Cool water is a great relief as summer heats up. So, many people take to the rivers, lakes, and oceans on all sorts of vessels. While this usually results in a fun day out, never underestimate the power of water. Accidents happen. Fortunately, a little preparation and education can minimize risks for you, your friends, your family, and your water-loving pets. Here’s what you need to know, with tips and accident stats from the U.S. Coast Guard and other venerable bodies. Whether you’re piloting a motorboat, pontoon boat, canoe, or kayak, reduce your chances of collision, drowning, and other water-related hazards with these tips.
Hiking is just like walking, right? The only differences are being out in nature and going up and down hills. While that’s basically true, there are some important factors hikers must consider. In contrast to venturing out for an urban stroll, navigating uneven terrain near wild plants and animals and far away from city services requires specialized equipment. When packing for hiking, here are the essentials you’ll need.
This hiking gear list will help prepare beginners and refresh experienced hikers. And if you’re planning anything more than a simple trail walk, explore these safety tips and emergency preparedness essentials. Happy trails!
Is your beloved grad looking a bit green from all that time in classrooms? Are they wearing reading glasses more than sunglasses? Brow still furrowed from final exam anxiety? Maybe it’s time to step away from the textbooks and play outside.
If you have a new graduate in your life who yearns for some post-education adventure, consider buying a gift that sets them free from intellectual duties. There will be plenty of time for career development or graduate school later. This summer is a time to have fun on the water or in the mountains. After all, they’ve earned it.
Is your dad a camper? Then Father’s Day is the time to help him gear up. Every dedicated camper wants the best new stuff, whether that’s a more efficient stove or a comfier sleeping pad.
If Dad is a car camper who likes to have it all outdoors, maybe he dreams of deluxe camp furniture. Or if he’s a backpacking dad, we know he’s always searching for a tent that weighs two ounces less.
You’re in luck if you have a camping dad because they are so much fun to shop for. Get ready for Father’s Day with these gift ideas for dads who love camping.
Does your mom gravitate toward lakes, rivers, streams, and the sea? Do people accuse her of being a mermaid? If so, celebrate Mother’s Day with a gift that recognizes her affinity for water. Whether she loves to glide over the rivers on a paddle board, challenge the waves while surfing, plunge in for a swim, or dive deep with an air tank, these gifts will make her day. And consider getting yourself a new swimsuit and updating your gear, too, so you can join mom in her aquatic adventures. Because the best Mother’s Day gift is a shared experience that will make incredible memories.
Once in a while, a kayaker might have the thrill of being all alone on a remote, pristine lake. And while this scenario has its obvious charms, there’s a lot to be said for the ease and fun of urban paddling. Whether you live in a city on a river or are just visiting one, it’s often possible to rent a kayak or go on a guided trip, even if you only have a few hours. Exploring by water gives you a unique understanding of the city and a chance to see spectacular skyline views. Experience the magic for yourself at these 16 urban kayakingdestinations in the United States.
Devoted birdwatchers will tell you there’s never a bad time to go birding. But if you’re new to the hobby, you can’t beat springtime. Some species are starting to migrate, and nesting season is underway. Plus, the days are getting longer and warmer, so going out early is less of a chore than in, say, January.
Of course, it all depends on where you live. You might be fortunate enough to be in a spring migration pathway, where you can watch a mass movement of passing birds. Check with local birders. Also, keep an eye out for birding festivals, which are timed for maximal viewing. At the end of April, Corpus Christi, Texas’s Birdiest Festival in America takes advantage of spring migration along the Gulf Coast. The Indiana Dunes Birding Festival in May showcases migratory birds flying through the Midwest. Wherever you live, here’s the best birdwatching gear for your adventures.
If you want an efficient and exciting way to navigate the world but cringe at the thought of hopping on a Bird or Lime scooter, then D-Fly’s Dragonfly sport scooter might be for you.
TechRadar’s Axel Metz once described the Dragonfly as an electric scooter fit for Batman, and it’s easy to see why. Available in two models (the DF base model and the off-road-ready DFX), the Dragonfly electric scooter boasts a durable-yet-sleek design that can keep the adventure going from city streets to rocky backroads.
D-Fly co-founder Jez Williman began crafting the idea while recovering from knee surgery. Williman explains, “As I recovered, I began to dream of a new kind of transportation. One that would combine the visceral thrill of snowboarding and kitesurfing with the stability of four wheels and the instant power of an electric motor. This is the inspiration for Dragonfly, and you can feel it in every turn you make.”
The Dragonfly offers three riding modes: beginner, with a max speed of 9 mph, intermediate, with a max speed of 16 mph, and pro, which maxes out at 25 mph. While most people who can handle the average Bird or Lime scooter will likely feel comfortable cruising in beginner mode, the sport scooter’s faster modes and advanced features are its real selling points.
Extreme sports athletes and off-roading fans can push the electric scooter to its limits while exploring the outdoors. A full-tilt steering system with a dual wishbone suspension system on the front and back wheels will keep you riding smoothly, even on dirt trails. Don’t worry about missing a workout opportunity, either. Steering the Dragonfly engages the whole body as riders lean in to help guide the vehicle.
A few handy features are available to keep riders safe, too. Reverse mode makes it easy to back out of tight spots, and guards on the handlebars help keep your hands scrape-free. The built-in display is also great, providing navigation info and details on speed, range, and battery life. Day and night modes make viewing the screen more comfortable during after-hours expeditions.
Like most off-roading vehicles, the Dragonfly sport scooter doesn’t come cheap. Still, the $3,995 price tag is more affordable than some high-end mountain bikes and most ATVs. Explore more of the Dragonfly’s features here, and reserve one for yourself here.
Samantha Eastburn is living her dream, spending her days on the water in San Diego with dogs as her constant companions. The Arizona transplant runs a business called SUP Pups. She has trained thousands of dogs and their human companions to stand up paddleboard (SUP) together.
Eastburn is stoked about paddleboarding’s physical and mental benefits for both humans and dogs. “It’s a sport, it’s a hobby, it can be therapy,” she said. “I see dogs all the time leave the lesson and they have this little pep in their step. It builds their confidence, and it’s a bonding experience for both of you as well.”
With the right coach, board, and water, Eastburn says, anybody can learn to paddleboard. Here are some tips to help you and your canine BFF take to the water.
Find the best sneakers, socks, and more for your favorite runner.
Do you have folks on your gift list who get up at the crack of dawn to go for a run, even on holidays? Do they brave the wind, rain, and dark winter mornings? Dedicated outdoorsy people like that love gear. Whether your beloved runner is hitting forested trails or county roads, dodging urban traffic or trotting down a deserted beach, every step is slowly wearing down their shoes, socks, and other running threads. It’s time to buy them more. Here are some of this year’s best gifts for runners. These picks will put a smile on their face before they lace up their sneakers and run out the door again.
