Hobbies & Interests Page 7 Sports (Part 4)
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 We provide historical references, sites of people who actually display their hobby online, as well as suggestions.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 March 10, 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
Fitness
Fitness
Fitness Training & Body Building |
| FitWatch | "I wanted a web site that would give me basic information about fitness along with tools that I could use to analyze and track my fitness, and which would allow me to focus on improving myself emotionally and intellectually." |
| Calories Burned During Exercise | "Calories burned during exercise is affected by body weight, intensity of workout, conditioning level and metabolism. Calories burned per hour are listed below for the example body weights of 130, 155 and 190 pounds. " |
| Aerobics and Fitness Association of America | "As the world's largest fitness educator, AFAA delivers comprehensive cognitive and practical education for fitness professionals, grounded in industry research, using both traditional and innovative modalities. AFAA upholds Basic Exercise Standards and Guidelines for safe fitness practice." |
| Easy Exercises | (Needs Flash Player) "A plan for people with no inclination to exercise." 16 exercise videos. |
| Shape | "SHAPE is America's #1 selling active lifestyle magazine for women. With over 5 million readers a month, SHAPE is the most trusted name in women's health and fitness magazines." |
| Fitness Training: 4 Elements of a Rounded Routine | "Whether you're an exercise novice taking the first steps toward fitness or a committed fitness fanatic hoping to optimize your results, a well-rounded fitness training program is essential. Base your exercise goals on the four primary elements of fitness." |
| American Senior Fitness Association | "At SFA, we realize you don’t have time to pour over all of the extensive new research on older adult fitness. We take care of that for you." |
| The Facts on Water and Exercise | "During physical activity the body loses water primarily through sweat, even in cold weather or in water. The body has several mechanisms to protect itself from the negative effects of dehydration, but thirst does not occur until the person is already dehydrated!" |
| Exercising With Arthritis: Improve your Joint Pain and Stiffness | "Exercise is crucial for people with arthritis. It increases strength and flexibility, reduces joint pain, and helps combat fatigue. Of course, when stiff and painful joints are already bogging you down, the thought of walking around the block or swimming a few laps might make you cringe." |
| Cenior Citizen Exercises | "A quality selection of Exercise & Dance Videos for the Senior Adult" |
| Athletic Insight | "The Online Journal of Sport Psychology. Over the past several years, both coaches and athletes have started to realize that strength, speed and other athletic skills are not sufficient for the production of championship athletes. Athletic performance has three parts: physical preparation, technical skill, and psychological readiness. This model suggests that if any of the above areas are neglected, athletic performance will decline. However, psychological preparation is the component that is most often neglected by athletes and coaches alike." |
| "Our deepest desire and wish is to make the world a better place. Our highest goal is to remove the suffering, misery and unhappiness of the people of the world, and to remove the causes of this suffering. We are here to serve, in our highest capacity, to spread the knowledge and wisdom of the ancient path of yoga to all who desire these tools. We pray that our work helps others to learn, grow and develop spiritually, physically and mentally. May peace, love and joy reside in the hearts of all." | |
| Yoga Basics | |
| The Yoga Site | " Why do yoga? The short answer is that yoga makes you feel better. Practicing the postures, breathing exercises and meditation makes you healthier in body, mind and spirit. Yoga lets you tune in, chill out, shape up -- all at the same time. " |
| The American Yoga Association | "Our goal is to provide the highest quality Yoga instruction and educational resources to anyone interested in Yoga. Besides serving as a reliable resource for Yoga students and teachers." |
| ABC of Yoga | "Learn everything there is to know about the Yoga Poses & Exercises and the Health Benefits of practicing Yoga. Our information articles offer valuable information for anyone ranging from beginners to seasoned yogis. Stay up to date with our daily news desk and find the latest yoga equipment and props in our yoga gear shop. Practice yoga anywhere in the world using our yoga holidays and travel services directory." |
| Yoga Online | "At yoga.org.nz you will find lots of free quality material, aimed at promoting the benefits that yoga has to offer. The practice of yoga can improve and nourish the gift of health that you have been given. We will show you why yoga is the world's most advanced guide to life" |
| Yoga Everywhere | (Available in 7 European languages) This website contains information designed to enhance your well-being. However this website is not intended as a replacement for medical advice or treatment. Please execute common sense, listen to your body messages and respect your physical limitations in attempting all of the exercises. |
| Yoga Yields Mind and Body Fitness | "Why has this 5,000-year-old Eastern discipline grown so popular? The simple reason is that it works.” |
| "Pilates has gained immense popularity in the past several years as a great way to stay in shape and do exercise. Because of the lack of equipment necessary it is easy for many people to begin Pilates in their own home. All you need is one of the great mats available, some basic bands, and some basic Pilates instruction." | |
| Pilates | |
| Pilates Exercises | "Online Library of more than 75 Free Pilates Exercises Instructions with Pictures." |
| Find Pilates Resources in Your Community | "Welcome to the Internet's most complete directory of Pilates studios, instructors and classes. Find Pilates resources in your community. " |
| Pilates: A Core Conditioning Program | "If you want to work your body to the core, try Pilates (pronounced pih-lah-tees). The latest attention on the body’s powerhouse, or core, is driving Americans to Pilates classes in droves. Some are working muscles they didn’t know they had." |
| Pilates Method Alliance | "The Pilates method has been in continuous use in the United States since 1926 when its creator Joseph Pilates and his wife Clara immigrated to New York City from Germany. The Pilates Method Alliance is the international not for profit professional association for the Pilates method. The PMA's mission is to protect the public by establishing certification and continuing education standards for Pilates professionals." |
| Pilates Insight | "Your leading online resource for information related to the fitness phenomenon known as Pilates!" |
(From the Mayo Clinic) " Weight training can help you tone your muscles, improve your appearance and fight age-related muscle loss. Better yet, weight training doesn't take as long as you might think." |
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| Weight Training: Improve Your Muscular Fitness | |
| Weight Training & Weight Lifting Exercises | Articles and tips for weight training. |
| Weight Training Tips and Workout Routines | "No matter what your experience level, you'll find something here to teach you more about your weight training, answer questions about your sticking points, or inspire you to new strength training and bodybuilding goals." |
| Setting Up A Strength Training Routine | "When it comes to lifting weights, many people start with a total body program. This type of workout is great for beginners because it allows your body time to get used to lifting weights and get ready for more strenuous work." |
| How to Safely Use Free Weights | "Using free weights is effective way of improving strength and fitness. Lifting weights improves fitness while it burns calories, increase muscle size, strength, power, and endurance, and increases bone density." |
| Fitness Exercises | "There are various Physical Fitness Exercises that you can choose from. You can try Resistance Training to help create a lean and toned body, Aerobic Exercises to elevate your heart rate over a sustainable period of time, and Stretching to extend your limbs and muscles to their full extent." |
| Animated Free Weight Exercise Examples | "Intensity is how hard you train, not how loud you scream." |
| Free Weights Exercises | "The most important thing with free weights is to get the technique of each exercise right. It is very easy to start off right and loose your form as your muscles fatigue. Always think about your posture when performing strength exercises and start with a light weight and gradually build up." |
"ExRx.net (Exercise Prescription on the Net) is a free resource for the exercise professional, coach, or fitness enthusiast....Physical activity and exercise have the potential to result in serious injury. The information contained in the ExRx site is not intended as a personal prescription. It is recommended to see a physician before starting an exercise program or modifying your diet." |
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| Exercise Prescription on the Net | |
| Strength Training | "Regular exercise and physical activity are extremely important and beneficial for long-term health and well-being. " |
| Strengthening Exercises to Build Muscle Support | "Developing strong core muscles in the abdomen, lower back and gluteus is critical to decreasing the stress placed upon the lower back. Many different exercises can contribute to overall strengthening of these core muscles." |
