But what role models do today’s teenagers have? Pop stars, footballers, and er, well, I can’t think of anyone else? You don’t get to see any of them doing outdoor activities in the wilderness.

So, perhaps you should be getting your inspiration and encouragement from a source a bit closer to home – your dad. Does your dad encourage you to spend time outdoors? Do you enjoy spending time with your dad outdoors? What makes a great outdoor dad?

I have been pondering this question lately as I watch other dads ignoring their children in the park while they lounge around looking fed up at being dragged out with the family, or shouting at them to stop mucking about when they create their own disruptive fun. There does seem to be a big disconnect between dads and their kids. Is this because they spend all of their time at work and not enough time playing with their children? Do they actually know the best way to interact?

I love the great outdoors, and as a dad I try my best to introduce my children to as wide a variety of outdoor experiences as I can . This doesn’t mean taking them on 10 mile hikes over mountains because it will do them good. I encourage them to try new activities and experiences, but it has to be fun. I provide guidance and knowledge from my years of experience as an outdoor adventurer, but also give them the freedom to learn and discover things for themselves.

This led me to thinking, “What makes a great outdoor dad?” With a lot of input from my children, here is my list of 20 things on how to be a great outdoor dad.

1. Fun – Make every outdoor experience fun.
2. Get a dog – The family will love the furry creature to bits, but it is you that has to go out in all weathers to walk the beast. Not forgetting those times when everyone else is tucked up in bed while you are out there in the driving rain and cold waiting for the little darling to do a poo. Or to come back when called, not.
3. Camping genius – Be able to put up the family tent on your own in the pouring rain while everyone else watches from the safety of the car.
4. Be adventurous
5. Be safe – Test out trees and rope swings before they do. You do have to then let them have a go though.
6. Cook an amazing meal over an open fire or on the smallest of gas stoves.
7. Stand on the touch line of the football or netball match and shout encouragement without getting yourself banned.
8. Be able to demonstrate every outdoor sport and activity to your kids and try to be better at it than them. This won’t last as they will soon learn how to be better and faster than you. No fear those kids, especially teenagers or those low to the ground. As a dad you feel the weight of responsibility for making sure you don’t break anything as you have to look after them and get and drive them all home after the holiday.
9. Come up with amazing facts. Did you know that …?
10. Do stuff with them. Don’t send them off on their own while you stay in and watch tv.
11. Be able to run or walk great distances back to the car so that you can go and pick everyone else up on the so called circular route where they are too tired to walk the rest of the way.
12. Bicycle repair man. Have a tool for every occasion and be able to fix everything, usually where over enthusiasm has led to a favourite toy breaking. Fixing bent derailleurs and twisted handlebars from unexpected dismounts. Still, at least it was the toy and not them.
13. Lifeguard on the river rapids. Keeping up with the kids at water parks.
14. Find your way anywhere. Even in the dark. Usually for finding holiday places late in the night whey of arrive down a narrow country lane. Also useful for finding your way to and from the pub when staying in new places.
15. Give their inexperienced friends important advice when descending steep mountain bike trails, such as “keep it slow and use your brakes,” only to be ignored as they know better. Good job young bodies bounce better than older ones.
16. Don’t be afraid of the dark (or anything, especially wild animals).
17. Help to develop self confidence by showing them that they can do things – assault courses and mtb single track
18. Develop independence
19. Guide yet give freedom to learn and discover
20. Enjoy spending time together. You never know how much you will have.

Have I missed anything? What is your dad like? Is your dad great outdoors? Let me know what you think makes a great outdoor dad on the Active Outdoors facebook page.

The post The Joys of Being an Outdoor Dad on Fathers Day appeared first on Active Outdoors.

What is stand up paddle boarding?

Stand up paddle boarding involves standing up on a board that floats on water and using a paddle to move around. The paddle board looks similar to a surf board and is made from glass-reinforced plastic around a polyurethane or expanded polystyrene foam core.

