Canine Agility Trials

Agility trials are great fun and exercise for both the human handler and the participating canine athlete. The trials are primarily outdoor events, but there a few held indoors instead. The games begin early in the morning, which requires a very early arrival for competitors. The course must be walked off, the judge will give the brief, and then there should be time for a quiet calming or to get excited, whichever works best for your athlete.

 

Organisations that put on these entertaining events are the North American Dog Agility Council, the United States Dog Agility Association, and the American Kennel Club. The first two, the NADA and the USDAA allow any breed whether mixed or pure to compete. The AKC limits participation to pure-breds of the species.

 

To explain this unusual sport simply, it’s an obstacle course laid out and manoeuvred by a dog, accompanied by a human handler. Fastest and most accurate time wins. This is a true team sport, as one must learn to communicate with an animal to a very fine point. The team-mates must truly understand each other and work impeccably together. That is, if you want to win. Otherwise it’s just a wonderful way for a dog owner and dog to have fun and exercise together.

 

Every trial course is different. Therefore, the preliminary walking of the course is important. Sometimes there are critical choices to be made regarding the order of obstacles. Some are used more than once, and some are placed in such a way that if one did not carefully pre-study the course, he or she might direct the dog through the obstacles in incorrect order. In order to win the trials, the dog must navigate the obstacles in exact order. Penalties on the time are given for errors or knocking over an obstacle. Since the obstacle course is done at full speed running, you can see how important it is to know where you and the dog are going beforehand.

 

Some obstacles are easier than others, depending upon the type and personality of the dog you are competing with.  The A-frame obstacle is a large double ramp placed together in the shape of an A, which the dog must run up and then down. The Dogwalk is similar to the A frame, but with a flat spot at the top. The Teeter-totter is just what it sounds like. The dog will start at the ground contact end, walk carefully up to the middle until the other up end goes down, then proceeds to walk, or run down to the other side. The tunnels resemble a child’s toys. Some are fully open throughout and at both ends. The collapsed tunnel is open at the entry end, but the rest is lying in a collapsed state, so the dog must prove their bravery in entering and exiting through the collapsed end. There are a number of jumps to be hurdled over. The jumps are varying heights and look like miniature versions of horse jumps.

 

Regardless of the various difficulties of obstacle, the dogs and handlers alike seem to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Camel Racing

If you were to visit Australia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, or the United Arab Emirates, you might be tempted to take in a relatively unusual spectator sport (unless, of course, you are a camel jockey). Camel racing is a major form of entertainment for the local residents of these areas. There is much betting and other forms of entertainment available at these races, too. Most are run like festivals, with markets and music as well.

 

Similar to the more traditional sport of horse racing, camel racing can be exciting and fun to watch, especially if you have placed a bet on a particular animal or just chosen the one you think looks like a winner.

 

Camel racing began many centuries ago as a simple form of local entertainment and competition for fun amongst camel owners. It was not considered a serious endeavour or something one would consider professionally until more recent years. It is continuously growing today as a sport, as people of influence have become interested in camel racing as an investment.

 

There are problems associated with the sport, however. The means of training the camels for use on the racetrack involves a great many jockeys. They must be light weight, and inexpensive employees in order for the investors to reap the larger profit. This being said, the most suitable training jockeys became young children. They were usually boys of only six or seven years of age and weighing no more than twenty kilograms. This practice has been banned in the United Arab Emirates, as child labour and trafficking has been frowned upon and the child jockeys were considered slaves.  The jockeys are still young men, but must obtain official documents from the government, specifying that they are at least fifteen years old and  weigh at least forty five kilograms.

 

The training of the camels is similar to that of a trained racehorse. There are a few significant differences, though. The young camels, at about thirteen months of age, are taken to an older racing camel and attached to the older camel with a rope, thereby the senior camel influences the young camel in the proper behaviour expected around the track.  One to three months later, the young camel is introduced to the rope bridle and the blanket saddle and taken onto the track with a rider of very light weight. They receive regular general fitness training, which consists of a long walk every morning, a rest in a shaded area, then water and a snack. As the weather cools, their walking distance is increased. The purpose of this training is to keep their fat content to a minimum.

