Want to Know More About Sand Skiing? Read On.
Are you so in love with the slopes that winter flies by much too fast leaving you with ski withdrawal symptoms long before you are ready to give it up? If you just can't get enough of winter skiing, you just might be interested in a relatively new phenomenon slowly sweeping the world - sand skiing.
What is sand skiing? It is simply the brand new extreme sport. From Palm Springs, California to Dubai, from Abu Dhab to Idaho, it's the latest extreme craze.
There are two types of sand skiing. Downhill and cross-country both of which more or less mirror their snow ski counterparts.
Downhill sand skiing involves finding a dune, hill, or mountain, climbing to the top of it and skiing down it. Is it fun? Lots - except for the part where you have to climb up the hill. You'll find no ski lifts, no trams, not even a rope tow. If you want to get up the hill, you have to climb it on your own. Nevertheless, the lack of these niceties doesn't seem to have prevented newcomers from being drawn to the sport.
Cross country sand skiing involves skiing finding a nice long scenic stretch of sand covered land, strapping on the ski boots and skis and having at it. Nothing strengthens the muscles and increases stamina like cross country sand skiing.
Whether you do downhill or cross country sand skiing, this is fantastic exercise. If you're not in shape, this sport will definitely get you in shape. If you're already in shape, sand skiing will keep you fit.
The Essentials of Sand Skiing
So what equipment does a sand skier need? Pretty much the same as a snow skier. You'll of course need skis, preferable older ones as sand, even fine sand, is an abrasive and over time can remove material from the ski's running surface.
Sand blindness, like snow blindness, can cause a temporary vision loss. To prevent it, you'll need a good pair of UV resistant sunglasses or goggles. You'll also need ski poles to push past some of the denser spots of sand.
Sand skiing is usually done in warmer environments - so dress accordingly. Wear light clothing and if the sun is intense, wear a hat to protect your head.
Finding the Perfect Sand
Snow skiers are very familiar with the different types of snow, for example skiing on powder is a much different experience than skiing on packed snow. It may surprise you that sand skiers have similar experiences. Coarse sand gives a much different experience than fine sand. Wet sand is much harder to traverse than dry sand.
As you get more into the culture of sand skiing, you're hear the terms "fast sand" and "slow sand". Fast sand is great, you'll feel as though you're gliding on glass. It's almost effortless. Slow sand can be a grind, like slogging through quicksand. And there are all sorts of gradients in between. Skiers looking for perfect sand is much like the prototypical surfer looking for the "perfect wave".
So skiers rejoice. No longer are you confined to the winter season. With sand skiing, you can not only enjoy your sport year round, you can enjoy it in almost any place in the world.
Aaron Jochum is a freelance writer who writes articles relating to skiing travel, finding a cheap ski vacation, skiing tips, and skiing resources. Visit his site at http://www.skiwhat.com .
Related Articles:
Snowboard Snowboarding: What Stance Should You Use?
As with most sports method & technique are essential to your performance, snowboarding is certainly no different and stance is everything in this game, here we give some pointers to consider for getting your stance just right.
The Thrills & Spills of Extreme Snowboarding
Snowboarding has grown massively in popularity over recent years, in this article we cover the more extreme side of the sport, just to give a flavour of what some of the more experienced snowboarders get up to during the season.
How to Wax a Snowboard
Waxing is the easiest tuning job for snowboards and offers immediate results. Since wax makes it easier for snowboards to glide over snow, a waxed board will slide faster and turn easier. Waxing also protects the base form the harmful effects of moisture, UV rays, snow contaminants, and dirt.
Snowboarding Tricks - Can You Really Get Snowboarding Tips Online? Shocking Discovery!
Snowboarding tricks are what every snowboarding fanatic has a passion for, we all want to learn the freestyle tricks, that we see the professionals do with ease, but can we really feed our passion and take our snowboarding to the next level, by simply searching the search engines for help and advice with snowboarding tricks and tips.
Safety Tips for Skiing Snowboarding
Snowboarding can certainly be considered an extreme sport & therefore carries with it the threat of injury both minor & sometimes more serious. Recognising your limitations & the tell-tale signs can be vital in reducing the risks of serious injury - this article helps identify some areas to consider 7 look out for.
Different Kinds of Snow Skis
Skiing is a very popular winter sport and there are a lot of different types of skiing These different types of skiing activities require the use of different kinds of skis
Grab That Snowboarding Vacation!
The Snowboarding Vacation
Is a vacation in your plans this coming winter or spring Perhaps you are in the mood for something other than taking the yearly trip to "someplace warm
Snowboarding: Mountains, Snow & Thrills
Ski Equipment: Strong Implements of Sport
The beauty of the snow and the turmoil of skiing beckon the wild in the hearts of men and women It is the lighthouse for physical, emotional, and even spiritual rehabilitation
Learning How to Snowboard
Snowboarding is a winter sport that has seen a remarkable increase in popularity over the years Learning to snowboard can seem difficult to the novice, but with a little motivation and patience, one will soon discover the fun and excitement of snowboarding down a hill
Ski Equipment: Compelling Implements of Fun
The beauty of the snow and the excitement of skiing wave the wild in the hearts of men and women It is the pharos for physical, emotional, and even spiritual renewal
Ski Equipment: A Helpful Shopping Guide
Ski Equipment:Going into the hobby or sport of skiing can be fulfilling You do not only involve yourself physically, but your intellectual capacity is also tried and tested here
Getting Ski Jackets For Men ?
Skiing can be a fun activity to do with friends or with families When you decide to go on a skiing adventure, it is always advisable to be prepared with the right equipment and a suitable gear in order to make the activity more comfortable and relaxing
Basics of Snowboarding Simplified. Whether You Prefer To Race Or Do Snowboarding Trick There's A Style For You.
The roots involving snowboarding are very questionable nevertheless it's earliest advent wasn't a great success. Originally owing to worries connected with this different supposedly extreme sport the majority of ski resorts banished the sport. Today, the story is extremely different. Snowboarding is now one of the fastest growing (and without doubt the most exciting) sports.
Want to Know More About Sand Skiing? Read On.
Are you so in love with the slopes that winter flies by much too fast leaving you with ski withdrawal symptoms long before you are ready to give it up? If you just can't get enough of winter skiing, you just might be interested in a relatively new phenomenon slowly sweeping the world - sand skiing.