| Workout Routines | Commercial site with many good articles. |
| Tighten & Tone | Good links on the left side of the page. |
| Water Exercise | "Regular exercise helps keep joints moving, restores and preserves flexibility and strength, and protects joints against further damage. It improves your coordination, endurance and your ability to perform daily tasks (such as walking or writing). Exercise also can lead to mood enhancement, an improved sense of self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment." |
| Water Therapy Exercise Program | "Water therapy exercise programs (sometimes called pool therapy, hydrotherapy, or aquatic therapy) consist of a variety of aquatic-based treatments and exercises that are designed for back pain relief, to condition and strengthen muscles. Water therapy exercise offers many of the same benefits associated with a land-based exercise program, including development of a treatment plan that is carefully tailored to the individual." |
| How to Use Exercise Equipment for Muscle Toning | "Depending on the piece of equipment used, exercise equipment can allow you to perform dozens of great exercises. It's possible to cover a number of muscle groups with only a few pieces of equipment." |
| Choosing and Using Exercise Equipment | "Home exercise equipment is a huge industry, and the buyer's choices are vast. If you are among those searching for the right piece of equipment, consider some of the pointers below." |
| Exercise Equipment? Which Do I Buy? | "Most doctors recommend that you engage in at least moderate activity for 30-45 minutes on 5 or more days of the week. At the beginning start slowly, don't push yourself too hard by overdoing it. This applies to both women and men. " |
| 5 Types of Exercise Equipment and Their Use | "Aside from performing precautionary steps to avoid them, proper know-how in their purpose and usage is also important. There are different types of exercise equipment. Some are used to train specific parts of the body while some are used to enhance either strength or endurance. Here are the five types of exercise equipment and their purpose." |
Walking, Jogging, Cycling
Walking, Jogging & Cycling
| American Volkssport Association. | "The AVA's network of 350 walking clubs organize more than 3000 walking events per year in all 50 states, as well as occasional bikes, skis, and swims. All events are open to the public - come walk with us! " |
| The Walking Connection | "Since 1989 The Walking Connection has been leading walking and hiking adventures to some of the most beautiful, inspiring and significant destinations in the world. 2008 marks the beginning of new year of travel to new and exciting destinations. Are you ready to experience the world of luxury adventure travel, one step at a time?" |
| The Ramblers (UK) | "There’s no doubt about it, walking is good for you. It’s good for your heart, it’s good for your lungs, it’s good for the muscle and bone growth of your children and it’s good for your feeling of well being! Strong scientific evidence now supports the many benefits to health of regular walking." |
| Take a Walking Vacation | "Tired of walking around the neighborhood? Bored with the same old route taken by every single charity walk and fun walk/run in your area? Tired of gaining weight on every vacation? Time to hit the road and find new places to walk on a walking vacation. " |
| Walk About | "Walking and Hiking for Fitness. We are a free bi-monthly publication featuring articles of inspiration, information and humor about something we all do – walk. We emphasize the benefits of walking for fitness and the endless possibilities of this sport. Each issue of walk about magazine offers our readers a diverse range of subjects" |
| Runner's World | The magazine for runners worldwide. |
| Running Resources | From the Greater Boston Track Club. A huge listing of runner clubs, resources, and information |
| The World of Running & Track and Field | An assortment of articles about training, injuries, organizations, and techniques. |
| Resources for Runners | From RunningWorld.net. A collection of articles, updated frequently. |
| Why Running and Jogging is Great for Cross Training | Currently contains nine articles. "Running or jogging are great forms of cross training for a number of reasons from the mental toughness that they build to the speed and stamina developed by running. They are excellent cross-training for nearly any team sport like football, tennis or basketball and they also provide a great alternative exercise for cyclists, rowers and swimmers." |
| Running | ""Baby, we were born to run." Those immortal words by Bruce Springsteen may be more than just rock and roll lyrics, they may explain our evolutionary past. In this article, I'll describe the biological and social history of running, the health and fitness benefits (and risks) of running, how to get started, how to run properly, and some training techniques." |
| Training & Running Forever | "Pain-free training for: Beginners to 10k, Marathon, Ultras, Trails, and Weight-Training for Runners." |
| Running, Walking & Jogging Tips | Dozens of links to articles, tips, training routines, equipment, and much more. |
| So You Want to Run a Marathon? | Several pages. "The definition of a marathon is a race that is 26.2 miles. To translate for all of you who are inept at math, it would take you nearly half an hour just to DRIVE that distance at 60mph, let alone run it. But don't despair; it actually isn't as difficult as it sounds (notice we didn't say that it's not painful…). You just need to approach it with the right attitude, one step at a time. Literally." |
Cycling |
"Plenty of cyclists are killed by cars even though they were wearing helmets. Ironically, if they had ridden without helmets, yet followed the guidelines listed below, they might still be alive today. Don't confuse wearing a helmet with biking safely. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. It's better to not get hit. That's what real bicycle safety is about." |
| How to Not Get Hit by Cars | |
| World Wide Cycling | "On this site you will find everything about bicycle races in non-traditional cycling countries." |
| Learning to ride | "....Now find somewhere without any vehicles, possibly an empty parking lot or somewhere safe like that. If you can, find one that has a mild slope....." |
| New to Cycling | (UK) " Our goal is to provide basic advice and guidance, in non-techno speak, to help you gain maximum enjoyment from your cycling." |
| International Unicycling Federation |
"The purpose of the International Unicycling Federation is: To foster awareness of and participation in unicycling as a sport and means of recreation among people of all nations through the organization of international conventions and the development of national unicycling organizations, to promote voluntary international standards for competition toward the achievement of Olympic status for the sport of unicycling; also, to disseminate knowledge and information on all phases of the sport to all interested parties via an information service." |
| Unicycling Society of America | " The Unicycling Society of America was formed to promote and encourage unicycling in North America and the rest of the world." |
| Forum for Running and Track & Field | A message board forum with dozens of categories. |
| Mountain Biking and Wildlife Viewing Safari | "This safari trip includes cycling, game viewing, day walks, cultural exchanges and drives outside the national parks. Maji Moto camp is a village campsite which we make our own, putting up a comfortable tented camp. It is situated 20minutes drive from...." |
Animal Sports
Animal Sports
| "There are many different types of sports you can begin that are related to horses. The easiest and most casual to get into is regular horse riding in ranches and trails. There are links to great trails across the US and world for escaping on guided trips." | |
| Getting Started at Horseback Riding | |
| New Rider | Tips, forums, and articles for those starting in horseback riding. |
| The Art of Classical Riding | From beginners to dressage, tips, lessons, and general information. |
| Classical Dressage Notebook | "The education of a rider in the classical tradition has been likened to a journey through a mythical Dark Forest in search of an Enchanted Castle hidden in a clearing in the centre. There are many falsely marked paths that beckon with promises of short cuts and easy routes. Some riders are tempted to try out these detours only to find they lead nowhere and have to backtrack to the original path. The journey is not just one of learning to ride better; it is one of self-discovery. It forces the rider to take stock of who they are as a person and for some that can be the hardest part of all." |
| Horseback Riding Destinations | "If you are pressed for time and want to find out quickly what trips are available for a given skill level at a particular date, try our Trip Finder. You may also want to view our video riding tour to get a quick overview and some ideas of the kind of adventure we offer." |
| National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame | "Our mission is to interpret the history and convey the excitement of Thoroughbred racing in America to the broadest possible audience. Use the links below to discover the past, present and history of horse racing." |
| Racenews (UK) | "This well- respected company based in London, England, began as a news agency. It offers a unique range of services to the horse racing. industry that includes working for most of Britain’s major racecourses by providing pre-meeting publicity and operating as the official on-course news operation during their main meetings." |
| Links to US Racetracks | Provided by Google. |
| Links to UK Racetracks | Provided by Google. |
