überdog magazine

000 uberdog issue 04 cover A4.qxp

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000 uberdog issue 04 cover A4.qxp

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meet ‘the dog’

Top of

the Pack my summer. I’ve been Lazy days spent lounging by the pool - that certainly wasn’t how I spent minute of it... up mountains, out at sea, swinging in the tree-tops…and I’ve loved every long the way I meet some

determination to win which makes them

months and we were there to capture the

pretty incredible people, some

formidable.

winners on camera as they drunk from the

A

of which I’m introducing you to

Then there’s my hero Ray Mears. When it

cup of victory. I’ve picked out a few of my

in this issue. First on the list

comes to outdoor survival, this man knows

favourite events and you’ll find reports

are the boys on bikes -

it all, so when I heard he was coming to

inside on the Irish National Downhill

Belfast I bartered a bone or two to bag an

Championships (pg 26), King of the Dirt

downhill sensation Dan Sheridan and motocross legend Gordon Crockard.

These two very different characters share one thing in common (aside from their love of two wheels) and that’s a

(pg 74) Irish Skater of the Year

when I heard he was coming to Belfast I bartered a bone or two to bag an interview...

(pg78), XC National Championships (pg 38) and Oxfam Trailtrekker (pg 65).

Our contributors didn’t get a holiday either; they’ve all been hard at work bringing you tutorials and tips on how to get the most from

interview. Find out what he has to say

your favourite sport. Dave Youngs is back

about life as we know it on page 52.

on his bike on page 18; Luke Humpreys is

But it’s not just the boys that brave the

pulling tricks on his skateboard on page

outdoors and claim it as their own. When it

40; Iain Gilmore hits the surf on page 56

comes to snow sports one lady making her

and Marty McCann makes waves on a

mark is freestyle boarder Aimee Fuller who

waveski on page 58.

we chat with on page 12.

Also making headlines this summer was

Plus we’re firing from all cylinders with the latest airsoft news and we take a look at

paddler Elaine Alexander who

kitesurfing, the sport that will literally lift you

circumnavigated Ulster in a kayak in 26

off your feet!

days. Read her account of the journey on page 46.

Competitions, tournaments and races dotted the calendar during the summer

And the winners are…

Congratulations to our issue three competition winners: FOX HELMET Isaac Barr, Hillsborough LUSH LONGBOARD FROM SURF MOUNTAIN Sam Urey, Greyabbey

Got a spor want to te t you about? Get ll us in touch on editorial@ uberdogmag azine.co.uk

you can follow our paw prints at: www.facebook.com/uberdogmag

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NAME:

NAME:

DOES:

DOES:

BLURB:

BLURB:

Rob has been working with publications in Northern Ireland for over 21 years and was the original creator of überdog back in 1996. Steering the magazine along in a style akin to a stagecoach going down the side of a mountain may look easy, but Rob has perfected this ‘controlled chaos technique’ over many, many years.

An award winning magazine editor, überdog is Tara’s first venture into the world of extreme sports and she’s having a blast! When she’s not at the computer you’ll usually find her in the great outdoors trying to tire out her three kids - anything for a good nights sleep!

Rob Doherty

tara Craig

Big Dog at überdog

Dress down Fridays are always fun at the office...

Editor & Wordsmith

that’s a mighty fine ass you got there...

NAME:

NAME:

Jason Ennis

Andrew McCombe DOES: advertising sales

You’re not gonna get too far up the Mournes in that...

DOES:

BLURB: Never one to shy away from a challenge, Andy

awEsome pictures

couldn't turn down the offer to work with Team Woof and help bring uberdog to the world. With a creative background including visual design, lens-based media and copyright, Andy's eye for detail keeps our clients and supporters happy.

Fond of the outdoors he likes nothing more than to be hiking in the Mourne Mountains on days off. And for added adventure he recently took up rock climbing - a bit of an allrounder is Andy.

BLURB: Originally from Dublin, Jason now lives in the middle of nowhere (Wexford!). His Granddad introduced him to photography when he was a wee nipper and now he’s most at home on a track shooting bmx and dh although he’ll shoot anything he can get his hands on including sports, portraits and landscapes. A budding journo Jason hopes to study Journalism in DCU this year.

Not the sort of photo Autotrader was expecting...

NAME:

NAME:

DOES:

DOES:

BLURB: 14 year old Luke has risen to local fame thanks to his YouTube site which he uses to post skate footage taken in bizzare locations across Northern Ireland.

Luke contacted the magazine offering to do a series of skate tutorials for beginners and we were so impressed with his style and skill that we just had to say yes!

BLURB: Dave will be taking you from mtb novice to nutter over the next few issues. Dave started out on his trusty Grifter 22 years ago, complete with lollipop stick attached to the back wheel for extra speed and noise!

He developed his love of mountain biking after buying one off a bent copper and has mastered the art to become Ireland's most qualified guide and coach.

Luke Humphreys

Dave Youngs

Skate trickster

Is the pen mightier than the board?

Sith lord of the saddle

If anyone could teach Eamonn Holmes downhill - it was Dave

NAME:

NAME:

Iain Gilmore

Aaron Wilson

DOES:

DOES:

personal training

Surf Guru

Getting extremely ‘board’ the Gilmore way...

Prepare to be introduced to my best friend

2

PAIN!

BLURB: Jersey born, Iain is a champion surfer living in Fanad, County Donegal. With 28 years surf experience and a string of awards to his credit, we thought he was the perfect man for the job of ‘surf correspondent’. When he’s not down on the beach, Iain can be found at his Adventure One Surf School on Ballyheirnan Bay, Fanad.

The new pool in the

BLURB: Once a trainer for surf pros in Australia, Aaron has returned to Belfast where he works as a fitness manager at the Merchant Hotel in Belfast. Aaron also offers one-to-one fitness coaching as part of Belfast Personal Training.

Merchant ROCKED...

NAME:

NAME:

Graeme Livingstone

marty McCann

DOES:

DOES:

Front line combat sport correspondent

Waveski expert

BLURB: 22 year old Graeme is überdogs tamed version of Rambo. Known by his call sign - Century Child, he has been playing airsoft for nearly four years and enjoys nothing more than a good skirmish. Being a big fan of extreme sports and an ex-bmxer he was keen to introduce a fresh new sport to the list in überdog.

current Irish Waveski champ, Marty McCann is also a British Canoe Union level 5 coach surf and a Beach Lifeguard trainer and assessor . Marty lives in south Donegal where he offers paddlesport coaching through www.oceanaddicts.com. As if that isn’t enough Marty also enjoys a spot of kayaking, mountain biking and general mincing!

BLURB: World European Waves competitor and

Not quite sure which way around this photo goes...

www.uberdogmagazine.co.uk

003 Tollymore Advert ISS04.qxp

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l a n tio en! a N p re o o w m lly tre no o T New oor Cen d t u O Tollymore National Outdoor Centre provides the widest range of courses in Ireland for individuals, groups and corporate team building. The state of the art facility, funded and managed

by Sport Northern Ireland, is now open following a major redevelopment.

U U U U U U U

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T: 028 4372 2158 E: admin@tollymore.com W: www.tollymore.com

004-005 Contents Pages ISS04V01.qxp

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the

issue four oct/nov 2010ad

s t n e t n o c 6

Puppies Privates

Mütt Snutts, überdog’s roving reporter sniffs out the latest word on the street

12

Snow Queen snowboard

Meet Aimee Fuller, the 19-year-old freestyle snowboarder who rides for Roxy and is living the pro-tour ‘fairytale’…

She’s only 19 years old, but already Aimee Fuller is making her mark as one of the youngest members of the British Freestyle Snow Boarding Team to back flip her way to international success...

B

londe, pretty, smart - even before you take her sporting skills into consideration Aimee Fuller seems to have it all. Born in England, Aimee has last few been living in Northern Ireland for the to make years and is the only local sports star sports a real impression on the extreme winter scene. a few We meet in a café. Aimee is taking and is weeks off after a hectic winter season family and stoked to be home to catch up with magazine friends. I introduce her to uberdog and she is impressed (of course) in “It’s great to see a magazine like this promotes Ireland,” she begins. “Anything that thing. So the extreme sports scene is a good

more many people are doing it and so many to be want to get involved so for a magazine is profiling the various sports involved fantastic.”

Aimee Big into her sports from a young age has tried her hand at everything - from and motocross and wakeboarding to skating really got rollerblading - but the one activity that which her going was snowboarding, a sport she discovered while living in America: and “I used to dry ski when I was younger and I tried then we went on a family ski holiday I was snowboarding and was hooked. When where US the to moved we old years 12 to do snowboarding is huge - it was the thing

everyone out there and it looked so cool that slope an wanted to do it. Luckily there was a so I would hour and half away from our house

I picked it go with my friends at weekends and entering up pretty quickly. Before long I was small competitions.” a At the age of 15 Aimee heard about went for snowboard camp in the US where she “The a week, picking up tips from the pros. was following year I went back again and a fortunate enough to have Erin Comstock, “ professional snowboarder as my coach. became later only this of The significance Aimee to apparent when Erin recommended Roxy securing her her first serious sponsorship.

“At the time I was 16 years old and I’d I honestly moved back to Northern Ireland, so odd thought, that with the exception of the over. holiday, my snowboarding days were from call phone a got I blue the Then out of It Roxy inviting me out to camp for a week. photograph: Alex Henderson www.alexander-henderson.com

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12

mo a n y D Dan

mountain bike

t d ho s, us an the Elite furio Fast, tails of the boy e on th eridan is en the …

Dan Shtaming ev l tracks who’s t downhil wildes

D

irt flying, Dan Sheridan whips his way through the trees, hurtling at lighting speed down the trail to the finish line. He shows no fear, peddling hard for and breaking late, and is rightly rewarded under 16’s his gritty determination winning the category in the Irish National Championships some of with a lightening time that put even the Elites to shame. you In contrast to the aggressive competitor softly see on the tracks, the Dan I meet is in the spoken, supremely polite and modest idols with extreme. He talks about his sporting a god-like reverence and seems their shoes. uncomfortable picturing himself in says.

“I love watching Ben Reid ride,” he “He’s pretty amazing and the two Wolfe would it course, Of brothers are great as well. at the be great to be up there with them but doing.” minute I’m pretty happy with how I’m Dan And so he should be. This year to date races in has won an impressive collection of in Ireland and is picking up podium positions

so the British circuit too. The stats are impressive it’s easy to forget that this a kid. supremely confident rider is still just Racing in the under 16s, Dan will be and competing in the Juniors next season of looks to have a very bright future ahead him. he “I only got into bikes a few years ago,” that explains. “I skated for a few years before bone collar my broke and off but then I fell back into, and after that I found it hard to get to do so I started looking for something else 13.” and so I got a bike when I was about Son of seasoned DH racer Tom Sheridan, and Dan has grown up around race tracks in his Dad has a great teacher and supporter the behind weekends most who spends escorting wheel of the family’s converted van, you his son to races. But unlike most Dad’s lines, oh won’t find Tom sitting idol on the side his way to no, he’s far more likely to be racing podium glory in the Veterans category! went “Encouraged by my Dad I pretty much “I’d only straight into races,” Dan continues.

Snow Queen

I been into DH for a few months before helped a entered my first race and I think that all the lot as I gained a lot of experience on different tracks.

“It took me a while to get into it,” he 14s confesses. “I started racing in the Under and won just one race in my first year I got into because I kept crashing. Then when and I it the crashes became less frequent that ended up finishing second in my category year which was an encouraging start.” set to Dan’s promise and potential looked year following the flourish in the Under 16s collar until he suffered the first of two broken from the bones and was forced to step back lucky with sport. “I was gutted. I’d been really broke my no injuries up until last year when I most of collar bone twice. As a result I missed been the races because of injury. I had only it the back racing for two weeks when I broke second time.”

Back on top form this year, Dan has feeling dominated the leader board and is next good about moving up into Juniors

18

From Novice to Nutter Dave Youngs guides the beginner and intermediate mountain biker through two essential mtb skills

22

Dynamo Dan

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We take to the trails with Dan Sheridan, the Junior who topped the leader board at the Downhill Irish National Championships with a lightening time that put many of the older riders to shame

22

Downhill

ULTIMATE ARRIO R W WEEKEND

THE

ts, 11 champions… hips...

Two days, 245 contestan Down Hill National Champions welcome to the Irish

biggest rivalry as to who could set up the tuning gazebo - first place has to go to OC the saying who seemed to take exception to out that ‘size doesn’t matter’ and sprawled across half the field. world class ride and across An impressive 245 racers signed up organisers Chain Reaction to all categories and Saturday was devoted Cycles had ensured that the essentials good time runs for positions. Times were parts (energy drinks, chips and a spare an and the track seemed to demand shop) were covered. Roll on the action. of technical adrenaline pumping combination Sitting at the foot of the Mourne Mountains, all the pushed which speed pure and skill Forest the chosen downhill trail in Kilbroney riders to their limits. and is notorious for causing spills, punctures Come sunset an upbeat, albeit anxious and the grazes. The demands of the ride mood prevailed through the camp, to the good weather attracted lots of riders around the culminating in a few “sing-songs” runs and pit field on Friday 13 where practice said BBQ in the evening. Who ever of the a spot of sunbathing were the order sportsmen don’t know how to enjoy had just day, especially for those riders who themselves? needed to returned from the Europeans and recharge their batteries.

Come Saturday the site really took shape as camper vans, Now that’s what I call a view tents and mechanic service from a caravan window stations were set up. All the big ou couldn’t have asked for better conditions - the sun was shining, the track had been prepped to deliver a

Y

There’s only one run which adds to the very pressure. The course is challenging. It’s technical at the top and super fast at the bottom so you need to be technically skilled and fit, but I’ll give it everything I’ve got...

MAIN PIC: An airborne Ruaridh Cunningham on his way to second in the Elite category

Colin Ross but couldn’t Colin put in the fastest time on Saturday in the Irish hold that place on race day, securing third National Championships ranking in the Elite

Many made full use of the Saturday practice

team players were in attendance and there seemed to be some The second most important times of the weekend

Adam Tarbett makes a few last minute adjustments

Going up could be as hairy as coming down

Colin Ross fastest man on Saturday

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26

The Ultimate Warrior Weekend

Something for the weekend sir?

The CRC staff were kept busy all weekend What’s that coming over the hill...?

26

überdog reports from the 2010 Irish National Downhill Championships

ON THE COVER

31

Want to know where Team Woof will be over the next couple of months? Check out our the diary pages for October & November

Dishing

32

Picture: Maurin Bisig

motocross

Dirt Back on his bike after a horrific accident in 2009, Motocross legend Gordon Crockard talks about changes in the sport and reveals why it’s ambition rather than fame and fortune that drives him on…

Dishing the Dirt

Ireland’s Supercross superstar Gordon Crockard shares his views on injury, fame, fortune and the return of Supercross racing to Belfast

40 43

“S

adly, I’m a break from the mould.”

These are the first words that Gordon Crockard

says to me once the introductions are over and the interview has begun, and I have to say they threw me a bit. Here was a brilliant, if not the most brilliant motocross star to have come from Ireland complaining that he’s different. Surely he means different in a good way, i.e. talented beyond belief?

Well, no actually. He continues: “I had been introduced to a regular lifestyle before I became a professional sports person so alcohol, girls, nightclubs…all that was already part of who I was before I made the commitment to being a professional athlete and that has never gone away. That’s what I do when I don’t race. I try to be as normal as possible and I act the clown.”

Not exactly the sort of talk you’d expect from the man who has won no less than three British Championships and was ranked third in the world, but at least he’s real and there’s something very refreshing about that.

Gordon is home promoting the return of British Supercross to Northern Ireland and following a press launch for the event, we head out to his house in the hills for some exclusive pictures and a chat.

Comfortable in his surroundings, Gordon starts to talk and what follows is an honest and candid interview with the star who has bounced back onto the British racing scene following a horrific crash last year.

“Bike racing is something that I’ve always done,” he says. “It just so happened that I was able to do it well enough that it became a job. It’s a job that demands application which shapes my lifestyle, but it’s still only a job and half the time it’s an inconvenience to me and I can’t be bothered to practice,” he confesses.

“For me it’s important to get the balance right. I focus a lot on making sure that I remain motivated for the races, I have to stop myself from overdoing work and burning myself out, and that’s hard to do. It’s hard to find the balance between training, practice, racing and living.”

Born into a Motocross family, Gordon’s father was a Motocross champion in ‘76 and he’s been involved with the sport at a professional level since he was 18 years old.

“I left school and worked in my sponsor’s bike shop in Belfast for three years and I still hold that as a really good fun period of my life. I’d work Mon-Fri and race at the weekend which I really enjoyed,” he reveals.

“Whenever I went professional I stopped racing in Ireland and moved to live in England to race in Britain and in the World Championships and that was tough -it was

32 www.uberdogmagazine.co.uk

hard to make that adjustment. Suddenly it was my job and I had all this time on my hands to do nothing but race bikes and that was wick, I didn’t enjoy it at all. I missed my friends and my real life. It took me while to figure out how to do it so that I enjoyed it again and it’s been like that ever since.

I travel a lot now but I try to stay at home as much as I can.”

In saying that, surely even Gordon has to admit that he has one of the best jobs in the world? “Yeah, it’s a great job,” he concedes,

“and it’s ambition and passion that drive me to do it. I’m motivated to go to my work. It’s not something I dislike. There’s times when it is hard and you think I wouldn’t be doing this if it wasn’t for the money. But that’s not what makes you put your running shoes on in the morning or makes you go out and practice.

That takes ambition to win and a drive to be good. The fact that I get paid and make a living out of it is just fantastic.”

Making a living from Motocross is something of a sore spot with Gordon and

www.uberdogmagazine.co.uk 33

Skateboarding

In part three of his skate tutorial Luke Humpreys reveals how to master the Varial Kickflip...

Lesson 3: The Varial Kickflip The Varial Kickflip is a combination of the Pop Shove-it and the Kickflip last two issues. The board rotates 180 degrees Backside (towards your that were explained in the and flips at the same time like a Kickflip. Once again it was created by toes) like a Pop Shove-it Rodney Mullen, which is no surprise as he is known to have invented almost every flat ground trick!

Skate Basiks

Luke Humpreys reveals the steps to a perfect Varial Kickflip

1

REQUIRED SKILLS: POP SHOVE-IT SET YOUR FEET in the Varial Kickflip foot position (shown to the right), make sure you are well balanced and bend your knees ready to pop the board, scoop, flip and jump.

EXTEND your legs, snap the tail on the ground and scoop like you would for a Pop Shove-it to make the board spin. At the same time, slide your front foot off to the side of the board and flick just like a Kickflip but slightly higher to create the spin. Remember, just like the Pop Shove-it and the Kickflip, you need to find the right force to apply with your feet.

2

WHEN you see the grip tape, stomp your feet down to catch the board. Try and make your feet land on the bolts for a clean catch.

Remember to keep your balance when you land as it will benefit you later on when you try this move down steps and ledges.

3

4

Bend your knees to absorb the impact once the board is on the ground and roll away with style!

AFTER you have scooped and flicked, jump in the air above the board to allow it to spin. You may need to jump slightly in front of the board to land it just like the Pop Shove-it. You may also have to jump higher than you usually would for a Kickflip because it takes longer to spin.

But as with all tricks it takes practice.

5

Starting foot position

COMMON PROBLEMS: As the Varial Kickflip is a more advanced trick it’s more difficult and takes longer to learn so don’t give up if you can’t land it straight away.

The two main difficulties are getting the board to spin but not flip, or the board to spin and flip but not land.

To fix the first problem try flicking your front foot off the board in a Kickflip motion but straighter up

instead, this should make the board flip more consistently.

To fix the second problem try jumping in the direction of your toes as you do the trick, if this doesn’t work have a look where the board is landing and try and jump there while doing the trick.

As with all tricks start by doing the moves slowly and then build up speed. o

Giving it a go?

Why not video your attempts, whether successful, disastrous or just plain daft, and email them into tv@uberdogmagazine.co.uk

If you are still having trouble check out Luke’s youtube channel at www.youtube.com/sk4tebox where you’ll find a video tutorial that should help. Check it out and subscribe to it for more trick-tips.

40 www.uberdogmagazine.co.uk

www.uberdogmagazine.co.uk 41

Hit the Deck

Our choice of the newest skate deck designs

45

Ramp it Up

out to sea

Pictures from a rocking Ramp Rage demo

46

Out to Sea

Elaine Alexander talks about her 26-day trip circumnavigating Ulster by kayak

49

Elaine Alexander had one goal - to circumnavigate Ulster by Kayak. 26 days after setting sail, the woman also known as ‘Shooter’ shot to glory when she completed her mission…

E

laine is no stranger to adventure. A seasoned paddler she has represented Northern Ireland in two World Surf Kayaking

Championships in Costa Rica (2005) & Mundaka, Spain (2007) and has experienced many one week open canoe camping trips.

However, her most recent expedition, the circumnavigation of Ulster by kayak, a journey of 350 miles, was her toughest challenge to date and would see her living 26 days from a boat, covering an average of 20 miles per day.

So the question is, why did she do it?

“There are so many reasons,” Elaine begins.

“I had spent the last seven years completing a

Masters Degree in Outdoor Management Development through a distance learning programme and I wanted a physical challenge.

I work in an outdoor centre running a ‘Trainee Instructor Programme’ and by doing expeditions and trips I feel I can pass on first hand knowledge to the trainees and be a better role model.

“The trip around Ulster was a training expedition to see how I would cope physically

and mentally before heading out on

my

Around Ireland challenge in 2011 (a 1,000 mile trip). It was a way to test gear and equipment and see what works and what did not.”