Guy Fisher, Director of SUP Rentals Ltd in the UK explains, “Stand-up paddling has become one of the fastest growing sports all over the world. The water based activity can be enjoyed on any pool of water, be it a river, lake or sea at any time. In addition to the fun that can be had, it is a great sport that provides full body and low impact exercise which improves body balance and overall strength.

How was stand up paddle boarding invented?

Stand up paddle boarding was said to have originated on the African coast where people stood up in their dugout canoes to get a better view of what was around them, especially looking out for danger. This is the reason that lifeguards also use stand up paddle boards to look out for anyone who might need help and to be able to quickly get to them.

Another reason that stand up paddle boarding came into favour as a sport was in Hawaii where it was adopted as a different way to go surfing when there weren’t many big waves. SUP enables you to practice your surfing technique and balance in the sea when there isn’t much swell.

Due to the stability of stand up paddle boards, they have become increasingly popular as a recreational activity, allowing you to get unique views of nature from the water.

What do you wear for stand up paddle boarding?

You can wear whatever you want for stand up paddle boarding, however you might want to think about the temperature and getting wet if you fall in.

In warmer weather, T shirt and shorts will be just fine, but if the water is a bit cold for you, a wetsuit may be required. You can buy wetsuits or rent them from the place you rent your board from.

Where Can I Try Stand up Paddle Boarding in the UK?

Being an island, the UK is a great place to try stand up paddle boarding. There are an enormous range of places where you can go to hire one. But if you fancy trying stand up paddle boarding on a patch of water near you and there isn’t a board hire shop nearby, you can now get a paddle board delivered to your door!

SUP Rentals Ltd in the UK – Stand up Paddle Boards for Hire and Delivered to Your Door

SUP Rentals Ltd is an Oxfordshire based stand up paddle board hire business offering inflatable paddle boards to rent in the UK.

SUP boards are larger boards and the desire to travel with them has led to the development of an inflatable system where the board and pump can be carried in a back pack.

SUP Rentals Ltd offers the rent of stand up paddleboards from one day, up to two weeks with prices starting at £15 per day per paddle board.

Each stand up paddleboard – the Zray Tourer Elite 330 cm / 10’6” – is perfect for adults or families and comes with its own pump, ensuring quick and easy inflation.

The inflatable stand up paddle boards are lightweight and pack down in to a rucksack and the company will deliver to the customer via courier to their doorstep – or customers can collect from their base in Oxfordshire.

The inflatable stand up paddle boards can be rolled up and packed in a lightweight pack for easy transportation. The boards are safe and durable, with a more rigid construction technology than other inflatable boards currently on the market. SUP Rentals have a long history in renting equipment for water based activities and the quality of their equipment and safety of their customers is second to none. It is awesome to be able to rent a stand up paddle board that is delivered right to your door. In addition, when hiring the SUP boards, life jackets and dry bags can be reserved through the online booking process.

If you want to buy your own inflatable stand up paddle board in the UK, it will set you back around £500. You can buy them from stores such as Decathlon, Surf Boutique or Amazon.

The Great Social Stand Up Paddle Boarding Trip

Stand up paddle boarding is pretty straightforward and easy to learn. The boards are very stable and make for a great way to spend your recreational time at the weekends with friends. You can go online and rent a couple of inflatable boards, get them delivered to your door and then have some fun at the weekend.

If you are still wondering if it is easy to learn how to stand up paddle board, this Youtube video explains everything for you.

The post Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Boards to Get You On the Water More appeared first on Active Outdoors.

To try and give myself a bit support for the year ahead, I am going to be starting some projects that will help me to boost those areas that need a bit more attention.

Deciding Where to Focus Your Efforts When You are Stuck

If you are stuck trying to work out what you should do to make life more fulfilling, I have found that focussing on the key factors that need most attention to be most effective.  There is a notion that if you improve one area, then other areas will improve as well.  Trying to sort out everything at once is overwhelming and you quickly give up because the task seems insurmountable.  What you have to do is to seek incremental gains in a few focussed areas.  Any step in the right direction, however small, is a good step.