| Arabian Racing.org | "Arabian racing was organized in the U.S. around 1959. After experiencing initial growth, today's Arabian horses are finding their niche in the racing industry along with Thoroughbreds, Quarter Horses and other breeds. In recent years new opportunities have arisen for competitive Arabian racehorses at major racetracks across the country. It is apparent that the Arabian's acceptance into the racing world has been positive and that many betting interests are actually favoring Arabians." |
| Stallion Register Online | A Thoroughbred directory of over 2,700 stallions. Your one stop resource for making breeding decisions. |
| Billy Joe Jim Bob's Rodeo Links Page | "If you like wild rodeo action then this is the place for you. We put together one of the largest & most complete list of rodeos on the web. So hold on tight. We guarantee your ride will last longer than 8 seconds." |
| Rodio Attitude | "The sport of rodeo and the country music industry grew out of our rich Western Heritage. This heritage made the American cowboy an icon in world history and helped make this country great. It is our goal to help with the preservation of this heritage. " |
| Rodeo Events | " It was 1905 when the Millers offered to perform what they called a “round-up” or “buffalo chase” as an entertainment incentive for a National Editorial Association convention. Visitors were said to come to the ranch in 30 regular and special trains, and the crowd estimated at nearly 60,000 was thrilled to the exhibition of cowboys recreating real life ranch work from bronc riding and roping to Tom Mix’s debut as a roper and rider. " |
| Friends of Rodeo | "If you like rodeo, you're at the right web site. We are people who love it, and want to protect it so that it is around for generations to come." |
| Cowboy Calendar | "You can freely promote any equine or rodeo event including anything from local saddle club horse shows to jackpot rodeos, workshops, seminars and all pro rodeo events too. If it is related at all to equine events or rodeo, you can post it on this calendar for free!" |
| Roper Sports News | "A monthly publication that is still the "bible" of team ropers all over the United States as well as many foreign countries." |
| The Roping Pen | The Roping Pen is the official publication for several Roper organizations |
| Total Bull Riding | "From the beginning of bull riding, to the sport today,the bulls themselves, to the brave souls that ride them, best rides to worst wrecks. From places to buy gear to finding a traveling partner. This site will have it all. " |
| Pro Bull Stats | "Since late 2002, we've been storing the judge's sheet data in a database, and drawing information from that, which has proved to be a huge improvement. Since then, we've processed results from over 1700 professional rodeos and bull riding events and have been able to provide consistent access to all of the data from those, and continue to add to the database on a daily basis." |
| Rodeo Events and Women | " In the early rodeos, both men and women competed in a large number of events. Women participated in bulldogging, bronc riding, "fancy roping," trick riding,and various races." |
| Rodeo Announcer | "The largest database of contract acts on the web" |
| Canadian Professional Rodeo Association | The CPRA is committed to maintaining the highest standards in the rodeo industry, ensuring that every sanctioned event is competently managed and uses only the healthiest and best cared for livestock. Contestants travel thousands of miles each year to compete in these rodeos, but they are not the only athletes in the arena. The bucking animals, supplied by the CPRA’s stock contractors, are equally recognized. |
| International Professional Rodeo Association | "Whether you are a rodeo competitor or just love to cheer on you favorite cowboy or cowgirl the International Professional Rodeo Association has a membership for you!" |
| "It’s unlike any other event in the world. A race over 1,150 miles of the most extreme and beautiful terrain known to man: across mountain ranges, frozen rivers, dense forests, desolate tundra and windswept coastline." | |
| Iditarod | |
| ISDRA | International Sled Dog Racing Association home page. |
| Mushing.com | "The online magazine for dog-powered vehicles." |
| Dog Sled | "Did you know that Dogsled.com has been around since 1996-97? We have been mentioned on many news programs and other web sites. Our first national media exposure came in March 1998 when CNN Headline News announced our coverage of the Iditarod race." |
| Mushing Terms | A glossary |
| Sled Dogs & Mushers | "As long as there is snow, there's bound to be someone somewhere running a team of dogs through it." |
| Alaska Dog Mushers Association | "Be a part of Alaska's great state sport! All ADMA members get the exclusive ADMA embroidered member patch and the Dog Talk newsletter." |
| Dogsled | "All the adventure; none of the frostbite." |
| 1925 Serum Run to Nome | "During the 1925 serum run to Nome, also known as the "Great Race of Mercy", 20 mushers and about 150 sled dogs relayed diphtheria antitoxin 674 miles (1,085 km) by dog sled across the U.S. territory of Alaska in a record-breaking five and a half days, saving the small city of Nome and the surrounding communities from an incipient epidemic." |
| The Iditarod | "Long before the first Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race was held in 1973, dog sleds carried indigenous people and explorers along snowy and icy Alaska paths." |
| Joe Redington Sr. "Father of the Iditarod | "Redington's legacy is a long and memorial one. Beginning with his youth riding the rails as a migrant worker during the Depression and the Dust Bowl era, followed by service in the U.S. Army in Okinawa during World War II, he found his way to Alaska in 1948, purchasing his first sled dog as he crossed the border into Alaska. " |
| Siberian Husky, Huskies And Sled-Dogs | "This links below are provided by allegro siberian husky for those of you that are interested in learning about the sport of dog-sledding mushing" |
| International Seppala Association | ".... The preservation, protection and advancement of historic sleddog breeds and bloodlines. Today's mainstream AKC/CKC northern breeds such as the Siberian Husky and the Alaskan Malamute hardly deserve the title of sleddogs, apart from tiny minority populations within those breeds. They do not adequately represent the proud legacy of the working sleddogs who saved lives and provided daily winter transport in polar, arctic and subarctic regions of the world a century or more ago." |
| The Physics of Mushing | "Dog sled racing requires much endurance and skill. Believe it or not, the process of harnessing dogs and traveling across snow and ice in severe conditions has much to do with physics. Velocity and acceleration, momentum, and force are all a natural part of mushing." |
| Anchorage Daily News: Mushing | Mushing news as it happens, from Alaska |
| Mushing Magazine | "For almost twenty years, Mushing has been providing comprehensive coverage of dog-powered sports worldwide. In 2006, it was merged with Sled Dog Sports magazine, which was dedicated to sled dog competition and technology." |
| Sled Dog Racing | "The first record of a formal sled dog race dates back to 1908. The running of the All Alaska Sweepstakes began with established rules and a racecourse of 408 miles from Nome to Candle and back." |
| Exercising With Your Dog | "Both people and dogs are constantly subjected to a bombardment of noise, pollution, and lack of space. This bundle of trouble is stress - problems that society forces us to bear. Figuratively we are not allowed to run away from our problems. Luckily, literally running and other forms of exercise can give us a release from the prison of the world." |
| What are the Best Dogs for Hunting? | "The pointer is an excellent dog, but he is more delicate than the setter; still, as a set-off, he never lets his enthusiasm in sport get the better of his discretion, an indiscretion into which setters will sometimes be betrayed." |
| The National Greyhound Association | "Officially recognized by the entire Greyhound racing industry—namely, all Greyhound racetracks and individual racing jurisdictions, as well as foreign Greyhound registries and governing bodies—as the sole registry for racing Greyhounds on the North American continent. " |
| World Greyhound Racing Federation | "An international forum for the interchange of information, new technology and other developments to improve greyhound racing globally." |
"Falconry is an art. It requires long hours, constant devotion, finesse, subtlety and skill. The falconer must train a bird of prey to fly free, hunt for a human being and then accept a return to captivity." |
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| Falcony is an Art | |
| North American Falconers Association | "The North American Falconers Association (NAFA) was founded in 1961 as a non-profit fraternal organization to improve, aid, and encourage competency in the practice of falconry among interested persons." |
| The Raptor's Nest | "The Raptor's Nest provides free services to the falconry community. " |
| Racing Pigeon Digest | "The Digest was begun in answer to the racing pigeon flying community's desire for a quality, information loaded racing pigeon magazine and a need for a forum in which pigeon flyers and fanciers could exchange ideas and opinions freely. In the past, most of what was available to American pigeon fanciers, and the flying community in particular, was a rewrite of old information copied from outdated reprints of 20, 30 and even 40 year old information or only contained only one man's opinion." |
| Pigeon Network | Articles, forums, and even a "lost and found" section. |
| Bird Links to the World | "You can now search a fully indexed database of birding trip reports containing more than 10,000 birding reports from all around the world." |