It was also an opportunity for Elaine to raise funds for the Share Holiday Village where she has been working for the last 15 years: “The company is a charity organisation which was set up to promote the inclusion of disabled and non disabled people using outdoor activities. As many people will remember, Fermanagh suffered heavy flooding last Autumn and Share’s Leisure Suite was basically destroyed which resulted in a £700,000 repair bill. The pool is one of only two in Northern Ireland with ramped access and is a great asset to those with a disability and it

paddle Sports was very sad to see them not being able to missed the two phone calls from the use the facility. So I thought why not conditions deteriorated, but as Elaine try to help reveals, coastguard. On arrival in Teelin I checked my in a practical way by paddling around help was never far away: “Local knowledge Ireland phone and realised that the helicopter that was to raise money.” on an expedition like this is key and can stop circling overhead was probably for me! I’m With a busy work schedule, Elaine confesses you from making some big mistakes.

The glad to see that the people on the shore were that she didn’t have much time to think locals around the coastline were extremely about looking out for me and that the coastguard what lay ahead, or to prepare: “Work friendly and shared useful information was freely. I was on alert. However, I am sorry for any hectic and I was working right up to couldn’t have done it without all the the day help and inconvenience I caused them.” before setting off. The night before support I received along the way. In I packed the bad Leaving the fishing community of Teelin, the boat and after an hour I realized weather I got very frustrated that I I needed wasn’t Shooter, accompanied by a pod of Dolphins, to take out all the luxury items and take making any progress, but fortunately just I gained paddled up around Malinbeg and was able to what was needed. motivation and help from a friend, Adrian “The first two days paddling Lough Harkin (www.justkayak.ie) whose Erne to the coast was what I needed knowledge of the tides and sea state to get into the right frame of mind and helped me to get round the Inishowen get comfortable with the boat. I felt excited Peninsula. That was definitely one of the about the challenge and not knowing toughest parts of the journey.” what lay ahead made it an adventure.”

Once Elaine had made it round Malin Shooter’s expedition started in difficult Head the wind and swell were with her weather conditions which gradually and she began to make real progress deteriorated. Departing from Share and was soon back on track. With a Holiday Village on June 26th she faced number of paddling partners she two days of tough paddling to paddled from Glengad Head to Shroove Ballyshannon into a head wind across and onto Portrush and Ballintoy in strong the Broad Lough - Lower Lough Erne, which winds. From Fairhead and Torr Head the due to its size can be similar to weather began to ease and paddling on the sea. On Elaine made it on as far as reaching Ballyshannon, Elaine Cushendun where she had was naturally slightly nervous her second acquaintance about leaving the inland waters with the emergency to brave the rolling seas, but services as she reveals: her determination rode through “I passed a boat and she eventually made it out heading the other direction who through the breaking surf. must have radioed the coastguard to Everything was going to plan say they saw a kayak out at sea in until a series of events resulted windy conditions. When I arrived at Cushendun in the coastguard being called, much I saw a coastguard van close to the to shore that enjoy the fantastic coastline of Donegal in Elaine’s surprise! A local lad who was was checking to see I made it to shore fishing safely. splendid weather. She even had her own had seen the kayak, and thinking that It’s funny that the first two things people it was say to personal tour guides, a herd of seals, who struggling in the surf, he called the you after you come ashore are, ‘What coastguard. are you guided her through the network of caves and After several attempts to contact Shooter, doing out in weather conditions like the that?’ and arches. coastguard helicopter was scrambled when they hear about my expedition to they ask, Next stop was Rossbeg, where Elaine ensure that this intrepid kayaker was ‘Are you mad?’ she laughs. ok. Elaine stopped for some advice and guidance from recalls how the incident unfolded: Undeterred Elaine paddled on to Glenarm, Rob Henshaw, an ex-employee of Share, who “Due to the tight weather conditions, Larne and Whitehead then across Belfast I was has circumnavigated Ireland three times in a concentrating on not capsizing as a Lough to Bangor in the small window sea kayak available kayak, sailing boat and canoe. laden with gear can be very difficult where she wouldn’t have to deal with to roll, so I the wake Unfortunately, the good weather didn’t last created by the Stena HSS. From Bangor the and as she set out for Arranmore and weather took a turn for the worse again when Burtonport the wind increased and sea the wind swung into the south east, meaning Shooter had to deal with the wind head on.

Hugging the shoreline for safety she found herself caught in several eddies making her challenge even tougher.

“I was quite surprised by the tidal range on the east coast and with the strengthening head on winds, it felt like I was paddling uphill,” she reveals. “I must have been too close to the shore, but I didn’t want to venture too far from land in case some unexpected weather closed in.”

the first two things people say to you after you come ashore are, ‘What are you doing out in weather conditions like that?’ and when they hear about my expedition they ask, ‘Are you mad?’

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The Dog Digs

überdog sniffs out the latest products, kit and gear on the market

Aimee Fuller backflips ard scene. her way onto the freestyle snowbo

on the cover:

The Dog’s Diary

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Wild Weekend

Ian Morrow swaps the road for the river on a CANI recreational paddle trip

flannel panel

Ray Mears

Ahead of his appearance in Belfast, we talk survival tactics with Ray Mears

Surf Body Conditioning

Waveski

DANCE TO Marty McCann explains why pulling off a successful waveski trick depends on the shape, size and power of the wave…

F

In the first of a new series Aaron Wilson looks at the importance of a body warm-up

Bread and butter skills The essential skills required here are ‘bottom turns’ and ‘top turns’. Top turns involve turning at the top of the wave to position the ski to enable it to drop down the wave face.

A bottom turn requires turning at the bottom or mid face and climbing the ski back towards the lip to regain height.

Another essential skill at this stage is the ability to ‘cut back’. A cut back is essentially changing direction on the wave and surfing momentarily, back toward the white-water (cutting back). By cutting back the waveskier can regain enough power and speed from the pocket to execute their next manoeuvre.

Having a sound basis of these ‘bread and butter’ moves, and the ability to perform them in varying conditions, is the key to progressing to the next level.

motocross

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The Frontside Cutback

Going for air As timing and awareness of body and ski position develops the rider can perform reentries. Re-entries are like an extended top turn or higher top turn, performed on the lip of a pitching wave or off the lip of an oncoming breaking wave. A well executed re-entry can dramatically increase the speed of the ski which is essential in the set up of high end moves such as aerials.

For many years the aerial was the holy grail of waveski surfing, everyone aspired to launch their skis skyward feeling weightlessness as they were momentarily

Iain Gilmore talks you through another surf essential, the frontside cutback

33

Skateboarding

58 60 64 65 66

ollowing on from the

introduction to waveski in issue two, it’s time to look at a few essential moves, and a couple of manoeuvres that most waveskiers aspire to.

It’s safe to assume that as waveski is a surfing sport, many of the moves that are required by other surf disciplines to maintain speed and time on the wave, are also at the core of waveski surfing. The rider surfs parallel to the wave, face climbing and dropping (trimming) as they do, so as to maintain speed and position on the wave.

THE WAVE

paddle Waveski sports

Andre Burger performs a powerful re-entry

everyone aspired to launch their skis skyward feeling weightlessness as they were momentarily liberated from water to air... liberated from water to air. Many a false claim was made as the slightest sensation of weightlessness was claimed as ‘Air’ only to be dismissed by fellow surfers. During the late 80’s and through the 90’s this was the domain of a handful of select elite athletes.

However sports development, coaching and modern waveski designs have made aerials more attainable and they are now a regular sight on the competition scene in Europe.

Just like music dictates dance, the shape, size, formation and power of the wave dictates the timing and appropriateness of each manoeuvre.

Because of this there are many variations of all surfing manoeuvres. The cut back for example can be a round house cut back, a simple cut back toward the white water, or it can be slashed or gouged releasing the fins (or sometimes the entire hull of the ski) from the water.

Currently the world’s top waveskiers are developing new and exciting variations of the aerial including inverted airs, deck flashes and air reverse 360’s - a move adopted from the bodyboarding world which demonstrates

Steve Farthing bottom turns and looks for the ramp, Bali.

Photo by Ming

the cross pollination of surf sports.

Riders coming to waveskiing from surfing, bodyboarding and kayaking backgrounds adapt skills, experience and knowledge from these disciplines to the ski.

of late. Barrels for many surfers are the essence and deepest expression of contact with the ocean and it will be great to see how waveskiers adapt to incorporate this move into their skills portfolio. Watch this space...

o

Bagging a barrel Barrels are a good example of this. The point when time slows and the rider and nature come together was mostly the domain of stand ups and bodyboarders for years.

However thanks to surf sport cross over and shared knowledge, more waveskiers are getting barrels today and it will be exciting to see how the sport develops over the next few years.

Getting barrelled on a ski seems to be the focus of many world waveski riders

French rider Coralie Jouset, bottom turning at Emerald Beach Australia.

Picture Fletcher Burton

big dog: Robert Doherty email: rob@uberdogmagazine.co.uk telephone: 077 1184 6246

58 www.uberdogmagazine.co.uk

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editor: Tara Craig email: editorial@uberdogmagazine.co.uk telephone: 078 1740 1844

Dance to the Wave

Marty McCann reveals the waveski tricks everyone wants to be able to pull

sales: Andy McCombe email: andy@uberdogmagazine.co.uk telephone: 077 0860 9872

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Keep up to date with Team Woof at

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not video your empts, whether ful, disastrous or ain daft, and email them into rdogmagazine.co.uk

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überdog magazine

Tales from the Trail

ISSN 2043-7048

A report from the 2010 Oxfam TrailTrekker

Volume 2: Issue 4 was published by

Pig's Ear Publishing llp.

Let Battle Commence

paddle Sports

ns deteriorated, but as Elaine reveals, never far away: “Local knowledge pedition like this is key and can stop making some big mistakes. The ound the coastline were extremely nd shared useful information freely.

I have done it without all the help and received along the way. In the bad got very frustrated that I wasn’t ny progress, but fortunately I gained n and help from a friend, Adrian n (www.justkayak.ie) whose ledge of the tides and sea state d me to get round the Inishowen sula. That was definitely one of the est parts of the journey.” e Elaine had made it round Malin the wind and swell were with her he began to make real progress was soon back on track. With a er of paddling partners she ed from Glengad Head to Shroove nto Portrush and Ballintoy in strong From Fairhead and Torr Head the weather began to ease and Elaine made it on as far as Cushendun where she had her second acquaintance with the emergency services as she reveals: “I passed a boat heading the other direction who t have radioed the coastguard to they saw a kayak out at sea in ons. When I arrived at Cushendun guard van close to the shore that g to see I made it to shore safely. the first two things people say to come ashore are, ‘What are you weather conditions like that?’ and ar about my expedition they ask, ?’ she laughs.

Elaine paddled on to Glenarm, itehead then across Belfast gor in the small window available uldn’t have to deal with the wake Stena HSS. From Bangor the a turn for the worse again when g into the south east, meaning deal with the wind head on. horeline for safety she found n several eddies making her tougher. urprised by the tidal range on and with the strengthening it felt like I was paddling eals. “I must have been too ore, but I didn’t want to venture d in case some unexpected in.”

e, er

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email: info@pigsearpublishing.co.uk web: www.pigsearpublishing.co.uk

Graeme Livingstone compares the different styles and techniques required for indoor and outdoor airsoft

printed by

W&G Baird, Antrim

event

bowto thekin g

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Investigate, Spectate and Participate

event A few words from the King…

Dave Wylie

Bow to the King

mountainboards

S

ATURDAY 21st of August and it was time for Ireland’s mountain boarders to find out who would be crowned King of the Dirt. An impressive turnout ensured it would be a tough contest across the two categories to find the Junior and Senior winners in the ultimate boarding duel.

A series of practice runs in the morning set the speed times for the head-for-head races in the afternoon. A heavy shower had dampened the dusty course improving visibility and making the event more competitive than ever. There were some fantastic finishes (and a few face plants) as

A. It was the summer of 2003, so I guess I must have been 13.

This place (Surf’n Dirt) had just opened and about 20 of us started to learn to mountain boarding and the scene grew from there.

Q. WAS THIS YOUR FIRST COMPETITION WIN? A. No, I won the King of the Dirt here two years ago, so it’s great to have the crown back. I’ve also won the G3 Irish Open.

Q. WHAT’S YOUR STYLE? A. I’m not a big freestyle person, I like to race. They call me ‘the unstoppable force’ because I go so fast - nothing gets in my way. I’m a real adrenaline junkie!

the guys pushed their bodies and their boards to their limits.

A bad start in the final race resulted in Leo Gorman losing out on first place in the Juniors to Tomas Cairns who put in an impressive run against this formidable component, with third place going to Shane Hood.

David Wylie cruised to victory in the Seniors with Sam Gorman placing second and David Marshall third.

The official racing may have been over, but that wasn’t enough for the boarders who celebrated the end of a fantastic day with a ‘wacky’ free for all race down the mountain, described by Tomas as the ‘scariest thing I’ve ever done!” What a way to end the day!

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We reveal who was crowned the King of the Dirt for bike and board at the recent event in Surfin’ Dirt

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Bogginzine Irish Skater of the Year

Discover who pulled the tricks out of the bag at Belfast’s Skater of the Year contest

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web: www.wgbaird.com distributed by

Q. WHEN DID YOU GET INTO MOUNTAIN BOARDING?

Surfin’ Dirt was the venue for the two most hotly contested competitions in the country, the King of the Dirt for bikes and boards...

This issue: Kitesurfing

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team woof:

Leo Gorman pulls a back flip

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EM News Distribution Belfast & Dublin web: www.emnewsdistribution.com Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. All prices and dates correct at the time of going to press but are subject to change. überdog cannot be held responsible for unsolicited material or photographs or for the views and opinion of our advertisers. For competition terms and conditions visit www.uberdogmagazine.co.uk The views expressed by contributors and correspondents in articles, reports, reviews and other contributions do not necessarily represent those of the publisher. Accordingly, the publisher is not responsible for any such view, nor for any act or omission on the part of any such contributor or correspondent. Neither is any responsibility accepted by the publisher for any loss or damage caused to any person relying on any statement in, or omission from überdog magazine.

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the street…

Mütt Snutts, überdog’s roving reporter reveals the latest word on

CIARA’S EPIC JOURNEY Held from the town of Breckenridge, Colorado, the Breck Epic MTB Stage Race consists of six days of hard riding within the American Rockies at altitudes of between 3000m - 4000m elevation, starting and finishing each day in the town. The high altitude and lack of oxygen make the race a challenge, but still 175 riders from all over America and beyond sign-on. Among them was Ciara MacManus, Cycling Ulster’s MTB officer and her partner Conor Graham who travelled to the event as Team SummitMountainBiking www.teamsummit.org.uk. Ciara entered the race in honour of her late father to raise funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care in Belfast. Here’s a few extracts from her Epic blog report, the full details of which can be found at www.teamsummit.org.uk/team-summitblog.html DAY 1 The course was well laid out and for each horrible climb we were rewarded with fantastic singletrack descents - no time to take in the scenery though... I wasn’t taking in enough water and began to severely dehydrate on the last climb of the day.

DAY 3 As we got higher I had to fight off waves of altitude induced nausea and dizziness... The descent back down was also torture between a fuzzy head and an incredibly rocky and rooty 5km singletrack trail which rocked my bottle cage loose and caused me to lose a bolt. By the final ascent of the day I was spent…

DAY 5 Today was a bad day - full stop…About three quarters of the way up my body caved in - between tiredness and altitude - and I almost gave up. Thanks to Heather Ranoa, one of the only Duo women’s team to compete in the race who cracked open an oxygen canister, I was able to make it over the top.

DAY 6 The last and final stage - woo hoo! I was still feeling pretty beat up after the day before and my lungs were sore from the effort and a settling chest infection…unfortunately luck wasn’t going to be with me at all this week and I punctured…suffice to say I got passed AGAIN…I crossed the line just over 3 hours, so happy to be finished and in 7th place.

Team SummitMountainBiking would like to thank everyone who showed their support by donating to the Marie Curie Cancer charity. Any further donations in support of the team’s efforts and for Marie Curie would be greatly appreciated. For more information go to www.teamsummit.org.uk or to donate directly www.justgiving.com/TeamSummit-BreckEpicChallenge2010

It’s time to get Trigger Happy!

Northern Ireland’s latest indoor and outdoor airsoft site has opened its doors.

Located in East Belfast Trigger Happy has been in development for months now and owner Philip Kennedy consulted extensively with the airsoft community to create a site that delivers maximum thrills.

Covering a vast indoor and outdoor space, Trigger Happy uses the very latest technology to inject chaos, disorientation and variety into every game.

Made up of offices and street scapes, the site features lights, sounds and visual effects that will literally blow you away! With walls that can be moved at the marshals request during game play, there’s no such thing as boredom at Trigger Happy and customers are guaranteed the thrill of the unexpected every visit.

Designed for airsofters by airsofters, Trigger Happy uses the very latest in infrared play supplying players with guns from the industry leader ‘Battlefield Live’ in Australia.

These guns can be programmed to reproduce the sounds and effects of a variety of different weapons ranging from the machine gun and MG42 to the musket or pistol! Close quarter battle play has never been so exciting.

For more information or to book a game at Trigger Happy visit the site at 86 Parkgate Avenue, Belfast, BT4 1JB or telephone 07 561 331 331.

MAKING HEADLINES ÜBERDOG magazine is delighted to be the media partner for the 2010 Cooley Raid on 8-10 October, Ireland’s most extreme adventure race. If you fancy squeezing a bit of hill running/trekking, mountain biking, sea kayaking, orienteering, rope sections and coasteering, all into a 36 hour period, then grab a few mates and sign up today. Teams

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must be two or four people and the entrance fee is £110 per person.

If that sounds too much like hard work, how about taking on The Cuchulainn Challenge, Cooley Raid's baby brother? This eight hour adventure race will feature a slightly less grueling combination of hill running/trekking, mountain biking, kayaking and orienteering,

all for £45. Specific course routes and details are kept a closely guarded secret until sign on day, adding to the excitement and suspense of this annual event.

For more details on how to enter and prepare your team for the unknown, visit www.cooleyraid.com

www.uberdogmagazine.co.uk

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competition WIN TICKETS TO THE BRITISH SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP AT THE ODYSSEY ARENA Supercross racing returns to Belfast after a four-year break with the arrival of the 14th Annual Future West British Supercross Championships to the Odyssey Arena on the 22-23 October.

Top local stars Gordon Crockard and Martin Barr will be among the riders guaranteed to raise the roof during the series’ opening two nights on home soil. International names on the Supercross circuit will be joined by the best of British youth, and amateur class performers will also be racing each evening alongside the pros, with additional entertainment from the quads. Tickets for the event are on sale from www.ticketmaster.co.uk

überdog has a pair of tickets for the Friday night event to giveaway.

To enter this prize draw visit www.uberdogmagazine.co.uk and follow the competition link The winner be drawn on the 15 October. Full competition terms and conditions online.

ROLL WITH IT Talking trails HAVE YOU ever had to roll your kayak after capsizing in the Routen Wheel in Strangford Narrows? For those not in the know, the Routen Wheel is the tidal anomaly / rapid / boils / whirlpools that occur about half a mile south of Strangford and Portaferry on the Narrows. The tide flows through the narrows at 7.5 knots hitting an obstruction in the form of a band of rock that causes the water to surge upwards creating the whirlpools and boils. Not the place to learn to roll, although it’s a great place to be if you can roll!

The other ‘Routen Wheel’ is the new rolling pool at Tollymore National Outdoor Centre which is now fully functional and ready for action. The pool measures 6.2 x 4.5m and can accommodate three short creek boats or two sea kayaks. The centre has a dedicated fleet of boats and paddles in the pool, so there’s no need to bring boats in. The pool incorporates two viewing windows and outside the pool is a large flat screen TV that can be linked to a video camera for coaching and feedback.

COURSES: Tollymore will be running a series of rolling courses on Thursday evenings. If you can’t yet roll your kayak or want to improve your rolling skills, then this is the course for you. The courses run for four weeks, 7-9pm and cost £75.

The pool is also available for club use, group bookings and individual tuition.

Please contact Tollymore for costs and further details directly on 028 437 22158 or email admin@tollymore.com

WE’VE EXCITING news to report on the trails front as CAAN works towards securing final funding for a series of MTB trails in Castlewellan and Rostrevor Forest Parks. The £1.8m project has attracted sufficient funding from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) to enable CAAN to appoint a trail designer to map out over 16 km of XC trails in Castlewellan and 25 km of XC and up to 4 km of DH courses in Rostrevor. This is an important step in the development of MTB sports in Northern Ireland and our fingers and toes are crossed that the remaining funding can be secured in the next few weeks to enable the construction of the trails to get underway.

Progress is also being made towards securing the final funding required for a £650,000 multipurpose trail network planned for the National Trust’s Castle Ward Demesne. The proposed 25km trail system is designed for walkers, cyclists and horse riders and includes an all ability trail along the shore of Strangford Lough.

Further west, plans are progressing for the development of up to 12.5kms of mountain bike trails within the privately owned Blessingbourne Estate, Fivemiletown. The final pieces of the funding jigsaw are now being put together.

It is hoped that some of the new trails could be open by March 2011. We’ll keep you posted.

PREVIEW: LUCKY STRIKE LOOK OUT for the Striker helmet from Fox coming your way in 2011. Costing around £90, this premium trail riding and XC helmet is designed for riders seeking lightweight and comprehensive protection with sleek looks that will turn heads.

