep in tradition with post-Thanksgiving sales, we are offering special discounts now through Cyber Monday (Nov. 28^th). www.shopadventuresports.com

Looking for gifts for the outdoor enthusiast, adventure racer, or yoga lover in your life? Look no further. We’ve got great products for all adventure seekers, including GoPro cameras and accessories, SOG knives and tools, AAS branded apparel, OutThere USA packs, Darn Tough socks, plus adventure racing, climbing, and survival gear! All of the Adventure Racing products that we sell are tested and endorsed by TeamSOG, who finished 1^st place at USARA National Adventure Racing Championship this year! (Side note: if you're looking for a great gift that would suit just about anyone, a personal favorite of mine is Sherpa's Jaaro Microfleece Pants. They are perfect for a cold-day run and incredibly comfortable for just lounging around the house! And at only $30.00, they're a bargain!)

Also, don’t forget that tomorrow is Small Business Saturday (also being called Shop Local Saturday). Remember to support your local independent businesses! Small businesses have charm and customer care that you won’t find at larger chain stores, and economic studies have shown that supporting local, independent businesses is one of the best ways to strengthen and sustainably grow our economy!

Valuable Adventure Racing Tips!

2011-11-25T06:08:00.000-08:00

With January right around the corner and cold weather already upon us its time to start thinking about the 2012 race season! You may want to take a shot at your first sprint adventure race or be a seasoned expedition racer, in a any case check out these tips on preparing yourself for the 2012 season!

Winter-the time to BUILD BASE

The first stage in building endurance is building a solid foundation/base. This is time to work on your bodies functions. Running and biking moderate distances slowly are a good way to start. Accompany this with lots of stretching and some weight lifting. Base building should be completed at the beginning of your training period we will use January for our example.

Since this is winter, you may find that you can best achieve your goals by focusing on running. Cycling is important as well, but it is difficult to face much more than an hour outdoors or on an indoor trainier. Swimming is also valuable at this phase.

For three weeks, training volume should increase weekly, followed by arrest week. Three more weeks of volume increases are next, and then another rest week. Then a final push for three weeks to maximum volume level and a final week of rest should occur. This puts us into April and a new training phase.

Spring-the time to BUILD SPEED

This is the time to start reducing volume and increasing intensity. This increased intensity will translate to faster race paces and less time on the race course. Training volume for the first three week build phase should drop to the levels reached in the second three weeks of the base phase. At the same time intensity should slowly increase. Again—the fourth week should be a rest week.

The second three weeks of the build phase should see volumes drop to ones similar to your first week of base, and intensity will increase even more. This will take us to June.

Summer-time to HIT YOUR PEAK

By now you are in pretty good shape. Volumes can decrease more, as race link intensities are introduced to your workouts. Older athletes may benefit from racing more often in this phase and can actually race themselves into top form. Training volume should drop below those seen in the first base phase allowing you more energy to focus on intensity, and more time to mow your lawn. Workouts should frequently have aspects of race pace sprinkled into them, and non-race weekends can have simulated races as substitutes for workouts.

A typical peak phase will only last a couple weeks, but can be extended or shortened depending on how it aligns with an actual race week. Using this schedule scenario an athlete might use race #2 as a workout race while planning to peak for race #3.

Time to RACE!

These weeks will see drastic drops in volume to levels well below the first week of base building. Think of these as rest weeks but consider including some power or short high intensity efforts to maintain sharpness. A race week is applied to those races that you are settling as your priority races(s).

After a difficult race it is best for a week and then work back into a build phase. This cycle can continue for 3-5 times before a prolonged rest should occur.

If you like these tips try getting yourself a planner with more valuable information like you just read! We look forward to seeing new faces at this years AAS events line up!

How to have a Happy and HEALTHY Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T15:31:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is all about stuffing yourself with comfort food, taking afternoon naps, and lazily watching football (...that is the true meaning of Thanksgiving, right?). This style of holiday leaves us all feeling sluggish and needing to loosen our belt a few notches. Instead of fulfilling this Thanksgiving tradition, how about starting a new healthier tradition? Here are some tips for having a happier, healthier holiday.

On Thanksgiving day, you may be tempted to skip exercising, but we recommend pushing through those feelings and having at least a short sweat session. Why? It will help you feel energized and more alert, allowing you to better control your appetite, and therefore make healthier eating choices. (Side note: not excited about spending time with your in-laws? Exercising the day of will help you relax and deal with stress better too!)

