Hobbies & Interests Page 6 Sports (Part 3)
How to Use -- Contents
There are millions of Internet Web sites devoted to hobbies. Our intent is to give you a sample in each category so you can start a new activity or improve one that you already enjoy. We provide historical references, sites of people who actually display their hobby online, as well as suggestions.
Use this index grid to jump right to the topic. If the category you want is not here, select something close. To make things easier, we may place the same link in several areas. For example, "collecting airline sickness bags" is listed in "Travel & Transportation" as well as in "Strange & Unusual." Due to the huge amount of resources for Hobbies, we have divided this into 20 pages. As you click on a link, it will take you directly to that topic on a new Slightly Creaky page.
Hobbies Categories
Updated January 11, 2010
Each area includes hobbies, how to do, and collecting
Also See Recreation Pets
Collecting (General Information) |
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Playing Card (Games - Collecting) |
Board Games (Playing - Collecting) |
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Miscellaneous (lots of stuff) |
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Online Games Page 1 |
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Online Games Page 2 |
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Open |
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Geography (inc. maps & flags) |
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Communications (inc. telephones) |
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China (pottery, glass) |
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Animals (live & preserved) |
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We try to avoid commercial sites, but in many cases they are the only ones who provide ideas and information. If you are looking to buy or sell, please use a generalized search engine.
NOTE: If the table lines do not show properly, please refresh the page.
Caution - Proceed with care
Slightly Creaky is not responsible for the content of web sites listed here or the actions taken by the people owning, managing, or participating on these sites. Once you click on a link you are leaving our site.
These listings are the result of thousands of hours of research. It is the property of Slightly Creaky and may not be reproduced in any form. Every attempt has been made to provide an accurate description of each organization. Contact us if you find an error.
Have We Missed Your Hobby?
We are constantly looking for more information, more links, as well as featured articles. Please help us improve our site and service. The Internet had millions of web pages dedicated to hobbies; we can only sample a few of them. Our purpose is to give our viewers a taste of what is out there so you can start a new activity or improve one that you already enjoy.
If you know any sites we should include write to suggestions@slightlycreaky.com
Track & Field
Track & Field
| Track & Field News | "The magazine provides detailed coverage of U.S. high school, collegiate and professional action during their peak seasons, then gives you the most detailed coverage available of the European Circuit. Our coverage of the World Championships and Olympic Games is the most comprehensive you'll find anywhere." |
| US Track & Field | Official organization |
| Olympic Track & Field Links | Internet resources |
| TrackShark | "Trackshark is the leader in elite collegiate and professional track & field coverage." |
| American Track & Field | Online magazine |
| World Track | "World-Track Sports Media (World-Track) is your source for late breaking news, features, results, updates, reviews and interviews and is one of the leading Caribbean sports group in the States." |
| Hell on Wheels | "Wheelchair racers vs. the New York City Marathon." |
| Association of International Marathon and Distance Races | "Our objectives areto foster and promote distance running throughout the world, to work with the International Association of Athletic Federations on all matters relating to international road races; and to exchange information, knowledge and expertise among members of the association." |
| So You Wanna Run a Marathon? | "This will assume that you've never run a marathon before and that you're seeking explanations of some broad details of how to get started on the road to your physical and psychological salvation" |
| Marathon World | "A directory of links to 501 marathon races in 62 countries and on all 7 continents. Select the area you are interested in from the menu to the left. " |
| The History of Track & Field | "The ancient Olympic Games began in the year 776 BC, when Koroibos, a cook from the nearby city of Elis, won the stadium race, a foot race 600 feet long. According to some literary traditions, this was the only athletic event of the games for the first 13 Olympic festivals." |
| Track & Field Articles | Provided by Ezine |
Family Sports
Family Sports
"We warn you: this sport is addicting! Once you go ballooning the first time, you're bound to be hooked. Say goodbye to sleeping in on weekends and say hello to a wonderful family activity!" |
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| Hot Air Ballooning | |
| Hot Air Balloons | "Balloon pilots need a commercial pilot's license (fixed-wing). They must have at least 35 hours of flight instruction, attend ground school for basic aviation training, pass a written test for hot-air balloons and have a flight check from a Federal Aviation Administration official." |
| Hot Air Balloons USA | "Floating in a hot air balloon
feels as if you're suspended in
the wind. The earth appears to be
turning below. The horizon rises
as you dip to kiss the treetops, then
falls away until the landscape spreads to
incredible dimensions. A mere whisper of wind
on your cheek tells you that the balloon has
changed direction, moving with the breezes through
the crystal blue sky." |
| How Hot Air Balloons Work | "If you actually need to get somewhere, a hot air balloon is a fairly impractical vehicle.You can't really steer it, and it only travels as fast as the wind blows. But if you simply want to enjoy the experience of flying, there's nothing quite like it." |
| The Official Site of the US Hot Air Balloon Team | Commercial. "The United States Hot Air Balloon Company was launched in 1987 to provide, fly and maintain hot air balloons for the purpose of involving pilots, passengers and spectators in the sport of hot air ballooning." |
| Hot Air Balloons.com | Here you will find a directory and calendar of hot air balloon festivals, rallies and events around the world. |
| The History Of Hot Air Ballooning | "On the 19th September 1783 Pilatre De Rozier, a scientist, launched the first hot air balloon called 'Aerostat Reveillon'. The passengers were a sheep, a duck and a rooster and the balloon stayed in the air for a grand total of 15 minutes before crashing back to the ground." |
| History of Airships and Balloons | "Hot air balloons were first flown by the brothers Joseph and Etienne Montgolfier as early as the spring of 1783. While the materials and technology are very different, the principles used by the earliest eighteenth-century experimenters continue to carry modern sport and weather balloons aloft." |
| Hot Air Balloons.com | Here you will find a directory and calendar of hot air balloon festivals, rallies and events around the world. |
| "Darts is a fun social game that has been around a very long time. Its enduring popularity reveals it to be a sport that combines talent, skill and even a bit of luck. This website will tell you everything you need to know about setting up and enjoying the game of darts." | |