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TO E K A T THETREES Northern Ireland gets its first high rope adventure course at The JungleNI…

f you fancy yourself as a bit of a Tarzan and dream of flying through the tree tops to impress your Jane then you’re going to love the new tree-top adventure course at The JungleNI in Magherafelt.

The company who brought us Zorbing has taken the search for the ultimate adrenaline rush to the next level with the opening of a thrilling tree-top rope course. Comprising over 40 challenging elements set at varying heights above the ground, you could find yourself suspended 70ft above the ground or reaching speeds of up to 30.6 km/h in a thrilling freefall.

A head for heights is essential as you tackle fun obstacles such as rope bridges, scramble nets, zip wires, Tarzan swings, and the soon-tobe legendary ‘King Louis Descent’. This Powerfan drop delivers an adrenaline freefall drop in safety without the need for a parachute or bungee cord. One word - wicked!

The use of Ireland’s first Smart Self Belay system (SSB) means that once connected to the safety line you cannot physically unhook yourself until clipped in to another line, making the course fool proof. So while you may have to step outside your comfort zone, you won’t be doing it recklessly.

I

Your experience begins with a safety briefing and training session from one of the qualified instructors, after which you’re left on your own to swing amongst the tree tops, safe in the knowledge that instructors are always on hand should you get into difficulty.

Talking about the sites latest thriller The Jungle’s Sarah Carmichael said: “Our new tree-top adventure course is suitable for ages 12 and upwards and the only real barrier to attempting the course is in the mind. A certain degree of physical fitness is needed, but there’s nothing to worry about if you do get a little tired, as there are rest platforms available along the course.

The course has been built with fun and adventure in mind and the tree-top obstacles and zip wires provide just that - fun for all.”

Prices range from £10 to £35 depending on how ‘extreme’ a high ropes adventure you are after and the range of additional activities on offer at The Jungle NI make it a great day out with a difference.

To book your own tree top adventure call The JungleNI on 028 8674 8881 or email bookings@thejungleni.com o

DID YOU KNOW? French naval officer Georges Hébert is widely credited as being the founder of the rope course in the early 1900s. Hébert used obstacles found on the decks of ships to develop his own method of physical education using hemp ropes. ‘Hébertism’ grew during and between the World Wars, becoming the standard for physical education training for the French military.

This delivers an adrenaline freefall drop - without the need for a parachute or bungee cord

n The High Rope Course at Jungle Paintball was part funded under Axes 3 and 4 of the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2007-13 by the European Union and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. The funding was delivered through SWARD, the local delivery agent for the programme. Funding was also provided by NITB. “NITB is delighted to have provided Jungle Paintball with funding for this exciting new project, the first of its kind in Northern Ireland. This will greatly enhance our activity tourism product and provide tourists from home and abroad with a new and thrilling experience.” Andy Best NITB.

www.uberdogmagazine.co.uk

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Snow She’s only 19 years old, but already Aimee Fuller is making her mark as one of the youngest members of the British Freestyle Snow Boarding Team to back flip her way to international success...

B

londe, pretty, smart - even before you take her sporting skills into consideration Aimee Fuller seems to have it all. Born in England, Aimee has been living in Northern Ireland for the last few years and is the only local sports star to make a real impression on the extreme winter sports scene.

We meet in a café. Aimee is taking a few weeks off after a hectic winter season and is stoked to be home to catch up with family and friends. I introduce her to uberdog magazine and she is impressed (of course) “It’s great to see a magazine like this in Ireland,” she begins. “Anything that promotes the extreme sports scene is a good thing. So

many people are doing it and so many more want to get involved so for a magazine to be profiling the various sports involved is fantastic.”

Big into her sports from a young age Aimee has tried her hand at everything - from motocross and wakeboarding to skating and rollerblading - but the one activity that really got her going was snowboarding, a sport which she discovered while living in America: “I used to dry ski when I was younger and then we went on a family ski holiday and I tried snowboarding and was hooked. When I was 12 years old we moved to the US where snowboarding is huge - it was the thing to do out there and it looked so cool that everyone wanted to do it. Luckily there was a slope an hour and half away from our house so I would

go with my friends at weekends and I picked it up pretty quickly. Before long I was entering small competitions.”

At the age of 15 Aimee heard about a snowboard camp in the US where she went for a week, picking up tips from the pros. “The following year I went back again and was fortunate enough to have Erin Comstock, a professional snowboarder as my coach. “ The significance of this only later became apparent when Erin recommended Aimee to Roxy securing her her first serious sponsorship.

“At the time I was 16 years old and I’d moved back to Northern Ireland, so I honestly thought, that with the exception of the odd holiday, my snowboarding days were over.

Then out of the blue I got a phone call from Roxy inviting me out to camp for a week. It photograph: Alex Henderson www.alexander-henderson.com

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Queen snowboard

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snowboard

was such an opportunity and was something I always wanted to do. So I went to camp, got sponsored by Roxy and got a place on the British Freestyle SnowboardTeam and that’s been my life for the past three years.”

For two of those three years Aimee was juggling her board with her books while she finished school, with 09/10 being her first season spent travelling and competing with the team on a full-time basis in the slope style category.

“I’m living the fairytale,” she enthuses, “When I moved back to NI I honestly thought that my snowboarding dream was over but I’ve been so lucky to get sponsored which has allowed me to be able to travel and compete at an international level.”

With the season over Aimee reflects on how her year of competing went: “It’s been a busy year with quite a few competitions,” she recalls. “The majority of the competitions have been on the Ticket To Ride (TTR) World Tour which range in difficulty grading from a one star to the highest six star. I kicked off the year in November with a four star competition and came 9th. In January I competed in the Roxy Chicken Jam, (6 star) and finished 11th. A few weeks later at the European Open (6 star) I came 10th.”

At the Canadian open Aimee’s luck ran out when she fell but she was sitting in the top ten in the TTR World tour rankings up until the end of the season when she was unable to get out to compete in the US, resulting in a ranking of 20th in the overall tour.

“I also competed in some competitions outside of the TTR including a World Cup Slopestyle event in Calgary Canada. I was pleased with my final result finishing in 8th and in my biggest competition to date , the Winter X games in France, I finished 9th. I was stoked.”

“The X Games are the second biggest event outside of the Olympics,” she explains. “They are considered the main extreme sports competition and cover everything from BMX to skiing. Only 16 people in my category get invited, so when I got an invite I was shocked, I thought it was a joke. It was an incredible experience and my next goal is to go to the US X Games which are the same thing only on an even bigger scale.”

Joining the British Freestyle Snowboard Team as a junior, Aimee has now progressed to the freestyle team where she believes that, if slopestyle is introduced to the Olympics, they definitely have a chance. “The Olympics is a big goal of mine and we have a really strong team. At the moment the only snowboard disciplines in the Olympics are half pipe and boardercross. Right now my main focus is slopestyle but if slopestyle doesn’t come into the Olympics, I would consider switching my

focus and riding more half pipe and give it my best shot.

“At the moment I just want to keep going, have fun with it and get better and better, learning new tricks and pushing myself to be the best I can be.”

Attending events around the world, mixing with international sports stars and being sponsored by some of the biggest names in the business (inc Roxy and Vans), Aimee’s life sounds as exhilarating of the piste as it is on it, but as she explains, living out of a suitcase has it’s down side: “I spend so much time in airports and travelling. I try not to travel too

much on my own as that’s just not fun, but sometimes it can’t be helped. It’s petty tedious, but it’s all part of the lifestyle!”

Another part of the ‘lifestyle’ is the training Aimee is subjected to hours of it, pushed forward by British team coach Hamish Mcknight and team manager Lesley McKenna.

“The coaching is pretty intense,” she reveals. “I’m up early every day, sometimes we can be on the hill before the sun even rises! On a typical day we’d train for 3-4 hours, break for lunch and then hit the slopes again.

It’s physically demanding but the competition

At the moment I just want to keep going, have fun with it and get better and better, learning new tricks and pushing myself to be the best I can be...

photographs: Alex Henderson www.alexander-henderson.com

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snowboard

is so tough out there that you need to push yourself to the limit.”

A competitor in the slope freestyle category, Aimee explains what a run involves: “at the competitions there’s usually three jumps, all similar in size, in a row with maybe a rail at the top and a wall ride at the bottom to mix it up. You get judged on your technicality, degrees of rotation, style and obviously whether you land or not.”

Aimee’s signature move is her back flip which has

proved to be a real crowed pleaser: “I do it on anything and everything,” she laughs. “It’s a really fun trick. It’s not particularly hard but the crowds go mad for it. For next season I’m working on a backside rodeo which I’ve learnt on the smaller jumps and I’m working on introducing that into my competition run.”

“I get such an adrenaline rush when I’m on a run. The feeling when you land a trick is just the best, it makes you want to keep going - it’s your motivation. If you

TRICKS OF THE TRADE Aimee Fuller’s step-by-step guide to mastering a Backside Handplant…

This is a really fun and easy trick once you get the hang of it. It is easiest to learn on a quarter pipe, but you can also try them on wall rides, or put one on the end of your halfpipe run just for fun.

4 simple steps to getting that handplant dialled.

1 2 3

Ride straight up the wall flat base the whole way up it, no use of your edges is necessary, make sure you have enough speed to get right to the top of the quarter pipe. You can build height up gradually but for the best handplant you want to be at the top of the lip.

Pop back straight off the tail of your board, depending on whether you are regular or goofy it is always the same, take your trailing hand and follow in this direction with your head and put your hand onto the lip, your body will then extend over the coping.

Reach up with your leading hand and grab your board, I find the easiest grab is a method you can give it a little tweak to make it look stylish, you can also try many other variations of grabs with this trick tail and nose grabs also look really stylish. As your head is still pointing at the lip where your trailing hand is planted, your board will just come right back down and around to its base, bend your knees.

4

And ride away confidently claiming it! photograph: Nick Atkins www.sceneimages.com

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fall, it makes you want to get up and do it again until you do get it! When you fly through the air it’s amazing, you realise ‘Oh My God, that’s pretty high!”

Returning home for surprise visits when she gets the chance, Aimee is quick to thank her family whose support, both emotionally and financially, has allowed her to progress to the level she is at today: “My parents have been incredible and they come away to see me whenever they can. I still love going on family holidays and hitting the slopes with them.

Mum and dad ski and my brother snowboards - he’s 15 and amazing. He’s naturally really talented but he’s not competitive like me. I don’t know where I got my competitive edge from.”

Although financially she is now more self sufficient, Aimee still hasn’t reached that level where she would consider herself a pro, although in time she hopes that will change: “I never thought my life would be like this. Being a professional snowboarder has always been my ultimate goal , ‘the perfect job’ and main photograph: Maurin Bisig

although I wouldn’t call myself a pro at the minute, I’m heading that way! I am currently on the Roxy Future team, but soon I hope to move onto the main European Team. Basically the better my competition results, the more coverage I get, the happier my sponsors will be and the more money I can earn.”

And there is potential to win big money, with the global open tour winner scooping $100,000. Plus recent podium placings have shown that real talent can, and will, shine through as Aimee reveals: “This year a virtual unknown Roxy rider, Enni Rukajarvi from Finland, cleaned up and won most of the competitions beating all the top girls to become the TTRWorld Snowboard Champion.

She’s a real inspiration to me, she proves that it can be done.”

With it all to do in the year ahead, Aimee is planning a few months filled with sun and snow: “I’d like to go to America for a few weeks with friends to train. I’m also planning to head to France for a couple of weeks to one of the glaciers to ride there and get some practice in. At the moment though it’s great to be home. I’ve been away for the majority of year and it’s important to take some time off to recharge, get back into the gym to get strong for next season and get that drive to get out there again. I’m already getting itchy feet,” she laughs. o

Off the snow Aimee finds her thrills in different sports

The feeling when you land a trick is just the best, it makes you want to keep going - When you fly through the air it’s amazing, you realise ‘Oh My God, that’s pretty high!

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photograph: Nick Atkins www.sceneimages.com

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DVD REVIEW:

PORT MOON BOTHY UPDATE

This is Canoeing

IF YOU HAVE walked the Causeway Coast Way in recent years and have been brave enough to peer over the edge, down towards Port Moon Bay, half way between Dunseverick and the Giant’s Causeway, you’ll have noticed a small, derelict cottage with a distinctive red corrugated roof. Once the ‘nerve centre’ of a busy salmon fishing operation, this now derelict fisherman’s cottage is to be transformed into bothy accommodation for canoeists and other water users.

Pioneered by The Countryside Access and Activities Network (CAAN), work is due to start in October with funding provided by the DARD Rural Development Programme and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board’s Tourism Development Scheme.

Ideally situated on the North Coast Canoe Trail, which itself is due to be launched by May 2011, the new bothy will provide basic overnight accommodation and an opportunity to step back in time and experience first hand the maritime heritage at this magical location.

Port Moon Bothy will be managed and maintained by the Causeway Coast Kayak Association (CCKA) and is due to be open for business by May 2011, For more information on Port Moon Bothy visit www.countrysiderecreation.com or contact the CAAN offices on 028 9030 3930.

by Justine Curgenven

THIS IS CANOEING is a big departure from Justine’s normal DVDs - “This is the Sea” series. The DVD comprises 12 short films on two discs and really encompasses all aspects of the sport from wilderness paddling to white water canoeing and canoe ballet!

The first film is about Kevin Callan and highlights Kevin’s passion for wilderness paddling and tripping with some lovely shots of Algonquin National Park in Ontario. The second film is also set in Algonquin - on the Petawawa River made famous by Bill Mason’s “Path of the Paddle” film. If you were impressed by Paul Mason at the age of 12 paddling the Petawawa - you’ll be taken aback by Dougie paddling down the river at the age of three - although he is with his Dad. Paul Mason is also featured on the last film of the 1st disc, paddling “The Moose River.” In a stark contrast to the Path and Song of the Paddle films - Paul is paddling a closed deck WW creek canoe and running some pretty inspiring grade five white water.

The films are beautifully shot with inspiring venues across the world. Great commentary combined with well chosen soundtracks give these short films a real sense of zest for life and sport.

The DVDs are available from www.cackletv.com online store priced £19.99

competition WIN etnies x Cliché Jameson 2 shoes and matching Cliché pro model FOR THE LAUNCH of the etnies x Cliché Jameson 2 shoe, etnies European team rider Charles Collet chose to celebrate gypsy-style over ten consecutive days. The One Man Band celebration included two things that Charles is all about - guitars and life on the road with his friends. A Cliché veteran of seven years, Charles favours the Jameson 2 to skate in while he’s on the road.

See the video on www.youtube.com/watch?v=blTCl74Gp3A The etnies x Cliché Jameson 2 shoe, Charles etnies tshirt and his matching Cliché pro model are available in finer skateshops across Ireland now.

For more details visit www.etnies.com

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überdog magazine and enties x have a pair of Cliché Jameson 2 shoes and matching Cliché pro model to giveaway. To enter the competition visit www.uberdogmagazine.co.uk follow the competition link and answer the following question:

Q. What enties European rider was used to launch the new Cliché Jameson 2 shoe?

Competition closing date is Friday 5th.

November. Full terms and conditions can be found online

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Dave Youngs guides you through setting up your bike, gap jumps and everyone’s favourite the demon wet roots…

Pictures: Jake Samuels

riding. An extra turn here and As the weather changes so will your ge your riding style for winter and there on the suspension will chan wet roots. Although we aren’t allow you to master the mud and will be a better rider and have blessed with dry dusty trails, you round. Mountain biking isn’t better bike control if you ride all year play! cricket or tennis so rain doesn’t stop

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Tricks & Tips

NOVICE / BEGINNER:

WET ROOTS

master.

The wet roots are a real pain to ed really is your friend on this one...

Spe The psychological bit is the key.

Approach

me, the and the more you tense you beco Easy to say, but the slower you go re of cent your p Kee line. relaxed and look at your more likely you are to crash. Stay with time in e Mov y. awa t forks as the front will wash mass low. Don’t over load the fron it. to mit jockey. Look at your line and com the bike a little bit like a horse and

as soon as the bike hits the dirt in between the roots it will straighten up, honest! exit Start to reposition your body weight and look at your line. Move into the middle third of the bike.

Cover your brakes and scrub off any speed you can using the braking zones. This is a real tricky skill to master but once you get it you will have endless fun through the winter months.

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obstacle You should be hitting the Try obstacle at a fast walking pace. and hit the roots square on. The bike will move under you, however as soon as the bike hits the dirt in n between the roots it will straighte red cent up (honest)! Keep pedals it and be firm with the bike, putting where you want it to go. Look towards the exit, not at the front wheel. Should you be descending d, and need to scrub off some spee stay off the front brake. Try and avoid sudden changes of direction.

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ADVANCED:

GAP JUMPS

Approach Approach at a comfortable speed to clear the gap - usually a fast jog. Keep your body mass low and central.

All your work needs to be done a few metres before take off, pedals centred, don’t snatch at the brakes or start flapping about, commitment is key. As you move onto the take off area, push the bike into the ramp and as you take off the suspension will rebound giving you a little more air. Move your body into the middle or rear third as you feel the front end drop away. The last thing you want is to face plant.

exit

This will take some practice as Try and land both wheels together. wheel rent gradients. Better to land back all landing zones are built at diffe bend wn hdo touc els . As you feel the whe first than nose dive over the bars any off g bbin d and read the trail scru your elbows and knees. Look ahea start breathing! If the whole thing excess speed. Open your eyes and Get gap until you are clearing the gap. freaks you out, place pallets in the on good and bad points. your mates to watch you and pass

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Tricks & Tips

obstacle If all has gone to plan you air should now be flying through the t to Star . with a large grin on your face you look at your run out, there is little and You . zone ing land the can do in your bike will be in synch – at this point the bike will change direction with very little movement from the rider. For instance, if you move your to hips, the rear of the bike will start the h roac app you As move around. . landing zone, stay supple and relax

BIKE SET UP A few simple adjustments on your bike will alter your riding and the improvements will be unreal. The adjustments are simple.

• MOST of us pull our brakes with

n The wrong position

four fingers like when we were children. The correct position is using one or two fingers. Today’s levers even have reach adjustment.

All you need to carry out the job are a selection of quality allen keys.

• LOOSEN the shifters and brake levers and move them in a couple of centimetres. This should allow the bend in the lever to sit as shown in the picture.

• YOUR FOREARMS and fingers should all be in line. This will alleviate the pressure build up on the palms of your hands. Tighten all the bolts.

• DEPENDING on the brake manufacturer use the allen key or reach adjustment to allow the pad of your index and middle finger to pull the lever.

• THEY should look something like the final picture. Now get out pedalling ! n The right position

n Ireland’s most qualified coach and guide, Dave Youngs has over 15 years experience in the field. Dave holds the MIAS Level 6 Coaching Qualification, endorsed by the CTC and Association of British Cycling Coaches and is a qualified First Aid and map reading instructor. Youngs MTB Instruction have recently been working with a number of high profile European holiday companies and local activity centres to ensure mountain bike standards are maintained and Dave has also been training local Down Hill champions wanting to make the transition to coaching and guiding.

In issue 5: Front wheelie stoppies with a turn. Riding the mud. Improving your cornering. www.uberdogmagazine.co.uk

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n y D

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o m a n y hot s, d n a ious the Elite r u f , Fast tails of e boy h e on th eridan is t the h n Dan S taming eve tracks… who’s downhill st wilde

irt flying, Dan Sheridan whips his way through the trees, hurtling at lighting speed down the trail to the finish line. He shows no fear, peddling hard and breaking late, and is rightly rewarded for his gritty determination winning the under 16’s category in the Irish National Championships with a lightening time that put even some of the Elites to shame.

In contrast to the aggressive competitor you see on the tracks, the Dan I meet is softly spoken, supremely polite and modest in the extreme. He talks about his sporting idols with a god-like reverence and seems uncomfortable picturing himself in their shoes.

“I love watching Ben Reid ride,” he says.

“He’s pretty amazing and the two Wolfe brothers are great as well. Of course, it would be great to be up there with them but at the minute I’m pretty happy with how I’m doing.”

And so he should be. This year to date Dan has won an impressive collection of races in Ireland and is picking up podium positions in

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n a D

the British circuit too. The stats are so impressive it’s easy to forget that this supremely confident rider is still just a kid.

Racing in the under 16s, Dan will be competing in the Juniors next season and looks to have a very bright future ahead of him.

“I only got into bikes a few years ago,” he explains. “I skated for a few years before that but then I fell off and broke my collar bone and after that I found it hard to get back into, so I started looking for something else to do and so I got a bike when I was about 13.”

Son of seasoned DH racer Tom Sheridan, Dan has grown up around race tracks and has a great teacher and supporter in his Dad who spends most weekends behind the wheel of the family’s converted van, escorting his son to races. But unlike most Dad’s you won’t find Tom sitting idol on the side lines, oh no, he’s far more likely to be racing his way to podium glory in the Veterans category!

“Encouraged by my Dad I pretty much went straight into races,” Dan continues. “I’d only

been into DH for a few months before I entered my first race and I think that helped a lot as I gained a lot of experience on all the different tracks.

“It took me a while to get into it,” he confesses. “I started racing in the Under 14s and won just one race in my first year because I kept crashing. Then when I got into it the crashes became less frequent and I ended up finishing second in my category that year which was an encouraging start.”

Dan’s promise and potential looked set to flourish in the Under 16s the following year until he suffered the first of two broken collar bones and was forced to step back from the sport. “I was gutted. I’d been really lucky with no injuries up until last year when I broke my collar bone twice. As a result I missed most of the races because of injury. I had only been back racing for two weeks when I broke it the second time.”

