Air to Ground, Hunting Fl, iOutdoors Blog, Nature Adventures, Water Sports
No Burn Here!
The sun’s rays, although essential for life on Earth, is also the source of ultraviolet light that can cause sunburns, premature aging, and skin diseases such as cancer. Sun block, as its name implies, blocks the sun’s rays from reaching the skin. However, the sun block products available at the market are not created equal – some of them are more effective than the others. Still, it is important to use the best sun blocks to ensure utmost protection.
Adding to the confusion, most products claim that they are the best – does that mean you can just choose any one of them? Well, not really. Experts recommend reading the label first before buying a sun block. Most sun blocks contain zinc which is considered to be among the best ingredients for blocking the sun. Still, this is not enough. You must also check if the product contains titanium oxide.
PABA or para-aminobenzoic acid is a common ingredient in sunscreens and sun blocks; however, this can be an irritant to some users. Thus, if you are planning to use the product on your face, it is best to choose one that is PABA-free.
A waterproof sunscreen is always better than one which is not because the product will stay on even if you sweat or have fun in the water.
The sun blocks offering high sun protection factors or SPFs are often much better than those with lesser SPFs. Thus, a product with SPF 50 is much better than one with SPF 15. Of course, those with ultrahigh SPFs such as 100+ are the best. The higher the SPF, the longer time the user can stay under the sun without getting burned.
iOutdoor expert can guide you in right directions.
Air to Ground, Hunting Fl, iOutdoors Blog, Nature Adventures, Water Sports
Repel Bugs with POWER
Insects, especially mosquitoes, can give you unsightly red blotches and bite marks. They can also bring in diseases, some of them deadly. Thus, it is important to protect yourself from insect bites. It is a good thing that there are already plenty of insect repellents available in the market.
Of course, like any product, insect repellents are not created equal. Thus, some work much better than others. So, how do you choose the best insect repellent? Use the following guidelines to help you find the most effective product.
DEET or N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide
Check the label of the insect repellent for DEET. This ingredient is among the very first to be used against insects and continues to be among the most effective chemicals against insects. Don’t worry, scary as its name may sound, it is deemed by countless research studies to be safe for use by humans. Its protection also lasts for more than 6 hours. Some formulations can allow 12 hours of protection.
Picaridin
This has also been approved as insect repellent. It is derived from pepper and has been proven to be effective, though, not as effective as DEET.
Oil of lemon, eucalyptus, geranium, soybean, citronella, and other natural sources
This is a great alternative, especially for people who want to use natural products. It has a sweet smell, is not sticky, and can be effective for up to 7 hours. Some formulations and ingredients are safe to be used by pregnant women and children of all ages.
When choosing what product to buy, consider how long do you need the protection and if you can tolerate products that contain any of these ingredients. Some products do work better on some people. but if u do not know, lets ioutdoor know, we can guide you.
Air Boat Ride, Air to Ground, Bird Watching, Eco Tours, Hiking, iOutdoors Blog, Kayaking Canoeing
Everglades Fun : Top 10 things to do
There are a few places in the world that can compare to the scenery and the diverse ecosystem found in that Florida’s famed Everglades National Park. Tourists who are planning to visit this natural wonder should not miss out on doing some of these 10 things.
- Hike the Long Pine Trail (14 miles) – Travelers should try to hike this trail, which is six miles south of the main entrance to the Everglades.
- Canoe the Nine-Mile Pond – Trail – This four-hour canoe ride takes tourists into a magnificent small freshwater lake.
- Hike the Coastal Prairie – Trail (14 miles) – Hikers should also try hiking in this outback trail that begins at the back of the Flamingo campground.
- Tram Tour of Shark Valley – This is a seven-mile paved trail that was once built by oil drillers. It now serves as a pathway to the center of the Everglades.
- Visit the “Pa-Ha-Okee Overlook” – Travelers should also visit this short boardwalk trail on the way to the Flamingo campground.
- Canoe the Ten Thousand Islands – Vacationers should spend a full day in canoeing at the western portion of the park.
- Hike the Anhinga and Gumbo Limbo Trails – These popular trails are situated few minutes from the main entrance.
- Visit the Eco Pond Trail at Flamingo – This famous mile hike is located around a pond that is within the Flamingo campgrounds.
- Take a Boat Tour at Flamingo – This tour can bring such wonders of the park to the lives of the tourists.
- Attend a Ranger Evening Program – Vacationers should attend this evening event in order to know more about this nature-filled sanctuary.
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iOutdoors Blog, Surfing
Surfs up Dude!
The state of Florida is considered by some as the “Surfing Mecca” of the United States for being the location of several of the top surfing beaches in the world. Beach-loving people like wakeboarders and surfers describe Florida as a place with the world’s best breaking waves. Southern Florida is surrounded by water, thus, it is naturally rich in surfing sites.
