httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwcG5uyFeN0&feature=share&list=PL34695342B698FC80
The world is becoming more modular, so why not a snowboard as Every Third Thursday shows in the video above.
Close Encounters
LEDs are everywhere, and for good reason. They’re bright, they’re small and they run forever on a little power. This is why we’ve seen LED added to things such as skateboards.
So it is no wonder that Third Kind Skate Lights has created a business out of adding some illumination to the traditional skate deck. The company has created a simple – but apparently effective – kit that provides a rechargeable battery pack that easily mounts to the truck hardware, along with a 20-inch light strip that will provide a warm glow as you ride. Video after the jump
Healthy America
This month the United Health Foundation and America’s Health Rankings released their annual report of America’s healthiest states rankings. The healthiest state in 2013 was Hawaii, which edged out long time leader Vermont.
There was some good news for 2013. According to the report Americans made considerable progress in their overall health in 2013. This was also the first year since 1998 that America’s obesity stats did not get worse. However, there is only so much good news in this. America’s obesity rate was about the same as last year, at 27.6 percent of the adult population — marking the first time since 1998 that America did not get worse in this key metric. It didn’t fall, but at least it didn’t go up.
Other key findings noted that among the adult population smoking rates dropped from 21.2 percent to 19.6 percent, and rates of physical inactivity dropped from 26.2 percent to 22.9 percent.
Wii Sports Club Swings with Golf
It might be too cold in much of the country to hit the greens, but you can still tee off from home with the Wii U as golf has joined the lineup of Wii Sports Club titles, and is available from the Nintendo eShop. It utilizes the unique controls of the Wii U GamePad and Wii Remote Plus controllers. With the GamePad on the floor players can actually see the golf bag as they look to make their swing.
Wii Sports Club – Golf joins currently available spports Wii Sports Club – Tennis and Wii Sports Club – Bowling. All five classic sports froom the original Wii Sports are being released individually as downloads in the Nintendo eShop, and feature high-definition graphics, controls via Wii MotionPlus technology.
Wii U owners can download Wii Sports Club and get a free pass to play any sports for a 24-hour period, and then can purchase day passes for $1.99 per sport or permanent access to individual sports for $9.99.
Holiday Gift Guide: For the Extreme Archer
Archer Xtreme has introduced the Titanium Recon, an arrow rest that is clearly a step above the rest. This is more than simply for reducing weight, and the AAE’s DOA trigger technology allows the launcher to support the arrow longer, and fall faster than competing designs.
The tight tolerances and proven technology increase accuracy where it matters most — down range – while the internal trigger system allows the archer to micro tune the rest to the arrow for longer arrow contact through the second paradox. This ensures target-like accuracy from any setup at any range.
Moreover, the performance is further enhanced by AXT’s use of carbon and titanium materials, and the result is a launcher that allows for up to a 30 percent increase in speed and arrow contact. Now we’d call that extreme.
Nike Makes Lunar Landing With Golf Shoe
Nike Golf has entered the lunar orbit with the Nike Lunar Clayton, a shoe that is designed to celebrate the heritage and history of the sport of golf while providing athletes with superior comfort, supportive fit and an aesthetic appeal suitable for wear bothon and off the course.
Ready for launch in January, it takes its inspiration not from the night sky but from handmade, Italian leather shoes, while still ensuring that it provided the Nike Lunarlon technology for maximum responsive cushioning. The shoe even features a leather welt, so often utilized in traditional methods of making shoes, to join the upper to the outsole while protecting it from the elements.
The result is a shoe that promises to feel good on the course and look just as good in the clubhouse.
Holiday Gift Guide: Cast With a Signature Rod
CastAway Graphite Rods has introduced two new Todd Faircloth Signature rods for 2014, and tehse join the company’s popular Skeleton graphite rod family. These are lightweight, yet extremely powerful and are built on proprietary multi-modulus blanks.
The new Model SKX-TFSC (Big T Shallow Cranker) is a 7-foot, 2-inch rod rated for 8- to 25-lb. test line and ½- to 1-oz. lures. Faircloth has enjoyed great success with this rod working shallow running lures like lipless and square billed crankbaits. It includes a medium-fast tip that allows for longer casts to cover more water, while Faircloth has found that the rod’s medium-heavy action allows for solid hooksets, even at the end of a long cast.