Back on top form this year, Dan has dominated the leader board and is feeling good about moving up into Juniors next

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mountain bike At home in Kilbroney Forest

season. I ask him if he’s worried about the standard of competition: “No, I’m not too bothered,” he replies. “I’ll give it my best shot and hopefully stay on top and win most of the races, I’ll be watching out for Kipper (Christopher McGlinchey) - he’s really good. I like to pay attention to how the other riders are doing. I watch them ride their practice sessions and compare times and lines. I’m always comparing times between Juniors and Elites to see the sort of speeds I’ll need to be making.

“I’m tough on myself,” he continues. “I don’t like losing so, yeah, I guess you could say I’m very competitive. Even when I’m out on my road bike, if I see someone ahead of me, I have to pass them.”

Dan has just finished a tightly scheduled summer, attending races every weekend, both in Ireland and in the UK. At the time of our interview he was sitting an impressive second in the British NPS Under 16s: “I’m pretty happy with that,” he smiles. “If I can keep that place I’d be happy.”

Dan hasn’t missed a race in the series yet and is also entering races in the Scottish and Welsh calendar: “I’m doing loads of racing in the UK this year,” he explains. “I think you need to do that to get noticed. Next year I want to try and do some World Cups - there’s four in Europe I want to enter. I’m not expecting too much as it’s really hard to qualify - only the top 80 get through to the finals - but I want to try and qualify in the second year of Juniors, if I can.”

Riding a Tomac bike with mechanical support from OC Tuning, Dan is well kitted out and has enjoyed a good run recently with few

I’m tough on myself, I don’t like losing so I guess you could say I’m very competitive, Even when I’m out on my road bike, if I see someone ahead of me, I have to pass them... technical problems. “My bike’s great. I love it, I’d always liked Tomac frames and this year they gave me a DH and XC to ride which was brilliant. James at OC has done a lot of work to the bike, personalising it to suit my style of riding, and it’s great having him on track side for support. The only problem I’ve had this season was at the first British NPS of the year in March when I smacked my

24

hangers in practice. Luckily my Dad had taken sick, so I was able to ride his bike at the last minute. After that I got a spare sorted and I’ve had a smooth run since.”

Admitting that racing takes up ‘every spare minute,’ Dan is showing all the skill and dedication required to be Ireland’s next DH star and he’s starting to feel the pressure of expectation. “To be honest, I probably put

more pressure on myself than anyone around me. I do like to win, especially in the Irish races. I definitely feel more pressure to do well at home than in Britain. In saying that, I love the Irish races, they have the best atmosphere .The British races are a bit more serious, it’s harder to talk to people.

Everyone is so much faster over there, they’ve got better tracks I suppose. We have

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mountain bike Where’s the uplifts when you need them?

Dan’s Hardwear:

2010 Tomac Primer 220 with custom built Fox RC4 by OC Tuning.

2010 Fox 40s tuned up by OC Tuning.

Novatec wheels, WTB saddle, Shimano brakes and drive train, Chromag bar and stem. Schwalbe tyres. Shimano cranks with a Gamut p30 chain device and chain ring.

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some good tracks here too but you have to push your bike up everywhere, we could do with some uplifts!” he laughs.

Naming Carrick and Rostrevor as his two favourite Irish DH tracks, Dan reveals a little about his riding style: “I like to race as fast as I can. It’s a great feeling when you’re riding down a hill, and the faster you go, the more fun it is. I try to pedal hard and brake late coming into corners. Last year my racing was really hampered because I was trying not to crash. This year I’ve learnt to put all thoughts of crashing out of my head and I’m making much better times.”

So what sort of training is required to be the fastest 16 year old on two wheels? “I’m on my bike every chance I get, but to be honest I don’t really ride the DH bike between races that much as I’d get bored with it, so I use my road and XC bikes in between. There are some really good XC tracks around Dublin and you’ll find me out

there pretty much every day. Aside from that I also do some sprint training, but I don’t do any gym work yet, so while I’m pretty fit, I wouldn’t say I was that strong.”

We leave the café where we’ve been chatting and head into Kilbroney Forest and onto one of the DH tracks for some pictures.

Dan looks instantly at home on the hostile slopes and is clearly in his element as he jumps, spins and performs for the camera.

At one point the speed with which he hurtles past quite literally knocks me off my feet and I find myself in total awe of this youth who shows reckless disregard for fear and yet is able to navigate the track with lightening reflex at break-neck speed. “I love this track,” he says with a flush-faced grin at the bottom of the trail. “DH is just much fun. My dream track would be really steep and technical with lots of roots and rocks, but give me a hill and I’m happy.” And with a spin, he’s off again into the woods… o

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THE

ULTIMATE R O I R R A W WEEKEND Two days, 245 contestants, 10 champions… welcome to the Irish Down Hill National Championships...

Y

ou couldn’t have asked for rivalry as to who could set up the biggest better conditions - the sun gazebo - first place has to go to OC tuning was shining, the track had who seemed to take exception to the saying been prepped to deliver a that ‘size doesn’t matter’ and sprawled out world class ride and across half the field. organisers Chain Reaction An impressive 245 racers signed up across Cycles had ensured that the essentials all categories and Saturday was devoted to (energy drinks, chips and a spare parts time runs for positions. Times were good shop) were covered. Roll on the action. and the track seemed to demand an Sitting at the foot of the Mourne Mountains, adrenaline pumping combination of technical the chosen downhill trail in Kilbroney Forest skill and pure speed which pushed all the is notorious for causing spills, punctures and riders to their limits. grazes. The demands of the ride and the Come sunset an upbeat, albeit anxious good weather attracted lots of riders to the mood prevailed through the camp, pit field on Friday 13 where practice runs and culminating in a few “sing-songs” around the a spot of sunbathing were the order of the BBQ in the evening. Who ever said day, especially for those riders who had just sportsmen don’t know how to enjoy returned from the Europeans and needed to themselves? recharge their batteries.

Come Saturday the site really took shape as camper vans, tents and mechanic service Now that’s what I call a view from a caravan window stations were set up. All the big team players were in attendance and there seemed to be some The second most important times of the weekend

Adam Tarbett makes a few last minute adjustments

What’s that coming over the hill...?

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The CRC staff were kept busy all weekend

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Downhill

OR There’s only one run which adds to the pressure. The course is challenging. It’s very technical at the top and super fast at the bottom so you need to be technically skilled and fit, but I’ll give it everything I’ve got...

Colin Ross Colin put in the fastest time on Saturday but couldn’t hold that place on race day, securing third in the Irish National Championships ranking in the Elite

MAIN PIC: An airborne Ruaridh Cunningham on his way to second in the Elite category

Many made full use of the Saturday practice

Going up could be as hairy as coming down

Colin Ross fastest man on Saturday

Something for the weekend sir?

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Race no. 130 Name: Ian McIntyre winner: Veteran Time: 2:30.251

Race no. 121 Name: Michele McMullan winner: Master Women Time: 3:14.203

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Race no. 166 Name: Derek Laughland winner: Super Veteran Time: 3:08.632 I’ve been the Irish champion before and it’s great to win the title back. I used to hate this track but over the years I’ve grown to love it. I had hoped to drop my time to under three minutes which didn’t happen as I wasn’t having a great day on my bike, but I’m thrilled to have won the race - what a great way to finish the season. I won’t touch my bike for two weeks now and then I’ll be aching to get back on and do it all again next year.

Michelle McMullan, Woman’s Masters Irish National Champion

It was a lazy start to race day on Sunday as the action wasn’t scheduled to start until 1.30pm.

What better way to shake off the hangover than to hurtle down a hill and plenty of people took advantage of the courtesy up lifts in the morning, putting in a few practice runs in preparation for the race ahead.

With time for only one run per rider the pressure was on to make that one run count and bikes were being tuned and honed to perfection. Gorgeous bikes were matched by the fashion-focused riders dressed in the latest gear, helmets and body protection. Image it seems is everything and one shop owner joked that if Fox made hair straighteners they’d be a best seller! During practice punctures were a problem and the high jump at the end, followed by a tight corner, sent quite a few of the bikes headfirst into the barriers, resulting in several disappointing DNFs for the riders.

Words like ‘nervous’ and ‘scared’ could be heard coming from the mouths of some of the most experienced riders and there was everything to fight for with a number of the races holding Irish National Champion status and offering the key to World Chamionship access. In the afternoon everyone rose the challenge and the crowds provided plenty of support with their horns and hooters. There were a few punctures, crashes and tangles with the course tape and plenty of people could be seen hobbling off the course, but for the majority of the racers it was an unforgettable event, for all the right reason.

A special mention goes to Christopher McGlinchey (aka Kipper) who was crowned the Irish National Champion in the Juniors just a week after winning the under 16s at the European Championships in Norway - a fantastic result - and with Dan Sheridan putting in an lightening quick time in the under 16s, it looks like there’s another star in the making which is great news for the future of DH racing in Ireland. o

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Downhill

Race no. 004 Name: Daniel Wolfe winner: Elite Time: 2:11.109

Race no. 332 Name: Ben Kennedy winner: UNDER 14 Time: 2:32.841

Race no. 269 Name: John O'kane winner: Sport Time: 2:36.667 Race no. 077 Name: Mark Tiernan winner: Master Men Time: 2:25.922

I feel amazing. It’s great to have won this category a year early and my ambition is to win three years in a row. The track was rough and fast and my run today wasn’t perfect but it was good enough and I’m pretty happy. Coming on the back of my win at the Europeans in Norway it’s been a pretty incredible week.

Christopher McGlinchey, Juniors Irish National Champion and winner of the under 16s at the European Championships - way to go Kipper!

Race no. 301 Name: Cameron Cornforth second: UNDER 16 Time: 2:28.787

Race no. 041 Name: Christopher McGlinchey winner: Junior Time: 2:24.068

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THE RESULTS

Downhill

1st

Derek Laughland 3.08.632

1st

2nd

2nd

3rd

Michelle McMullan 3.14.203

Tom Sheridan 3.16.530

Victor McMinn 3.18.221

3rd

Maeve Baxter 3.45.540

Aoife O’Donoghue 4.53.624

SUPER VETS

WOMEN

1st

2nd

1st

1st

Ian McIntyre 2.30.251

Christopher McGlinchey 2.24.068

3rd

Steve Graham 2.36.309

2nd

Paul French 2.43.196

3rd

Chris Murphy 2.25.715

VETERAN

ELITE

2nd

1st

Kyle Nelson 2.23.735

Jonathan McGlinchey 2.26.261

Ruaridh Cunningham 2.13.297

3rd

Seanan O'Riordan 2:14.364

Gavin Carroll 2.25.982

JUNIOR

1st

2nd

Daniel Wolfe 2.11.101

3rd

2nd

Andy Smith 2.26.775

John O’Kane 2.36.667

Neil McGimpsey 2.42.964

SENIOR

3rd

Craig Nelson 2.45.019

SPORT UNDER 14S 1st

Dan Sheridan 2.18.233

2nd

2nd

John Lawlor 2.26.337

Mark Tiernan 2.25.922

3rd

Michael Cowan 2.26.830

MASTERS MEN 30

Cameron Cornforth 2.28.787

1st

1st

2nd

UNDER 16S

Ben Kennedy 2.32.841

Luke Cornforth 2.38.293

3rd

Jack Shannon 2.37.545

3rd

Jacob Dickson 2.38.910

I was really nervous at the top, I just wanted to get down in one piece. I’ve being doing quite a few British races which only have one run so I think that gave me a mental edge over everyone else. I missed the champs race last year due to injury so it’s great to be back and I’m really happy to have won.

Dan Sheridan, winner under 16’s

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Diary Dates

Yes it’s colder and the nights are getting longer, but surely that makes enjoying your favourite adrenaline sports all the more exciting?

Here’s what’s happening in the months of October and November…

3 October

22 & 23 October

National Trails Day

British Supercross Championship

venues across Ireland

Odyssey Arena, Belfast

With over 150 events planned this years National Trails Day is set to be bigger than ever, celebrating the wonderful variety of trails available for everyone to enjoy in some of Ireland’s most beautiful countryside, forests, mountains and lakes.

Events are free of charge and include bat walks, fun cycles, family orienteering, horse riding, canoeing and nature trail walks to name just a few!

For details visit www.nationaltrailsday.co.uk

Yeah, the boys are back in town! See some of best Supercross riders in the world battle it out at the Odyssey Arena for the first leg of the British Supercross Champonship. Confirmed riders include our very own Gordon Crockard and Shaun Turkington.

Contact the Odyssey Arena box office for details, telephone 0844 277 4455 web www.odysseyarena.com

8-10 October Cooley Raid Mourne and Cooley mountains Get prepared to go on the rampage with the Cooley Raid, Ireland’s toughest adventure race. This 36 hour challenge is tackled by teams of four or two people and will test you to your limits combining hill running/trekking, mountain biking, sea kayaking, orienteering, rope sections and Coasteering.

For details visit www.cooleyraid.com

4-7 October International Adventure Summit Scotland Scotland plays host to adventure sports enthusiasts from around the globe as the Adventure Travel World Summit descends on The Cairngorms National Park.

For information visit www.adventuretravel.biz

10 October

1 November

G-Ride full Irish 4X NPS rnd 2

Ray Mears Bushcraft Survival

Surfin’ Dirt, Bryansford, Co Down Mental madness as four bikes hurtle down a hill! Great to watch, even better to participate in. Entry fee only £15 for seniors and £10 juniors (includes up-lift to start) with prizes for the winner and runner up. Visit www.surfindirt.co.uk for details

16 October The 2010 Sluice Rodeo the Sluice car park, Lucan Affectionately known as Dublin’s premier playspot, the Sluice Rodeo is a stomping ground of Irish paddlers and a massive challenge to anyone paddling something skinny. The event format is a fun rodeo with its own scoring system with each move scoring once in each direction allowing for maximum points for maximum variety. The top 5 tricks are then added to give your total score. Event registration across the 10 categories will take place at 10am on the day in the Sluice car park.

For more details visit www.sluicerodeo.com

www.uberdogmagazine.co.uk

Ulster Hall, Belfast A unique opportunity to share an audience with the man we all really want to be - Ray Mears. Expect an entertaining, humorous and candid account of Ray’s experiences during his 30 years working in some of the world’s most remote locations.

For ticket details contact the Ulster Hall, www.ulsterhall.co.uk tel: 028 9033 4455

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Dishing the

Dirt accident in 2009, Back on his bike after a horrific talks about d Motocross legend Gordon Crockar y it’s ambition wh changes in the sport and reveals drives him on… rather than fame and fortune that

“S

adly, I’m a break from the mould.”

These are the first words that Gordon Crockard says to me once the introductions are over and the interview has begun, and I have to say they threw me a bit. Here was a brilliant, if not the most brilliant motocross star to have come from Ireland complaining that he’s different. Surely he means different in a good way, i.e. talented beyond belief? Well, no actually. He continues: “I had been introduced to a regular lifestyle before I became a professional sports person so alcohol, girls, nightclubs…all that was already part of who I was before I made the commitment to being a professional athlete and that has never gone away. That’s what I do when I don’t race. I try to be as normal as possible and I act the clown.”

32

Not exactly the sort of talk you’d expect from the man who has won no less than three British Championships and was ranked third in the world, but at least he’s real and there’s something very refreshing about that.

Gordon is home promoting the return of British Supercross to Northern Ireland and following a press launch for the event, we head out to his house in the hills for some exclusive pictures and a chat.

Comfortable in his surroundings, Gordon starts to talk and what follows is an honest and candid interview with the star who has bounced back onto the British racing scene following a horrific crash last year.

“Bike racing is something that I’ve always done,” he says. “It just so happened that I was able to do it well enough that it became a job. It’s a job that demands application which shapes my lifestyle, but it’s still only a job and half the time it’s an inconvenience to me and I can’t be bothered to practice,” he confesses.

“For me it’s important to get the balance right. I focus a lot on making sure that I remain motivated for the races, I have to stop myself from overdoing work and burning myself out, and that’s hard to do. It’s hard to find the balance between training, practice, racing and living.”

Born into a Motocross family, Gordon’s father was a Motocross champion in ‘76 and he’s been involved with the sport at a professional level since he was 18 years old.

“I left school and worked in my sponsor’s bike shop in Belfast for three years and I still hold that as a really good fun period of my life. I’d work Mon-Fri and race at the weekend which I really enjoyed,” he reveals.

“Whenever I went professional I stopped racing in Ireland and moved to live in England to race in Britain and in the World Championships and that was tough -it was

www.uberdogmagazine.co.uk

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motocross

hard to make that adjustment. Suddenly it was my job and I had all this time on my hands to do nothing but race bikes and that was wick, I didn’t enjoy it at all. I missed my friends and my real life. It took me while to figure out how to do it so that I enjoyed it again and it’s been like that ever since. I travel a lot now but I try to stay at home as much as I can.”

In saying that, surely even Gordon has to admit that he has one of the best jobs in the world? “Yeah, it’s a great job,” he concedes,

www.uberdogmagazine.co.uk

“and it’s ambition and passion that drive me to do it. I’m motivated to go to my work. It’s not something I dislike. There’s times when it is hard and you think I wouldn’t be doing this if it wasn’t for the money. But that’s not what makes you put your running shoes on in the morning or makes you go out and practice.

That takes ambition to win and a drive to be good. The fact that I get paid and make a living out of it is just fantastic.”

Making a living from Motocross is something of a sore spot with Gordon and

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he explains how changes to the running of the World Championships have forced him to drive his career in other directions: “I’m not a full-time professional racer at the moment,” he says. “The way things have gone over the last few years I now do a bit of coaching, bike set up and training and I do those things to make money.

“The World Championship has changed whereby it’s very difficult to make money now. To fast track the story, a promoter has moved in and bought the rights off the Federation, assuming complete control.

When the Federation ran it they paid qualifying and prize money at each race which you could live off. Now there is no prize money and the promoter actually charges you 10,000 euro a year to race in the Worlds and if you win you don’t get a penny, so it’s totally pointless to do it. The only way you can make a living from it is if a manufacturer is paying you to race and that only happens for a handful of guys.”

“Growing up we didn’t have lots of money.

My parents worked night and day to get money to go racing. I never had a new bike, my first new bike was a sponsored bike, I wore my Dad’s old gear - we were the Dingles of the paddock, but I came through because it’s the type of sport where you don’t need a lot of money to get to the top.

Having very little money didn’t stand in my way of being a GP rider. But now money is an issue. If you dream of being a GP rider you need to think of the money you need for the entry fee, so straight away you rule the sport out for those guys who don’t have funding or who aren’t rich, which is wrong.

The hope for the young guys riding has been taken away and I don’t think that’s fair.”

Gordon continues: “What you have now is a World Championship which does not have the best riders in it. The best riders who are trying to make a living can’t race the World Championship unless they are on a factory team. Instead they are racing on a national level.”

As a result Gordon hasn’t raced World Championship Motocross for the past three years, concentrating instead on UK events which, contrary to popular belief, don’t pay a fortune: “This conception that professional riders at British Championship level are earning mega bucks is rubbish. It’s ludicrous nonsense, I know the guys racing at professional level and all of their circumstances and few of them are really making a living from it. It’s not as it appears.

Spectators see big trucks and bikes and imagine the guys are getting paid big bucks but they haven’t got the first idea of the reality behind it.

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“I spend money before I race on flights, hire car, entrances fees. I’ve got to make that back up to break even and then I’ve got to make some more. The prize money is peanuts really. You may come home with £1,000 if you win so it’s hard to make a living out of racing now . I have to do other stuff to make money.”

Gordon’s decision to look for other sources of income came into sharp focus in March last year when he crashed at the first corner of the first race of the reason and was left fighting for his life after bursting his

Gordon at home with some of his trophies

spleen and suffering a broken collar bone, several fractured vertebrae, broken ribs and severe bruising: “A bike came into my vision and wiped me out. I hit the ground and the other bikes hit me. I was conscious the whole time. I could barely breathe and I lost five litres of blood,” he recalls.

“The crash was the very first race of 2009 and I had had big plans for that year. I was going to win the British Championship and make big money, but what happened wiped that slate clean and that could happen again at any time. It was then that I realised that

Gordon launch SuperC Odysse

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motocross

Gordon (seated) at the press launch of the upcoming SuperCross event in the Odyssey, Belfast

you can’t rely on winning alone for an income. It’s not good to be in the circumstance where you’re racing just for money anyhow, you should race for pride.”

Following surgery to remove his spleen and a long recovery period, Gordon was finally declared fit to ride, now he just had to decide whether or not he actually wanted to: “To be honest I wasn’t going to race this year, I was going to focus on my coaching, but I ended up doing the British Supercross Championship in the winter for Kawasaki which I won. They got excited and asked me to continue racing in the British Motocross Championship and I said okay which is how I got to here today.”

So did Gordon have any fears getting back on the bike? “I was very worried about having an issue and being nervous and

scared,” he confides. “That was on my mind, I was scared of this underlying fear rearing its head, but in the end I didn’t have anything to worry about at all. It was just a case of getting on with the job.

“I wouldn’t want to go through an experience like that again but I’m a believer in the saying lightning doesn’t strike twice.”

Back on the racing circuit, Gordon is juggling MX races with his training camps and openly admits that this split focus is tough at times: “Last year I started to hold training courses here and in Spain and what’s suffering is my racing because I’m not getting to apply myself to that properly. I can’t dedicate my time to training and testing, so I’m running on the back of my base form. Training is okay because I don’t need much time to do that - I do a lot of

I wouldn’t want to go through an experience like that again but I’m a believer in the saying lightning doesn’t strike twice...

Gordon’s workshop where he houses memorabilia from his racing career

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Supercross has a great atmosphere - it’s ballistic. I can’t wait until October, performing to a full house is unreal...

running and I’ve a good gym at home - but I don’t get out practicing as much as I’d like.”