| How to Bird Watch | "Birds are pretty, and it's fascinating to see the variety of sizes and shapes they come in. They do interesting things, and make cheerful sounds. In a world that sometimes can be dreary, birds are a delight to behold." |
| The Birding Home | "Keep your birding log on the Birding Database: it's easy, and always available. Share your observations with other watchers in your personalized Personal Log. " |
| Birding on the Net | "Birding for the 21st Century" |
| Birding Site Guide | "Birding Site Guide provides birders with free, where to watch birds information at 500 sites worldwide many with lists, also covers mammals and other classes. Accounts vary in length from 14 pages to a paragraph." |
| Birding the World | "The American Birding Association's [ABA] Rules Committee devised a fine scheme that divided the World into nine non-overlapping Regions for purposes of bird listing around the World. " |
| Birding.com | "The best online resource for all your bird watching needs. We have information on everything from great birding hotspots and birding travel to backyard birding, bird identification, choosing binoculars, and bird species information. Don't forget to check out our detailed field guides" |
| Birdwatching Contacts & Information | "Use a local professional Birdingpal guide year round to customize your birdwatching tours. You will enjoy the safety of traveling with a knowledgeable local, who knows where and how to find the birds you want to see." |
| Birdsite | "An online community for sharing wild bird photos and sounds" |
| Fat Birder | "The premier web resource about birds, birding & birdwatching for birders - hundreds of pages & tens of thousands of links about birding everywhere in the world; a page for every country & state; every bird family; books, guides, forums, reserves, accommodation, trip reports, bird clubs, ornithology, twitching, conservation, optics, holidays." |
| My Birds List | "You can store, manipulate and print-off your country and life lists online using the most accurate, regularly updated, pull-down menus of world species available anywhere. Take part in a huge range of International and Regional debate forums - about identification,rare bird alerts, worldwide birding locations and trip reports, photography, digiscoping, conservation and specialist groups. Personally contribute to the AvesWeb Project © – providing photos, artwork, descriptions of species and their key identification features, habitat, geographical distribution, song, call etc. " |
| Surfbirder | "Surfbirder only crawls and indexes birding websites. Your results will be more relevant than any other search engine out there! " |
| Surfbirds of the World | "We're a group of birding friends from Britain and America who decided to team up on an international birding website. Bringing the best birding articles from both sides of the Atlantic onto one website, we hope to have created something unique." |
| Birding Hotspots Around the World | "The links on this site go directly to information on specific birding hotspots around the world, local site guides, etc. Although these links can't replace knowing a fellow birder in the location you're going, they can certainly help!" |
| World Twitch | "WorldTwitch provides the latest news about rare birds around the world, trip reports by birding experts such as Jon Hornbuckle, the most useful links to websites on birding around the world, discussion boards for the exchange of birding information, and selections of books recommended for world birders." |
| Birds in Backyard & in the Wild | You will find information about bird watching guides, and tips on birding equipment such as binoculars and cameras. Bird watching is one of the fastest growing hobbies in the America and around the world. Around 60 million people feed birds in the US. The only outdoor hobby that is more popular is gardening, and the two combine naturally. Birding is enjoyed by all ages. |
| Watching Wild Birds | "The site's focus is on North American (USA and Canada) wild birds. Wild bird identification, attracting wild birds to your garden, and feeding birds. This is a personal website sharing my favorite birding pastimes - watching and identifying birds and their behaviors." |
| Tools for Learning About Birds | "Patuxent's mission is to excel in wildlife and natural resource science, providing the information needed to better manage the nation's biological resources" |
| 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?" |
| 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 | "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" |
| "This debate is not about whether it is right for human beings to farm and eat other animals - this is covered in the debates on animal rights and vegetarianism. Neither is it about zoos, which are also covered in their own debate. Rather this debate is about various other uses of animals for sport, pleasure, and entertainment." | |
| Animals in Sports and Entertainment | |
| Should Animals be in Sports | "Animals have been used in sports since the days of the Ancient Greeks and Romans who used horses for chariot races. Since then, humans have used animals in all kinds of sporting pasttimes, such as equestrian (horse jumping), polo, bull fighting and even camel racing! " |
| Animals in Sports | "In the United States today, the major sports in which animals are involved are horse racing, greyhound racing, sled dog racing, rodeos, and organized animal fighting. With the exception of animal fighting, all of these are considered legitimate sports." |
| The Captive Animals' Protection Society | "It is through her efforts and the influence and hard work of her successors, that CAPS can be recognised today as one of this country's leading campaigning organisations on behalf of animals in circuses, zoos, and the entertainments industry." |
| Animal Rights | "The fundamental principle of the AR movement is that nonhuman animals deserve to live according to their own natures, free from harm, abuse, and exploitation. This goes further than just saying that we should treat animals well while we exploit them, or before we kill and eat them. It says animals have the RIGHT to be free from human cruelty and exploitation, just as humans possess this right." |
| League Against Cruel Animal Sports | "The League Against Cruel Sports was established in 1924, and works to end cruelty to animals in the name of sport. In this section of the site, you can learn more about our history, achievements, and the structure of the League today. " |
| PETA | "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. We also work on a variety of other issues, including the cruel killing of beavers, birds and other "pests," and the abuse of backyard dogs." |
| Frequently Asked Questions About Performing Animals |
PDF "Circus animal owners and handlers are professionals, and know first hand the importance of healthy, well adjusted animals – we are the true experts when it comes to animal welfare! Our animals are members of the family, loved and cared for just like your family pet." |
Hiking & Camping
Hiking & Camping
| Love the Outdoors | "Experience the Rewards of the Great Outdoors! Camping, Hiking, RVing & more! " |
| Wilderness Survival | Links to Internet sites that provide survival information. |
| Orienteering: How Not To Get Lost In The Great Outdoors | "If you like the security of knowing you can handle problems dealing with personal safety and first aid, but are afraid of getting lost - fear no more. There is a way to fulfill your adventurous desires and know exactly where you are. It's called orienteering." |
| How Not To Get Lost | "It can happen to the best outdoorsman: the trail disappears, directions get confused, a change in the weather forces you away from familiar landmarks. You can't seem to get your bearings. Suddenly the thin tether between you and civilization has broken. You're no longer just "getting away from it all." You're lost." |
| Passport in Time | "Passport in Time (PIT) is a volunteer archaeology and historic preservation program of the USDA Forest Service (FS). PIT volunteers work with professional FS archaeologists and historians on national forests throughout the U.S. on such diverse activities as archaeological survey and excavation, rock art restoration, survey, archival research, historic structure restoration, oral history gathering, and analysis and curation of artifacts. The FS professional staff of archaeologists and historians will be your hosts, guides, and co-workers." |
| Staying Found: Lost-Proofing in the Outdoors |
"Before you leap into another season of hiking, camping, fishing, or biking, take a prudent first step: Get yourself and the rest of your family"lost-proofed."" |
| Outdoor Nature Hut |
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| Dangerous Travel | "Many people enjoy spending their vacation in the wide open spaces of the great outdoors. For these individuals, camping and hiking are excellent choices for vacationing. Vacations are a time of relaxation and rest; a time of breaking away from the day to day. Both camping and hiking offer a chance for people to connect with nature and enjoy a more rugged lifestyle. Still, there are dangers to both camping and hiking." |
" Most maps and guidebooks give an estimate of how long it will take to complete a trail segment, and they may seem ridiculously long. They aren't - so plan for that much time." |
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| Hit the Trail - How to Hike | |
| Hiker Central | General Information about outdoor activities. |