Reading a variety of self help books, there are 10 common areas to look at:

1. Physical Health
2. Love and Relationships
3. Career and Meaningful Work
4. Financial Security and Income
5. Family
6. Friends, Social and Community
7. Creativity
8. Mental Health, Personal Development, Learning, Skills and Knowledge
9. Fun and Adventure
10. Your environment

Rate each of the areas on a scale of 1 to 10 in regard to how happy you are with that aspect of your life.  Don’t compare yourself with others, just honestly consider how happy you are.  Then look at the three areas that have scored lowest.  By creating a goal for each of these areas, you will have three topics you can use for projects to focus on for the year ahead.  Your aim is to improve your score by at least one point.  Remember, any gain is beneficial, however small.  Once you have taken the first step, it is easier to take another.

Setting SMART Goals

To know how you are doing, you should set yourself some SMART goals.  SMART is an acronym that means:

1. S – Specific – State exactly what it is you want to achieve
2. M – Measurable – How will you know you have improved?  and by how much?  What is acceptable?
3. A – Achievable – Don’t set huge steps to accomplish otherwise you are setting yourself up for failure.  The first goal should be something you know you can do.  If you want to run 5K, then make your first goal to put on your running shoes every morning for a week and step outside the back door.  You will find that once you have put your trainers on, you feel that you may as well go out.  Then you can define your next goal.
4. R – Relevant – Make sure the goal you set is relevant to the task at hand.
5. T – Time Bound – Set a time limit when you have to complete your goal by.  Without this, you will keep procrastinating and never get it done.  The timescale you set should be realistic.  You have to balance giving yourself enough time to get things done without stressing over it, but also give yourself a bit of a challenge to motivate yourself.

Physical Health

How are you feeling?  If you have any particular ailments, you should seek medical help.  If you are seeking to improve your general health and fitness, then there are plenty of things you can do. Once again, any improvement is better than none.  Getting up off the sofa and going for a ten minute walk is better than doing nothing.  You need to develop habits that will stand you in good stead for the long term.  If you want to have quality of life in your later years, do something about it now.  There is a saying to “Dig your well before you need it.”   All too often we put things off because they are not an imminent problem, just like pension plans.  By the time the problem begins to appear, it is much more challenging to resolve things that could have been avoided by a little ongoing maintenance.

Factors that will help you in the long run are:

1. Balance
2. Flexibility
3. Strength – Exercises using your own bodyweight are exceedingly powerful
4. Aerobic exercise

For an overview on approaches to improving your general health and immunity, read my blog post on Boosting your wellbeing and immunity.

Love and Relationships

One way to improve on relationships with others is to share an experience together.  Find an outdoor activity that you both will like and ideally find exciting.  The shared experience will bring you closer together and strengthen your relationship.  Approach it with an open mind though, and be supportive of the other person.

Outdoor shared experiences for couples

Relationships also relates to animals and plants as well as people.  Basically, caring for others.

Career and Meaningful Work

Are you truly happy with your job?  Do you still have a job after the really crap year that 2020 was?  Doing meaningful work is one of the key routes to happiness.  You may not be able to work out what your life’s purpose is, but you should be able to find a job that has some meaning.  To get home at the end of the day knowing you have made a difference in the world is a truly wonderful feeling.  That sense of accomplishment and achievement.

It can be challenging finding a well paid outdoor job, but consider the tradeoffs and benefits you may get for your health and wellbeing from working outdoors in the natural environment.

Outdoor jobs guide

Keep on Taking Small Steps

You get the general gist by now.  Just look around you and notice what you can improve.  Then take small steps, even really small steps to begin to improve things bit by bit.  Over time things will get better in more ways than you can imagine.

I’ll leave you with the approach that I use daily – Leave everyone you meet better than you found them.  What can you do for others that will improve their day?  Even if it’s to put a smile on the face of a stranger.

