So, what is going on out there that is new and exciting? Read on.

Skurfing
A noncompetitive sport that is thought to have originated in New Zealand lends itself to the towable venue but requires more skill than the water tubes and floats. The combination of water skiing and surfing produce what is known as skurfing, which is akin to the American sport of wakeboarding.

Allan Byrne and Kevin Jarrett are believed to have been the first to use a modified surfboard pulled behind a motor craft in the early 1980′s. Byrne lent the Skurf board to Jeff Darby who began to produce it with some friends. Later, their design was produced under royalty by Tony Finn, from San Diego, a surfer who was erroneously given credit for the invention. Bruce McKee and Mitchell Ross manufactured the first plastic molded skurfboard named the McSki, which changed to the SSS ski board, and finally settled on the name Wake-snake in Australia. The board featured adjustable foot-straps, a concave tunnel underneath, and a fin at the rear.

In 1984, the same two men, having negotiated with a company in the United States, launched the American version called Surf-ski. Tony Finn was at the show for the release of the Surf-ski and went on to negotiate with Darby for the rights to produce it under the Skurfer name.

Skurfing is still more popular in Australia than the United States, but it is catching on fast. Although it is a non-competition sport, the freestyle pastime has many highly individualized forms. There are primarily two different types of skurfing, because of the board. Noseriding is skurfing on a long surfboard;the freestyle includes turns,
cutbacks, even spins. Boards have various designs, some with dual fins, and some with none at all, which require more balance.

What about the times when you are loafing along the shore and you’re not being pulled around behind the boat? What kind of activities can you associate with water sports besides swimming and diving? Check out another import to the states.

Waboba
In the late 1990′s, Jan von Heland of Sweden was experimenting with a Frisbee, throwing it upside on the water trying to get it to bounce. This led him to brainstorm about an object that would do just that. He began to experiment with different materials and compositions.

Heland eventually came up with a ball that would bounce off the water. He patented it the Waboba, which stands for “water bouncing ball.” It took him several years to perfect the ball, and then it took off on the Australian and Swedish beaches. Recently it has entered Europe and the United States.

The ball spawned the game by the same name, which is played in shallow water to allow the players to toss the ball down and out to get it to bounce. Waboba is a team sport in which points are awarded by bouncing the ball to teammates.

Each team has at least two players. The person with the ball attempts to bounce the ball to a teammate while the other team attempts to intercept. The ball must bounce at least once between teammates for the catch to be legal. When a team has successfully passed to every member without interruption, they receive a point.

Of course, the other team attempts to do the same thing if they can intercept the ball. Players must also pass the ball within five seconds of receiving it or forfeit. The defensive team can tackle opposing players as long as they do not tackle the one with the ball. Holding another player is not allowed.

The special ball is about the same density as water and floats when not in use. The ball is not made for use on land and hard surfaces, but it will take rough handling in the water. There are a few versions of the ball, some larger and some lighter.

There’s an official Waboba site, with videos, blog and comments from different boating and sporting groups. So check out something new this summer!

What kind of water sports do you do that other people might not know about? When the weather’s getting hot, it’s time to cool yourself in the most natural and fun way you can.

There is simply no excuse not to have fun at the beach with the wide variety of recreational products for the water available today. Whether it’s a game, a sport, or riding on a towable tube, there is fun to be had. Suit up, and cool off.

About The Author

Jane Warren is a water sports enthusiast who swims, scuba dives, goes boating & sailing, and rides and pulls towable water tubes. She spends 6 months of the year at the beach in Grand Cayman, or other natural water locations. During that time, Jane has plenty of opportunity to enjoy the water, and always has plenty of friends and family who visit, and want to be out on the boat, riding around or being more active!

Out of this love of water sports, Jane publishes the website TowableTubesDirect.com where she provides information and reviews on water sports equipment including towable tubes, skis, wakeboards, kayaks, and water trampolines. Some of the brands she has reviewed include Sportsstuff, Aquaglide water tubes, and Rave Sports, and Airhead. One of the most popular boat ski tubes this season is the Multipsport inflatable, a great versatile tube for towing, windsurfing, and kayaking.

If you stick to the way a country kid used to do it, maybe adding a modern convenience or two, fishing can be a fun and rewarding time that you spend with your child this summer. The best advice for getting started is to turn off the bass fishing channel, stay out of high-end fly-fishing and outdoor stores, and realize that you don’t have to be a “real fisherman” to have fun fishing. In other words, keep it simple like those country kids from long ago.

A way to keep it simple is to think of fishing as place, species, equipment, bait and techniques. Keep all these pieces simple and you will introduce your child to fishing in a way that is fun and in a way that just might ignite a passion that is positive for your soon-to-be adolescent. Let’s take each of these pieces in turn and make them simple.

You don’t have to find a top-notch fishing destination, rent a boat or learn to read a topographical map of a lake bottom to find a place to take your kid fishing. Instead, think about where you plan to spend time with them this summer. Are you planning to go on picnics in local parks? Check your local recreation department to find a park whose lake is known for urban fishing and that has good access for kids. Chances are you can find a park with this type of small lake with only a short drive – one you would have made anyway to enjoy a picnic.

You might also check out pay-for-fishing ponds that are suitable for children and are in easy driving distance. This is where species of fish become important. Don’t take your child to a pay-for-fishing pond that is stocked with catfish as the primary quarry or that has steep, brushy banks that are unsafe for children to walk around.