| Hiking Information | "Here is the hiking information you need to decide if it is right for you, and to make it more interesting, enjoyable, and safe.Is hiking right for you? The introductory articles in the first section will help you decide. Already a hiker or know you want to be? The second section contains articles and hiking information on topics of interest to hikers of all skill levels from the causal day hiker to the long distance ultralight backpacker. The gear section of the web site focuses primarily on equipment, clothes, and materials for the more serious hiker, especial for those hikers interested in backpacking or overnight hikes." |
| Beginner Backpacking Tips | "Welcome beginner backpackers and hikers! This page is your information resource for outdoor gear reviews, trail reviews, and advice about backpacking tricks like how to pack a backpack or safely hike the back country. These tips will help you whether you're interested in back packing, hiking, camping, climbing, or just spending some time outdoors on the trail." |
| American Hiking Society | "American Hiking Society is the only national organization dedicated to promoting and protecting America’s hiking trails, the natural areas that surround them, and the hiking experience itself." |
| Day Hiker | "This site is dedicated to "extreme" day hikes that are rigorous, exciting, unique, with interesting sights and terrain. The Day Hiker philosophy is a minimalist approach to clothing, food, and equipment." |
| Trayle One day Hikes | "The best source of up to date information is what people write on their own personal weblogs. We collect that information and because of the Trayle weblog software we know exactly what they are blogging about. So you can find out the bars that are the craze in Amsterdam, the pubs you shouldn't miss in Dublin and the lowdown on where to shop in Bangkok." |
| Trails.com | (A fee site) 14 day free usage, then "$49.95 per year (about $4.15 per month) for unlimited maps and guides" "Trails.com offers a selection of more than 42,779 trail maps and descriptions and topo maps of the entire United States! With the recently released Trails.com Unlimited, for the same low price you can save, download, print and email as many of our guides and maps as you'd like!" |
| Get Ready for Trekking and Backpacking Trips | "Trekking. The word just has a naturally exotic ring to it and conjures up images of the Himalayas, porters, and high mountain passes. Though the word"trekking" comes from the Afrikaans language of South Africa and originally described a trip by oxcart, it was applied to hiking in the Himalayas in the 1960s when the first trekking companies took the classic African safari as their models. " |
| Where to Hike | Free Registration required. Links to a comprehensive list of hiking trails around the world. |
| Backpacker | Online magazine |
| Where to Hike | US and around the world. |
| Backpacking and Hiking TrailHead | " The Trailhead goal is to showcase some of the most informative backpacking and hiking related sites in the outdoor community. The overall general theme is traveling and camping in a manner that minimizes impact on the outdoor environment. " |
| Trail Descriptions & Trail Maps | "This is the place to find hiking trails, mountain bike trails, road biking routes, running trails, walking trails, snowshoe trails, paddle routes, rail trails or just about any other type of outdoor activity. All of our 40,000+ trails have detailed route descriptions, custom trail maps, driving directions, and all the other details you need to plan your next trip into the great outdoors. " |
| Day Hiker | "This site is dedicated to "extreme" day hikes that are rigorous, exciting, unique, with interesting sights and terrain. The Day Hiker philosophy is a minimalist approach to clothing, food, and equipment." |
| Local Hikes | Select by state or use the search box (by ZIP code). The "advanced search" is quite good. |
| Hiking & Backpacking | "to find info on hiker and backpacker activities. It’s also a fast way to find out who has the best deals on outdoor gear, including backpacks, hiking boots and shoes, clothing and accessories. We’re constantly searching the Web for best buys and good deals on outdoor gear, but we only recommend these deals if they are being offered by a well-known and trusted site. " |
| What to Take in your Hiking Pack | "As an outdoor enthusiast, you have complete control over what you carry or what stays in the car - such as a cell phone, do you carry one? I wouldn't dare go in the backcountry without all of the items listed below as "Highly Recommend." What's In My Hiking Pack? Here is my list split into two categories with the weight of each item in ounces." |
| Hiking Equipment & Camping Gear Review |
"I hope to help you avoid days of PAIN and FRUSTRATION because of bad hiking equipment, camping or backpacking gear. This site is chock full of researched recommendations and experience proven high quality information to help you make the best choice, and save you money in the long run." |
| And Bring Some Toilet Paper | "To prevent Thomas from becoming fatigued I'd try to keep pack weight to less than 30 pounds. Sadly, there are many considerations that would have precluded Thomas from bringing an optimal hiking assembly, including the fact that many items listed below weren't available in the 1980s. Of course I'd want to supply him with a GPS device and cell phone but they wouldn't have worked in the Land. Other things like the magnetic compass and Suunto watch might or might not work reliably depending on the alternate Earth's physical characteristics. " |
| Winter Hiking and Avalanche Danger | "Here are some tips for safer backcountry exploration in winter..." |
"Camping USA! is the most comprehensive campground directory on the Internet. We have over 12,000 campgrounds in our database searchable by campground name, nearest city, or through our exclusive point and click search by map." |
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| Camping USA | |
| Camping for Beginners | "Are you ready to try camping? This five-lesson course will help you get started. By the end of this course you'll know what camping gear you'll need, how to find a campground, what to expect when you get to your destination, how to set up your campsite, and how to be a good camper." |
| Camping Meetup | "Meet with local campers to talk about gear, destinations and campfire recipes." |
| Travel and Leisure: Camping Articles | Many pages or articles about camping. Covers almost all issues, suggestions, hints. |
| Camping Recipes | "Currently there are 631 recipes in our database" |
| Camping Recipes from The Camping Source | " View great camping recipes submitted by campers that visit this site. Give some of them a try on your next camping trip! " |
| Camping Recipes | " View great camping recipes submitted by campers that visit this site. Give some of them a try on your next camping trip! " |
| Camping Recipes - Razzle Dazzle Recipes | Main dishes, desserts, and more |
| Camp Recipes | "Many meals can be done by advance preparation and cooking at home to help make camp meals an adventure, not a chore..." |
| Camping.com | "Your ultimate resource for "everything camping." Find a campground or rv park, make online camping reservations, view travel guides, buy camping gear, and connect with campers. " |
| Reserve America | "ReserveAmerica is the largest provider of campsite reservations in North America facilitating more than 3 million transactions at more than 100,000 campsites in 48 states. ReserveAmerica is also a leading provider of campground management tools to government and private campground operators offering clients comprehensive reservation systems including: website development, dedicated call-center services, database management tools, local campground management software, and marketing services. " |
| Go Camping America | "It's easy to envision the ideal camping experience-but not everyone has actually experienced it. If your best recollection of camping is frozen toes, a deflating mattress and a large rock in the middle of your back, take heart! Camping has changed, and there's something for everyone." |
| Recreation.Gov: Camping | "There is nothing quite like spending an evening away from home at one of America’s thousands of public land recreational area campsites. Whether you seek the solitude of a backcountry camping site or a convenient place for you and your family to pitch a tent or park an RV, there are plenty of places to camp in our parks, national seashores, lakeshores, forests, and wilderness areas." |
| GORP Camping Guide | A complete web site dedicated to all things camping |
| Camping Tips | "Camp life is made easier by gaining experience and learning the tricks. Here are some great camping tips and advice to help make your camping adventures more enjoyable." |
| Camping Tips | "Nothing is sweeter than the smell of fresh outdoors. Nothing is more pleasurable than kicking back in the breeze or doing activities with mother nature. Lots of time has gone in to bring you the content on this site, so make sure to go through everything and take advantage of the camping tent reviews, camping supply reviews, and the many many tips we have to offer! " |
| 26 Cheap Camping Tips | "Backpacking and camping are awesome frugal activities. It costs nothing to take a hike. It costs a bit more to camp overnight, but even that can be done inexpensively." |
| Camping Checklist | A printable list of camping supplies |
| Camping Checklist | "Preparation is essential for any outdoor adventure. Having the necessary supplies and equipment can make a difference in your overall enjoyment and experience. Checklists are a great tool to help with your organization. Your camping list will vary according to the type of camping and activities you have planned, the places you are going, the time of year and the length of your trip." |
| Coleman Checklist | "Checklists are a good habit to get into when you prepare for an outing. Print this one out, make your own additions, and maybe you can avoid that, "Oh, no, I forgot..." scenario." |