The Inlet, a popular surfing destination in the state, attracts people from all over the country and even from all over the world. Cocoa Beach is also known locally as a surfer’s haven. It is known for being home to the best surf shops in Florida. In fact, it is even the preferred surf spot of some of the world champions like Kelley Slater and Ron Jones. Satellite Beach is also a must-visit for people who want to surf. This surfing site is located north of Cocoa Beach and is the haunt of professional surfers such as C.J. and Damien Hobgood.
Many competitive surfers hang in First Peak while those who like to enjoy other water sports other than surfing may consider heading to Daytona Beach. There are yet other surf beaches in Florida you can choose from. Included among these are Flagler Resort, Crescent Beach, Palm Beach’s Reef Road, Fort Walton Beach, and the Blowhole.
Before you go out surfing in Florida, make sure to check out surf reports, which can be read online. This way, you won’t have to worry about missing out on great waves!
iOutdoors Blog, Kayaking Canoeing, Water Sports
So Many Kayaks, So Little Time
A kayak is distinguishable from its shape and size. It is completely different from a canoe. Defined, a kayak is a small boat with a deck that is propelled with the use of a two blade paddle by someone sitting. On the other hand, a canoe by definition is open and is propelled by a single blade paddle by someone kneeling. The use of a kayak has grown widely and largely popular nowadays. Newer kinds of kayaks are emerging because of its different uses on different waters.
Types of Kayaks
The types of kayaks depend largely on the kind of water they are used on. Kayaking can be done on various waters including whitewater, rapids and waterfall kayaking; ocean or sea kayaking; flat-water stream kayaking; and lake and pond kayaking. Generally, there are five main categories for different types of kayaks namely, recreational kayaks, touring or sea kayaks, whitewater kayaks, downriver kayaks and sit-on-top kayaks.
Advantages and Disadvantages for Each Kayak
Recreational kayaks can be described as stable and easy to paddle. This type of kayak is best for beginners and is designed for use over lakes, bays and slow moving water. It usually comes in different sizes and is even equipped with storage areas. Touring or sea kayaks are long and stable and is recommended for extended trips. This kayak tracks well in a straight line but is harder to turn compared to shorter boats. The whitewater kayak is agile but is also less stable. It is designed to fit tightly around the body, and is capable of making quick turns and is easy to maneuver. Downriver kayaks are used for racing by advanced kayakers and are usually long and narrow, specifically designed for speed. However, this kayak is easy to tip. Lastly, the sit-on-top kayak’s design is made so the kayaker sits on top of the boat and the kayaker’s body is not enclosed. This is less stable than other kayaks and kayakers easily fall out of the boat.
It is important to choose the right type of kayak to use depending on the water sport activity the kayaker has planned. Using the right type of kayak not only helps make the kayak experience an easy one but also a more comfortable and enjoyable one for the kayaker.
iOutdoors Blog, Kayaking Canoeing, Water Sports
Techniques to Improve your Paddling Skills
The canoe is considered one of the best human-powered vehicles for many reasons. Not only does it allow individuals to travel without disturbing wildlife, it also permits them to take enough gear and other added luxuries. For persons riding the canoe for the first time, it will take several tries and a lot of practice to get the hang of the activity, especially when it comes to paddling.
Choosing a Paddling School
The easiest way to learn how to paddle a canoe is to enroll in a paddling school. Canoe shops normally offer paddling lessons or if not, may at least recommend nearby canoe paddling schools. Paddling classes range from beginner level to advance or competition level, and usually include other lessons such as first-aid, wilderness skills classes among the many others.
The Right Gear
Before heading off to practice paddling a canoe, it is best to start off with the right equipment, beginning with the right paddle. The perfect paddle is one that is tall enough to reach almost the shoulders while standing. With that and a properly fitted life jacket, one can now begin paddling lessons.
Tips for Proper Paddling
The greatest fear when paddling, let alone boarding, is tipping the canoe. This can be avoided by maintaining a low center of gravity. The individual can sit or kneel in the bottom of the boat. The canoe becomes even more stable when paddles are in the water.
The key to right paddling is to use the right grip. The proper way to grip a paddle is to grip it with the boat-side hand on top and the water-side hand a few feet down. This can be done by turning the hand so that the lower palm is facing toward the boat. To begin paddling, individuals should put the blade of the paddle into the water as far ahead as possible without moving from the seat or leaning too far forward. The blade of the paddle should then be turned perpendicular to the boat and then pulled through the water in a straight line that is parallel to the centerline of the boat. Turning and pulling of the paddle should be done using the core muscles of the body for power and not the back muscles contrary to that commonly practiced by novices. Once this is done, individuals should then stop applying power to the paddle at the level of the hip and begin to bring the blade out of the water from behind. The proper way of turning the blade at this point is to turn it in such a way that it is parallel to the surface as the individual recovers for the next stroke.
When switching paddle sides, individuals should pull the paddle out of the water when it is at level with the hip and lift it perpendicular to the boat. They should then bring it across, at the same time, switch the position of the top and bottom hand. The paddle is then inserted into the water and the individual can begin paddling from the beginning.
Observing these tips for proper paddling when riding a canoe can help beginners and even experts from sore, overworked muscles. It will also ensure paddlers a smooth and easy ride over the waters.