 

An interesting twist on the race preparation for the camel athletes is a stomach purge two days before the race.  They are then washed and covered up with blankets, given a light meal, and for the full day before the race they fast and rest.

 

This sport has evolved a great deal over the years, and is becoming increasingly popular with spectators and investors alike. New racetracks are being built and the training is more technical, including the use of robots to replace the child jockeys.

Calcio Storico

In Florence, Italy an unusual game is played three times per year. The game of calcio storico has been played since the early 1500’s. Calcio storico games faded away through time, but were brought back as a re-enactment of history in the 1930’s.  Although a great number of the particulars of this game have changed since the original game was played, the basics are still observed.  It is a big part of their St. John’s Day celebration, St. John being the patron saint of Florence. The modern day version of this game is played among the four districts of Florence. There is nothing but local pride driving the need to win. The four teams face off on two Sundays that occur before the actual finals date of June 24. The districts are known as Santa Croce, Santa Maria Novella, Santo Spirito, and San Giovanni. Fierce rivalry exists between the districts, and with their local pride at stake, there is often a great deal of violent contact between teams.

 

In the early military history of Florence, the game was a popular way for the young soldiers to retain their strength between battles. Calcio storico is a hand to hand struggle to hold onto a ball approximately the size of one cannon ball, and move it by whatever means possible through the opposing team to cross the goal line. The goals, when scored, are signified by a gunshot.

 

The game is played similar to an ordinary game of rugby BUT with football and boxing mixed in. Oh, and don’t forget your costume! The players wear period costumes while they play the 50 minute game, but before they play they parade themselves throughout the Piazza. The spectators and visiting royalty or dignitaries are treated to the sight of the colourful costumes.

 

The first game was played as an act of contempt between two feuding families. Today’s game is more of a re-enactment, but the blood spilled is definitely still real. Two teams of twenty-seven face each other on the field for the competition to begin. A large sand filled pit is the playing field. The goals are at opposing ends of the field and are the entire width of the field. The overseeing referees number a total of eight: one main referee, six linesmen, and one field master. The field master is charged with the job of breaking up or monitoring any fist fights that break out – and they are inevitable. The referees are present, but don’t do much in the way of regulating these games.

 

The game goes on for a full 50 minutes. Whichever team scores the most points wins. The prize is just as unusual as the costumes and the game itself. The winner receives a whole calf-size package of steaks!  The calf is cooked in the street at a party following the final game. Fireworks are shot into the air and can be observed from Ponte Vecchio to Ponte alle Grazie along the Arno on the north bank.

Buzkashi

In the Middle Eastern country of Afghanistan, a very unusual twist on common polo is played.  It is played by teams of men on horseback, but instead of using mallets to send a ball over the goal, a dead and headless animal is hauled around a flag and tossed into a circle for a score. The players carry whips instead of mallets, to keep other riders and horses away from them.

The name buzkashi is what the Afghan peoples call it. It is also played in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, but is known as Ulak Tartysh or Kok-boru.

 

The game of buzkashi has no time limit. In casual, ordinary games, there are no official quarters or halves played. It is played until the game is finished. This can sometimes go on for several days. The official times are only used in tournament games. 

 

The object of this very rough game is for a rider to carry the carcass of an obviously dead and beheaded calf or goat across the goal line, toss it into a vat, or place it into a circle.  In order to protect themselves somewhat from the other players, they wear protection on their heads and wear very heavyweight clothes. The players use whips and can kick or use any other possible means of struggle to succeed in their objective. The only means not allowed is tripping another player’s horse.

 

The athletes in this demanding sport engage in training that takes many years. The best players, known as chapandaz, are usually upwards of forty years of age. The player and the horse must be in tune with each other and are an ultimate team. Fillies and geldings are not used in this sport. Only the bravest stud horses are used. An extremely well-trained horse can be purchased for five thousand to eight thousand pounds or more. The horse must be trained to know when to stop and wait and also when to gallop at full speed when the rider possesses the goat or calf.  The training for the horses includes feeding a regular diet of oats, and then the horse is fed less than usual for a few days before the match, and ridden a long distance. The horse becomes leaner at this point, and will be more able to withstand the rigours of the game.