The Model SKX-TFTT (Big T’s Triple Threat) is a 7-foot, 30-inch stick rated for 12- to 25-lb. test line and ¼- to 1-oz. lures. Faircloth uses this rod for many purposes, but finds it especially ideal for froggin’, pitchin’ and draggin’ (hence the “Triple Threat” moniker). This rod’s heavy action and deep, parabolic bend are engineered to pull even the biggest, meanest bass out of heavy slop.
Each is made with the finest components, and as with all CastAway Rods, the cork and reel seats are drilled to exact specification. This ensures a perfect fit without excess glue, tape or shims. These will both be able to cast for my years to come.
Fighting the Holiday Battle of the Bulge
The holiday season is here and with it comes a time of indulging that can lead to some bulging. This happens to come in advance of New Year’s resolutions and wellness expert Sadie Lincoln, founder of barre3, has offered some times on staying fit this holiday season. Continue reading Fighting the Holiday Battle of the Bulge
Going to PowerPot X
Things are really going to pot – and we mean that in the best way possible. The PowerPot X, which is being developed through a Kickstarter crowd funding project, has met its goals with just under a month to go. This 10-watt portable generator is designed to create electrical power while camping or otherwise out in the wilds.
Simple fire and water create power! The original PowerPot V was launched via Kickstarter in April 2012, and now the company is looking to bring it up a notch.
“We are astounded by the amount of support the PowerPot X has received in such a short time,” said Matt Ford, CEO of Power Practical. “We used Kickstarter to launch our inaugural PowerPot and Practical Meter, so we’re not new to the concept of crowdfunding, but we didn’t expect such preliminary success. This gives us a head start on getting the next generation in thermoelectric power manufactured and shipped to all our devoted supporters.”
This bigger, lighter and even strong addition to the PowerPot X Series emits 10 watts of power but has no moving parts. It can also be used to charge up to four devices (such as GoPro cameras) simultaneously, and can power up smartphones and even a tablet computer. It produces electricity in any weather, day or night. Video after the jump
Under the Hoodie
The Zurich AP series, Merino softshell hoodie will do more than just keep you warm on a cold day. This one is designed for high activity, and features single welt hand-warmer pockets, rear zipper pocket and semi-fitted hood. Yeah, it will keep you warm, but it will do so in style. It features a 4-way stretch nylon shell with soft Merino wool lining. It feels so good you might look forward to working out in the cold.
Hand Signals
When riding a bike we know that drivers can’t read our minds when we need to make a turn. The best option – really the only option – is to use hand signals. The problem is that many times drivers still don’t take notice, and at night it can be hard to see these signals.
The Zackees Turn Signal Gloves, which are being developed by San Francisco cyclist Zach Vorhies, a former software engineer at Google, could help make the signals a little clearer to drivers. The gloves are washable, utilize a super bright LED light, and offer a long battery life. The Zackees are now being developed by a Kickstarter project and could be just the thing to make your intentions known.
The Nex Big Thing
Mighty Cast is looking at the next big thing in wearable social and fitness gaming, the Nex Band. This band employs Bluetooth technology to connect to the cloud providing users with real-time social, fitness, mobile and gaming notifications.
“The Nex Band seamlessly connects Mod charms with social, mobile and gaming applications to make tracking notifications as simple as the blink of a charm,” said Adam Adelman, CEO and co-founder of Mighty Cast. “Imagine being able to tailor the capabilities of your band. While most wearables lock users into one application, the Nex Band creates dynamic, ever-changing experiences. By creating a console on the wrist, the Nex Band is bringing an entirely new social experience to consumers.”
We look forward to hearing more about the Nex Band next year.
Holiday Gift Guide: These Waterproof Socks Fit
Showers Pass has a new line of waterproof yet breathable socks for runners, cyclists, skiers and anyone else who might risk some cold, wet feet. The new Crosspoint WP socks offer moisture control while still feeling a regular old pair of socks.
These feature three-layer bonded construction that includes an Artex waterproof-breathable membrane that is sandwiched between the knit outer layer and moisture-wicking Coolmax FX nylon lining, while some Spandex ensures a snug fit even after multiple washings.