Instead, make the species you go after the bluegill (or other types of sunfish that might be more prevalent in your area). I recommend the bluegill because you can find them anywhere, they are good bait biters, will put up a fight that is fun but because of their size, something your kid can handle, and the equipment and bait to catch them can be very simple. (Plus – if you are so inclined – if you do catch a bunch of bluegill, they are not hard to clean and they fry up good for eating.)

Equipment is easy. A cane pole that you can buy in any mass retailer that has a sporting goods section will do. Get light line, small hooks and sinkers, and a few bobbers and you are ready. The salesperson in that section of the store can show you how to tie on the line to the cane pole. Remember that a cane pole will require that you have good and safe access to the water from the bank. If you think you might need to cast the line out a bit from a pier or bank that is a little high, get a low-priced spin-casting outfit. These are the closed-end reels that are push-button operated for release of the line.

Also, be aware that a spin-casting reel is different than a spinning reel. Spinning reels are open-faced and are more difficult for small children to learn on their first try. I caution this because there are rod and reel choices that might look good for a child, but will be too difficult when they are first starting out. An example is the mini fishing rod. These are fantastic in terms of being compact; they can fit right in your picnic bag, and are light and easy for a child to hold. However, these usually come with an open-faced spinning reel that will make those other advantages moot when your child becomes easily frustrated trying to use it.

For bait, stick with crickets or earthworms, both of which can be bought at any local bait shop. If these give you the creeps, then look for simple, small spinning lures to use with your spin-casting rod and reel.

As far as techniques go, the cane pole is simplest. Just use the pole to swing your line back and out into the water. No overhead cast is needed or desired, just a swing of the pole, keeping the line under the rod tip the whole time. One or two times are all that is usually necessary to start getting the hang of it.

If you are using a spin-casting rod and reel, you simply reel the line to almost the tip of the pole, leave a little bit dangling, about half-a-foot. Then, push the button, raise the pole to a one-o’clock position over your head, and then cast the rod forward while releasing the button. It might take you a bit longer to get the rhythm down, but it won’t take long.

And most important, don’t turn your kid’s fishing time into a “coaching session” for your kid; let them get as good as they will at this. The main thing is fun and just spending time with them.

For a family, there is no time more exciting than holidays, birthdays, and the summer. Depending on how old your children are, or whether you and your significant other both work during the day, the summer can be very hectic or run smooth. I hope I can give you some tips to help you and your family have a remarkable, memorable summer, and hopefully hassle free.

By the time you know it, school will be starting up again. There are many fun activities to do during the summer that don’t require an enormous amount of cash. The first activity, which is almost a summer staple, is to either go swimming or visit a beach. Whether you own a pool, are a pool club member, or can pay to go to a local pool for a day, swimming is a great way to let the kids have fun in the sun.

If you are planning on going to a public pool, remember that Friday, Saturday, and Sunday will be the busiest days, so if your schedule allows it, try to go during the week. As mentioned before, another great way to spend a day with the kids is by going to the beach. If you’re within driving distance to a beach, this can be a perfect one time opportunity.

In order to save on costs, pack a lunch for your family beforehand. Enjoying sandwiches with your feet in the sand can be just as rewarding as going to a restaurant for lunch. On those really hot afternoons, devote a day to staying inside. Whether you decide to watch movies, play board games all day, partake in crafts, staying inside can break the routine of the stereotypical summer spent all outdoors.

A good way to add some education to your child’s summer would be to visit a museum, zoo, or aquarium. The admission prices will vary depending on where you choose to go, but the experience can definitely be rewarding. Just remember that certain features inside these attractions do cost extra, so it’s usually best to plan in advance and check the attraction’s website beforehand. This will give you a good overview of directions, hours, admission prices, and any other special features that may be available.

Whether you choose to go on vacation this summer, or stay at home, remember to try and make the best of it. You may work year round, but your children have worked pretty hard during the school year as well, and look forward to having a couple of months to themselves. Be safe, and have a great summer!

Located on Lake Lewis Smith in the Wm. B. Bankhead National Forest 6 miles east of Double Springs, AL. Campground requires 2 vehicle / 2 tent maximum per single site. An additional vehicle fee of $4.00 will be charged at arrival. First- come / first-serve sites available.

*Quiet Hours 10pm to 6am
*Gate hours open 9am to 6pm Sun-Thrus, 9am to 7pm F, S; After hours access is available.
*Modern restrooms; full hookups available
*Site must be occupied within first 24 hours or forfeit Annual Day Use Pass is available for $30.00 Day Use fee is $4.00 with a $.50 fee per person over six (6) people. Golden Age / Golden Access accepted, but cardholder MUST be present.

Campground is open from Mid-March – December 1.
Campground Phone number: 205-489-3165

Services & Amenities Within Facility:

* Boat Launch
* Dump Station
* Electrical Plug On Site
* Firewood
* Flush Toilet
* Grills
* Interpretive Programs
* Picnic Tables
* Restroom
* Water Faucets

*No alcohol allowed in park
*Pets must be leashed at all times
*Reservations must be made four days in advance
*2 night minimum on weekends
*3 night minimum on holidays
*Dump Station $5.00 per vehicle
*Ice $1.25/bag
*Firewood $4.00 per bundle