Credit Roberto Alegria – https://www.rupfoto.com/home.html
I’ve been searching high and low for the top female skaters in the world and this is what I came up with. I think these four girls are really pushing female skating. If I have missed any of your favorite sections then please let me know in the comments. Enjoy! Continue Reading →
Banana Bread is a great source of protein and energy when doing anything physically tough. Its also perfect for snacking on while hiking or on a family picnic. Continue Reading →
Last week Hawaiian Coco Ho, 23, won the 6-Star Los Cabos Open of Surf at Zippers in Los Cabos, Mexico. Continue Reading →
The Women’s UCI World Cup overall title has come to its mid season break after an exciting race in Leogang, Austria, which saw Manon Carpenter (GBR) become the first rider this year to win her second race. Continue Reading →
After four days of Skateboarding, BMXing, Motocrossing, Rallycross and Super Trucks, the 2014 Summer X Games in Austin, Texas is once again finished for another year. Continue Reading →
Strawberry and Blueberry muffins are great to take on a hike or a picnic. They are light, filling and yummy to boot. Continue Reading →
Firefly is a “sports recovery device for serious athletes across all sports.” It is a small battery powered device that an athlete wares behind the knee after strenuous activity. The idea is to increase the blood circulation to your legs to remove the metabolic waste left by exercise, helping your muscles recover faster and taking care of any stiffness in the legs.
The Firefly device uses OnPulse neuromuscular electrostimulation technology to trigger the body’s built-in mechanisms by delivering electrical impulses to a nerve just below the knee called the common peroneal nerve.
That’s the technical stuff out the way with. I tried out the Firefly on day two of a five day snowboarding trip to Whistler, B.C. I was a little fatigued after the first day but held out until the second to try to test the true benefits of the device. Once back to the chalet, I de-kitted, showered and found a spot on the couch in front of the T.V. My calves were sore and starting to tense up a little bit so I thought this was the time to it out.
I took the devices out of there little jiffy bag along with its velcro straps that helps hold it in place, and peeled of the backs to reveal a very sticky, blue/green gel, and proceeded to stick them to my legs, just under my knee towards the outer-side. I then wrapped the black straps around the devices. After about an hour of thinking it wasn’t doing much…Then I turned it on.
The Firefly reminds me a little of the electric ab stimulators you see advertised on late/early T.V. It sends a small electric shock through your muscle, I’m saying that it has the same effect but I think there is a similar science behind it. I wore the Firefly for about 4-5 hours, I even went to bed with it on, it wasn’t painful or irritating at all. Once the power was failing I took it off. In the morning my carves were loose and relaxed, with no stiffness to be felt anywhere in my legs.
Now would I go out and buy them? One pack of Firefly (with a 2 devices in) costs £29.00, a pack of 4 is £99.00. So for a general ‘I’ve been out on the mountain for a day or so’, no I wouldn’t. They did definitely help my recovery but I definitely could of carried on without them without too much difficulty. However, if I was going backcounty boarding that required me to hike or if I was to play my first game of football of the season or run a half/full marathon, where I am going to experience Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS), then these devices are worth every penny. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to test the Firefly under these conditions yet because of a ‘hyper extended’ knee injury I picked up in football practice, so an update of the device may well be written in the future.
To get some more information about the Firefly check out their website www.fireflyrecovery.com. I think it’s a very clever device and really great piece of sports science.
Bam is a UK brand started in June 2006 by founder David Gordon. The clothing is completely made from bamboo fibre and is 100% biodegradable. As a company they are ethical, responsible, fair and environmentally friendly.
When I first found out I was going to review the baselayer, I had not heard of the company before. This, I think, is quite common. Bam seems to be a company for people in the know. Even on their website they state, “Our business is growing almost exclusively from word of mouth, as people who try it are impressed enough to tell their friends, etc.”
After I found out a little about the company, and clothing, I was very impressed. I love the idea of environmentally friendly organic clothing. This is the type of product we at Sea to Sky Lifestyle get very excited about.
So it ticks the organic, green, good-for-the-earth type boxes. But how did it do in the comfort department? Well… fantastic! I primarily use the zip neck baselayer while snowboarding. It has now become part of my kit. It’s tight without being restrictive, and the way the fibres are woven together allows for brilliant flexibility. I really enjoy not having to wear too many layers under my jacket. I find lot of layers make me feel a little bit like the Marshmallow Man, and the Bam baselayer allows me to leave the hoodies and T-shirts at home.
Bam boast that their clothing is great for just about any sport. The clothing features include staying dry, thermo-control, antibacterial, anti-static, anti-fungal, UV protection, and being good for sensitive or allergy-prone skin. The fibres absorb and evaporate sweat and stay highly breathable. Because of the antibacterial feature of the fabric, bacteria doesn’t live well in the fibres so the clothing doesn’t get smelly — even after a couple of days wearing it. This makes it good for your skin and your nostrils.
As a company goes, and products go, Bam is great. If I can convince people to spend that little extra on this sports clothing I will. It is definitely worth it. I know you can go to Sport Direct and pay maybe £10.00 to £25.00 for one of their polyester baselayers, but by paying £45.00 for this Zip Neck Baselayer, you are a getting much superior product in every way possible.
When we first decided to review some Helly Hansen products my first thought took me back to my school days where the ‘cool kids’ would all wear Helly Hansen white and blue winter jackets (or more likely knock offs), the 1990’s North West equivalent of the Burberry uniform you find chaves wearing in parts of Britain today. Needless to say I was slightly reserved at first. The snowboarding brands in my mind were the likes of Burton, Volcom, Forum, DC or Oakley. Continue Reading →
23-year-old British medal hopeful Andrew Musgrave failed to reach the finals of the cross country sprint after finishing fourth in the quarter finals. The other two Team GB cross country skiers, Andrew Young and Callum Smith, finished 42nd and 62nd respectively. Continue Reading →