"We’re assembling information about RVs, RV travel, and the full-time RVing lifestyle. Let’s see what’s here…." Articles and information about RV living. |
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| RV Life and Travel | |
| Seniors Camping in America | Articles, guides, and links for and about the RV lifestyle |
| Cut travel costs with RV vacations | "A study by a travel research firm, PKF Consulting, found that travelers could save up to 70 percent on overall costs by taking an RV vacation rather than using more common modes of travel, even after factoring in ownership or rental costs. However, that amount will vary greatly depending on factors such as distance traveled, size of the vehicle, and the availability of discounts or specials." |
| Go RVing, Retire in Style | "Savor travel’s pleasures. Make new friends, or connect with old ones. Visit family. As our age increases, so, too, do our opportunities to experience all that RVing has to offer. Today’s seniors are zestfully on the go, and RVs can take them wherever their hearts desire." |
| RV Links: Recipes | "A great selection from RV Bookstore of cookbooks chock full of yummy recipes for easy preparation on the road." |
| How To Find an RV Campsite | "Prices for RV camping sites range from free to $100+ per night. Styles vary from overnight parking, on concrete, in a truck stop to boondocking in a rustic setting, to vacationing in a five-star resort with swimming pools, golf courses, restaurants, and tennis courts. The choice is yours, depending on your purpose and pocketbook." |
| "Many of you will have become familiar with GPS through its use in the car. Many motor manufacturers now make cars fitted with GPS as standard and the principles for its use in hiking, camping and, in fact, any outdoor activity are just the same - it helps you navigate a course from A to B." | |
| What is GPS and How Can it be Used | |
| Using GPS when Hiking | "GPS is an acronym standing for Global Positioning System. Though there are lots of components, the essential parts are a series of satellites and the units people carry. Three satellites are used to locate your position across the Earth's surface and another can be used with them to calculate your altitude in a process called triangulation." |
| GPS Navigation & Using a GPS Device | "Your exact location on the globe can simply be read from the GPS display. Of course, you will need a topographical map to translate your coordinates into a position on the map. Also, keep in mind that GPS Devices can be inaccurate in their readings. Your GPS Device should however be able to give you your location within a 100m margin. " |
| Geocaching Official Page | "A basic membership is free! If you create an account on geocaching.com we'll let you know when new caches are hidden in your area. You'll also have the ability to log your finds online to share your experience with the rest of the community." |
| Geocaching | From Garmin, a GPS company. "Geocaching is a high-tech version of treasure hunting. Geocachers seek out hidden treasures utilizing GPS coordinates posted on the Internet by those hiding the cache. Using a GPS unit, they then trek out into the backwoods or urban jungles to find the hiding spot of the cache. Once found, a cache may provide the visitor with a wide variety of rewards. If the visitor takes something out of the cache, they are asked to leave something in return. For some, the biggest reward is the thrill of the search and the discovery of a place that they have never been." |
| A Beginner's Guide to Geocaching | "Someone hides a container of inexpensive knickknacks -- a cache. Then they post its latitude & longitude on the internet, and other people go hunting for it. If they find it they trade knickknacks and sign a log to record their visit." |
| Handicaching | "Handicaching aims to improve the accessibility of Geocaching for disabled people all over the world. By rating caches using a simple system, disabled geocachers can quickly find the caches they are able to do. Too often a 1 star or 2 star rated cache turns out to be impossible, causing disappointment. Our ratings aim to avoid that. " |
| Utilize GPS tracking for those with Alzheimer's Disease | "As anyone with a family member that’s lived with Alzheimer’s disease can tell you, watching a loved one slip away is heartbreaking. But what can be of an even greater concern for individuals with Alzheimer’s is their tendency to easily wander off and become lost. How is a someone best able to monitor a loved one with Alzheimer’s without being too invasive or being with them 24 hours a day? The answer lies within Global Positioning Systems technology, or GPS for short." |
Lawn Sports
Lawn Sports & Outdoor Games
| "Badminton is a great sport to start because it is easy to play, fun, and inexpensive. It is one of the faster and most addictive racquet sports out there." | |
| Badminton | |
| Badminton Central | "Badminton Central is an online community dedicated to the exchange of information and sharing of our passion for the game of badminton. The community consists of badminton fans from all over the world. BC's goal is to promote badminton via being the leading badminton resource online." |
| How to Play Effective Badminton | "Badminton is one of the few sports where men and women play together. It is a game for all ages and abilities, and although fitness is a key aspect for professional players, it is not a prerequisite for taking up the sport. These factors make it the ideal sport for families and friends of all walks of life to play together. It can also be a wonderful way to meet new friends through local clubs and sports centers." |
| Badminton - Fastest Racket Sport | "Looking for a Badminton Website that has everything? Then look no further! Here you can find interesting Badminton Information, Videos, Games and a whole lot more." |
| "Whether you're a coach, athlete, parent, fan, or just a recreational player, it's a good idea to be familiar with the basic volleyball rules." | |
| Volleyball | |
| Basic Volleyball Rules | One hundred facts about volleyball in a question-and-answer format. |
| Volleyball England | "Volleyball England is the recognized National Governing Body for Volleyball in all its forms, including Volleyball, Beach Volleyball and Sitting Volleyball in England. This is the Official Site for Volleyball in England and carries information regarding all Volleyball Events and News from around the Country." |
| Volleyball Canada | (In English and French) News and articles about volleyball teams in Canada. |
| "Bocce originated in Italy and is one of the oldest of all lawn bowling games. It is now gaining popularity in the United States and Canada since it can be played by people of all ages and on a great variety of surfaces. Bocce is played between two players or two teams of up to four players on a team. It is played with 8 large balls, 4 of one color, 4 of another color and one small target ball called the Jack." | |
| Bocce | |
| US Bocce Federation | "Bocce is a competitive game of skill. It sharpens the reflexes and judgement – and stimulates good fellowship among players. It is played by young and old alike. It is very popular throughout the United States among Italian Americans who compose its greatest advocates and best players. " |
| iBocce | "A player may toss the pallino any distance so long as the pallino passes the center line of the court and does not hit the back wall." |
| World Bocce League | "Bocce, an ancient sport little known in the United States, has finally begun to take root in the American sports culture." |
| Rules of Bocce | "A player may toss the pallino any distance so long as the pallino passes the center line of the court and does not hit the back wall. If a player fails to validly toss the pallino after one attempt, the opposing team will have a chance to toss the pallino and put it in play." |
| Rules of Bocce | " The sport is played with one small ball (Pallino) and eight larger balls [Bocce (singular), Bocci (plural)]—four for each team. The Pallino is thrown first and becomes the target. Then each Bocce is thrown with the goal of placing it as close to the Pallino as possible." |
| Crockett Bocce League Rules and Regulations |
"The game of "Open" Bocce is played on a 91'x13' court with eight large bocce balls and one small target ball called the "pallino." The object of the game is to roll the bocce ball closest to the pallino. There are two balls per person, and four players make up a playing team. Teams must have a minimum of six and a maximum of twelve players. Anyone 16 years of age or older may play on a team." |
| How to Play Bocce | "This ancient game, whose modern adaptation most closely resembles bowling, requires skill, strategy and just a little luck. Bocce ball is a great game to play outside on a beautiful day. It is highly popular among seniors, but youths are sure to enjoy this accuracy game." |
| The History of Bocce | "As early as 5000 B.C. the Egyptians played a form of bocce with polished rocks. Graphic representations of figures tossing a ball or polished stone have been recorded as early as 5200 B.C. While bocce today looks quite different from its early predecessors, the unbroken thread of bocce's lineage is the consistently common objective of trying to come as close to a fixed target as possible." |
| How to Build a Bocce Court | "Court lengths can be found from 60 feet to 100 feet with a variety of playing surfaces. The standard dimensions encompass most existing courts; new courts should use the preferred dimensions." |
| The Bocce Court | "The court is an area 3.66 meters (12 feet) wide by 18.29 meters (60 feet) long." |