 

The animal used in play is specially prepared for the games as well, but no training is necessary. The goat or calf is beheaded, the limbs are removed beyond the knee joints, and it is disembowelled. Sand may be stuffed in the empty carcass for more weight. The carcass is finally soaked for a full day in water so it becomes tougher. Calves are preferred over goats, as the goats tend to disintegrate more easily as the game goes on.

 

This sport can be observed throughout the Afghan region and in central Asia as well. I should think that it is very doubtful, however, that it will ever gain a world wide following!

Bungee Jumping

The beginnings of today’s bungee jumping may have started on the Pentecost Island in the 1950’s. There were men known as land divers that would tie vines to their ankles and dive from platforms high in the jungle trees, being jerked to a stop just prior to hitting the ground.  The Amazon Indians performed a similar ritual, but slower.

 

In 1979 Bristol, members of the Dangerous Sports Club jumped from a 250 foot bridge and were arrested soon afterwards. They continued with their jumping from the American Golden Gate and Royal Gorge bridges. In 1986, New Zealand resident A.J. Hackett, jumped from a bridge in Auckland. Soon afterwards he opened the first commercial site for paid bungee jumping experience. Since the 1980’s commercial jumping sites opened, millions of jumps have been performed. There have been a few fatalities, but not a large number considering the number of jumps that have been made overall.  The accidents have most always occurred due to a cord that is too long.

 

Double checking the equipment and length of cord is essential for the safety of the jumpers. The cord must be much shorter than the length of the actual jump, as the cord will stretch considerably when it reaches its full length, and it still takes some time for the jumper to begin to slow down. When the cord is completely stretched, the jumper bounces back up and down until all of the stretch is out of the cord and the participant comes to a stop. The jumper is then lowered by crane or other device and disconnected.

 

The rope or cord is made of a braided piece of specially manufactured shock cording and is the same as the original cords used in the first commercial jumps. A home-made type of cord can also be used. This cord type is made up of several strands of stretchy latex, exposed, not braided together like the manufactured type. The strands in this type are also exposed. A longer and much softer bounce can be had with this type cord, and this is the reason why many people prefer using it.

 

The highest jump commercially available to those wishing to give it a go is at the Bloukrans River Bridge located in South Africa. The platform stands a full 216 metres from the ground level. Another of the highest is located in Locarno, a town located in Switzerland. This jump is from a 220 metre platform. You may have seen this jump performed in Golden Eye, a James Bond film. There are other higher jumps, but they are not pure bungee jumps. They are decelerator-descent jumps. The jump A. J. Hackett made in Macau, for example, was made from a height of 233 metres, but there was a second cable that was used to control the trajectory and the descent rate, thus it was certainly a brave stunt indeed, but doesn’t take a place in the bungee jumping free-fall records. This is considered a different sort of jump altogether.

Bikini Cricket

Cricket is a wonderfully traditional sport played in several countries throughout the world. Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa are a few countries smitten with this sport considered by some to be the national pastime. It is played by over 100 countries throughout the world by traditional sportsmen and sportswomen. This has long been known as a very conservative sport, played by teams of folks wearing very conservative uniforms.

 

One can only imagine what this sport would look like if played not only by women, which is a common sight, but by pretty ladies in bikinis! There’s a good one for the Sunday afternoon television sports watchers. This is now an actual sport – bikini cricket – that is being played with more and more frequency as it gains popularity amongst the watchers. It’s a new twist on the old boys’ game, but the old boys don’t seem to mind watching. Traditional cricket is played by men’s teams and women’s teams, but they don’t usually wear bikini swimsuits when they play. In fact, the cricket uniform is quite the opposite – very traditional, and never revealing. After all, the players must be able to concentrate on playing their best game. 

 

The game of cricket as we know it is played by two teams of 11 players each facing off in a match of great skill, strength, and agility. The game is played on a field of grass in the shape of an oval. There is a wicket at each end of the oval, measuring 66 feet from one to the other. The team that is batting places a batsman at each wicket. The bowler, playing on the opposing team, rolls the ball from one wicket towards the opposite wicket. His goal is to knock the bails off the wicket.