Then, just to add more spice to the mix, Gordon signs up for the new British Supercross Championship, the first race of which is being held in The Odyssey in Belfast on 22 & 23rd October.

“There hasn’t been a SC here since 2006,” he reveals. “There’s been a real lull, so the Supercross Champs coming back is a great thing and it will be the headline weekend event of the year. Supercross has a great atmosphere - it’s ballistic. I’ve ridden in six here and I can’t wait until October.

Performing to a full house is unreal.”

And if he had to choose between a future in Supercross or Motocross which would it be? “I’m slowly leaning towards Supercross,” he replies. “I find it easier to be good at it for some reason. I think it’s because you need to race Motocross but you have to ride Supercross.

If you were to try and race Supercross you’d end up in the back of an ambulance. You need to respect the tracks because of the

danger involved in the jumps and you have to be controlled and calm, whereas in Motocross you can hang it out and be a lot looser on the bike. You can be close to crashing and get away with it. Supercross is a lot more technical and I seem to be good at that. Maybe it’s because I grew up on a BMX. There was a course near my mum’s house and I was never off it.”

First place finishes may be alluding him in the Motocross series this year, but Gordon has his sights firmly set on a home victory in Belfast when the Supercross show raises the roof at The Odyssey: “I’m hoping to win in Belfast but it all depends who the other riders are that are brought over. In Supercross you can lose your edge quite quickly and your sense of timing and judgment goes if you don’t practice. The Belfast show is well timed though at the end of the outdoor series, so my form should be good.”

One area you won’t find Gordon moving into though is freestyle. ‘No way, it’s not for me,” he says. “Those guys do insanely crazy tricks. A backflip now is so unimpressive. I would never enter into that line of work, how the hell do you ever feel appreciated? The risks just aren’t worth it.”

So says the man who to date has broken 31 bones, but I guess for a motocross master, that’s the name of the game. o

Win a signed print überdog magazine has three large prints of Gordon Crockard, signed by the man himself to give away HOW TO WIN: To enter the prize draw to win one of these unique prints visit www.uberdogmagazine.co.uk and follow the competition link. Good luck!

Competition closing date is 5th November 2010. Full terms and conditions online.

36

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pictures by Jason Ennis

Pulling a foot whip

ith fantastic weather and a promising array of artists and entertainers, Arklow’s annual Summer Jam drew in the masses for a couple of action packed hours down at the local skate park on August 11th. The park was transformed into a hive of activity with entertainment abound including live DJ, graffiti, workshops and even a snake charmer/firebreather. Main sponsors Monster, Element and Nokia facilitated BMX and skate competitions that drew in the hottest talent from all neighbouring areas. Competitions were divided into under and over 14s with impressive tricks from big spins and 360 flips to back flips on the BMX and other sure-fire crowd pleasers.

Ennicorthy’s finest DJ RSTLESS fuelled the atmosphere with a devastatingly catchy set while the walls of the nearby leisure centre were lit up with stylish and original pieces at the hands of up and coming graffiti artists such as Kayde Middleton. Live t-shirt spray painting and ramp building workshops were onsite for anyone willing to get creative. Definitely worth a look next year, watch this space.

Report by Hannah Weadick

W

A fire breather heated things up

Adam Henderson makes a new friend

Event DJ Daniel Henderson

www.uberdogmagazine.co.uk

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n Vincent Price

n Elite men’s winner Robin Seymour

RACERS at this years XC champs were greeted with 6.5 km of pure mountain bike bliss, all against a backdrop of the mighty Powerscourt Waterfall. Well practiced single track trails were combined with freshly built trails that added a real sense of the unknown to the day and had everyone biting at the bit at the start line. As if that wasn't good enough, race organisers Epic MTB showed that they really know how to put on a five-star event with a tented village, food stations, and a bouncy castle all adding to the atmosphere.

For full race results visit www.irishxcmtb.com

n Stuart Ballintine

n Ewan Doherty

n Peter Buggle

n Ray Doyle

n The start of the men’s Elite race

38

039 Oxfam Kili Advert.qxp

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Page 1

Climb Kilimanjaro OCTOBER 2011

From the foothills to the top of Africa

Text KILI to 51500 oxfamireland.org/kilimanjaro *

*Standard text rates apply.

Oxfam Ireland’s Trek Kilimanjaro Challenge is being organised by Across the Divide Ltd. and promoted by Oxfam Ireland. Flights are supplied and ATOL protected. (Across the Divide Limited, ATOL 6475) and their booking conditions apply. All funds raised from the event will go to Oxfam Ireland, Charity Reg No. NI 33800 (NI), Company Reg No 284292 (ROI). SP: Púca, 00353 1 499 5939.

Photograph courtesy of Across the Divide Ltd

02/09/2010 14:00

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In part three of his skate tutorial Luke Humpreys reveals how to master the Varial Kickflip...

Lesson 3: The Varial Kickflip ip that were explained in the The Varial Kickflip is a combination of the Pop Shove-it and the Kickfl toes) like a Pop Shove-it your last two issues. The board rotates 180 degrees Backside (towards Rodney Mullen, which is no and flips at the same time like a Kickflip. Once again it was created by trick! surprise as he is known to have invented almost every flat ground

1

REQUIRED SKILLS: POP SHOVE-IT SET YOUR FEET in the Varial Kickflip foot position (shown to the right), make sure you are well balanced and bend your knees ready to pop the board, scoop, flip and jump.

EXTEND your legs, snap the tail on the ground and scoop like you would for a Pop Shove-it to make the board spin. At the same time, slide your front foot off to the side of the board and flick just like a Kickflip but slightly higher to create the spin. Remember, just like the Pop Shove-it and the Kickflip, you need to find the right force to apply with your feet.

AFTER you have scooped and flicked, jump in the air above the board to allow it to spin. You may need to jump slightly in front of the board to land it just like the Pop Shove-it. You may also have to jump higher than you usually would for a Kickflip because it takes longer to spin.

But as with all tricks it takes practice.

2

WHEN you see the grip tape, stomp your feet down to catch the board. Try and make your feet land on the bolts for a clean catch.

Remember to keep your balance when you land as it will benefit you later on when you try this move down steps and ledges.

40

3 5 4

Bend your knees to absorb the impact once the board is on the ground and roll away with style! www.uberdogmagazine.co.uk

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Skateboarding

Starting foot position

COMMON PROBLEMS: As the Varial Kickflip is a more advanced trick it’s more difficult and takes longer to learn so don’t give up if you can’t land it straight away.

The two main difficulties are getting the board to spin but not flip, or the board to spin and flip but not land.

To fix the first problem try flicking your front foot off the board in a Kickflip motion but straighter up

instead, this should make the board flip more consistently.

To fix the second problem try jumping in the direction of your toes as you do the trick, if this doesn’t work have a look where the board is landing and try and jump there while doing the trick.

As with all tricks start by doing the moves slowly and then build up speed. o

Giving it a go?

Why not video your attempts, whether successful, disastrous or just plain daft, and email them into tv@uberdogmagazine.co.uk

at If you are still having trouble check out Luke’s youtube channel should www.youtube.com/sk4tebox where you’ll find a video tutorial that help. Check it out and subscribe to it for more trick-tips. www.uberdogmagazine.co.uk

41

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045 Ramp Rage V03.qxp

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HE Ramprage team put on an impressive display of BMX acrobatics outside the Odyssey in Belfast on the 7th August. The event ran in conjunction with an international basketball competition which was held inside the arena, but we reckon all the real excitement was outside where the Ramprage boys hyped the crowd with their slick tricks.

Two huge ramps towered over the crowds in the front of the Odyssey, creating the perfect playground for the talented Ramprage riders.

The guys were on the go all day putting in impressive freestyle moves, but two special performances were held at 5.30pm and 10.30pm where free gifts and goodies were given out to the crowd.

The music was pumping and the sun was shining - no wonder the boys pulled such an audience. Led by top dog ‘Captain’ Matt Gillespie the Ramprage Team featured Peter, Mikey, Simon and Garv (among others) with a special guest appearance from Ireland’s top BMX stunt rider, Jason Phelan, who was recently back from Germany where he secured 3rd place in the XGames. Back flips, spins - these guys did it all, leaving the crowd shouting for

T

n Peter

more.

To find out where Ramprage will be appearing next visit www.ramprage.tv

n Simon

n Matt

n Mikey

check out the RampRage video on www.uberdogmagazine.co.uk n Peter

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out to sea s cumnavigate Ulster by Kayak. 26 day cir to al go e on d ha der xan Ale en Elaine own as ‘Shooter’ shot to glory wh kn o als n ma wo e th l, sai g tin set after she completed her mission… laine is no stranger to adventure. A seasoned paddler she has represented Northern Ireland in two World Surf Kayaking Championships in Costa Rica (2005) & Mundaka, Spain (2007) and has experienced many one week open canoe camping trips.

However, her most recent expedition, the circumnavigation of Ulster by kayak, a journey of 350 miles, was her toughest challenge to date and would see her living 26 days from a boat, covering an average of 20 miles per day.

So the question is, why did she do it?

“There are so many reasons,” Elaine begins.

“I had spent the last seven years completing a

E

46

Masters Degree in Outdoor Management Development through a distance learning programme and I wanted a physical challenge.

I work in an outdoor centre running a ‘Trainee Instructor Programme’ and by doing expeditions and trips I feel I can pass on first hand knowledge to the trainees and be a better role model.

“The trip around Ulster was a training expedition to see how I would cope physically

and mentally before heading out on my Around Ireland challenge in 2011 (a 1,000 mile trip). It was a way to test gear and equipment and see what works and what did not.”

It was also an opportunity for Elaine to raise funds for the Share Holiday Village where she has been working for the last 15 years: “The company is a charity organisation which was set up to promote the inclusion of disabled and non disabled people using outdoor activities. As many people will remember, Fermanagh suffered heavy flooding last Autumn and Share’s Leisure Suite was basically destroyed which resulted in a £700,000 repair bill. The pool is one of only two in Northern Ireland with ramped access and is a great asset to those with a disability and it

www.uberdogmagazine.co.uk

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paddle Sports

was very sad to see them not being able to use the facility. So I thought why not try to help in a practical way by paddling around Ireland to raise money.”

With a busy work schedule, Elaine confesses that she didn’t have much time to think about what lay ahead, or to prepare: “Work was hectic and I was working right up to the day before setting off. The night before I packed the boat and after an hour I realized I needed to take out all the luxury items and take just what was needed.

“The first two days paddling Lough Erne to the coast was what I needed to get into the right frame of mind and get comfortable with the boat. I felt excited about the challenge and not knowing what lay ahead made it an adventure.”

Shooter’s expedition started in difficult weather conditions which gradually deteriorated. Departing from Share Holiday Village on June 26th she faced two days of tough paddling to Ballyshannon into a head wind across the Broad Lough - Lower Lough Erne, which due to its size can be similar to paddling on the sea. On reaching Ballyshannon, Elaine was naturally slightly nervous about leaving the inland waters to brave the rolling seas, but her determination rode through and she eventually made it out through the breaking surf.

Everything was going to plan until a series of events resulted in the coastguard being called, much to Elaine’s surprise! A local lad who was fishing had seen the kayak, and thinking that it was struggling in the surf, he called the coastguard.

After several attempts to contact Shooter, the coastguard helicopter was scrambled to ensure that this intrepid kayaker was ok. Elaine recalls how the incident unfolded: “Due to the tight weather conditions, I was concentrating on not capsizing as a sea kayak laden with gear can be very difficult to roll, so I

missed the two phone calls from the coastguard. On arrival in Teelin I checked my phone and realised that the helicopter that was circling overhead was probably for me! I’m glad to see that the people on the shore were looking out for me and that the coastguard was on alert. However, I am sorry for any inconvenience I caused them.”

Leaving the fishing community of Teelin, Shooter, accompanied by a pod of Dolphins, paddled up around Malinbeg and was able to

conditions deteriorated, but as Elaine reveals, help was never far away: “Local knowledge on an expedition like this is key and can stop you from making some big mistakes. The locals around the coastline were extremely friendly and shared useful information freely. I couldn’t have done it without all the help and support I received along the way. In the bad weather I got very frustrated that I wasn’t making any progress, but fortunately I gained motivation and help from a friend, Adrian Harkin (www.justkayak.ie) whose knowledge of the tides and sea state helped me to get round the Inishowen Peninsula. That was definitely one of the toughest parts of the journey.”

Once Elaine had made it round Malin Head the wind and swell were with her and she began to make real progress and was soon back on track. With a number of paddling partners she paddled from Glengad Head to Shroove and onto Portrush and Ballintoy in strong winds. From Fairhead and Torr Head the weather began to ease and Elaine made it on as far as Cushendun where she had her second acquaintance with the emergency services as she reveals: “I passed a boat heading the other direction who must have radioed the coastguard to say they saw a kayak out at sea in windy conditions. When I arrived at Cushendun I saw a coastguard van close to the shore that was checking to see I made it to shore safely.

It’s funny that the first two things people say to you after you come ashore are, ‘What are you doing out in weather conditions like that?’ and when they hear about my expedition they ask, ‘Are you mad?’ she laughs.

Undeterred Elaine paddled on to Glenarm, Larne and Whitehead then across Belfast Lough to Bangor in the small window available where she wouldn’t have to deal with the wake created by the Stena HSS. From Bangor the weather took a turn for the worse again when the wind swung into the south east, meaning Shooter had to deal with the wind head on.

Hugging the shoreline for safety she found herself caught in several eddies making her challenge even tougher.

“I was quite surprised by the tidal range on the east coast and with the strengthening head on winds, it felt like I was paddling uphill,” she reveals. “I must have been too close to the shore, but I didn’t want to venture too far from land in case some unexpected weather closed in.”

the first two things people say to you after you come ashore are, ‘What are you doing out in weather conditions like that?’ and when they hear about my expedition they ask, ‘Are you mad?’

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enjoy the fantastic coastline of Donegal in splendid weather. She even had her own personal tour guides, a herd of seals, who guided her through the network of caves and arches.

Next stop was Rossbeg, where Elaine stopped for some advice and guidance from Rob Henshaw, an ex-employee of Share, who has circumnavigated Ireland three times in a kayak, sailing boat and canoe.

Unfortunately, the good weather didn’t last and as she set out for Arranmore and Burtonport the wind increased and sea

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Crossing the Strangford Narrows proved to be a challenge too far in the dangerous weather conditions and Elaine was offered accommodation in Portaferry from Share’s Chairman, Bill Hosford. The Narrows is one of Ireland’s greatest tidal races with tidal ebbs and flows of up to 15 knots and Bill had admiring words for Elaine’s grit and determination; “Watching Elaine paddle out through the swell, I was overwhelmed by her determination. She was concentrating hard on her paddling and crossed the waves to Gunn Island quickly and skilfully, but for a few minutes, my heart was in my mouth!”

Unbelievably the hairiest part of Elaine’s trip was yet to come. After stopping in Dundrum Bay for the night, Elaine attempted to

paddle out through the surf at Newcastle, a task which can be extremely difficult in a heavy boat. Conditions proved hazardous, and realising that she may well capsize, Elaine turned and ‘Bongo Slid’ back in, losing some of the gear strapped to her boat in the move.

An hour and a half later, when the tide had dropped and the sea state flattened, Elaine took to the water again, but the experience had taken its toll on her boat and Shooter soon discovered that her kayak was taking on water.

Stopping in Cornmill Quay, Elaine’s boat was fixed courtesy of Life Adventure Centre, and by the following day she was water bound again.

Paddling from Annalong to Kilkeel, Elaine headed for Carlingford and into Dundalk Bay where she welcomed the quieter inland waterways of the Fane River. Finding herself paddling against the flow, the two days travelling to Lough Muckno was longer than she had first anticipated.

From Lough Muckno Elaine hit dry land where she got a lift 7kms to Ballybay where she entered the Dromore river system stopping at Tanagh OEC. Paddling on to Belturbet and Crom, Elaine entered the home straight to Share on Upper Lough Erne where her journey had begun 26 days earlier.

“I was delighted to have completed the journey,” says Elaine, “but it’s only a steppingstone to the next trip ‘Around Ireland’. Now I have a better understanding of what’s involved paddling around Ireland. This winter a lot of preparation will be needed to complete the 1,000 mile trip successfully. Looking back at the low points from this trip makes me appreciate how important friends and contacts in the industry are. I am slightly nervous about the challenge ahead but I strongly believe it’s the people around you that help you succeed with any challenge set.” o

n If you are interested in following Shooter’s Challenge, you can join her Facebook group, Canoe Around Ireland which will have regular updates on her progress as well as blogs for each day and photos and video footage en route.

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QUIKSILVER DATA BEANIE from leading surf shops, www.quiksilver.co.uk

SPOTTED Ski googles from the new collection by Roxy - style and function that’s hard to beat!

BEAR HUG eS Da Burz tee £20 from leading skate shops

MARMOT ULTRA KOMPRESSOR A super-lightweight, compressible pack that doesn’t skimp on storage and features.

Available from leading outdoor stores

WATER TIGHT SOLUTION If you’re planning on being in or about water, protect your Apple iPad with an Aquapac case. A water-tight clip mechanism seals out water while enabling you to continue to operate the iPad’s touchscreen, use its buttons and even hear through the case. It can even cope underwater at depths of up to 5m for one hour. Around £25 for details visit www.acquapac.net

TAKE A HIKE Stay warm without feeling bulky in the new Arctic Trail Jacket from Jack Wolfskin that combines highloft and kinetic stretch fleece fabrics for fit and functionality. £80 Available from Jack Wolfskin stockists around Ireland, www.jack-wolfskin.com

LIGHTEN THE LOAD Billabong’s new SGX wetsuit is a super-lightweight steamer made of durable lightweight material that soaks less water than conventional wetsuits.

Warm, comfortable and flexible, its water repellent characteristics help minimise resistance when paddling.

Preview it at www.billabong.com/sgx

HOT STUFF With built-in rechargeable batteries and electronic controls, Columbia’s Bugathermo heated boot provides three temperature settings for maximum protection from the cold. On the low setting, heating pads located under the ball of the foot deliver warmth for eight hours; on high, expect three hours of heat where your foot needs it most.

Get your pair quick as the 2009 model sold out in hot flash! £230 Available from leading outdoor stores and online at www.columbiasportswear.co.uk

FEATHER WEIGHT Marmot’s Trail Wind Jacket weighs next to nothing but offers incredible wind and weather resistance. £55 Available from leading outdoor stores

WWW.UBERDOGMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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Wild Weekend ing Ian Morrow swaps the road for a river on a CANI recreational paddl hand… trip where he discovers that canoeing and camaraderie go hand in or me, a typical working week ends with the journey home along Belfast’s Westlink, which as the man says, requires a good horn, good brakes and good luck!

I’m often thinking about rivers during this journey and will have typically spent the afternoon diverting e-mails and dodging enough phone calls to get down to the serious business of organising my weekend paddling activities.

The great thing about paddling in Northern Ireland is that your options are well and truly open. You are never much more than an hour away from surf, sea, lakes or rivers, whatever ‘floats your boat’ really.

If, however, magic seaweed lets you down, or you are just tired looking at the same old craggy faces and listening to the same old embellished tales of adventure, or perhaps you can’t face that section from Banbridge to Tullylish - again, then, there is a great alternative.

Take the hard work out of organising a trip, either as an individual or as a club and let CANI sort it for you. For the past year they have organised a series of great recreational paddles, they’ll tell you where to go, what time and even what kit to bring with you, if you are really stuck they might even bring you a boat! If it’s an overnight they’ll sort the accommodation and campsites.

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The recreational paddles provide novices with the perfect opportunity to learn from more experienced paddlers, to move from kayak to canoe or vice versa and importantly to try different kayaks and canoes and discover why the various boats handle so differently.

Beginners often tend to stick to one specific boat. Although this helps you focus on the particular skills required to paddle this boat, a more varied introduction to the sport involving many different boats, results in a more rounded and transferable understanding of the techniques and skills involved in paddling.

For many people in the early stages of their paddling careers, the world of ‘canoe sport’ can seem quite intimidating. There are so many things to consider - where to paddle, what boat to choose, which paddle to use, and how to paddle and stay upright in the first place.

Have you ever bought a new piece of equipment such as a paddle or cag based only on online reviews or recommendations from other paddlers? The most useful way for you to understand how the equipment you use affects your paddling is to try out all types of boats, paddles, clothing and whatever else you can get your hands on.

Many shops would charge you for the privilege of a demo in one of their kayaks. Every time you are on the water at a recreational paddle it is an opportunity for you to try out

other people’s kayaks and canoes. Most people will welcome the chance to swap boats with you while in an eddy or at the lunch spot. That’s not to mention the opportunity to get a look at all the other gadgets and kit that we acquire from Kelly Kettles to River Knives.

Perhaps even more so than with normal club trips, the recreational paddles will have a greater variation in paddlers abilities, ages and experience. There will always be people who will need some help, and not just on the water. Advice on setting up camp, erecting tents, packing kit and loading boats to get a decent trim, is always necessary . Again this is a good way to broaden your paddling and coaching experience and is encouraged by the CANI officers.

Age is no barrier, from young children to any age everyone can really enjoy these trips.

Canoeing is just one of those activities that offers many benefits to all age groups. It is never too early to expose your children to this great pastime and as some of the more senior paddlers will tell you ‘you don’t stop paddling when you get old, you get old when you stop paddling!’

These skills will prove invaluable if you choose to move into the time-starved world of river running and the trip’s a great opportunity to prepare for Star Awards or even the basic coaching qualifications.