| The Rules of Darts | |
| Darts' Guide | "Welcome to Darts Guide, a comprehensive categorized directory of darts related sites and information online. You may also search the darts directory, to find the information you are after quickly." |
| Beginners Guide to the Dart Game | " If you think that the game of darts is just a matter of throwing a few pointed arrows on a dart board, and hoping with all your might that you hit the target so you can win a bet with your friends; well, you are sadly mistaken." |
| Darts Across the World | "This site is a comprehensive listing of dart leagues and dart players across the WORLD. " |
| "More than 95 million people enjoy bowling, in 90 countries spanning 6 continents! Bowling is one of the largest participatory sports in the world. The Museum collects, preserves and displays the 5,000-year history that has led to this worldwide success. A key part of that story is the individual efforts of bowling's legends honored in our Halls of Fame. " | |
| Bowling Museum | |
| Duckpin Bowling | "The same as tenpin bowling...only smaller. The balls weigh anywhere from 2-4 lbs. and are a little bigger than a typical softball. The pins are also smaller, about 2/3 the size of a regular tenpin. Duckpins can be found mostly on the East Coast of the U.S., and in Argentina and the Philippines. A great game for kids and seniors, but everyone does it. Give it a try!" |
| The History of Bowling | "The history of bowling can be traced to ancient times. How did it evolve into the game we love today? Here's a short history." |
| Ten Pin Bowling | "In 1930 the British anthropologist Sir Flinders Petrie and his team of archaeologists discovered all sorts of primitive bowling balls, bowling pins and other materials in the grave of an Egyptian boy from 3200 BC. It appears that the ancient Egyptians played a primitive form of bowling and that bowling is more than 5200 years old." |
| The Bowling Coach | "The act of trying to knock over a series of pins by rolling a round object towards them may not be new, but this great activity is as challenging and engaging today as it was in the past." |
| Different Types of Bowling | "Most people are familiar with the basic game of 10 pin bowling, but there are actually many different games that involve knocking down bowling pins with a ball." |
"Patuxent's mission is to excel in wildlife and natural resource science, providing the information needed to better manage the nation's biological resources" |
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| Tools for Learning About Birds | |
| What Bird | "Whatbird.com lets you find your bird with just a few clicks. It's so accurate and fast that the Wild Bird Feeding Institute is using it to help people identify birds for Project Wildbird, their 3-year study on backyard feeding habits." |
| Visual Key for Bird Identification | "What grouping best fits the bird you want to identify?" |
| Birding.com | "Learning to identify birds is fun and frustrating. A field guide can help you attach a name to most of the birds you see. Field guides are books with pictures and descriptions of the birds. A field guide typically shows birds of just one country or even one region of a country. You will soon learn that many of the birds you see just can't be identified with 100% certainty. But with practice, you should at least be able to narrow your ID down to the correct family -- was it a Sparrow or a Thrush?" |
| Bird Watcher's Digest | "Welcome to our bird identification section. Click on the hyperlinks below to select the bird you wish to learn more about. This section features sound files containing the songs and calls of the birds listed." |
| Bird Identification | "The beauty of birds, their songs and the ease of watching birds is a pleasurable and inspirational factor that helps us to develop our interest in them. Bird watching fits so well with other outdoor activities of nature, fishing, walking, and camping which takes us out into the fields and woods where we may hear a bird song or see a colorful bird in a bush." |
| All About Birds | "The Cornell Lab of Ornothology is a nonprofit membership institution whose mission is to interpret and conserve the earth's biological diversity through research, education, and citizen science focused on birds. Our programs work with citizen scientists, government and nongovernment agencies across North America and beyond. We believe that bird enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels can and do make a difference." |
| Backyard Bird Feeding | "Backyard bird feeding is a convenient way to enjoy wildlife. According to a recent Census Report, over 65 million Americans, young and old, have given it a try. What has made watching birds the fastest growing hobby in the country, second only to gardening? What ever it is, watching birds, like watching fish or other animals, seems to make people feel good. " |
| Wild Bird Watching | "The bird watching information on this site is for everyone who enjoys learning the feeding, nesting, and mating habits of backyard birds. We've also included some bird sounds for a few of our more popular backyard birds." |
| National Audubon Society | "Audubon's mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity. " |
| Mangoverde World Bird Guide | "An all volunteer project to create a freely accessible multimedia field guide to all of the world's bird species. The main goal of this site is to educate others about birds so that they will want to protect them and their habitats." |
| Operation Migration | "Like many birds, Whooping cranes learn their migration route by following their parents. But this knowledge is lost when the species is reduced and there are no longer any wild birds using the flyway. Until Operation Migration was asked by the US Fish and Wildlife Service to spearhead a reintroduction of the world's most endangered cranes, there was no method of teaching migration to captive reared Whooping cranes released into the wild." |
| International Center for the Study of Bird Migration | 2/22/09 - site attacked by hackers "The unique location of the State of Israel at the junction of three continents, contributes to the fact that, despite its small area, it is a "bottleneck" through which 500 million birds pass in the Spring and Fall, a unique natural phenomenon, which apparently is unmatched throughout the world. " |
| Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center | "We are the Nation’s Zoo, demonstrating leadership in animal care, science, education and sustainability. We provide the highest quality animal care. We advance research and scientific knowledge in conserving wildlife. We teach and inspire people to protect wildlife, natural resources and habitats. We practice conservation leadership in all we do." |
| American Birding Association | "The ABA represents a whole range of birding interests, from identification and education to listing and conservation. We actively promote the economic and environmental values of birding, and we encourage the conservation of birds and their habitats" |
| " When the sun's shining it brings to mind the great summertime tradition of picnicking and relaxed, outdoor eating which is sociable and fun. Typical picnic foods can be high in calories – pastries and potato salads, fizzy drinks and cooked meats – read on to find the solutions which can make this a great day out without notching up the calories." | |
| Picnicking – The Great Summer Tradition | |
| The Perfect Picnic | "Summer is a time for family, for friends and for indulging in a little sun worship. Ah, picnics; many of us have fond memories of those lazy afternoons in the company of our nearest and dearest while snaffling delicacies off a pristine gingham cloth. Many of us, though, were lucky if we got a scraggy piece of lettuce, some lukewarm potato salad and a curled up sandwich. And let's not mention the ants." |