The post Starting A New Project for a New Year appeared first on Active Outdoors.

Make Them Comfortable

Bundle up the kids and make sure they are kept warm. Gloves, warm socks, coats and winter footwear should be worn to keep you and your kids comfortably warm. It is always good to have another pair of gloves dry and ready on the radiator to swap out with the wet snowy ones.  You can also use pocket hand warmers.  With that done, you are all ready to have some fun in the outdoors!

Outdoor activities for kids and families in winter is not only going to be fun, it is good exercise too. Here are some outdoor activities the kids and the entire family can enjoy and learn from in winter.

Wintery Fun with Sledding

Head to a major retailer and get the kids their sleds. Going down the hill in a sled is so much fun. Climbing to a hill to have a fun ride down can be tiring. It is good exercise though for the kids and yourself.  Find out which are the best sleds this year.

Let’s Play the Game of Tag

Kids always love to play the classic game of tag. This time it is going to be the flashlight tag. Instead of using hands to tag each other, players will use the beams of light. Bring the kids out in the garden at night and have them chase each other while flashing their flashlights. Be sure to be with your kids when they play this game. They might get carried away and wonder out in the streets trying to catch each other.

Or you could get them their own laser tag gear.

Build a Snowman

An old-time favourite! Even your grandparents use to roll snow into balls to build three parts of a snowman. Making a snowman is not only fun, it is a good form of exercise, too. Moving and rolling all that snow takes a lot of work and will flex all of the kids’ muscles and yours too.

Do some Walking and Hiking

Bundle up and dress in layers. Wear gloves, a well-fitting hat and comfortable winter shoes. Pack in some drinks and snacks. Since you will be hiking with kids, you should be travelling through well-marked trails. You also need to be familiar with the trail. You do not want to get lost in the cold and with kids in tow.

Get on a Fat Bike

Fat biking is similar to mountain biking except that they have wider tires for good snow traction. Fine a nice simple trail for the kids to try out. You can move on to some other trails as soon as the kids get the real feel of fat biking. The nice thing about fat biking is it does not hurt a bit when you fall in the snow.

Help Dad and Mom do Some Snow Shovelling

Snow removal is hard work. It is also a great exercise. The kids can each pick up a snow shovel appropriate for their size and have so much fun clearing the pathway of snow. They will also have a sense of fulfillment that they were able to help in an adult chore.

Hunt for Some Treasure

Treasure hunting will keep the kids on their toes. It will make them do a lot of thinking too. Hide in your garden or nearby park some Ziploc plastic bags with clues that will take the kids to next stop. Fill the “treasure box” with goodies such as glow in the dark sticks and stickers and a few candy bars. You may also include a photo of your next winter adventure to get them all excited!

Create Ice Art

Freeze ice in jello containers, ice cube trays and other containers. On a chilly day bring those ice blocks in the porch and have the kids make some ice sculptures. Dribbling water will make the blocks of ice stick together to form fun shapes.

When There’s a Mountain, There’s Skiing and Snowboarding

If there is a mountain nearby, bring the kids out there for some skiing and snowboarding. You can rent out some gear and have the kids try a few skiing and snowboarding lesson. You might need one yourself, too. The kids will surely enjoy this activity and may just be requesting to be back soon.

Play Powder-Puff Football

Invite some of your kids’ friends over and form two teams at least three in each team. Fill spray a bottle with a mixture of water and food coloring to make a large rectangle mark with a centerline on the ground.

The teams start off at the opposite ends of the field. A player kicks off the ball and once a teammate catches it, he will try to bring the ball across to their goal by passing it to his other teammates. The players from the opposite team will try to tag the player with the ball to give them ball possession. The game ends when the players start getting cold.

You could also try bubble football.

Go Ice Skating in a Lake

Ice skating is always fun for little and big kids. Indoor ice skating can be a lot of fun but ice skating in the lake, river, canal or pond can be even more fun! Rent or buy some skates for the kids and yourself. Look for a frozen body of water and glide around in fun.  Or try one of these city ice skating rinks.