 

The batsman from the opposing team is guarding the wicket at the other end.  The batsman must protect the wicket’s bails from being knocked over by the ball. The batsman attempts to hit the ball away from the wicket and back toward the opposing team’s players. He then runs to the opposite wicket before the opposing team gets hold of the ball and beats him to the wicket.  If he makes it there safely, a point is scored. Each point is called a run. The game goes on for a period of time known as an inning. Each inning is played until every player on the team has had a turn at the bat. This being said, it is not uncommon for a cricket match to go on for many days before the game is complete. The team that scores the most runs wins the cricket match.

 

The bikini-clad player version of cricket does not necessarily take so long. After all, how long can an athlete continue to play such a game of skill when exposed? This appears to be not as much a serious version of the ancient noble sport, but more one of pure entertainment. It certainly gives a fresh round of attention to the game. Perhaps there will one day be national and international bikini cricket tournaments played. Who knows? With enough interest shown, this could be a future Olympic sport.

Bathtub Racing

How about a silly sport, just for fun. Instead of racing real boats, some prefer to race bathtubs turned into lean, mean, racing machines. The bathtub racers are constructed of a bathtub (usually a replica of a bathtub, as a real one would definitely be too slow and heavy) inserted into the hull of a regular boat. They have outboard motors and they’re off!

 

The racers go approximately 40 kilometres per hour and some of the more hopped up models can go even faster than that. It may not seem too fast to you, but if you knew how small they actually are, you’d be amazed at the lighting speed. 

 

Most aspiring bathtub racers get themselves a sponsor to begin with. That’s the best way to get started. Then you need to build a tub or have someone build it for you. There are actually people that specialize in building bathtub boats. If you wish to build your own, however, you can do so if you have a little knowledge in fibreglass construction.  Canadian competitors appear to be the best fibreglass tub boat builders at this point in time. Either way, whether you build your own model or have someone else do it for you, you will now need a super-duper powerful monster of an outboard engine to propel you to the finish. The motor needs to be a two-stroke type engine with eight horsepower.

 

The rules aren’t too complicated, but need to be followed closely so if you win you aren’t disqualified. The main and most important rule is that your tub boat must contain a tub that resembles the old fashioned rolled edge type bathtub. If you built your boat before 2005, though, yours can be grandfathered in. The tub can be any material you think will work and measure a minimum of 20 inches wide and a minimum of 1 meter in length. The whole tub must be exposed in order that it can be seen. All tubs are required to be a minimum weight of 350 pounds including driver, engine, safety gear, tank, and gas. All tubs must have a good towing point from which to be towed if necessary. A floatation area must also be included in your boat. The floatation substance must be made of cork, foam, air or anything that will keep the boat afloat.

 

The steering mechanism must be factory made and all original. The motor cannot be any larger than 8 horsepower. No racing fuel is to be used. You can choose whatever type oil, spark plugs, and lubrication you want to use. Certain parts must be from the factory. Carburettors should be stock and you may not modify the engine. Seems like an awful lot of rules for such an obscure little competition, but if the sport is going to grow in popularity, we’d better be prepared ahead of time.

 

There are eight races held per year so far, and they are all held on the North American Continent in Canada and America. The biggest race is held on Labour Day Weekend. Most competitors are Canadian, but there are two Americans that compete.

Abseiling

The sport known as abseiling, or rappelling in some other locations, is not for the faint of heart, or for those that may possess a fear of heights. The fear of heights could be overcome, however, by simply deciding not to look down.  The feeling of dangling from a small rope whilst suspended in mid-air is truly a unique and exhilarating experience. There must be the ultimate trust in one’s team-mate or climbing partner.  It’s a fairly simple concept. You are a long way from the ground standing atop a cliff. You are attached to a rope by use of a harness and carabineers. You lean backwards and make your way down the cliff, scooting along the rope until you reach solid ground. Sound like fun?

 

Abseiling is usually a skill utilized by mountaineers, rescuers, window washers on high rise buildings, cavers, or climbers.  It can also be considered a sport all in itself. In 1876 Chamonix, France, a climber known as Jean Esteril Charlet discovered abseiling as a way to rope himself down from an attempt at a solo climb that failed. After the initial discovery, he decided that he should perfect the skill. 