If you're short on time, a 20-minute intense workout can be enough to keep you feeling great throughout the day. Try a short workout video (recommendation: check your FREE options under the Sports and Fitness section on your tv's On Demand or check instant streaming options on Netflix). The videos geared for 15- or 20-minute workouts tend to be more intense, so they're good options for breaking a sweat in a limited amount of time. Alternatively, if you have more time, a good yoga practice can be a less intense way of burning calories while relieving stress, and practicing Tai Chi has also been shown to melt tension and reduce stress eating.

If you can't sneak away for some alone time, involve the family! A game of football or a family hike is a great way to get moving and share some quality time together. (Plus, one hour of football can burn over 500 calories! Not too shabby.)

Another way to ward off the sluggishness and guilty feelings following a large holiday feast is to make healthier dishes. (I don't need to mention that deep frying your turkey is a bad idea, do I?) Sides such as stuffing and the classic green bean casserole can pack a heavy caloric punch, but with a few changes, you can easily make them healthier options.

Baking stuffing in a separate dish (i.e., outside of the turkey) can save a lot of excess calories normally added from fat dripping off the turkey. Add extra spice to the stuffing so that the flavor doesn't suffer. Instead of the typical green bean casserole, look for a healthier option using fresh green beans instead of canned, and without the heavy, cream-based soup. For more healthy nutrients, try mashing sweet potatoes instead of white potatoes. Sweet potatoes are packed with a lot more vitamins and minerals. If you're not ready to cut out regular white potatoes, make a lighter version of mashed potatoes by using skim milk and chicken broth instead of heavy cream and butter. They will be just as creamy and delicious!

What about desserts, you may ask. Here are some lower calorie dessert options that don't cut down on flavor one bit!

Finally, remember to take time to truly appreciate your friends, your family, your health, and everything else you have to be thankful for! Happy Thanksgiving, friends.

Help the Little River that Could!

2011-11-23T12:34:00.000-08:00

Hey Outdoor Enthusiasts,

Starting to feel the holiday spirit? Here's something great you can do to help out one of Pennsylvania's most beautiful natural retreats: Vote Stonycreek for River of the Year!

Stonycreek is a breathtaking river that flows for 46 miles across the Allegheny Plateau in southwestern Pennsylvania before emptying into the Conemaugh River in Johnstown. Although it's not as well known as some of Pennsylvania's rivers, we think that this beautiful body of water is truly a diamond in the rough. This is the sort of place the phrase "hidden gem" was coined for! Offering some of the best whitewater around (including the East's longest-continuous rapids), this river is also great for kayaking, boating, swimming, tubing, and fishing. Not to mention, the Stonycreek River is surrounded by rolling hills with hiking and biking trails, as well as hunting areas, a whitewater park, and camping grounds.

The prize for winning the honor of River of the Year is $10,000. This capital will be spent to help further Stonycreek's revitalization and to increase opportunities for the river stewardship. We see the potential in this gorgeous flowing river - it just needs a little help to reach it. Please take a second and vote for Stonycreek! Voting can be done from any computer once a day until December 31st. Thanks!

Our Take on Kigo Footwear

2011-11-17T13:25:00.000-08:00

We love these shoes, they are stylish enough for everyday wear, sturdy enough for athletics, lightweight and flexible. Kigo Footwear should be the shoe of choice for anyone who loves being active! I am currently walking around the office in mine and will most likely continue to wear them for my post work work out. These shoes are as good for the earth as they are your body. According to Kigo the shoes have a few key features:

Comfortable

Constructed with a thin, flexible outsole, removable contoured insoles and lightweight breathable uppers, kigos feel as light and malleable as a second skin.

Stylish

Designed with versatile colors and wearable styles, kigos work as well for everyday wear as for athletic pursuits.

Minimalist
Featuring a thin outsole, feather-light weight and full flexibility, kigo shoes are everything you need for activity, nothing you don’t.

Eco-friendly
kigos are made with a unique combination of environmentally friendly materials and processes, including innovative recycled PLUSfoam™ HD Plus™ high compression foam outsoles, post-consumer CYCLEPET uppers and certified non-toxic dyes, glues and water/stain resistance.