| Outdoor Places and Picnic Spaces in the UK | "To help you make the most of those long, lazy summer days we’ve put together a round-up of some of our favorite Chiltern places for a picnic and a stroll." |
| The 50 Best Places To Have A Picnic In Uk | " 1 Last night of the proms, London, Swansea, Manchester" |
| Top 10 Places to Picnic in the Northwest United States | "The following are the 10 best picnic locations in the Northwest United States. Organized by state, they are evaluated by scenery, accessibility, and amenities." |
| Movable Feasts | "In summertime the picnicking is easy. VIA readers reveal their favorite spots for sharing open-air meals while enjoying nature and more." |
| Fun Summer Picnic Ideas | "Instead of just throwing some food in a picnic basket and heading out the door to any old place, why not make your picnic the best it can be? With some pre-picnic planning, your friends and family will be sure to remember their picnic experience with glee." |
| Picnic Party Ideas | Enjoy the great outdoors with a romantic outing for two or a big bash for all of your friends and family. Read on for picnic ideas designed to maximize your fun in the sun. |
| The Picnic Site | "Take a wander through this picnic site! I'm sure you'll pick up some new ideas for eating and having fun outdoors" |
"New to table tennis? Get started the right way with expert advice on what equipment you will need, how to play the basic strokes, choosing your first racket, finding places to play, and the important rules you need to know first." |
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| Beginner's Guide to Table Tennis | |
| History of Table Tennis | "Table Tennis likely began as a social hobby in England toward the end of the 1800's. Dining-room tables and balls of cork made up some of the early equipment that was used. These early pioneers may have referred to their sport as gossima, flim-flam, or ping-pong" |
| All About Table Tennis | "I've put together a vast resource of table tennis information just for you. So that means you'll be able to find all the answers to your table tennis questions in one place." |
| The History of Table Tennis | "Like many other sports, table tennis began as a mild social diversion. Descending, along with lawn tennis and badminton, from the ancient medieval game of tennis. It was popular in England in the second half of the nineteenth century under its present name and various trade names such as Gossima and Whiff-Whaff." |
| Ping Pong Anyone? | "The turn of the century brought many other refinements to the sport. Players started using celluloid balls after the English man James Gibb discovered them during a trip to the United States in 1901 and proved them to be perfect for Ping-Pong." |
| Ping Pong History and Rules | "The actual rules of the game depend on whether you are playing the 11 point version or the 21 point version. Basically, however, the service alternates back and forth and the first one to reach either 11 or 21 wins, provided they are two points ahead." |
| Official Rules of Table Tennis/Ping-Pong | "The upper surface of the table, known as the playing surface, shall be rectangular, 2.74 m long and 1.525 m wide, and shall lie in a horizontal plane 76 cm above the floor." |
"The idea of Billiard World, is to offer stuff that is fun to read and non toxic. It includes suggestions and advice on the game from the viewpoint of an average player. The web site has grown almost weekly, with the addition of pool art, player rankings, pictures and stuff like that." |
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| Billard World Magazine | |
| Life's Short - Play Pool | Game rules and tips. |
| Pool and Billard Education | "Okay, you've decided to go out and spend several hundred (or several thousand) dollars of your hard earned money on a new cue. But what do you look for? How can you tell you are getting your money's worth?" |
| Play Your Best Pool | Blog. |
| How to Play Snooker | "Talent is of course a major ingredient to being good at snooker, however you can still play a good game if you practice hard and are disciplined. " |
| Snooker Games | "Welcome to over 100 pages devoted to the game. Explore this site using the navigation bar at the top of this (and every) page, or visit the Sitemap to quickly discover the full contents. Once inside you'll find that most sections have their own sub-menu." |
| Rules for Various Cue Games | Billards, snooker, pool, caroms. |
| United States Billard Association | "The USBA is the governing body for all Carom Billiard games in the USA, in particular, 3-Cushion Billiards." |
| One Pocket | "To provide a comprehensive internet resource to help all One Pocket players improve their level of play. To educate and encourage all One Pocket fans to further their enjoyment and spectator participation in the game. To facilitate networking and cooperation between One Pocket players, promoters and fans for the purpose of helping the game of One Pocket grow in popularity, and helping One Pocket events to be more successful." |
| Pool Table Plans | "Imagine building your own pool or snooker table. What about designing your own pool table? Would you like to build everything in your billiard or game room? Maybe you already have great equipment or want to know how to keep your equipment playing professionally?" |
| Billard Congress of America | "The objective was to organize the players and promote the sport through qualifying tournaments at the local, regional and national levels in Straight Pool and 3-Cushion billiards (the popular competitive disciplines of the era) and recognize those champions." |
| Inside Pool Magazine | Online magazine |
| Pocket Billiards Rules and Specifications | "These general rules apply to all pocket billiard games, UNLESS specifically noted to the contrary in the individual game rules." Rules are in separate PDF files. |
| Rules for Pool and Billiard Games | "Find the game that you want to learn from the list below. If you are a beginner, you will want to reference the general rules of pocket billiards, since they apply to all billiard games unless specifically contradicted by that individual game's rule set. The pool rules are categorized in to the common classes of cue sport games." |
| "The International Inline Skating Association (IISA) was founded in 1991 by a group of manufacturers, retailers, and skaters who chose to be proactive about enhancing the future of the sport of inline skating. For 14 years the IISA developed educational programs, promoted safe skating, and protected and expanded access to public skate ways across the country. " | |
| Inline Skating Resource Center | |
| Rollerblade | "The world leader in the in-line skate market, Rollerblade pioneered the in-line skating boom by changing the perception of in-line skates. Once seen as strictly an off-season training device for hockey players, in-line skates are now a widely accepted "lifestyle" product that can be used by just about anyone." |
| InLine Now | "InLineNow.com can serve as your 'skating' off point for Inline Skating info. on the web, as well as our own original content, references and stores. We want to be one of your favorite Internet resource for inline skating information worldwide, for skater of all abilities and interests." |
| Inline Planet | Online magazine |
| Carlesa's Inline Skating Blog | "Inline figure skating has something for everyone. Speed, grace, strength, agility, artistry. This is one of many little known but worldwide inline skating sports. Take a look at the inline figure skating sports and the people who love it." |