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The new BCU requirement for level 1 and 2 coaches, or aspiring coaches, is to develop and maintain the skills not just to paddle but to deliver coaching in both disciplines. With a fairly even sprinkling of both canoe and kayak this is a great opportunity to take the time to develop those skills that you don’t always focus on.

The new emphasis on open boating in the BCU's revised Star Awards has lead to a much greater interest in canoeing and, if

you don’t stop paddling when you get old, you get old when you stop paddling... collective mark on the you are a coach, the CANI coaches are only too happy to let you take the opportunity of introducing people to something new or helping them develop existing skills, and it can be a lot of fun.

Fundamental to recreational paddling is responsible recreational use of the countryside and wild areas. This responsibility is summed up perfectly in the words of the Ulsterman, naturalist and historian Robert Praeger “..the person who goes with reverent feet through the hills and valleys, accompanied by neither noise nor dust to scare away wild creatures, stopping often, watching closely, listening carefully. Only thus can they, at length feel at one with what is after all, their natural environment”. (1937) As more people seek the enjoyment of outdoor recreation there is the risk that our

environment increases.

CANI use these trips to promote the principles of ‘Leave no Trace’ which is an outdoor ethics programme designed to promote responsible outdoor recreation through education and partnerships.

God help anyone who leaves a scrap of toilet paper, cuts live wood or even leaves evidence of having lit a fire on one of these paddles, you will have the CANI Participation and Club Development Officer, Rodger Hamilton, breathing down your neck with enough vengeance to melt your latex seals.

The recreational paddles give you the opportunity to get closer to nature than a lot of other activities do. In many cases you will be able to travel to and see sights only accessible to a very small percentage of the population.

Canoeing or kayaking definitely allows for a connection with the nature surrounding us that cannot be found elsewhere.

Many of the trips have covered sections of Northern Irelands fantastic canoe trails including Strangford, Blackwater, Lough Erne and the Lower Bann. An overnight trip on Lough Neagh is planned for later in the year.

Each canoe trail has its own waterproof map providing information on access points, local facilities, wildlife, history and other useful information on the surrounding areas.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m no adrenalin junkie, but I do enjoy my surf and white water, so, what’s in all this for someone like me who has reached the dizzy heights of a level 1 coach? Surely it all must get a bit boring at times?

Think again. These trips have become extremely popular, with typically several dozen paddlers, of all abilities, turning out. Word is spreading that these trips are actually great craic, there is lots to do and plenty to see.

And at the end of the day there are few things more relaxing than sitting in a kayak or canoe and watching the sunset over a lake. It is hard to beat having a picnic hundreds of yards from the shoreline as you look on at the panoramic view of the landscape surrounding you. Yes, paddling can offer stress relief like no other, as someone said "Even a bad day of paddling is better than a good day at work."

Mind you these trips are not without their challenges, I recall beating into a force 4’s on Strangford that left our colleagues in the open canoes going backwards and requiring a tow. A pleasant morning on the Lower Bann was interrupted by nasty squalls and left us retreating to the banks near Kilrea to sit out it out in storm shelters.

Perhaps worst of all, that recent night at Trannish Island on Upper Erne when three notorious young ladies from a canoe club, that will remain nameless to save embarrassment, discovered to their distress and anguish that they had only one bottle of red wine between them!

But perhaps the best reason to participate is to share a day out with other people from the paddling community, enhance friendships and build camaraderie. The stories from just one weekend of paddling often provides for a lifetime of reminiscing, tale-telling, and laughter.

So why not come along on the next CANI recreational trip and invite a friend? o

for more information on CANI visit www.cani.org.uk www.uberdogmagazine.co.uk

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RAY MEARS: THE M A Mears...

Ahead of his appearance in Belfast, we talk survival tactics with Ray WHEN WERE YOU FIRST INTRODUCED TO THE GREAT OUTDOORS? When I was a small boy I tracked foxes and eventually I wanted to stay out at night to see what they got up to in the dark which meant camping out. I didn’t have any camping equipment and I mentioned this to a junior teacher at the school I was at - he was like a mentor to us all. He said I didn’t need camping equipment - he had been behind the lines at Burma in the Second World War and he introduced me to the skills of bushcraft. I was about eight years old at the time. When I look back at some of my adventures they were a pretty rough experience but I was intoxicated with the sense of freedom that camping out provides.

DO YOU THINK WE HAVE LOST OUR WAY IN WESTERN SOCIETY? I think we are in danger of doing so yes. It’s hard to feel spiritually connected to the world today. When you take a camping trip in the wild you rediscover and reconnect with nature, which is a great feeling. That’s our reason for being.

SHOULD ALL CHILDREN GET A BUSHCRAFT TRAINING? Only if they want it, it’s not something you should force on them. They need to have the enthusiasm and we need to develop that in the younger generations.

WHERE HAVE YOU TRAVELLED TO THIS YEAR? I’ve been in Britain mostly filming a new series on British Wildlife for ITV that will air shortly. It covers tracking and observing local wildlife and was really fun to make; we came across some unusual things...

a canoe trip in the ASPECT OF YOUR Canadian wilderness - to me WHAT JOB DO YOU ENJOY that’s seven star luxury... THE MOST?

ARE YOU STILL LEARNING NEW SKILLS? Yes. The subject is so huge the problem is that one lifetime isn’t enough to learn and discover it all.

WHO HAS TAUGHT YOU THE MOST? I’ve worked with indigenous people all over the planet and I’ve travelled to some of the most remote places on earth, searching out the lost elders who still live the old life - bushmen, aboriginals. When I travel to these places I don’t see them through western eyes, I see them through the eyes of those elders.

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HOW DO YOU MOST LIKE TO TRAVEL? My favourite mode of transport is the canoe. It’s hard work, but for me it’s one of mans greatest inventions. I’ve learnt the skills through practice and experience - I’ve learnt what I know from the rivers.

photograph: www.raymears.com

WERE YOU A BIT OF A LONER AS A YOUNG BOY? Yes, and I still like being on my own now. When you’re on your own you see and appreciate more wildlife.

WHAT WOULD YOU CHOSE - A FIVE STAR HOTEL OR A NIGHT UNDER THE STARS? It would have to be a canoe trip in the Canadian wilderness every time - to me that’s seven star luxury - actually it’s seven million stars when you look up into the sky at night!

It has to be meeting people from all around the world. I love that interaction with people and their natural surroundings.

HAVE YOU ANY SURVIVAL TALES FROM IRELAND YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE? To be honest I’ve hardly been to Ireland, I once went to Cork, but other than that it’s unexplored territory to me. But I have heard that Ireland is incredibly beautiful.

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR TOP SURVIVAL TIPS FOR A TRIP TO THE MOURNES? Same as always - take enough food and take some shelter.

ARE YOU NOT FRUSTRATED BY LANGUAGE BARRIERS? Of course I rely on really good translators, but I also speak a different language, the language of bushcraft, which is universal. I know the land and I understand how to use it and the people I meet see that and respect me for that and so we enter into a different sort of interaction. I like to think that I ask questions other visitors to their lands wouldn’t.

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M AN IN THE KNOW DO YOU INCORPORATE THE SKILLS YOU HAVE LEARNT INTO YOUR EVERY DAY LIFE? God yes, I use them all the time. I have picked up so many useful tips and techniques over the years, probably the most useful to me was a knot that I was taught by a Reindeer herder in Siberia, I use that nearly every day.

ARE YOU PROUD OF WHAT YOU HAVE ACHIEVED IN TERMS OF RAISING AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF BUSH CRAFT? Yes and no. Yes because it’s great to see how things have come on and no because I find it

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE BUSH MEAL? It would have to be wild venison with freshly picked wild mushrooms, although I wouldn’t mind trying some wild Irish trout.

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM YOUR EVENING IN BELFAST? I’m being interviewed on stage which allows me to talk about the many varied aspects of bush craft - survival, cultural, environmental... The evening will be one of broad discussion which I hope the audience will find interesting and informative with a Q&A session at the end. o

Ray’s picture by Niall McDiarmid. Ray's latest book Northern Wilderness is out now in paperaback, Hodder, £8.99

ARE YOU A BIG CONSERVATION CAMPAIGNER? I like to achieve what I can but I’m not one of those people in the public eye who latch onto a conservation cause because it’s PC to do so. I like to make a difference in very real and sometimes unusual way. A passion of mine is deer conservation, which ironically often involves the shooting of deer. This culling is necessary because the population is too large and it’s an example of a hands on approach to conservation. I’m also a trustee of the British Deer Society.

frustrating - there’s so much more I’d like to achieve.

Win tickets to see Ray Mears in Belfast überdog magazine has two of the hottest tickets in town to giveaway! You and a friend could be going to see Ray Mears live in the Ulster Hall on the 1 November courtesy of GM Events.

HOW TO WIN: To be in with a chance to win, all you need to do is visit www.uberdogmagazine.co.uk, follow the competition link and enter your details.

The winner will be picked on Monday 25 October.. Full terms and conditions online.

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BIONIC MAN A stretch soft shell jacket designed to perform when it’s cold, crisp and windy, the Bionic from Fox, looks great off track too. £100 Fox stockists across Ireland, visit www.foxeurope.com

STREET SAVVY Osprey has launched a range of six active daypacks designed to bridge the gap between hill and high street. The new 24/Seven series combines key hiking features such as a sternum strap with whistle buckle, walking pole loop and front stash pocket, with functional everyday features that will appeal to the urbanite. Prices range from £35-£55 For stockists tel:01202 413920 or visit www.ospreypacks.com PLAY IN HD Ideal for capturing watersports footage, the Kodak Playsport is a rugged, durable, and pocket-sized HD video camera that’s perfect for active, extreme sports types. Plus it’s waterproof up to 10 feet and captures full 1080p HD video with the touch of a button. £129.99 Available from Jessop’s, Belfast, or online at www.jessops.com

HOT HEADED Etnies Witness cap £25 from leading skate shops, www.etnies.com DON’T RUBBISH IT! Made from fabrics derived from ‘low value consumer waste materials’ Marmot’s Ramble half zip is a practical undergarment that works to reduce odour in all conditions. £50 www.marmot.eu

BUN WARMER Evolution is the new 3/4 length liner from Fox that’s perfect for cold weather rides. £40 from Fox stockists across Ireland, visit www.foxeurope.com for details

ATHLETICS WEST AW77 £85 Nike Sportswear www.nikesportswear.com

TOASTY! Keep hands warm for up to 12 hours with the nifty Zippo Hand Warmer. £20.35 from Zippo retailers around Ireland, visit www.zippo.co.uk

A SECURE RIDE Secure your iPod or iPhone to the handlebars of your bike with the BioLogic iPod Bike Mount. This shock resistant, weatherproof case fastens to your stem/handlebars via an adjustable, rotating clip, allowing you to glance at maps, satnav and GPRS apps with ease, leaving you more time to look at the road ahead. £39.99 Available from www.firebox.com

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TUNE IN Leather wallet available in a selection of designs. £19 www.stand-out.net

SOMETHING FISHY The ultimate winter boot, Sorel’s Caribou Stingray, £120, is wrapped in luxurious and durable stingray leather for strong waterproof protection from the elements Available from leading outdoor stores and online at www.sorel.com

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n Podium 4 Sport MD Paul Rothwell with rugby star Stephen Ferris and model Melissa

t’s big, spacious and stocked with some of the best names in the business. Specialist staff know their stuff better then you do, and there’s the joy of not having to fight for a parking space.

Is its any wonder we think Podium 4 Sport’s new venture is a real winner.

A star-studded launch saw rugby heroes David Humphreys and Steven Ferris cut the official opening ribbon followed by a speech from Podium 4 Sports MD Paul Rothwell who gave a brief overview of the company’s 30 year history before focusing in on why this established sports store decided to venture into the great

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outdoors.

Paul said: “We noticed a gap in the market for the provision of high quality gear and equipment for people taking part in outdoor activities.

“Outdoor sports are becoming increasingly popular in Northern Ireland with approximately 435,000 people taking part in the various activities every year. I am confident our outdoor customers will be

impressed both by the sheer size of the store and what it offers in terms of space, environment and a fantastic product range.”

The carefully selected product range includes Berghaus, Haglofs, Helly Hansen, Salomon and the Bear Grylls range for Craghoppers.

Paul added: “We have filtered through all of the product lines to deliver our customers the best quality and value. The result is a select choice of the leading products from our carefully researched brands.”

The great selection of clothing for men, women and children is complimented by essential gear, gadgets and outdoor gizmos, with dedicated areas for camping, hiking, skiing and more.

Open seven days a week, the new outdoor store adds an additional 4,000 sq ft to the existing Podium 4 Sports store, making it one of Northern Ireland's leading independent sports retailers. Find it at 40 Montgomery Road BT6 9HL or visit www.podium4sport.com n

n 4,000 sq.ft. of outdoor heaven

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SURF BODY CONDITIONING

PART ONE: PRE-SURF WARM UP AND MUSCLE ACTIVATION

Wilson In the first of a three part series, surfer and personal trainer Aaron ng poppi looks at how to activate the prime muscles responsible for paddling, y… up and turning to improve performance and reduce the risk of injur he days of frenzied arm circles, a few squats and a couple of lame stretches pre-surf have gone. Today, no doubt inspired by the training routines of world no.1 Mick Fanning and many other pro’s competing on the WT, our attitudes to surf conditioning are beginning to change. And rightly so.

Imagine this scene. You rock up at your local surf spot and see corduroy lines sweeping in with light offshore winds and a handful of people outback. You pull on your wetty as fast as possible, wax your favourite

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board and run down the beach. Two options lie before you. Do you? A) Sprint as fast as you can towards the water before leaping gracefully onto your board and paddling faster than Michael Phelps out back. Or B) Hold back momentarily to warm up, survey the line up and choose your channel to paddle out behind the peak.

We’re all guilty of letting our stoke get the better of us but let me explain why you should choose option B before your next session. We live in such a cold climate that a proper warm

Twisting squat with transverse rotation

up is vital to enhance your performance in the water as well as reduce your chances of injury and you can achieve this be following a quick and simple routine pre-surf.

Worried about looking like a duffer? Put your ego aside and realise that if it’s good enough for Mick, Kelly, Taj and Jordy it’s good enough for you.

Each of the following dynamic exercises is designed to pre-activate and stretch muscles that are specific for paddling, popping up and turning on the rail.

Frontal plane lunges HOW MANY? Perform two sets of 15 reps on each side TECHNIQUE: Keep shoulder blades pulled back and try not to let your knee travel forward, sit back to engage your glutes (bum muscles) hold momentarily to feel stretch in adductors (groin) which can become strained from gripping your board between sets.

HOW MANY? Perform two sets of 15 reps on each side TECHNIQUE: Should be performed slowly to start, building into a more powerful dynamic rotation as if winding up for a top turn. Allow feet to pivot and rotate through torso.

Bridge with step through glute (bum) stretch HOW MANY? Hold each stretch for less than five seconds and switch. Perform sets of 10 reps. The reason we don’t hold the stretch for longer is down to new evidence which suggests that performing static stretches shortly before exercise can have a detrimental effect on muscular efficiency so we want to keep our muscles moving.

TECHNIQUE: Shoulders hips and feet should be aligned. Use your abdominal muscles to keep spine neutral, step through to feel stretch in glutes.

Single leg balance with lateral flexion of torso

Side bridge with external rotation

HOW MANY? Hold for 5 seconds each side and switch, do this 5 times each side TECHNIQUE: Find a nice uneven part of sand to make this more effective in firing up stabilisers in ankles knees and hips whilst giving paddling muscles a nice stretch.

HOW MANY? Perform two sets of 15 reps per exercise TECHNIQUE: Keep head hips and feet in alignment throughout, do not rush shoulder rotations. Helps us activate core muscles and warms up shoulders safely.

Next issue: Balance and stability

n Aaron Wilson is a fitness manager at the Merchant Hotel in Belfast and also offers an individual personal training service along with his business partner at LA Fitness as part of Belfast Personal Training. Contact him on 078 3485 7406

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THE FRONTSIDE

CUTBACK überdog’s resident surf coach Iain Gilmore talks us through the technique required to pull of a frontside cutback…

he frontside cutback is a move that is used by surfers of all skill levels. The cutback allows you to use the rail of your board and brings you back to the curl of the wave where you can generate more speed for your next hit.

Like every other move in surfing the frontside cutback starts with speed.

By entering the turn with speed you will be able to lean on your rail harder adding more spray, and style to the turn. Pump down the line looking for a section that has a nicely sloping shoulder to turn on. Start your bottom turn as soon as you reach the flats, and drive up the wave face at a 40 to 60 degree angle.

When you reach the middle of the wave face, bend your knees and shift your weight from your toe side rail to your heel side rail to initiate the cutback. Twist your upper body in the direction you want to turn, and extend your leading arm down towards the water to keep a low centre of gravity. Most of your pressure

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should be applied to your back foot while your front foot guides your board through the turn.

Most importantly of all, your line of sight should be aimed at where you want to go to on the wave. In this case, twist your head with your upper body in the direction you’re turning. So many people forget to do this and lose balance and fall in mid turn.

Halfway through the turn your leading arm should be touching the wave face. This keeps you low to your board as well as providing a point for you to pivot around. Lean on your rail as hard as you can during this part of the turn to create a tight powerful arc. Be sure to watch the tip of your board as you turn because you want it to fit into the transition of the wave perfectly in order to maximize speed.

As your board turns back towards the white wash you want to finish the turn. Do this by straightening out your back leg and centering your weight over your fully bent front leg. This will add snap and style to the turn and also

keep you low to your board. Your board will finish with the nose pointing straight back towards the white water.

Stay low and focus on the front rail of your board and how it fits into the transition of the wave. Now that the turn is finished, turn your board back towards the open face of the wave by pressing on your back foot. Watch the transition of the wave as you pivot so you don’t nosedive and go straight into your next bottom turn.

KEYS: • START your bottom turn with lots of speed.

• PUT your leading arm in the water, and use it as a pivot point.

• REMEMBER to look where you are turning to!

• FINISH the turn with your back leg straight and your weight over a bent front leg.

• Iain Gilmour is a qualified ISA Surfing Coach and owns Adventure One Surf School in Donegal. He has over 28 years surfing experience in breaks all over the world.

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Waveski

O T DANCE T F Marty McCann explains why pulling off a successful waveski trick depends on the shape, size and power of the wave…

ollowing on from the introduction to waveski in issue two, it’s time to look at a few essential moves, and a couple of manoeuvres that most waveskiers aspire to.

It’s safe to assume that as waveski is a surfing sport, many of the moves that are required by other surf disciplines to maintain speed and time on the wave, are also at the core of waveski surfing. The rider surfs parallel to the wave, face climbing and dropping (trimming) as they do, so as to maintain speed and position on the wave.

Bread and butter skills The essential skills required here are ‘bottom turns’ and ‘top turns’. Top turns involve turning at the top of the wave to position the ski to enable it to drop down the wave face.

A bottom turn requires turning at the bottom or mid face and climbing the ski back towards the lip to regain height.

Another essential skill at this stage is the ability to ‘cut back’. A cut back is essentially changing direction on the wave and surfing momentarily, back toward the white-water (cutting back). By cutting back the waveskier can regain enough power and speed from the pocket to execute their next manoeuvre.

Having a sound basis of these ‘bread and butter’ moves, and the ability to perform them in varying conditions, is the key to progressing to the next level.

Going for air As timing and awareness of body and ski position develops the rider can perform reentries. Re-entries are like an extended top turn or higher top turn, performed on the lip of a pitching wave or off the lip of an oncoming breaking wave. A well executed re-entry can dramatically increase the speed of the ski which is essential in the set up of high end moves such as aerials.

For many years the aerial was the holy grail of waveski surfing, everyone aspired to launch their skis skyward feeling weightlessness as they were momentarily

Steve Farthing bottom turns and looks for the ramp, Bali.

Photo by Ming

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paddle Waveski sports

O THE WAVE Andre Burger performs a powerful re-entry

everyone aspired to launch their skis skyward feeling weightlessness as they were momentarily liberated from water to air... liberated from water to air. Many a false claim was made as the slightest sensation of weightlessness was claimed as ‘Air’ only to be dismissed by fellow surfers. During the late 80’s and through the 90’s this was the domain of a handful of select elite athletes.

However sports development, coaching and modern waveski designs have made aerials more attainable and they are now a regular sight on the competition scene in Europe.

Just like music dictates dance, the shape, size, formation and power of the wave dictates the timing and appropriateness of each manoeuvre.

Because of this there are many variations of all surfing manoeuvres. The cut back for example can be a round house cut back, a simple cut back toward the white water, or it can be slashed or gouged releasing the fins (or sometimes the entire hull of the ski) from the water.

Currently the world’s top waveskiers are developing new and exciting variations of the aerial including inverted airs, deck flashes and air reverse 360’s - a move adopted from the bodyboarding world which demonstrates

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the cross pollination of surf sports. Riders coming to waveskiing from surfing, bodyboarding and kayaking backgrounds adapt skills, experience and knowledge from these disciplines to the ski.

Bagging a barrel Barrels are a good example of this. The point when time slows and the rider and nature come together was mostly the domain of stand ups and bodyboarders for years.

However thanks to surf sport cross over and shared knowledge, more waveskiers are getting barrels today and it will be exciting to see how the sport develops over the next few years.

Getting barrelled on a ski seems to be the focus of many world waveski riders

of late. Barrels for many surfers are the essence and deepest expression of contact with the ocean and it will be great to see how waveskiers adapt to incorporate this move into their skills portfolio. Watch this space... o

French rider Coralie Jouset, bottom turning at Emerald Beach Australia.