Play with Bubbles

Find some of bubble mix in the kids’ playroom. Bring the kids outdoors and have them blow bubbles in the winter air. If it is cold enough they might just be blowing ice crystals. The bubbles will freeze before popping and will form into ice crystal. The kids will surely find these extremely amazing.

Get into a Scavenger Hunt

A scavenger hunt will be a lot of fun for the kids. Hide some objects in the snow. Ask the kids to go out and fins frozen puddles, icicles, animal tracks and the objects you hid in the snow. Prepare some goodies for the lucky scavengers.

Roast those S’mores

Prepare a fire ring if you do not have access to one, check put camp sites or parks near your home. Chocolates, graham crackers, roasted marshmallow and the sound of a roaring fire will get all the kids excited. S’mores are perfect for cold winters days.

Create a Gargoyle

Bring along a small amount of clay in plastic bags as you and the kids head out for the woods or well anything similar to the woods. During the walk have the kids pick up leaves, twigs, cones and other natural features. Let them study the tress searching for natural features that could be part of a gargoyle’ face. With the use of the clay, let them stick on the trunk of the tree the items they collected along the way. They can also use the clay for the other features such as eyebrows, mouth, eyes etc…. Take a photo of the kids with their gargoyle!

There are a lot of things to do in the outdoors in winter. It can be such a waste of fun time to stay indoors.
Which activity on the list did you find to be the most exciting for you, the kids and the entire family? When my kids were little, most of our winter days were full doing most of those activities.

Whichever of the activities listed above you choose to do, it would be nice if you could do it as a family. If you want more ideas for fun outdoor activities for kids and families in winter, look at my winter activities section.  Or you could always try these winter activities for teens.

The post Outdoor Activities for Kids and Families In Winter appeared first on Active Outdoors.

I have learned from personal experience that the best way to support your mental health and wellbeing is to do any outdoor activity that involves focussing on any form of physical movement in the real world.  It doesn’t have to be physically demanding, so long as the activity uses your mind to move your body and interact with the physical world.  It could be physical exercise, gardening, making something, photography, camping, or spending time sharing outdoor experiences with people you love being with.

The different types of outdoor activities in the list below help to break that cycle of spending too much time thinking and dwelling on things without moving your body or interacting with the physical world.  The best outdoor activities I have found for boosting your mental health and releasing the tension from living in the modern world are making or repairing things, dancing, gardening, mountain biking, or learning any new skills that requires moving your body in a specific way to interact with reality.  These outdoor activities force your mind to focus on the here and now, and free your mind from those freewheeling thoughts that just lock you into a state of perpetual anxiety.  Before you know it you will find yourself totally absorbed in the outdoor activities you are doing and find that sense of calm and wellbeing you have been seeking.  But you need to find the right activity for you.

The outdoor recreational activities list will provide you with inspiration for things to do outdoors whether you are on your own, in a group, with your teens, friends or family.  If I have missed anything out, get in touch on the Active Outdoors Facebook page.

The post Outdoor Activities For Your Physical and Mental Health appeared first on Active Outdoors.

You may be thinking “Wouldn’t it be good if I could run a reasonable distance without being completely out of breath.” Well, thinking about it is the first stage. To actually get outdoors and go running needs a bit more effort.

Walking or running is a great benefit for your health. It helps your heart, lungs, muscles, and also ensures that your bones grow strong and healthy. The impact on your bones whilst running when you are a teenager has a lifelong benefit (so long as you don’t over do it). Just going for a walk for half an hour each day will keep your body ticking over to some extent.

Enough of the boring stuff, how should you get outdoors and improve your running skills? Before you go out and buy the best running shoes, you should begin by building up a bit of fitness first.