| Skate Club Directory | "Following are recreational clubs in North America we believe to be active and which have a website." |
| Skating Articles and News | "You will find articles and news about inline skating, quad roller skating, and sometimes ice skating and skateboarding" |
| Finding a Roller Skating Rink | "The goal here is to put skaters in touch with skating rinks. If you're looking for a rink, click on your state's abbreviation and then click on the rink that looks interesting. With several hundred rinks listed there is probably one close to you." |
| Roller Skating Today | "RST is an online resource station for adult R&B quad roller skaters and is designed to inform, enlighten and stimulate avid skaters and others who are attracted to our features." |
| USA Roller Sports | "With programs in Speedskating , Figure , Inline Hockey , Hardball Hockey , Recreation and Aggressive we have a sport to cover every range of athletic ability from beginner to elite. We will provide you everything you need to get your club or organization involved in competitions and social events all across the nation." |
| Roller Skating Association International | "A trade association that serves commercial (for-profit) skating center owner/operators. It also serves those involved in various facets of the roller related industry such as teachers, coaches, manufacturers, distributors and other elements of the family entertainment industry." |
"Skateboard forum offering skateboarding trick tips, reviews on skateboards and skateboard video sharing." |
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| Skateboard City | |
| Transworld Skateboatding | Online magazine |
| Skateboard.com | Online news and community. Includes blog links |
| Skateboard Glossary | Listed by topic |
| Thrasher Magazine | Online magazine |
| Steve's Skateboarding Blog | "My hope with this site is to provide help, suggestions and info for skateboarders - anything from trick tips to news to gear reviews, it's all here. Skateboarders of any level should find something for them on the site, but my main focus if for younger skaters, and new skaters of any age." |
| Skateboard Trick Tips | "Here you will find the best skateboard trick tips on the net. We provide you with the best skateboard trick tips along with videos." |
| Skateboard Safety | "Skateboarding is an increasingly popular recreational activity among teenagers-especially young males. Practice skateboarding safely and use protective equipment. It is a fun and healthy sport that can give you a low-impact aerobic workout." |
| Skateboard Safety Tips | "According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), more than 15,600 persons need hospital emergency room treatment each year for injuries related to skateboarding. Fractures are a frequent type of injury. Deaths as a result of collisions with motor vehicles and from falls are also reported." |
| Skateboard Fact Sheet | PDF. "Skateboarders who have been skating for less than a week suffer one-third of the injuries; riders with a year or more of experience have the next highest number of injuries." |
Hunting & Shooting
Hunting & Shooting
"Our main objective is to provide a large database of Guides and Outfitters throughout the World. Our dedication is to you the hunting enthusiast. We have some of the most dedicated hunters involved in the development of content and structure for the directory. Hunt-it.com is staffed full time by a group of ambitious outdoorsmen, and hunters." |
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| Hunt It | |
| Hunting Regulations - US | Google directory with links to individual states |
| Places to Hunt | List of hunting locations for sale, for rent, or with public access. |
| National Trappers Association | "Committed to defending and promoting the safe and ethical harvest of furbearing mammals and to the preservation and enhancement of their habitats." |
| Wild About Trapping | "The Wild-About-Trapping forums and message boards offer an enormous amount of information. If you can't find what you need here come on over to the forums and post your question there. " |
| Hunting Society | "We are the largest and most popular animal, hunting, fishing and archery information site on the Internet. According to ranking.com we are also the most popular after Cabela's with over 15,000 unique visitors per day." |
| US Fish & Wildlife Service | "Since the late 19th century, hunters concerned about the future of wildlife and the outdoor tradition have made countless contributions to the conservation of the nation's wildlife resources. Today, millions of Americans deepen their appreciation and understanding of the land and its wildlife through hunting. Hunting organizations contribute millions of dollars and countless hours of labor to various conservation causes each year." |
| Britain's Hunting, Shooting, and Fishing Website | "We were almost certainly the first country sports website in the UK and we are still amongst the most popular - by far. Use the menu at the top of the screen to navigate the site. Our "Shooting" page contains details of the foremost sporting agents and guides offering the cream of British sport. For duck and goose hunters, the "Wildfowling" section is a must. " |
| Hunting Info | "Hunters, get the information you need for hunting in any state. Access all 50 official wildlife agency Web sites. Find state-specific hunting information on season dates, application deadlines, license fees, hunter education classes, and more. " |
| Hunting Information by State and Subject | "We try to provide you with the most complete information we can about where to get Hunting and Fishing Licenses. We try to update our sources constantly." |
| Hunting Season Links By State/Canada | Click on any State or Provence |
| Dangers To Avoid During Your Hunting Trip | "The wilderness is vast with many acres of undeveloped land. It contains its own version of muggers, robbers and most likely serial killers loose in it: it is no different from the urban jungle. Every action has its consequences and ignorance of the rules can get you into big trouble." |
| Hunting Dogs | "This is a list of breeds that are often still used for hunting today" |
| The North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association | "Our purpose is to foster, promote, and improve the versatile hunting dog breeds in North America; to conserve game by using well trained reliable hunting dogs before and after the shot; and to aid in the prevention of cruelty to animals by discouraging nonselective and uncontrolled breeding, which produces unwanted and uncared for dogs." |
| Hunt America | "Where the hunters come to talk." |
| Traditional Bowhunter | "Join with many other like-minded folks who love everything about traditional bows and hunting with them." |
| Bow Hunter | Online magazine |
| Bowsite | Articles and information |
| Bowhunting.net | "The Bowhunting and Archery Industry's Only Daily Source of News, Articles & Hunting Stories for Bowhunters and Archers." |
| The Hunting Blind | "Your informaition source for hunting informaition" |
| Hunting Net | "Monthly Newsletter, Bulletin Board System, Chat Room, Classifieds, Trophy Gallery, Trail Cam Gallery, and much more!" |
| The Ferret Hand Book | "Owning a Ferret is a large responsibility and should be considered carefully. Ferrets certainly are naughty little scamps!. Being playful creatures at heart, Ferrets can be mischievous and inquisitive and rather a handful at times." |
| Ferrets | "Ferrets in the UK are mainly kept for hunting rabbits which do cause severe damage for farmers and crop growers and have to be controlled." |
| Online Falconry | "We are always looking for quality falconry articles and stories for publication." |