Picture Fletcher Burton

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paddle adventuring sports

the

Fantastic

FOUR Four women, one mission - to form an allfemale cycling and multi-sport team that will race to victory and inspire women across the country to get on their bike...

A

ndrea, Tayrn, Julie and Cathy, four individual women, each with busy lives, families and careers, brought together by bikes - oh, how we like a good love story!

Out of nowhere the Bike Dock Belles have stormed onto the adventure scene. Dressed in pink and ringing their mascot old school bell, these girls like to be noticed and have been grabbing headlines since their formation last year.

We met up with one of the Belles, Julie McCorry, to find out how it all began and to learn what’s in store for the fab four and their followers in the future.

Two sisters, Andrea and Cathy, friend Tayrn and MTB enthusiast Julie met at a training session with mtb legend Colin Ross. “We clicked straight away,” Julie begins. “We all shared a passion for bikes, liked having fun and were up for a challenge. Within a few weeks of meeting we decided to enter into the Race Around Ireland together as a team and our lives have never quite been the same since!” she laughs.

Throwing themselves in at the deep end the team’s first epic adventure was the Race Around Ireland in September 2009, an event which Julie describes as “a great experience though really tough physically and mentally.”

“We were racing around the clock - in the evening you’d be dodging the sheep that came down onto the road while trying to stay awake. That was my first experience of sleep deprivation as well. I started hallucinating and everything, it was surreal!”

Successfully completing the race, the girls realised that life without a Belles adventure would seem somehow less exciting and so they started to plan a calendar of events for the team to enter in the months ahead, ranging from weekly cycle races to more demanding adventure races incorporating kayaking, running and swimming.

www.uberdogmagazine.co.uk

“This year has been unbelievable,” says Julie. “After our first race we started to get some press attention and that led to enquiries in the shop and a rise in interest in the sport from other women which really excited us.”

As a result the girls set up a Belles website and Facebook page and arranged to hold weekly cycle outings which other women were invited to attend.

“It was clear that there was a real demand for a ladies cycle group and while we don’t want to commit ourselves to the running of an official ‘club’ we love the fact that we have an

ever growing number of women who are joining our group on cycles and events.”

These followers, or ‘monthly’s’ as they like to be known, are all easily spotted, kitted out in their own jerseys with the line ‘life is more than just a monthly cycle’.

“The whole point of the Bike Dock Belles is to encourage women of all ages to get out and have a go, “ Julie continues. “And not just at cycling, the Belles are a multi-sport team and we encourage other girls to enter some of the other events we are taking part in too.

“They don’t need to be particularly fit or have fancy kit and women of any age can come along. All you need is a bike that works and a helmet,” she explains, The girls hope that the women who join the group on cycle trips or at adventure events will grow in confidence under their support and will go on to develop a real passion for the sport which will lead them to seek out and join already established clubs.

“We see ourselves as a kind of steppingstone for these women into the different sports clubs,” adds Julie.

“We have plans to start a turbo training evening, organise a puncture repair training course and introduce some more girlie clothing to our line including new arm warmers and hoodies. There’s also demand for a group for young children, we’re calling them The Young Guns, and we’ll be encouraging that side of the Belles to grow in the months ahead too.”

As for the original four, the Bike Dock Belles Team is gearing up for another action packed season with aims to cross the channel and participate in the legendary Race Across America in 2012. Ding Dong!

Bring it on girls! o (L-R) Taryn, Andrea, Julie and Cathy

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surf

Top products get put through the paces by our testing panel…

Blue Active Muscle Gel

Hunter boots

Extreme athletes often push their muscles to the limit and suffer the consequences. Give your aching joints a break with this dual action gel that cools on application and works to soothe muscles for hours. Packed full of active ingredients including Golden Emu Oil; Glucosamine Sulphate, renowned for its beneficial effects on joints; aloe vera and willow bark extract, this gel is a real winner.

HOW MUCH? Prices start at £7.95 WHERE TO GET IT: Visit www.pion-tc.co.uk or call the Pioneer Trading Company on 01526 344971 / 345613

The royalty of Wellington boots arrived just one day after placing the order in an über stylish box - wellies in a box - they must be posh! World renowned I wondered what makes Hunters so special that people didn’t mind shelving out a small fortune for a pair. Apart from the fact that I adored the bright pink colour (you won’t miss me in a muddy field), they were possibly the most comfortable thing I’d had all my feet all summer. The moulded shape meant that instead of swimming around, my feet felt nice and snug which made for firm footing when I tackled the DH slopes in Kilbroney forest on foot.

HOW MUCH? Original tall Hunters, £49.99 WHERE TO GET THEM: Hunters are widely available but mine came from online shoe store ww.rubbersole.co.uk which has a great selection and delivers a free next-day delivery service.

Heat Holders If you like snug feet, whatever the conditions you’ve got to get yourself a pair of Heat Holders. These socks have been tested to achieve a thermal tog rating of 2.34 thanks to a unique three stage process that uses heavy bulk yarn, advanced knitting technology and intense brushing to hold more warm air close to the skin. Heat Holders are unbelievably soft and when I put them to the test on a camping trip they kept my feet really snug in my wellies during the cold wet day and toasty warm all night long too, ensuring a good night sleep. Perfect for the snow season ahead.

The only downside is that they are very thick, so not a good choice if your shoes are on the small side.

HOW MUCH? Prices starts at a very reasonable £4.99 WHERE TO GET THEM: Visit www.heatholders.co.uk for range details, stockists and prices.

Etnies Malto trainers Wool Buff, Udaipur (grey) If you love your Buff but hate how it makes your skin feel scratchy then get yourself a wool one.

Made with 100% merino wool this Buff is fantastic for offering warmth and protection from the elements without irritating the skin. Longer than the original Buff it’s just as versatile but the wool has the added benefit of being water and odour resistant. Money well spent.

HOW MUCH? Around £20 WHERE TO GET IT: Available from most good outdoor sports shops or online at www.buffshop.co.uk

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Supportive, firm underfoot and hard wearing... the Malto is the perfect skate shoe, but we love this new trainer from Etnies because they look so damn good.

We wore ours and watched as friends turned into green eyed monsters.

HOW MUCH? £55 WHERE TO GET THEM: From leading skate and shoe stores, www.etnies.co.uk

www.uberdogmagazine.co.uk

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f you’re looking for a challenge that will test you physically, mentally and emotionally, how about taking on Oxfam’s Trailtrekker?

The first Trailwalker was established in 1981 and there are now an impressive 14 trails in 12 countries including Ireland, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Japan and India.

Over the years tens of thousands of walkers around the world have taken on the 100km challenge and thanks to their grit and determination, more than US $70 million has been raised to date to help overcome poverty

I

and injustice.

A truly international event, this years Ireland’s Trailtrekker attracted teams from as far afield as America, India, Brazil and Hong Kong, members of which joined forces with local teams, swelling numbers to more than 100 teams and 400 participants.

A team lead by UTV’s news presenter Marc Mallett was among those lining up in Donard Park early on the morning of 4 September at the start of Oxfam’s epic challenge. Each team of four people had a single goal – to complete the gruelling 100km route and reach the finishing line at Carlingford Sailing Club inside 36 hours.

Check points and ‘fuel stations’ along the route provided shelter from the rain and an opportunity for weary walkers to enjoy a welcome cup of hot tea and coffee. First Aid teams worked around the clock dressing

n Watch your fingers!

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blisters and support crews provided 24-hour back-up assistance for their teams.

After walking by day and by night through the Mournes, the Ring of Gullion and the Cooley Peninsula, the first team of four to cross the line in a time of 17 hours and 43 minutes were ‘Timmehh’, from UK and Ireland. The team members, who met while at university, were captain Nick Dillon, Tom Blackmore, Gordon Baird and Colin Caunter.

Team captain Nick Dillon said: “This has been one of the toughest challenges any of us have done yet also the most rewarding. The scale of the 100km challenge, the boat crossing over Carlingord Lough, and walking through the night… it’s certainly different to anything we’ve attempted before! We’re exhausted right now, with blisters and muscle pains, yet exhilarated at the same time. The joy at what we’ve achieved both for ourselves and for Oxfam will no doubt only start to sink in over the coming days.”

Trailtrekker is certainly notable for its big numbers! Each participant takes an average 140,000 steps to finish the 100km cross-border route and the cumulative mileage of all the participants is enough for their collective efforts to exceed the 40,076kms that span the earth!

Oxfam’s top fundraising event in Ireland, TRAILTREKKER 2010 aims to raise €400,000/£330,000, enabling Oxfam Ireland to carry out its work in east, central and southern Africa and in emergency response around the world, such as in Pakistan.

For more information on the event and to enquire about next years Trailtrekker visit www.oxfamireland.org n

n First team to complete Oxfam Ireland’s TRAILTREKKER were ‘Timmehh’ which consisted of captain Nick Dillon, Tom Blackmore, Gordon Baird and Colin Caunter

n A welcome break to travelling by foot

n Early morning and they’re off...

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INDOOR VS OUTDOOR AIRSOFT

LET BATTLE

COMMENCE at the uberdog’s combat sports correspondent Graeme Livingstone looks es a few difference between indoor and outdoor airsoft play style and shar tips for beginners on how to get started…

L

Let me start by saying, each player approaches airsoft game play in their own way and with a certain level of individuality, it’s one of the qualities of the sport.

So any advice or tips that I express may only be considered as the opinion of one humble airsofter who has played in a wide range of gaming areas. It is safe to say that everyone finds their feet during game play and develops their own style over time. The following is simply some pointers for new players to get started in both indoor and outdoor games.

In any airsoft game the first thing you need to keep in mind is your objective - this is what will win the game for your team. Whether it’s a short capture the flag, VIP, deliver a bomb or a longer full-day game you will need to be aware of where you need to go and what you need to do. The marshals who are attending the game will outline the details before you begin the game, so pay attention and listen to any and all instructions given to you.

TEAM TACTICS When attacking, a game can be determined by the style of team you are playing with.

INDOOR: If your team wants to run in, guns blazing to try and take an objective by force, then the best you can do is keep up as trying to form tactics around this is more than often futile and will only get you shot more quickly!

Usually taking a tactical approach alone will result in you running into a situation that you cannot escape from with ease. When playing indoors, you are more than likely going to find yourself in a small area FRV Airsoft facing one or more of the opposing team. You will most likely have very few options on movement and there is the possibility of an opposing player being at every turn. If your team insists on the run in with no intention of tactfully

advancing, then use them as a distraction and take the chance to move when you can.

If you do manage to employ some tactics and rally your team together then you will more than likely have an easier time of winning the game! By working together you can check all corners and keep each other covered. The best way to do this is to have a quick discussion with your team before the game starts and lay down some basic tactics or listen to anyone who has any idea, a

Mid-Antrim Paintball and Airsoft

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combat paddle sports

Look behind you Battlefield Sports

If your team insists on the ‘running in head on’ approach then outdoor play provides a few more options for you to think about... compromise will always help when discussing tactics. Also, maintaining contact during play is important so don’t be afraid to talk to your team mates as being indoors doesn’t require as much stealth as it may outdoors.

OUTDOOR: If your team again insists on the ‘running in head on’ approach then outdoor play provides a few more options for you to think about. You can follow in with the team and meet the opposition head on, hope for the best and probably repeat the process several times, or, you can go about it with a little more stealth.

Outdoor games have much more space to play in, so don’t be afraid to use it! If you have the time, and don’t mind a bit of a walk, then take the longer, flanking manoeuvre. Catch the other team off guard and clear them out from the side or the rear. This is an approach that can be complicated by large numbers, however, it helps to have someone to watch your back, so try and secure some help

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before heading off. And just as in indoor play it can pay off to discuss some basic tactics with the team before heading into play, if only so your team know which direction you will be coming from and don’t shoot you in the process by mistake (which has happened to me more times than I care to remember)...

KIT & GEAR: Attack mode Attacking games are usually going to involve a lot more movement, whether you are indoor or outdoor, so be prepared for that. In terms of the kit and gear that you may need these can differ from playing a defensive game, but will stay along the same basic lines.

INDOOR: Usually a player tends to use more ammo during indoor games in a shorter period of time than outdoor, due to the smaller number of players and the slightly more intensified games. You will be travelling a

shorter distance so feel free to stock up on plenty of magazines and spare ammo before you set off as this shouldn’t have a great effect on your stamina. Bare in mind what your objective is when choosing your weapon. If your objective is to sweep and clear, taking out the opposing team as quick as possible, then low capacity weapons will not help. Try

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combat sports Feeling the heat at FRV Airsoft

going for a rifle with a hi-cap mag, this will give you plenty of rounds with little reloading needed. If, however, you need to sneak in to an enemy base and deliver a bomb or package then your side arm will provide lightness and help when trying to carry something.

OUTDOOR: When attacking outdoors you are basically in the same boat as indoor games.

A head on approach will require more ammo so will more than likely slow you down with the weight. If you choose to take the long way round to encounter fewer enemies and achieve your objective in a shorter period of time then lightness and speed is key, so the pistol or side arm comes into play again as the primary option.

KIT & GEAR: Defence mode INDOOR: ammo, ammo, ammo… this is the key for a good defence indoors. If you can’t fire back at the attacking team then you have a problem. There is a lot to be said for having a good tactical position in the game but if all you have to take down the advancing team is a pistol and a few spare mags then you aren’t going to last very long. You will soon find yourself needing to reload and getting caught

off guard. Stick with your rifle and keep your side arm on you for a back up.

OUTDOOR: Again, ammo, ammo, ammo… there is little difference between defending an indoor objective to an outdoor objective.

Keep yourself well prepared to lay down some suppressive fire and keep the heads of the attacking team down. This will prevent them moving so much and may buy you the time to win.

In short…

There is no ‘wax on, wax off’ formula for airsoft, meaning that you cannot learn by practicing preset scenarios. A good airsofter learns by doing and adapts to situations accordingly. My key sliver of advice is to be prepared

and learn from previous games. As you advance and develop your playing style you will soon learn how to get yourself and your team through each game. Most importantly, however, remember to have fun… at the end of the day if you aren’t having fun then what is the point? o

A ‘Geardo’s’ Guide to airsoft kit:

NE

W

EYE PROTECTION

TAKE AIM WITH

2 GAMES - 1 SITE •Biggest indoor site •Fully air conditioned •World's best equipment •Action packed CQB •Flood lit outdoor compound

WWW.TRIGGERHAPPYFUN.COM

86 PARKGATE AVENUE | BELFAST | BT4 1JB

CALL: 07 561 561 331 68

The most valuable piece of an airsofter’s apparel is their eye protection. You aren’t permitted to play at any site without it, so it makes it to the top of the ‘essential kit’ list!

Eye protection comes in a few different forms. You can choose to go for a full face mask and protect your teeth and good looks at the same time, or you can opt for a pair of ballistic tested glasses or goggles. The face masks come in a huge range and can have either a solid plastic lens or a wire mesh covering. Both have their ups and downs; plastic lenses are prone to misting up and making it difficult to see, where as mesh lenses can be difficult to see out of at the best of times but will never mist up! It all depends on your personal preference.

In contrast to the full face masks, glasses are less likely to mist up as they have more air circulating around them. The main benefit with this style is the tinted lenses. If you are playing on a sunny day (however rare they may be in Northern Ireland) they can make all the difference during a fire fight. I find yellow tinted lenses also help on those dull days as they brighten everything up slightly.

When playing indoors, a full face mask offers you not only more protection than glasses or goggles but also an extra sliver of confidence when sticking your head round a corner. They may be stifling on some occasions but it beats getting a pellet lodged in your cheek from a close range shot!

My recommendation with eye protection is to have a few options so that you can swap between full face and lens protection if and when you need to. It is always better to ‘have and not need’ than ‘need and not have’. Try searching on various airsoft websites to see what they have to offer by way of masks and glasses. Most will start around £15-20.

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MAKE YOUR DAY GO WITH A BANG When not fighting house to house at the big games, airsofters can be found roaming the fields of county Down at FRV, an 80 acre site between Ballynahinch and Downpatrick.

weaponry

Pyrotechnics

With lots of natural cover for stalking your target there are no shortage of hiding places. Rental players will be kitted out with combats, full face mask, AK47 and 1200 BBs to get them started - then it’s off to clear out the bunkers with team work, grenades and superior fire power.

check out our videos online • Pyrotechnics available • Hot food available on site

urban warfare

stealth

for over 18s

www.frvairsoft.com

for more information:

telephone: David on 07730 586 926 or 028 9258 3579 email: info@frvairsoft.com web: www.frvairsoft.com GAME SITE ADDRESS: 132 Loughinisland Road | Annacloy | Downpatrick | BT30 8JJ

DARK RISING 3: The Final Rendezvous THE CLOSING CHAPTER TO FRV AIRSOFT’S DARK RISING TRILOGY HELD AT BALLYKINLER

Senior GDF command has taken the decision to extract from their current position in their strong hold at Russell Park.

The Local commander has tasked his teams to retrieve monitoring equipment that had been placed in the village, making sure no equipment that may be of use to DARK is left behind.

Unfortunately during one of these recovery missions 2 GDF troops where separated from their team. Outnumbered, outgunned and surrounded they were forced to surrender and are now being held captive by DARK. Will they be rescued or is it endex for them?

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Kitesurf Warehouse is one of the Uk and Irelands leading online kitesurfing shops. We are based in Northern Ireland and have been supplying UK and Ireland kitesurfers with kites and kiteboards since 2003. Our aim is to get you on the water with quality equipment, at the very best possible prices. You wont see our kit for sale anywhere else in the UK or Ireland as we have full rights to all our kites and boards for these areas and we buy it direct to save you money.

COMPETITION

Learn to Kitesurf with NI Kitesurfing

ounded by experienced kitesurfer

F

your working day (weather permitting). You'll

If you are interested in booking a

Gary Hunt, NI Kitesurfing offers a

be instructed as part of small class and all

course with NI Kitesurfing or would like

range of kitesurfing and power kiting

your equipment and safety needs will be

to give a course a gift to a friend, visit

courses catering for beginners to the more

catered for. NI Kitesurfing are based in the

www.nikitesurfing.com

advanced riders.

Ards Pennisula where the

An average of 20-30 people are learning to

local beaches provide

kitesurf with NI Kitesurfing each month and

shallow, flat waters that are

the company are in the process of becoming

the perfect training ground

Northern Ireland's first ever kitesurfing school

for learning the sport.

to be officially recognised by the British Kitesurfing Association.

Supported by second instructor Jason

Courses on offer include: Kitesurfing Taster Course, 3 hours, £50;

Mcgrugan, Gary will guide you every step of

Introduction to Kitesurfing,

the way ensuring you have the skills,

6 hours, £100; Full

knowledge and safety awareness to enjoy

Kitesurfing Course (IKO

this thrilling sport. Lessons are offered seven

level 2 qualified), 12 hours,

days and week and can be scheduled to suit

£180.

NI Kitesurfing and überdog magazine are offering one lucky reader the chance to win a full kitesurfing course worth £180. This great prize is ideal for the kitesurf novice and includes: • 12 hours hands-on tuition • Full use of kitesurf and safety equipment • Certification to IKO level 2 and the BKSA equivalent To enter the competition visit www.uberdogmagazine.co.uk follow the competitions link and answer the following question:

Q. What is the web address of NI Kitesurfing?

Terms & conditions: Competition closes on the 5 November. Entrants must be 18 or over. Full t&cs online at www.uberdogmagazine.co.uk

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I

nvented by the French but pioneered in Hawaii, kitesurfing hit our shores around a decade ago.

Pioneered by a handful of devoted followers, the sport now boasts around 500 followers in Ireland across all levels and abilities and this figure is set

to grow as word spreads that this extreme water sport is possibly the best way to have fun on the water.

Resembling a cross between wake boarding and parachuting, kitesurfing involves a rider being towed behind an over-sized power kite strapped to what

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The world’s fastest growing water sport, kitesurfing is dangerous, thrilling and extreme - best of all, it can be enjoyed on local beaches around Ireland...

looks like a small surf board, at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour. Besides generating speed, the power and lift of the kite enables the rider to perform breath taking jumps with acrobatic loops and spins 20 feet above the waves.

A fantastic sport to watch, it’s not uncommon to see dozens of colourful kites dancing across the sky during a windy day on the beach. Participants can enjoy three to four hour sessions at sea, experimenting with a variety of the kitesurfing disciplines.

If you’ve looked on with envy as the kites fly high and the riders bust some impressive moves, perhaps it’s time you got off the beach and into the water? Here’s überdog’s guide to getting started:

INVESTIGATE: There are some good websites out there to help you get a better grasp of what the sport involves. A great starting point is to hit the local forums. Check out www.nikiteforum.com. Run by local kitesurfing enthusiasts this site has a real sense of community about it and you can be sure that the guys will help you out with any initial questions you may have.

Chat to the people involved about the best places to go to watch and participate in the sport; learn who the best instructors are and where to buy the latest

Lessons begin on land where you’ll be taught kite control with a smaller land kite and once you’ve mastered this you will be allowed out to sea with a more powerful water kite Photograph: Jase McGrugan

equipment at the best prices.

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Kitesurfing

Guide to Investigate, spectate & participate at NI Kitesurfing has years of experience

the technology behind the equipment is

the sport with handy links on their website

teaching the sport and is now an IKO Level 2

evolving rapidly. A lot of companies offer

www.outdoorni.com

Kiteboard Instructor and a BKSA Senior

great deals when you buy a bundle package.

Outdoor NI also has a useful overview of

From this research you’ll discover that within the sport of kitesurfing there are

Kitesurf Instructor.