Courtesy of the British Orienteering Association

Running Outdoors

For those of you who go running on a treadmill in a gym, running outdoors is quite different. For one thing, it is much more stimulating in that the scenery changes. You also get outdoors into the fresh air. If you are fortunate enough to live in the countryside, you should appreciate the nature around you. Many people find that running outdoors is tougher than running on a running machine. Just stick with it and take it slowly. You will find that over time your stamina and pace will improve. Your body will get used to running up and down hills. Another advantage of running outdoors is that you can run away from the crowds. You don’t have to worry about how others think you look at the gym. If you are out running, you will soon pass by anyone who you think may be looking at you. At least you are doing something about caring for yourself.

Planning Your Running Route

To start running, you will probably want to work out a route. This should be fairly short to begin with, but have plenty of scope for getting longer. Your running route may start from your home or work. You may prefer to start your route from your local leisure centre where you can use the changing rooms and showers.

You can work out your route either on a map by distance, or by walking the route you want to take and see how long it takes you. I would start off with a route that will take you about 20 minutes. A very useful online running tool is the Online Pedometer. This allows you to draw a route on a map and it tells you the distance. You can work out different routes until you find one that is of a suitable distance.

Start Slowly

For those who are enthusiastic about getting your running shoes on and going running outdoors, start off slowly and build up. Too many people start running at a good pace and soon find their bodies rebelling against the sudden exercise. Cool Running have a running guide to going from doing nothing to running 5k in a gentle manner. It starts off with walking your route, and building up through jogging to running in about two months.

Keep Track of Your Running Progress

Be patient and don’t rush. You will soon find a nice gentle pace. Once you have begun, you will need to monitor your progress to see how you are improving. Work out the distance your route is, and time how long it takes you to complete your route each time. Keep a record of your running times. You can then start aiming to beat your times bit by bit. I find that it helps if you know how long it takes you to get to certain points on your running route. You can then increase your pace evenly over the whole route instead of getting in a panic to make up time towards the end because you have been going slowly at the start.

After your initial 20 minute running session, you can build up to three running sessions a week. Space these out evenly so that your body has time to recover. From there, you can work on improving your running times.

There are now lots of running apps for your phone such as Map My Run or the Under Armour app called Record has a fantastic app providing a 24/7 connected health and fitness system.

Avoiding Getting Stitches

One of the memorable things about school cross country events was getting a really painful stitch. These are usually caused by eating too close to going running, or by gulping down too much water at once. Try to leave about an hour between eating and going for a run.

Breathe Through Your Nose

Our bodies are designed for us to breathe through our noses. The nose keeps out all of the nasty stuff that floats around in the air such as germs, pollen and pollution. By breathing in and out through your nose when you go running will not only stop that nasty stuff getting in, but the effort of doing so will improve your lung strength. Some people buy a device to stick in their mouths whilst running that restricts the amount of air they can breathe in so that their lungs get stronger. Breathe through your nose and you will soon feel the benefits.

You may find that your nose runs more than you do! This is good for clearing out any lingering colds that you may have. Take water to drink when running to keep your fluids topped up, as your nose will need this to keep the lining of your nose moist.

If you suffer from hayfever, try going running in the morning or just after it has rained. There is much less pollen around

Further Information on Running

Running Magazines

• Runners World
• Running Fitness

Running tips

• Runners World training tips for beginners and racing
• 50 Best Beginner tips for running
• 100 beginner Running Tips
• Couch to 5k Running Plan

Choosing a Running Shoe

To dramatically improve your fitness and help with weight loss, try combining running with cycling. This exercises your muscles in different ways and will improve your all round fitness.

If you find that going running is having a positive effect on you, then you may decide you want to buy yourself some running shoes or trail running shoes. Don’t rush out and buy any old pair of running shoes or ones that look nice. Do some research and find a pair of running shoes that look cool and are also comfortable. There are different types of running shoes for different types of terrain, so read about How to choose the best trail running shoes

The post How to Start Running appeared first on Active Outdoors.

What are the Northern Lights?