| Raptor's Nest | "The Raptor's Nest provides free services to the falconry community. Primarily, falconers can advertise their products be it raptors, equipment, jobs, dogs, notices of events etc. in the self-self posting classified ads. " |
| The falconry Center | "A medieval courtyard which houses over 200 falcons, hawks, eagles, owls, and vultures." |
| Falconry Forum | Message Board forum |
| Fox Hunting in America | "Fox hunting today still adheres to strict rules of protocol established two hundred years ago. It caters primarily to the wealthy because usually only they can afford the cost of a good hunter and the means of keeping him, not to mention the expense of properly outfitting themselves." |
| Gilford Hounds | "On a crisp, Autumn morning nature stands at attention. Foliage is in full bloom with brilliant reds and yellows. The hounds gather at your feet, big eyes looking up at you in anticipation, sterns wagging all around, heat rising from their bodies. Your horse snorts in excitement as his breath rises against the blue sky. " |
| The Case Against Fox Hunting | 16 articles on this topic |
| People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals | "PETA focuses its attention on the four areas in which the largest numbers of animals suffer the most intensely for the longest periods of time: on factory farms, in laboratories, in the clothing trade, and in the entertainment industry." |
| Animal Rights Blog | "This blog is focused on the discussion and protection of animal rights." |
| Animal Rights Interest Groups | A directory with links |
| "The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is a principal law enforcement agency within the United States Department of Justice dedicated to preventing terrorism, reducing violent crime, and protecting our Nation. The men and women of ATF perform the dual responsibilities of enforcing Federal criminal laws and regulating the firearms and explosives industries. We are committed to working directly, and through partnerships, to investigate and reduce crime involving firearms and explosives, acts of arson, and illegal trafficking of alcohol and tobacco products." | |
| ATF Home Page | |
| USA Shooting | "Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, USA Shooting has a full-time staff dedicated to furthering the sport and supporting athletes and members of the organization. The organization has a USA Shooting News magazine publication, as well as public and member specific web sites." |
| Britain's Hunting, Shooting, and Fishing Website | "We were almost certainly the first country sports website in the UK and we are still amongst the most popular - by far. Use the menu at the top of the screen to navigate the site. Our "Shooting" page contains details of the foremost sporting agents and guides offering the cream of British sport. For duck and goose hunters, the "Wildfowling" section is a must. " |
| Trapshooters.com | "This web site is devoted to informing the public about the sport of trapshooting. Our goal is to help you find the information you need to get involved in the sport of trapshooting, learn how, and where to go shoot trap." |
| Target Shooting Canada | "Not all material here is either new or of my own creation. This is a compilation of material freely available on the internet or otherwise, plus material that I have composed." |
| The Encyclopedia of Bullseye Pistol | "The Internet's Oldest and Most Popular Information Resource on Conventional Pistol Shooting, the World's Greatest Sport!" |
| Target Shooters' Page | "Shooting links to gun clubs around the world" |
| International Shooting Sport Federation |
"Major goals of the International Shooting Union are to promote and manage the development of amateur sport shooting in the world and to organize and supervise the shooting competitions and to control all technical facilities at the Olympic Games in cooperation with the International Olympic Committee." |
| The NRA US | "Dismayed by the lack of marksmanship shown by their troops, Union veterans Col. William C. Church and Gen. George Wingate formed the National Rifle Association in 1871. The primary goal of the association would be to "promote and encourage rifle shooting on a scientific basis,"" |
| The NRA UK | "The National Rifle Association is the governing body for fullbore target shooting" |
| AusPistol | "Pistol Shooting news and information from around Australia." |
| Second Amendment Research Center | "SARC's goal is to aid in the creation of solutions to the problem of gun violence that are both effective and constitutional, and that recognize equally the widespread private ownership of firearms in the United States, the many legitimate uses of firearms in American society, and the high levels of firearm violence in our country." |
| Arms Laws in India | "A license shall unless revoked earlier, continue in force for a period of three years from the date on which it is granted." |
Golf
Golf
By zip code, course name, or location, find a place to play in the United States |
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| Gold Course Search | |
| Golfable | A comprehensive listing of courses in the United States and Canada. |
| Golf For Beginners | "Our Golf for Beginners FAQ is designed to answer some of the questions newcomers to the game are sure to have. If you don't see the topic you're looking for, try posting your question in the Golf Forum, where golfers of all skill levels may be able to help." |
| Map of US Golf Courses | "MapMuse provides the means for people with common interests to contribute their local knowledge about places and share this information with others through interactive maps and directories." |
| The Golf Channel | "The Golf Channel is available in more than 90 million homes worldwide through cable, satellite and wireless companies. It features a programming schedule that includes more live golf coverage than any other network – an extensive blend of golf competition from around the world – as well as news, instruction and original productions." |
| FitGolf for Women | Gain immediate access to the Fit Golf For Women's private website. Where you will... Improve your golf swing consistency. Add up to 40 yards to your tee shots. Achieve respectable scores more often. Thoroughly increase your enjoyment of the game. |
| Fore Women Golfers | "The web site by, for, and about women golfers" |
| Keepers of the Game | "Golf's future is not guaranteed. Those who love the game must take an active part in its development. We are the Keepers of its heritage. We must ensure our children and their children benefit from the game as much as we have." |
| Free Golf Lessons for Beginners | "Every Golfer, from Beginner Golfer to Advanced Player, benefits from a useful Golf Lesson. The best way is to look for a good Teaching Pro to get Instructions, and in addition you can check out the Golf Drills below to help improve your Game." |
| A Guide to Golf Etiquette | "Golf is an ancient sport with many rules and regulations especially regarding etiquette. Historically golf is known as a gentlemen’s sport, but more recently has been accepted as a gentlewoman’s sport as well. The game of golf is one for those who can maintain a calm, cool and collected manner. Maximum enjoyment for all can be achieved when players adhere to a high standard of rules and etiquette." |
| Ten Commandments of Golf Etiquette | "1. Tee. One player on the tee at a time. Stand even with the ball well outside of the teeing ground, left or right, while each player hits. It is a breach of etiquette to stand behind a golfer on the tee, or anywhere else on the golf course. " |