Check them out at:

http://www.kigofootwear.com/products.asp

November News

2011-11-17T09:19:00.000-08:00

With the start of November comes the beginning of the holiday season, expanding waist lines, pumpkin pie and unfortunately the end of one of our favorite... race season. With all the news and excitement going on, we can’t be too sad! First, we’d like to start out by congratulating and thanking all of you athletes and volunteers on a fantastic race season. We saw a lot of growth, hard work, personal success, and FUN this season, and we’re proud of you. Thank you for making our job a pleasure and putting up with cameras in your face ALL THE TIME. If you’re not familiar with our races, please check out our new website at www.americanadventuresports.com. It should shed light on our events and what Adventure Racing is all about.

The American Adventure Sports staff would like to specially congratulate our own Adventure Racing team, TeamSOG, for becoming the 2011 USARA National Champions! They also took 1^st place at the ECARS Championship and finished 2^nd in the Checkpoint Tracker National Championship. No Boundaries, an online adventure magazine, recently ranked the top 10 power Adventure Racing teams in the United States, and our own TeamSOG made the list! Check out that article click to view article. For the 2012 season, TeamSOG is happy to welcome Dan Snyder to the team. Dan proved himself to the team during the 2011 ECARS Championship, where he raced as a solo, but managed to keep up with TeamSOG throughout the entire race.

Although the 2011 race season has just ended, American Adventure Sports has already set dates for the 2012 race season. We're totally on top of things this year...well we think we are. One new race has been added – the Redbeard Adventure Race, which will be held in Nag’s Head, NC in May. It will be a great early-season race as it is shorter than most of our other races (and on the beach!). Additionally, we have added in something new for the Yough Xtreme and the Blackbeard races; these two races will have a new, shorter length for beginners in addition to the regular length. The Yough Xtreme, held in Ohiopyle, PA, normally a 10-hour race, will also offer a 5-hour option, and the Blackbeard 8-hour race will offer a 4-hour option. This means half of our staff will actually be able to compete since we all just sit at computers half the day and are pumped about going on six mile runs. Our hope is that new Adventure Racers and those who have only dreamed of being an Adventure Racer will take these shorter races as an opportunity to start Adventure Racing. We love seeing new people enter our sport!

Another exciting thing to look forward to for next year is our Adventure Racing Academy, which will be held April 13-15, 2012. Normally hundreds of dollars, this year it will be FREE! All you have to do is pay for your 2-night lodging at the Yough Plaza in Ohiopyle, PA (www.youghplaza.com). The academy will be taught by several professional instructors, and promises to be a lot of fun! Registration for the academy is closed once the Yough Plaza is full, and we already have over 15 people registered, so hurry up and sign up now! http://americanadventuresports.com/Camps_Clinics/Adventure_Racing_Clinics/. Just a reminder, your registration is NOT complete until your reservation at the Yough Plaza has been received.

Getting ready for holiday shopping? I personally like to put if off until three days before...but American Adventure Sports will be having a BLACK FRIDAY EVENT in-store, offering 15-50% off ALL items in the store. Don't worry if you have no idea where were located....we will also be launching an ONLINE STORE (finally) just in time for CYBER MONDAY (Nov. 28th). In addition to selling SOG knives and tools, American Adventure Sports T-shirts, Darn Tough socks, Princeton Tec headlamps, GoPros, and climbing gear, we will now be carrying OutThere USA packs, designed by AR World Champion Mike Kloser.

Side note on awesome deals:

If you refer 5 new racers to us, you get free entry into the ECARS Championship. Send some tips and hints our way on new sponsors for the series! Every little bit of help counts. Don't forget to like Kigo Footwear our newest sponsor addition. On Cyber Monday, Kigo Footwear will offer a site-wide 25% off sicount code HOLIDAYKIGO at checkout!

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!

facebook.com/ameradsports

facebook.com/eastcoastar

facebook.com/arteammatefinder

Please Checkout Our Sites and too:

Americanadventuresports.com

Eastcoastadventureracing.com

Arteammatefinder.com

2012 RACE VOUCHERS

2011-10-12T13:53:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! Don't forget to checkout American Adventure Sports at Eventbrite.com. You may find yourself a way to get FREE gear, discounts, and prizes at events*hint, hint*!

American Adventure Sports: Adventure Racing Promo

2011-09-06T13:15:00.001-07:00

Watch for the Televised Series, Coming Soon!

Produced by: American Adventure Sports

Edited by: Zachery Scull