There’s a lot to learn and it can take a while

A good starter bundle kit starts at around £950. To be fully kitted out in top of the range

several different disciplines which you can

to feel like you’re the one in control. You’ve

experiment with. These include:

got to master kite control, wind conditions,

FREE-RIDING: these guys do a bit of

board control and then you’ve got to put it all

shops in NI where you can try and buy, but

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together! Lessons begin on land where

one of the leading UK and Ireland

FREESTYLE: here it’s all about ariel tricks.

you’ll be taught kite control with a smaller

businesses www.kitesurfwarehouse.com

There are two types of freestyle: wake-style

land kite and once you’ve mastered this you

does have size guides online or you can

which takes it origin from wakeboarding and

will be allowed out to sea with a more

arrange to visit the warehouse in Bangor to

uses speed and tension to bust

powerful water kite.

try before you buy. Failing that, if you buy

wakeboarding style tricks and ‘old school’

Pick-up of the sport varies and depends on

brands will cost you about £2,000.

There aren’t really any brick and mortar

and it doesn’t fit, returns are easily arranged.

kitesurfing tricks - huge airs and crowd

your instructor and how much time you get to

pleasing spins.

practice in the water. A typical course is three

eBay as you can easily buy the wrong

WAVE-RIDERS: these guys go out in big

days, at the end of which you will know how

equipment and it’s hard to know how much

waves and like to surf back in, using the kite

to kitesurf, but you’re unlikely to be able to

use and abuse the gear has had.

to get them in and out and perform kite tricks

get up and riding yourself without more

Take care if you’re buying second hand off

as they go.

SPEED SAILING: people that like to use GPS to record how fast they can go, flat water is essential for this.

COURSE RACING: sailing round buoys on a course.

Which style of kitesurfing you decide to specialise in will come down to personal choice and a basic beginners kit will give you the flexibility to try them all.

SPECTATE: Kitesurfing is a great sport to sit and watch from the beach and Ireland has some of the best beaches in the world to view the guys in action. Top local favourites include Tyrella, Benone, Portrush and Porstewart, with the still waters of Strangford Lough at Greyabbey also proving popular. The beaches off Dingle in Ireland also rank

ni.com Photograph courtesy of www.outdoor

among the best in the world.

PARTICIPATE:

practice. Some people will pick it up after one

So enough watching from the sidelines, it’s

day and it’s a great help if you’ve flown kites

time to get involved! Firstly book yourself in

before or can wakeboard.

for some lessons. Kitesurfing is an extremely

Once you’re up and riding you can decide

dangerous sport and must be treated with

whether you want to push yourself and

respect. Don’t even think about taking a kite

compete or just participate recreationally.

out to sea without having the proper know-

Next you need to think about your

how, this is the cause of many accidents and

equipment. To get started you’ll need a

even deaths each year.

board, kite, control bar for site, pump for kite,

NI Kitesurfing is the only registered

wetsuit, harness, a buoyancy aid or impact

kitesurfing school in Northern Ireland, (there

vest and a helmet. Think about whether you

are several in Ireland - visit

want to buy new or second hand. If you can

www.kitesurfingireland.com for details). Gary

afford it, the latest equipment is the best as

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then you can think about joining the IKSA -

someone to launch and land the kite for

For more information check out the following links:

Irish Kitesurfing Association or the BKSA,

If you decide that this is the sport for you

• DON’T kitesurf on your own. You need you and to raise the alarm if you get into

n www.nikiteforum.com

British Kitesurfing Association, but you don’t

trouble at sea. That said, experienced

n www.kiteboardingireland.com

need to join to take a few lessons. The IKSA

people do go out on their own, but there is

n www.outdoorni.com

run competitions in Ireland so if you’re

a risk attached.

n www.kitesurf.ie n www.iksa.ie

thinking of competiting you need to be a

It doesn’t take an enormous amount of

member. You also get insurance with your

strength to get started, but you’ll have some

(Irish Kitesurfing Association)

membership which helps cover the cost of

sore muscles after a session. Kitesurfing is a

FOR EQUIPMENT AND GEAR VISIT:

your membership.

great sport for getting a full-body workout -

n www.kitesurfwarehouse.com

RULES OF THE SPORT:

from your feet to your fingers. o

FOR LESSONS VISIT:

• THERE needs to be enough wind - at least

n www.nikitesurfing.com

15mph - people can kitesurf up to 50mph but this can be scary!

• THE WIND needs to blowing on-shore - if it’s blowing off shore it’s too gusty. You want it blowing across-on or on-shore. For a weather report check out www.windguru.cz and www.xcweather.co.uk • RESPECT the dangers of the sport. Any surf kite, in the right winds has the capability to lift you 40-50 feet into the air and if you pull the bar the wrong way, you’ll be pulled down fast. It’s a very dangerous sport, but if you treat it with the right respect, use the right equipment, take lessons and listen to the right advice, you will minimise the risk of injury.

Photograph courtesy of www.outdoor ni.com Kitesurfing is a great sport for getting a full-body workout - from your feet to your fingers Photograph: Jase McGrugan

it’s not uncommon to see dozens of colourful kites dancing across the sky during a windy day on the beach... www.uberdogmagazine.co.uk

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to w o b theking Surfin’ Dirt was the venue for the two most hotly contested competitions in the country, the King of the Dirt for bikes and boards...

mountainboards ATURDAY 21st of August and it was time for Ireland’s mountain boarders to find out who would be crowned King of the Dirt. An impressive turnout ensured it would be a tough contest across the two categories to find the Junior and Senior winners in the ultimate boarding duel.

S 74

A series of practice runs in the morning set the speed times for the head-for-head races in the afternoon. A heavy shower had dampened the dusty course improving visibility and making the event more competitive than ever. There were some fantastic finishes (and a few face plants) as

the guys pushed their bodies and their boards to their limits.

A bad start in the final race resulted in Leo Gorman losing out on first place in the Juniors to Tomas Cairns who put in an impressive run against this formidable component, with third place going to Shane Hood.

David Wylie cruised to victory in the Seniors with Sam Gorman placing second and David Marshall third.

The official racing may have been over, but that wasn’t enough for the boarders who celebrated the end of a fantastic day with a ‘wacky’ free for all race down the mountain, described by Tomas as the ‘scariest thing I’ve ever done!” What a way to end the day!

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event

A few words from the King…

Dave Wylie Q. WHEN DID YOU GET INTO MOUNTAIN BOARDING? A. It was the summer of 2003, so I guess I must have been 13. This place (Surf’n Dirt) had just opened and about 20 of us started to learn to mountain boarding and the scene grew from there.

Q. WAS THIS YOUR FIRST COMPETITION WIN? A. No, I won the King of the Dirt here two years ago, so it’s great to have the crown back. I’ve also won the G3 Irish Open.

Q. WHAT’S YOUR STYLE? A. I’m not a big freestyle person, I like to race. They call me ‘the unstoppable force’ because I go so fast - nothing gets in my way. I’m a real adrenaline junkie!

Leo Gorman pulls a back flip

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mountainbikes TWO weeks previous was the turn of the bikes. A disappointing turnout on the 8th August (we suspect everyone was in Rostrevor checking out the course for the National Championships the following week) didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t detract from the atmosphere on the day which was electrified when the boys on bikes took to the course and tackled the monster jumps in head-to-head duals.

Uplifts, courtesy of Garyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s faithful Landrover, made the trip to the launch ramp at the top of the track all the more enjoyable and meant nobody was complaining when they had to race several qualifying rounds before the final.

Lightening speeds were recorded across all categories and the hot weather ensured the track remained hard baked for fast runs and smooth technique.

In the Under 13s (Gromits) Luc Hanna stole the crown with Gan McConvey taking second and Michael Cooney placing third.

Podie Mooney topped the Juniors and in the Seniors Dimitri Kuzmins rode to victory, comfortably taking the lead ahead of Nial Mowbray and Craig Darling.

Prizes for all those placed included uberdog magazines and cool King of the Dirt t-shirts with the category winners all walking away with shiny new helmets. o

For more pictures and some cool head camera video from these two events visit www.uberdogmagazine.co.uk

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n Neil Wilkinson on his original classic Raleigh Burner and Liam Dogherty

Page 77

It was great to see a contingent of Irish BMXers land on Belfastâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ormeau Park to ride the track in August. The group included Eammon Wyer, Stephen Clancy and Chad Gilmer who were joined by local BMX devotees Neil Wilkinson and Liam Dogherty.

Unanimously they declared the track to be one of the best in Ireland and hit the dirt in true style performing synchronized jumps on the ramps. The races were gutsy, but it was the retro BMX bikes ridden by a couple of the guys that really stole the show. Gleaming examples of how it all began, the bikes were the envy of the track pack. n

n Stephen Clancy

n Chad Gilmer (left) and Stephen Clancy get all synchronised

n Eammon Wyer

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ENTAL is the only word to describe the scene at St Anne’s Square in Belfast on the 7th August. Billed as the Irish skate event of the summer, not shy off 100 skaters descended into the square attracted by the variety of skate obstacles and the promise of a tasty BBQ! Ramps, boards, rails…it was all there to test the skills of the best skaters in the country and test them they did! There were broken boards, busted ramps and blood, in fact it’s a miracle there weren’t broken bones as well as the guys pushed themselves to their limits.

In the square obstacles appeared out of nowhere and varied from proper ramps to homemade ones, including grind able barriers taken straight a from the roadside! A casual start to the day saw the skaters jamming for as few hours and spectators were treated to big tricks going down, such Dennis Lynn’s huge frontside kickflip over a humongous ramp gap; Marc Beggan’s varial heelflip over the road sign and Conhuir Lynn’s tre flip up time the steps. Nearing the end of the day confidence levels were at an all ar high and people started to do the 10 set and there were some spectacul

M

bails to say the least.

Once everyone’s energy was spent it was time for the awards to be handed out. There were lots of category winners but the two main awards went to Paddy Lynn for skater of the year amateur division and to Dennis little Lynn for skater of the year pro division. The trophies came in the form of After golden trucks, and when Dennis Lynn got his first trophy the top fell off! the awards presentation freebies were thrown into the crowd adding to the feel-good atmosphere of a fantastic day. Report by Luke Humpreys

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the

y r o t c e dir

d the north of Irelan ss ro ac es ss ne si oor bu your guide to outd Bike Shops Chain Reaction Cycles Kilbride Road, Doagh Ballyclare BT39 0QA tel: 028 9334 5515 email: shop@chainreactioncycles.com web: www.chainreactioncycles.com

m Chain Reaction Cycles offer the widest

Water Sports The Edge Watersports Warehouse at Hanna Boats 233 Loughan Road, Coleraine County Antrim BT52 1UD tel: 028 27 668 999 email: enquiries@edgewatersports.co.uk web:www.edgewatersports.co.uk

selection of products from the industries leading brands in all cycling disciplines. To compliment the service they provide to their on-line customers they also have a state of the art showroom and shopping facility where they showcase the ultimate products in the world of cycling ranging from high tech DH mountain bikes to featherweight road race bikes that are at the cutting edge of cycling technology and design which feature exotic materials and manufacturing processes combined with the very latest components.

m Established in 1996 by Rob & Joan Skelly The

Bike it Cycles

Coast & Creek

74 Grand Parade Belfast Antrim BT5 5HH tel: 028 9079 7974 email: info@bikeitcycles.com web: www.bikeitcycles.com

m Bike It have the right bike to meet every need: from a child's first cycle, to the

enthusiasts looking for the latest and best cycles, not forgetting those people cycling to work or just pedalling for exercise and fun! Bike It cover all disciplines and areas including road bikes, mountain bikes, hybrid bikes, BMX, clothing and accessories. Specialists in Trek /Merida/ Lapierre bikes and Endura and Madison Clothing.

Open from 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday.

Edge Watersports is now one of the premier retailers for water sports equipment in Ireland and the UK. We sell the top brands such as O'Neill, Liquid Force, O'Brien, Jobe, Circle One and RTM. Our staff are true waterbabies, with years of experience in all aspects of water sports. Whether you're a beginner, intermediate or advanced water sports enthusiast The Edge aims to offer you the best and most extensive online retail service of water sports gear in the UK and Ireland.

at Taggart & Co Ltd 38-44 Main Street Ballymoney BT53 6AP tel: 028 2766 2130 email: info@coastandcreek.com web: www.coastandcreek.com

m Coast and Creek are currently

loading information and products onto their website and hope to have a full array of top quality paddle products available to buy online very soon. Feel free to browse the site and check back regularly to see what's been added! They want this to be your paddling website as much as theirs. Please e-mail them with any suggestions for content or layout, or particular brands you're finding it hard to get hold of. In the meantime, feel free to visit their shop in Ballymoney and check out their stock of kayaks, sit-on-tops, paddles, kayak clothing and accessories.

Wheels N Motion Unit 38, CIDO, Charles Street, Lurgan, BT66 6HG tel: 028 38 317288 email: info@wheelsnmotion.co.uk web: www.wheelsnmotion.co.uk m At Wheelsnmotion we know our customer and offer excellent service and value for money. We stock a comprehensive range of cycles, components and accessories at our showroom in Lurgan and online at www.wheelsnmotion.co.uk, offering even greater value with free P&P to online customers in the UK and Ireland.

TREK is our main brand and we've selected cycles from their racing, mountain and hybrid ranges. So whatever your cycling interest Wheelsnmotion can offer the right bike for you. Wheelsnmotion support the Cycle to Work Scheme, offering a generous tax incentive to local customers who want to cycle to work.

Bike Tuition

KITESurf warehouse 3 Cayman Cottages, Bangor, County Down, BT19 7NH email: info@kitesurfwarehouse.com web: www.kitesurfwarehouse.com m Kitesurf Warehouse take enormous pride in the way we do things. Based in Northern Ireland we have been supplying kitesurfers with kites and kiteboards since 2003. Our aim is to get you on the water with the best quality gear. And because Kitesurf Warehouse buy direct from the manufacturer we guarantee you the best price.

We also have exclusive rights to all the kites and boards we stock, so you won't find our products anywhere else in the UK or Ireland. Come and visit us at www.kitesurfwarehouse.com and buy in confidence from one of the UK and Ireland's leading online kitesurf shops.

Outdoor Shop

Dave Youngs Mountain Bike Instruction

Podium 4 Sport

mob: 078 0942 6202 email: davidyoungs8831@yahoo.co.uk web: www.youngsmountainbikeinstruction.co.uk

40 Montgomery Road Belfast BT6 9HL tel: +44 (0) 28 9070 1444 email: info@podium4sport.com web: www.podium4sport.com

m Dave Youngs has been involved in mountain biking for many years. During that time his proven method of instruction has been the key to his success. With a relaxed, but confident and friendly manner, he will get the best from your strengths and individual character. Always pushing the individual to achieve their aim but never beyond their limits.

www.uberdogmagazine.co.uk

m Open seven days a week, Podium 4 Sportâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new outdoor store adds an additional 4,000 sq ft to the existing sports store, making it one of Northern Ireland's leading independent sports retailers. The carefully selected outdoor product range includes Berghaus, Haglofs, Helly Hansen, Salomon and the Bear Grylls range for Craghoppers.

The great selection of clothing for men, women and children is complimented by essential gear, gadgets and outdoor gizmos, with dedicated areas for camping, hiking, skiing and more.

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Surfing Fin McCools Surf School

Troggs Surf Shop 88 Main Street, Portrush, BT56 8BN tel: 028 7082 5476 email: shop@troggs.com web: www.troggssurfshop.co.uk web: www.troggssurfschool.com web: www.surfingireland.com

m Troggs have over 30 years of professional surfing experience, building a reputation

as a leading surf shop in the UK and Ireland. Our employees are passionate about surfing and help select the best quality products from hundreds of brands such as Alder, Quiksilver, Billabong, Animal, Oakley, Rip Curl, O’Neill and Reef to name a few. Check out our online store where we offer the best and most extensive online retail service of surfing and snow goods in Europe - catering for beginner to pro surfer alike.

Chasers Surf Tours Portrush, County Antrim tel: 07517 255 135 email: info@chaserssurftours.com web: www.chaserssurftours.com

m Chasers Surf Tours is

Irelands premiere surf tour operator. With over 20 years of surfing experience, Chasers will provide the ultimate experince. Our professionally trained drivers and guides will transport you from coast to coast searching for the best surf our island of Ireland can offer.

Mountain Boarding

Rossnowlagh, Co. Donegal tel: 071 9859020/ 086 8049909 web: www.finmccoolsurfschool.com email: finmccools@gmail.com

m We are delighted to be able to

announce the arrival of the Fin McCool Surf Lodge. The new Lodge is located right next door to our current shop and offers comfortable 4 & 3 bed dorms or double rooms. There is beds for groups of up to 24 people and we are ideally suited right on the beach for those here for lessons or just up for the weekend. Prices start from €20 per night with discounts available for groups of 8 or more people.

Adventure One Surf School & Shop School: Ballyheirnan Bay, Fanad, Co Donegal Shop: Kerrykeel, Co. Donegal tel: 074 91 50262 mob: 086 1931 747 email: iain@adventureone.net web: www.adventureone.net

m Adventure One surf school is the leading Irish Surfing Association approved school

on the north coast of donegal. The school is run by Iain Gilmour who has over 25 years surfing experience and has competed for most of that time placing in national finals both here in Ireland and in the Channel Islands. Being ISA approved means our instructors are fully qualified ISA coaches, RLSS beach lifeguards and are fully insured. This means that you the customer will be getting the best tuition in the funnest and safest way possible.

The school caters for individuals, families, schools and corporate groups and is open from April to the end of October. Wetsuits and boards are provided.

Climbing Wall

Surfin’ Dirt Mountain Boarding

Tollymore National Outdoor Centre

Tullyree Road, Bryansford Down BT34 5LD mob: 077 3921 0119 email: info@surfindirt.co.uk web: www.surfindirt.co.uk web: www.gaspactionsports.com

Bryansford, Newcastle, Down BT33 0PT tel: 028 4372 5354 email: admin@tollymore.com web: www.tollymore.com

m Surfin’ Dirt is the one and only mountain board centres in Ireland, Located in the spectacular surroundings of the Mourne Mountains, Surfin’ Dirt mountain board centre provides an exciting venue for mountain boarders and mountain bikers of all skills and ages. Beginners have the opportunity to learn and develop skills on the nursery slope, while more advanced riders will enjoy the long carving runs, jumps and features on the main hill.

m There are two climbing walls at Tollymore,

one outdoors and one indoors. The outdoor wall was built in the early 1970s, and is a large granite boulder structure. It is used on many rockclimbing courses, and is ideal for learning to place gear, set up belays and learn basic ropework.The indoor wall opened in 2000. It is owned by the Mountaineering Council of Ireland and managed by Tollymore. It consists of a bouldering wall and a lead wall. There is a wide variety of routes on this wall, which are changed regularly. The wall is over 9 metres high, and generally has over 70 graded routes. The bouldering wall is 4 metres high and has vertical and overhanging sections.

Combat Games The Jungle NI 60 Desertmartin Road, Moneymore, Magherafelt, BT45 7RB tel: 028 8674 8881 email: bookings@thejungleni.com web: www.thejungleni.com m The Jungle NI is an award-winning outdoor entertainment facility set in the heart of Northern Ireland (and just 45 minutes from Belfast). Activities include: Paintballing, Clay Pigeon Shooting, Archery, Team Building, Zorbing and have recently introduced Irelands first Treetop high Wire Adventure Course! It comprises of over 40 challenging elements set at varying heights above the ground (in some areas you could be suspended 70ft up). You'll find yourself tackling fun obstacles such as rope bridges, scramble nets, zip wires, tarzan swings, and their very own King Louis Descent also know as a Powerfan Drop. The course is sure to bring out the Tarzan or Jane in you! Ideal for Stag/Hen do’s, Birthdays, Corporate Events, Youth Groups or just a few friends looking for a great day out!

Trigger Happy 86 Parkgate Avenue, Belfast BT4 1JB tel: 07 561 561 331 web: www.triggerhappyfun.com m Northern Ireland’s latest indoor and outdoor airsoft site has opened its doors.

Located in East Belfast, Trigger Happy has been developed by airsofters for airsofters to create a site that delivers maximum thrills. Covering a vast indoor and outdoor space, Trigger Happy uses the very latest technology, including infrared play, to inject chaos, disorientation and variety into every game. Made up of offices and street scapes, the site features lights, sounds and visual effects that will literally blow you away! There’s no such thing as boredom at Trigger Happy and customers are guaranteed the thrill of the unexpected every visit.

FRV Airsoft

Predator Combat Games

132 Loughinisland Road Annacloy Downpatrick BT30 8JJ mob: 07730 586 926 tel: 028 9258 3579 email: info@frvairsoft.com web: www.frvairsoft.com

7A Dundrinne Rise, Castlewellan, BT31 9LY mobile: 07825 169631 tel: 028 4377 0566 email: sales@predatorcombat.com web: www.predatorcombat.com

m When not fighting house to house at the big games, airsofters can be found roaming the fields of County Down at FRV, an 80 acre site between Ballynahinch and Downpatrick. With lots of natural cover for stalking your target there are no shortage of hiding places. Rental players will be kitted out with combats, full face mask, AK47 and 1200 BB’s to get them started then it’s off to clear out the bunkers with team work, grenades and superior fire power.

Hot food available on site and pyrotechnics are available for over 18’s.

for an adreline pumping, action packed day of air soft! Air soft is a fast moving combat game, and Predator pride ourselves in being one of the longest established and popular UKARA registered sites in Northern Ireland. Based near Drumaness in Co.Down, our 20 acre site has enough variety to keep new and aspiring players engaged all day long.

80

m Come visit us at Predator Combat Games,

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