| HandiGolf | "Handigolf is for physically disabled people who have to be seated to play all golf shots. The Foundation was started in 1988 and is now promoted by the UK charity " The Handigolf Foundation" run by true volunteers, many of whom are disabled players themselves. The essential electric buggies have been used on prestigious golf courses in the UK, France, Sweden, Holland, Germany, Austria and Italy. Similar machines are used in America and Australia." |
| The United States Golf Association Resource Center for Individuals with Disabilities | "he USGA believes that golf's enjoyment should be accessible to all. From this commitment, the Resource Center for Individuals with Disabilities was created to make golf more accessible for the growing population of individuals with disabilities. The Resource Center does this by gathering, and making available, vital information to potential or current golfers with disabilities and other interested members of the golf and medical communities." |
| "Since miniature golf’s beginnings in 1916, on the private estate of James Barber in Pinehurst, North Carolina, the game and it’s public popularity have gone through multiple transitions, through both good times and bad times, and has progressed towards the current state of the nature of the industry." | |
| A Brief History of the Nature of Miniature Golf | |
| Build a Miniature Golf Course | Would you believe - From "Boy's Life." "With this simple project, you’ll be outside playing miniature golf in no time. Build your course with any available combination of bricks, wood, aluminum siding, whatever works. The game is best played with a croquet set, because the balls are larger and easier to control, but golf equipment is fine, too, especially for advanced players." |
| How to Build a Miniature Golf Course | "Miniature golf is a great game for bringing together family members of every age. This golf course has panels that you can take apart and rearrange to make your course as easy or hard as you like." |
| How to Make a Backyard Miniature Golf Course | "Miniature golf is a fun activity that people of any age or skill level can participate in and even win. Your family will enjoy designing and building your very own backyard course, complete with your personal touches." |
| Miniature Golf Directory | "You will find information on nearly every putt putt golf course in United States. On each mini golf course page you will find a map of the course location, user reviews, and the opportunity to submit your own reviews." |
| Mini Golf Rules | PDF "The game of mini golf consists of playing a ball from the tee into the hole by a stroke or successive strokes in accordance with the rules." |
| Miniature Golfer | "Miniature Golf, mini golf and crazy golf resources. Lists courses, clubs, associations, rules, terminology, and tournaments " |
Caving & Climbing
Caving & Climbing
Online forum discussion boards |
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| US Cavers' Forum | |
| World Cave Database | " This is a database of long and deep caves from all around the world. It comes currently in 3 versions: sorted by depth (deeper than 300m), by length (longer than 3kms), and classified by country." |
| Caving 101 | "Caving is an inherently dangerous activity, and without proper training and application of safe caving techniques, could result in serious injury, death, and/or permanent damage to the cave environment. This page and the links contained herein are meant to serve as a source of information about caving for the beginner as well as the experienced caver." |
| The Virtual Cave | "From the comfort of your keyboard, browse the wonders of the underground! As a caver and photographer for over 30 years, I've collected images from caves all over the world. This site tells the story of caves in words and pictures: what's in them and how it got there. " |
| Cave Listing | An international listing of caves with descriptions of each |
| International Union of Speleology | " The Union Internationale de Spéléologie (UIS) is the international body for caving and speleology. Formed in 1965, its voting members consist of a delegate from each member country. This delegate represents the country's cavers and speleologists, rather than its national body(s). " |
| National Speleological Society | "With over 12,000 members and 200 grottos, the National Speleological Society does more than any other organization to study, explore, and conserve cave and karst resources; protect access to caves; encourage responsible management of caves and their unique environments; and promote responsible caving." |
| Hiker Central: Caves | Links to dozens of caving pages |
| Caving Info Services | Links to caves around the world as well as to caving information |
| Caver.net | "Funded solely and maintained by Bill Bentley and is dedicated for the advancement and enjoyment of cavers throughout the world. " |
| Caving Terms | "Common terminology and colloquial terms used throughout the speleological fraternity." |
| Cave Survey | "This site is dedicated to information on maps and surveying underwater caves. " |
| The Cave Diving Website | "When divers use common sense and follow important safety rules, diving in overhead environments can be nearly as safe as diving in open water. However, when divers fail to follow these rules, the results are often tragic." |
| American Caving Accidents | "American Caving Accidents is the journal of record for accident and safety incident reports from the North American caving community." |
| Exploring Caves | Introductory package for teachers with good basic information."The USGS serves the Nation by providing reliable scientific information to describe and understand the Earth; minimize loss of life and property from natural disasters; manage water, biological, energy, and mineral resources; and enhance and protect our quality of life." |
| What is Cave Exploring? | "Cave exploring (also known as caving or spelunking) is the art of safely moving through a natural cave to a destination and returning to the surface without hurting yourself or the cave. There is no way to learn how to explore caves without getting out of the house and getting underground, but you can learn where to go, who to contact, and what skills you need." |
| National Speleological Society | "With over 12,000 members and 200 grottos, the National Speleological Society does more than any other organization to study, explore, and conserve cave and karst resources; protect access to caves; encourage responsible management of caves and their unique environments; and promote responsible caving." |
| An Introduction to Caving | "Exploration of caves takes us into a world much different from that above ground, a world of darkness surrounded by rock and mud. Exotic formations, streams and waterfalls, tight crawlways, deep canyons and pits, huge rooms with large blocks of breakdown, crickets, bats and cave rats await the cave explorer. " |
| Cave Diggers | "Over 1000 members with a searchable database of Cavedigging Topics" |
| Caving Activities | Links to cave sites and information. |
| Caver.net | "Funded solely and maintained by Bill Bentley and is dedicated for the advancement and enjoyment of cavers throughout the world. " |
| Caving Terms | "Common terminology and colloquial terms used throughout the speleological fraternity." |
“The Online Climbing Guide is the internet's most extensive guide for climbing areas worldwide, offering beta such as directions, maps, pictures, and route listings. All of the info is provided by climbers like you who know the areas best.” |
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| The Online Climbing Guide | |
| Rocklist | "We provide climbing information from all over the world. This includes news, articles, editorial commentary, trip reports, area guides, route information and much more." |