| Bocce Court Construction | "For international bocce the courts and all equipment are standardized to the nth degree. Not so in America with its Open Rules. Whatever size court fits in your backyard and your pocketbook is OK. However, I do recommend that you play with the international standard bocce balls which are 107 mm and 920 g." |
| "There are a number of variations of the game including competitive and social forms. The more competitive variations are those for the North American Rules as developed by the U.S. Croquet Association and adopted by Croquet Canada and the International Association rules as adopted by Croquet Canada, which vary significantly in many aspects while using the same croquet equipment and court set up." | |
| Croquet Rules & Regulations | |
| Croquet Glossary | "Corner: To hit your ball or croquet another ball into a corner for defensive purposes. This shot can also be a tice....." |
| How to Play Croquet | "Whether you're on the "cool" team or the "hot" team, croquet's a great game. The following guidelines have been adapted from the official rules of the United States Croquet Association." |
| The Rules and Regulations of Croquet | "The game is designed to be played with 6 balls or 4 balls. The game can be played between 2 sides or as individual (cut- throat) play where each player is playing for him/herself with no partner." |
| US Croquet Association | "The United States Croquet Association fosters croquet in all its forms, from the familiar nine-wicket croquet game to the modern sport of six-wicket croquet. There are USCA-affiliated clubs and tournaments across the United States and Canada." |
| Croquet and Cousins | "Mallet and ball games are thought to have been first played in England and Europe during the middle ages. Games would normally involve only one ball which would be struck through very wide hoops. A Croquet-like game is believed to have been played by thirteenth century French peasants who used crudely fashioned mallets to whack wooden balls balls through hoops made of willow branches." |
| How To Set Up And Play A Game Of Croquet | "Croquet is a great backyard game! It is slow game of patience and precision, allowing plenty of time to chat with friends, family or guests as you play. Children can play the game as well, as long as they are big enough to hit the ball with a mallet." |
| The Rules of Croquet | "Croquet has a reputation for being a genteel game for garden parties and picnics. Yet it can be a fiercely competitive game of skill and strategy for teams or individuals. Played on varying terrain and from two to six players it can provide fun and excitement at formal social occasions or to pleasantly while-away and afternoon." |
| "If you are interested in learning the horseshoe rules for playing in a tournament, or even in your own backyard, you have come to the right place. Here is a video clip of people playing horseshoes in their backyard. A picture is worth a thousands words, a video is worth a million." | |
| Horseshoes | |
| National Horseshoe Pitching Association | "Horseshoe pitching boasts of being one of the few sports that has a national champion for men, women, boys and girls and can still be played in one's backyard. It can be played by one or more and by the young as well as the old." |
| Horseshoes: Rules & Scoring | "Horseshoes is a game that is extremely easy to learn, yet difficult to master. While no article can hope to help your mastery of the game (sorry – it takes time and practice to get the knack for pitching a horseshoe), by the time you are finished with this article you will have a full understanding of how horseshoes is played and scored. " |
| How to Play Horseshoes | "Got a stick and some old horseshoes lying around the backyard? Turn it into a fun and competitive game of horseshoe and challenge your friends. The following guidelines for this traditional American pastime have been adapted from the official rules of the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association of America." |
| Horseshoes Online | "Here you will find all kinds of information about the sport of horseshoe pitching such as how to play the game, where to play it and much more. As you will see, it's definitely more than a backyard game. There are clubs and organizations all over the country that are involved in organized horseshoe pitching. " |
| NHPA Forum | National Horseshoe Pitchers Association. "Forum is open to the entire world to view. Think before posting. " |
| Horseshoe Canada | "The goals of the association are to promote and foster the sport of horseshoe pitching in Canada. The main activity to achieve that is the holding of the annual Canadian Horseshoe Pitching Championship. The Championships were held every year since 1929 except for a break during and after World War II" |
| State-By-State Horseshoe Club Guide | Use the large map to click on the state. |
| Types of Horseshoes | " Horseshoes are made from steel, aluminum, synthetics, titanium, brass, and even rawhide .Horseshoes come in two basic configurations: open heeled and bar. The two basic types have an infinite number of variations which can be custom fitted to a horse. " |
| How a Horseshoe is Made | "Horseshoes protect a horse's hooves from wear on hard or rough surfaces. They are also designed to improve a horse's gait, to help its conformation (how the horse stands), and to control interference problems (when hooves or legs collide with each other). For instance, for a condition called winging in—where hoof flight is to the inside of the stride—can be corrected by a square-toe shoe." |
"Although antique kite collecting is relatively inexpensive, its not easy. Hunting down good-quality older kites and accessories can involve a lot of legwork." |
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| Go Find a Kite | |
| Kites | From NASA. "Kites have been around for thousands of years and they are a part of many different cultures around the world. There is a lot of information available on the web concerning the history of kites, so we will not duplicate that information here." |
| Let's Go Fly a Kite! | "If you are looking for basic information on how to get your kite off the ground, you've come to the right place! " |
| Kite Life | (part commercial) "Since 1999 we´ve been bringing kitefliers together, and helping to keep those great kites in circulation instead of collecting dust... Getting them into happy homes, and into the air where they belong." |
| The Drachen Foundation | "The Drachen Foundation is a non-profit educational corporation, established in 1995 and devoted to the increase and dissemination of knowledge about kites worldwide. It takes its name from the German "Drachen," which means "kite" or "dragon."" |
| How To Fly A Two-Stick Kite | "There are dozens of kinds and shapes of kites available today -- delta wings, parafoils, sleds. There are even super kites that will carry a person or scientific instruments aloft. But the easiest kite for an average person to fly is constructed of two slender pieces of wood supporting a loose cover in the shape of an elongated diamond." |
| Go Fly a Kite | Links to online kite resources |
| Best Breezes | Home page of Bob White. "His love of kites has extended from childhood right through to the present day." |
| Let's Fly a Kite | (commercial" "For collecting and flying we have kites with designs and shapes of birds, sea creatures, hard to find Rokkakus and more." |
| Make Your Own Kite | "Have ever wanted to build a kite? Well, here is a simple kite you can make your self!' |
| "True shuffleboard -- first called shoveboard and then, inexplicably, shovelboard -- seems to have originated in England, where there is a record of its being played in 1532, and in its earliest form consisted of shoving coins across a polished tabletop as a pastime for royalty. But the game became so popular with the masses that people stopped going to work, causing it to be banned." | |
| The History of Shuffleboard | |
| Shuffleboard History and Rules | "During its infancy stages, the game of shuffleboard was considered far too frivolous a pursuit for a proper Englishman to take part in and was thus actually banned for a period of time. During that early period, it was still yet to be known as shuffleboard. Too bad the original name didn’t keep, the game might be more popular today among the youth if they could just say they were going out to play a game of shove board or slide groat." |
| Hints for Better Table Shuffleboard Play | "Basically, you should strive for three main objectives, in order to win at table shuffleboard:....." |
| Shuffleboard Rules Reported site attack 2/22/09 |
"The shuffleboard court is 52 feet long and 6 feet wide, but the actual playing surface is only 39 feet long. There is a 12-foot neutral zone in the middle of the playing area, marked by a pair of "dead lines."" |
| Shuffleboard | "Below you will find links to many of the worlds largest Shuffleboard Rules Organizations and Governing Bodies. Click on the links below for more information about the organizations listed." |
| The Rules of Shuffleboard | "The old English game of Shovelboard used to be played by the English upper classes on long tables residing in country houses. Shovelboard is no longer played but the derivative game of Sjoelbak is popular in The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany while a second descendant called Shuffleboard is popular in North America. An outdoor and an indoor version of Shuffleboard exist and both rules are given together with the ancestor of both of these - Deck Shuffleboard. " |
| A Commercial site with much information. "Radio Control (R/C) is piloting your own Air Force, commanding your own fleet, or 4-wheeling in your own monster truck! It's being totally in control of a fully functional scale model that is just waiting for your next command! If you're interested in mechanical or electronic devices, you'll be fascinated with the advanced components and design of these models — not like the R/C toys you see in department stores. These are life-like, "to scale" models with high-quality, mechanical working parts. Whether you want a relaxing afternoon getting away from it all or a hot race, there is an R/C land, sea, or air model for you." | |