 

Equipment for this sport is not necessarily expensive, but it is rather critical that one obtains equipment in perfect condition, as any flaws can cause injury or ultimately death. It is also essential to learn this sport from an expert with a great deal of experience, and one that uses good safety techniques. Helmets must be worn to protect the skull from falling debris or rock and from the occasional bump. Gloves are used to protect the hands, but the best are fingerless leather. The gloves keep the hands free from the possible heat of the rope or metallic equipment on a particularly long descent and of course, from bumping against the harsh rocks. Good sturdy boots are a definite plus, but should be flexible with very good gripping soles. Some abseilers prefer knee and elbow padding for obvious reasons.

 

The rope is not ordinary rope. It must be the kernmantle type construction that contains a core of many strands with a sheath that is resistant to abrasion. Static rope is used for abseiling, as opposed to the more flexible rope used in climbing, as the lower stretch is desirable for ease of descent and less bounce. The harness should fit comfortably and not cause any “pinching points” that would compromise the circulation. Some abseiling descents can take long periods of time. Waist harnesses are adequate, but some prefer the full body harness that also covers the back and chest area.

 

The only mechanical device needed for abseiling might be the braking bar rack. The rope is weaved throughout the bars to provide friction and the amount of friction can be varied by adding or removing bars. The figure eight is a simple device shaped like a number eight. The rope is wrapped through the device to create friction for a controlled descent. An older method, and one that could be used for an emergency descent when one has no device, is called the munter hitch. That is a technique in which a simple carabineer is wrapped in a particular way to create a makeshift abseiling or rappelling device.

 

As wonderfully exciting as this sport appears, before you attempt it be sure to get proper professional instruction, and never abseil alone.

Sauna Bathing

Sauna bathing is a very popular way to relieve stress and it is also good for the health. Today, sauna bathing is considered a sport as well. After all, sports are categorised as recreational activities. In the case of sauna bathing, there are competitions that are held. For example, the Sauna Bathing World Championship is a very important sports event for those who love and enjoy sauna bathing as a sport. This first started in Heinola, Finland when a few men sat in a hot sauna for a long time and thought that they could make a competition out of it. The rules of the competition were (and still are) very simple. The person who can sit in a steaming hot sauna for the longest time is declared the winner.

 

For anyone lucky (or brave!) enough to participate, a sauna bathing competition is a unique and paradoxical combination of relaxation and endurance. You do not need to be extraordinary to participate in this competition. You do, however, need to be physically fit enough to survive the overbearing heat of the sauna.

 

The rules of this competition are followed very strictly. Participants need to sit in the sauna. They have to sit erect whilst their forearms rest on their knees. Their arms should be upright. The participant is not allowed to touch the skin with their hands. The costumes are also regulated, including a set length. Participants should have a medical certificate that states that they are fit to participate in such a competition.

 

The world championship in sauna bathing began in 1999. It has become a regular sport from then on. There are people that come from various countries to take part in this competition. The competition is popular because of the fun that people have whilst competing. There are no special entry requirements. Anyone that enjoys sauna bathing can take part in it. The demand and popularity of this competition have grown over the years. More people are attempting to check their patience and their capacity to bear the heat in a sauna bathing competition.

 

Originally, it was only Heinola locals who participated in sauna bathing competitions.  Tourists from near and far began to get wind of these unusual contests, and, very soon, the word spread. People from both Finland and abroad came to participate, giving rise to the Sauna Bathing World Championships of today.

 

It might sound easy to participate in a sauna bathing competition, but it is extremely tough. The beginning seems easy, but, at the later stages, the heat increases and it becomes very difficult to breathe efficiently and sit in the required position. The thighs and the buttocks should be pasted to the seat at all times, which is near-impossible if you have been sitting in stifling heat for so long! If a participant moves or gets up from their seat, they bow out of the competition. The person who can sustain the heat and stay seated is declared the winner. The winners are given rewards and are well recognised, which is the least that they should expect after such an ordeal!