| Climbing Directory | "Index of Site Pages providing Worldwide Climbing Information & Services." |
| World Climb | "Our WorldClimb directories enable You to find a Website according to it's Categories and Countries." |
| Climbing FAQ | "TradGirl.com is a collection of the Best of Rec.Climbing: the wisdom, the entertainment, and even the flames. It's edited by a collection of volunteers and the content comes from people like you." |
| Climbing Magazine | " Every issue contains practical information about climbing destinations, equipment, training and techniques, as well as compelling first-hand accounts, fascinating profiles and great photography. " |
| Climbing Source | Lists and links to the best climbing areas in the United States |
| Just Climb | "Rock climbing is fast becoming a popular sport. This sport can either be done indoors or outdoors. Rock climbing is the movement either vertical or horizontal over steep rocky terrain (outdoor) or artificial climbing walls (indoor)." |
| Web Climbing.com | "Our latest major project is the creation of a comprehensive glossary and encyclopedia for climbing. " |
| Summit Post | "From the top of North America to the top of a trailer park in suburban Delaware, this collection of 50 mountains and otherwise obscure places quite possibly ranks as America's most unique peakbagging list. Unlike most lists of mountains that fall within the natural boundaries of geologic formations, United States highpoints are both a testament to man's need to draw his own geographic boundaries and a celebration of some of the most beautiful places on the North American continent." |
| International Mountaineering & Climbing Federation | "In August 1932 20 mountaineering associations met in Chamonix, France for an alpine congress. During the week they decided to found an international federation which would be in charge of the “study and solution of all problems regarding mountaineering.”" |
| Rock Climbing.com | "Rockclimbing.com is the largest interactive rock climbing destination site for climbers and enthusiasts on the web. Every day our pages reach thousands of climbers from all over the globe. We've established a personal relationship with our community, and offer a wide range of climbing features and services found nowhere else online." |
| ABCs of Rock Climbing | "The ultimate brain food for all climbing enthusiasts out there. This site provides you with simply everything related to the sport such as various styles, skills, and techniques. We have separate sections for our information articles, a daily news desk, a climbing gear and equipment shop, a directory of holidays and travel services, and our ever growing climbing community with ongoing discussions and picture archive." |
| The Archive of Rock Climbing Moves & Tips | "The rock climbing guide is a collection of what people told me as a novice, and often explained by someone who only just figured it out themselves. But it's useful, even to some people who are quite advanced. Click on the links to the right to get going." |
| The Climbing Guide | "When we say climbing, we are referring to free climbing. Free climbing is the art of using what nature/the routesetter provides to ascend a rock face, or an indoor route. Free climbing is further divided into traditional and sport climbing. Traditional climbing usually means placing protection on the way up the route. Sport climbing makes use of permanent anchors drilled into the rock to safeguard the climber." |
| The Ice Mountain Page | " A collection of technical articles, and trip reports. Covers waterfall ice climbing in North America " |
Extreme Sports
Extreme Sports
"The first jump ever using a parachute was from a building, long before airplanes were built. Fauste Veranzio, a Hungarian, jumped from the Bell Tower of Venice, Italy in either 1595 or 1617 (accounts vary). He dropped over 300 feet under a parachute with a rigid frame, very similar to drawings made by da Vinci a century earlier. " |
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| Skydiving History | |
| Skydiving.com | “Skydiving.com is North America’s premier Skydiving provider. Professional skydive information representatives are standing by to answer all of your questions about the Worlds most wild experience, Skydiving! Our experts are tops in the field and our network of preferred jump sites, the largest anywhere, stretches from coast to coast.” |
| National Skydiving Association | "Find a certified safe Skydiving center in your area by browsing this list of NSA members. The National Skydiving Association has approved the following skydive training facilities. Skydive ONLY at SAFE approved skydiving centers." |
| Parachuting and Skydiving | " Since it's inception, Skydiving has fascinated those adventurous enough to experience the exhilaration of freefall, along with those that are simply curious about those thrill seekers crazy enough to enjoy this constantly evolving sport." |
| United States Parachute Association | The United States Parachute Association and its 31,000 member skydivers enjoy and promote safe skydiving through parachuting training, rating, and competition programs. USPA represents parachute jumping from aircraft and helps keep skydivers in the air. |
| Dropzone | "Dropzone.com is the destination site for skydivers all over the world. We have established a personal relationship with the skydiving community and offer a wide range of skydiving features and services found nowhere else on the web." |
| Skydiving Magazine | "Published continuously since 1979, Skydiving magazine is the authoritative, independent magazine published by jumpers and for jumpers. It contains the latest news on the equipment, events, techniques, people and places of parachuting. Each colorful monthly issue informs and entertains; it makes the sport safer and more fun for its readers" |
| Skydiving Parachuting | "The term – skydiving – is used for sports an air activity involving a freefall from height using a parachute. Skydiving is often used as synonymous with “parachuting,” but sometimes, less commonly, skydiving parachuting are used together. The skydiving parachuting also does mean a freefall from height using a parachute." |
| The History Of Sport Parachuting | The ancient Chinese and Leonardo da Vinci are both credited with conceiving the idea of a parachute but it was in France in the 18th century that the first parachutes were made and used. |
| Skydiving Fatalities Query Engine | "You'll need to select that option from the Query page. I'm also using resources at my disposal to add incidents from 1995 and before, predating when Barry originally started recording this information. I hope to have this data incorporated soon." |
| The Truth About Skydiving Deaths | "Sadly, there are some skydiving deaths each year, but they are very rare in comparison to the number of jumps involved. It is estimated that there are roughly thirty skydiving deaths in the United States each year, an average of one death for every one hundred thousand jumps." |
"I've been interested in ultralights for well over a decade, but until a couple of years ago, I didn't even know what they were called. I just knew that they looked FUN, and that I wanted to have fun too" |
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| Ultra Light Home Page | |
| U.S. Hang Gliding and Paragliding Links | Also includes international links. |
| Ultralight News | "Ultralights or ultralight aircraft, and ultralites are known as microlights and microlite aircraft in Europe. In Canada they fit into the amateur built aircraft category, experimental and advanced ultralight aircraft categories. " |
| Ultralight America | (Commercial) "Ultralight flight is one of the worlds fastest growing and most exciting sports for people of all ages and all walks of life." |