| Radio Control Modeling | |
| Radio-Controlled Vehicle made from Cordless Screwdrivers | "This is a radio-controlled vehicle made from two cheap, cordless power tools with wheels attached. The electrical control part consists only of an old R/C controller, two servos, and 4 microswitches. " |
| Before You Get Into the RC Hobby | "Before you commit to the RC hobby there are several factors to consider: cost, repair and maintenance, time-commitment, type of vehicle, driving and racing." |
| RC Web Directory | "The Ultimate Guide to Radio-Control Modeling on the Web." |
| Radio Controlled and Remote Controlled Toys | "From blinking lights to racing on tabletops and performing stunts, this class of RC entertains and fascinates youngsters and beginners of all ages. Find toy-grade RCs from Tyco, Nikko, and other prolific toy manufacturers. Look for toddler toys and RC cars, trucks, planes, helicopters, and boats for big boys and girls. Explore the world of radio controlled and remote controlled toy vehicles." |
| RC Hobby Information | " Inside you'll find lots of how-to articles, links to many valuable RC plane plans helpful info, RC product reviews, and my personal recommendations. " |
| RC Universe | Online magazine |
| RC Tek | "Whether you are experienced or not, this site is devoted to radio controlled model cars. It is our intention to provide a valuable and unbiased resource for the general public and trade alike." |
| How Radio Controlled Toys Work | "In this article, you will learn all about radio control. You will find out what frequencies are used for RC toys, what the different components are and how they all work together. You will also learn what the difference between radio control and remote control is when talking about toys or models." |
| Airport Screeners Scrutinizing Remote-Controlled Toys | "Airport screeners are giving additional scrutiny to remote-controlled toys because terrorists could use them to trigger explosive devices, the Transportation Security Administration said." |
| "Footbag is a growing sport, originating in North America, though the sport is now played all over the world. Frequently referred to as "Hacky Sack®", footbag has existed as a competitive sport in several forms since 1972. There are a substantial number of footbag tournaments and festivals each year." | |
| Hacky Sack (Footbag) | |
| World Footbag Association | "Your source for footbags (Hacky Sack), tricks, videos, shoes, news and how-to information" |
| Sew Your Own Footbag | "For me, sewing bags is akin to a meditation or a spiritual practice... Something about hand sewing thousands of identical, delicate stitches... like carving or quilting a perfect sphere, only using the softest leather fabric and sinew thread." |
| How to Play Footbag | "Footbag develops agility and coordination and is a fine game to play alone or with friends. The small footbag, or hacky sack, is about two inches in diameter and can be made of soft leather or woven cotton and filled with beads or sand." |
| National Paddleball Association | Rules, players, and locations for both one-wall and four-wall paddleball |
| Orienteering Unlimited | "Orienteering is a sport wherein participants must navigate from one point to another using a map. Orienteering has been likened to a scavenger hunt in the woods, but it's much more than that!" |
| Yard Gaming | "Use this forum for general yard game discussion that isn't covered by any specific topic or if you're just unsure where to post your topic of discussion, put it here." |
| The History and Rules of Lawn Bowling | "Some rules have likely changed over that time, but the fundamentals seem to be consistent, certainly since the game's historic record was started in the 14th Century. " |
| Yard Game Directory | From DMOZ - Internet links |
| PaintBall.com | Information about PaintBall sites, equipment, rules, and safety. |
| Paintball Forum | "Paintball Forum is one of the largest paintball communities on the Internet with over 40,000 members. Both novices and seasoned professionals are members of this community, and discuss everything from gun reviews and modifications, tournaments, paintball strategies, and paintball equipment from air systems to masks. " |
| PB Nation | Online forum |
| Paintball Field Locator | Select by state |
| Rounders | "Rounders is the sixteenth century British version of a bat and ball game that dates back to "the dawn of time". In theory, it is a descendant of the bat and ball games played by our "cavemen" ancestors. This theory is a result of the observation that there is no culture in the world that does not have some form of a bat and ball game." |
| The First Flight of the Frisbee | "In 1967, high school students in Maplewood, New Jersey, invented Ultimate Frisbee, a recognized sport that is a cross between football, soccer and basketball. " |
| List of Frisbee Games | "This resource is intended as a collection of games which can be used with Junior teams to add variety to coaching sessions while still concentrating on the basic disc skills needed for Ultimate. " |
| Frisbee Team Games | "Ultimate has traditionally relied upon a spirit of sportsmanship which places the responsibility for fair play on the individual players." |
Dancing
Dancing
| Social Ballroom Dancing | "This article is about self instruction in simple social ballroom dancing (and country-western dancing )" |
| USA Dance | "Our mission is to promote the quality and the quantity of ballroom dancing in the United States" |
| Dancing Your Way To Fitness | "Arms pumping, feet stomping, hips twisting, and of course, sweat dripping. These movers, groovers and shakers may not realize it, but the dancing that makes them feel good is also good for their bodies. Dancing, experts say, burns calories, boosts energy, improves circulation and tones muscle--which leads to increased strength, endurance and flexibility." |
| Let's Dance to Health | "Dancing can be magical and transforming. It can breathe new life into a tired soul; make a spirit soar; unleash locked-away creativity; unite generations and cultures; inspire new romances or rekindle old ones; trigger long-forgotten memories; and turn sadness into joy, if only during the dance." |
| How To Get Started As A Social Ballroom Dancer |
"Typically a new dancer will start as a social dancer, attracted to dancing by an enjoyed event with dancing, - witnessing a TV show - yearning for more "social" in their social life - or being talked into it by a spouse, friend or relative. A small percentage of social dancers later find that their love of dance compels them to become competitive dancers or DanceSport Athletes." |
| Shall We Dance | "People of all ages are returning to partner dances such as swing, waltz, tango and many others. Not only are they returning to these dances they are adding their own twists and steps, making the dances of their own time period and are breaking down rules and barriers that have prohibited change in the competitive ballroom world." |
| Dance Forums | Message board forum with over 40 pages of topics. |
| Learn to Dance Ballet | "Ballet Dancing can be very easy to get into and very rewarding. Apart from being a very good exercise, Ballet is fun to do and creates flexibility and great posture. It is never to late to start learning and improving on your ballet skills. Getting started is as easy as buying the basic ballet items and finding some of the terrific local teachers and teaching studios available." |
| American Style Waltz | "Waltz is a smooth progressive dance characterized by long, flowing movements, continuous turns, and rise & fall. Graceful and elegant, Waltz dancers glide around the floor almost effortlessly. The American style is punctuated with lavish open movements, underarm turns, and solo spins. At 28-30 measures per minute, the tempo is slow at best, but the expressive quality of the music often invites very powerful and dynamic movement from dancers." |
| Line Dancing Lessons, Tips | Links for steps, etiquette, and tips for beginners. |
| Links to line dance sites from all over the world. | |
| Swing Tutorial | The following lessons are designed to give basic instructions for the beginner. These are organized in order, so we recommend starting at the top and working your way down. |
| Have Fun Square Dancing | From basic to advanced, square dancing steps in an animated format. |
| Call Lists and Definitions | Articles, dance techniques, clubs, resources for callers. If it's square dancing then it's here. |
| Glossary of Square Dancing Terms | Basic definitions |
| Salsa | "Salsa Dancing is by far the most popular Latin dance. Its hot and sexy style, fast and loud music, make for a great evening dancing out. There are a few basic steps that can be learned easily online, just grab a partner and try dancing in your own house (with the music provided of course). From there you can practice in clubs around the country. Salsa is highly recommended for everybody from couples to singles wanting to meet new people. |
| All About Belly Dancing | "The choices on this menu lead you to hundreds of articles with bellydance information to inspire you, entertain you, and assist you in learning all about Oriental dance, which many people refer to as "belly dancing"." |
| Learn to Belly Dance | "The Belly Dance is identified by swaying hips, undulating torso, and articulated isolations employed in a range of dynamic and emotional expressions. Characteristic movements in the dance include curving patterns, undulations, thrusts, lifts, locks, and drops, and shaking or quaking body movements." |
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