| Light Sports | Online magazine "USUA is the organization whose members seek to "Promote, Protect and Represent" ultralight and air sport aviation in the United States." |
| USUA | US Ultralight Association. "The goals of USUA and the USUA Club Network are to promote, protect, and represent ultralight flying and air sports. The network provides a way for clubs to communicate and work together on mutual goals with other ultralight and air sport enthusiasts." |
| US Paragliding Association | "Paragliding is the simplest form of flight: no plane, no windows, just you floating on air. A paraglider is a foot-launched inflatable wing. It is easy to transport, easy to launch, and easy to land. The paraglider itself has no rigid structure and the pilot is suspended by lines. The pilot is clipped into a harness, which is quite comfortable. The motor is a backpack unit with propeller to give thrust allowing you to climb and fly level at your own will. " |
| US Hangliding & Paragliding Association | "The purpose of the United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association is to promote the growth of sport flying in foot-launchable soaring aircraft." |
| Vintage Ultralight Association | "It is hard to say exactly when ultralights started. Some think that it started when power units added to hang gliders started to become popular around 1978. Others will point to a half a dozen or so of very light and low power airplanes such as Hovey's Wing Ding in 1971 or the Kolb Flyer in the '74 time frame. " |
"Whether you call it Bungee, Bungy, Bunjee, Le Benji or Suicide Practice, Bungee Jumping is a growing sport. List of Places to Bungee Jump Worldwide. Including an updated listing for the United States." |
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| Bungee Zone | |
| Bungee Jumping | "Bungee Jumping was originally an ancient ritual or right of passage for the "vine jumpers" of Pentecost Island in the Pacific Ocean Vanuatu group. Every year, the men of the island's tribe build large wooden towers, over 80 feet high. They then carefully select vines from the jungle which they then tie to their ankles before jumping off the top of the towers." |
| Bungee Jumping | "Bungee jumping may seem scary, but this exhilarating sport that has become increasingly popular over recent years." |
| Introduction to Bungee Jumping and History | "Bungee Jumping is an extreme sport where you jump from a stationary structure (such as a crane or bridge) high in the air while attached to an elastic rope. As you hurtle downwards, the rope will stretch and extend, slowing your descent as it does." |
| Bungee Experience | (Commectial) "Bungee jumping is a relative new sport and there are potential unknown risks. Bungee Experience has consulted many experts in the effort to minimize potential risks." |
| Bungie; Defining Adventure | "We take pride in providing a comprehensive look at Bungee jumping and other extreme "launch" sports." |
| The World's Best Bungee Jump Locations | "Whether you're an extreme sports veteran or have simply been contemplating the idea of experiencing the incredible adrenaline rush of bungee jumping, you'll find that actually choosing the jumping location isn't so easy." |
| How to Choose a Bungee Jumping Location | "Bungee jumping is an extreme sport that offers people the thrill of their lives. Whether you are a newbie or expert, you will want to have the best jumping experience possible. The way to do this is choose an ideal location for your jump." |
| How to Bungee Jump Safely | "With any extreme sport, there is a level of danger involved. (That's partly what makes it so much fun!) But, that danger can be factored down by taking precautions to bungee jump safely." |
| Bungee Jumping Is Safe | "A jump, if performed under carefully controlled conditions, appears to be relatively safe and causes only minor, transient medical complaints." |
| Medical problems Associated with Bungee Jumping | "In Bungee you are subjecting your body to a lot of strange forces that don't normally occur in nature so it is little wonder that some medical people are concerned about the effects." |
| Bungee Jumping is Inherently Dangerous | "Unfortunately, the other end of the bungee cord had not been attached and he plunged 170 feet to the partially deflated airbag on the ground. As a result of the serious injuries he sustained, the jury awarded him $5,000,000." |
| "What's the connection between flying through the air on a parachute, shooting down a mountain valley on a snowboard and skating across water powered by a kite? The answer is that they are all Extreme Sports. Unlike conventional sports, in which you are pitted against an adversary and often as part of a team, in extreme sports the main competitors are you, the elements and your own skill." | |
| Talk Extreme | |
| Extreme Sports | Opens to Bungee, but the menu on the right leads to other sports. |
| The Dangerous Sports Club | "Any movement which innovates starts by being misunderstood. This is particularly true of the arts. For all the publicity they have had, not many people realise The Dangerous Sports Club is a tongue in cheek name for a group of amateur sportsmen from Oxford who have backgrounds in the arts and engineering. The club was comprised of people too intelligent to spend time and trouble on mere thrill seeking. The club was intended to have two basic functions - to innovate, going where others had not gone before, and to create lasting images and observations that were unique as well as life enhancing." |
| Sports Unlimited | Commectial) "For all kind of Events, we offer a wide range of moduls for rental or purchase. Over 200 Show- and Stuntproductions are created and filmed for international TV stations and Commercials around the Globe" |
| Dangerous Aerial Sports | "Bungy or bungee jumping, parachuting, gliding, waterfall jumping- basically if it involves flying or falling we're interested." |
| Introduction to Kite Surfing | "Kite surfing is the activity of surfing on a body of water powered only by the wind itself, which you harness and control with the aid of a parachute-like kite." |
| The Extreme Sports Channel | "Extreme Sports Channel is the only 24-7 channel bringing you skate, surf, snow and bike action and attitude direct to your TV in over 50 countries around the world. We are dedicated to showcasing the best programmes, events, riders, films, competitions and behind-the-scenes exclusives from the grassroots groms to the pro star talent." |
| The History of Extreme Sports | "Extreme sports may have gained popularity in the late 20th century as a reaction to the increased safety of modern life. Lacking a feeling of danger in their everyday activities, people may have felt compelled to seek out danger or risk." |
| Extreme Sports Forum | Including a list of what they consider to be "extreme sports." |
| Top Extreme Sports Info | "Our website provide a few information and advice on the activities of Extreme Sports." |
| A List of Extreme Sports | "BASE Jumping: is very extreme activity that includes a parachute (can be used both parachute and wingsuit) to jump from fixed objects, with unopened parachute like skydiving. The acronym “B.A.S.E.” stands for: Building, Antenna, Span, Earth - four categories of objects from which B.A.S.E. jumper can jump" |
| Weird Things | "I have always found myself drawn to stories that are a touch bit weird and found them much more interesting. Realizing this I then looked for more weird things online and found tons more stories, products and news that also were very interesting." |
| 10 Weird Sports From Around The World | "The following sports go beyond the boundaries of unusual sports when it comes to rules and equipment." |
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