The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, is nature’s display of coloured lights that fill the nights sky in the most northern parts of the world. It is a shapeshifting swirling cloud of coloured lights caused by the interaction between gas particles in the atmosphere and electrically charged particles from the sun. The Northern Lights occur when a continuous stream of charged particles called the Solar Wind that comes from the Sun hits the Earth’s upper atmosphere. The light is created when this solar wind causes ionisation of oxygen and nitrogen atoms. Oxygen gives off a greenish glow, and nitrogen gives off a red or blue glow. So, where are the Northern Lights?

The Northern Lights are seen above the magnetic North Pole and are called the Aurora borealis. There is a similar light phenomena over the magnetic South Pole which is called the Aurora australis. It is easier to travel to see the Northern Lights than the Southern Lights because Antarctica is a bit of an inhospitable place.

Where can you see the Northern Lights?

View of the Northern Lights from Alaska

The best places to see the Northern Lights are in Alaska, Canada, Iceland and Norway. The amazing light shows given off by the Northern Lights are never guaranteed, but if you get yourself to locations close to the northern latitudes at the top of the world such as in Iceland or Canada, you will maximise the chances of an unforgetable experience.

The level of solar activity is a big factor in the intensity and appearance of the Northern Lights. The solar activity changes in intensity over 11 years, and was expected to be at a maximum in 2012-2013.

You can also see the Northern Lights from places like Sweden and Scotland.

Northern Lights Holidays

Iceland offers some of the cheapest options for Northern Lights Holidays. You can book short breaks to Reykjavik with Thomson on a three-night trip. The Thomson Northern Lights Tour and a Golden Circle excursion takes in some of Iceland’s most spectacular sights, from geysers to waterfalls, for approximately £400pp B&B, including flights. Departures tend to be in January and February.
Inghams Northern Lights Holidays to northern Norway include the Narvik Polar Express Adventure. You get to ride on the Polar Express train, go husky sledding and on a trip to the Polar Wildlife Park. A three night Northern Lights Holiday from Inghams will cost about £800pp, including flights and excursions.

Northern Lights Cruise

Most of the Northern Lights cruises sail to Norway or Iceland where the aurora appears regularly and the climate is relatively calm.
P&O Cruises has a 12-night round trip from Southampton on Oriana. It calls at Stavanger in Tromso overnight, Alta for a two night stay and Flam. It costs about £850pp.

Northern Lights Flight

If you don’t like the cold and just want to have a look at the Northern Lights, you can get a plane from UK airports that flies up over Iceland and back in a few hours. The Aurora Tours mean that you can see the Northern Lights in a few hours without a long trip or having to stay out in the cold. However, nothing beats the awe and wonder of spending time with your camera in Alaska or Canada on a Northern Lights Holiday.

The post Northern Lights Holidays appeared first on Active Outdoors.

The mornings start to become that little bit colder and a little bit darker.  Autumn is drawing near and as the seasons change, so does the availability of pleasant weather for your favourite outdoor activities.  Students across the world are thinking about the new academic year ahead. For some, it is the first time away from home as you head for Freshers’ week at University.

For business professionals, their return to work after the summer break is often difficult.  With the holidays over and the nights drawing in, what on earth can you do to stay active outdoors?

Running is Always an Option

Running outdoors in September after work will mean having to use a torch and some high visibility clothing.  Proviz provide a range of very highly reflective running jackets in a range of styles.  You will need to supplement  this with a good running torch.  I prefer the body worn running torch that straps over your shoulder and around your chest.  The white light on the front is bright enough to show all of the roots and uneven trails as you run, with the red light on the back making you visible from behind.

Student Fun

What fun have you been up to lately? Last weekend most students will have started at college or university. Oh the memories of Fresher’s week. Meeting new people, joining the most obscure clubs and societies (which mostly involved participating in a drink or two), and generally having a laugh.

Higher education has a great selection of clubs partaking in a spot of outdoor recreation. Depending on where you are, the traditional track and field sports are supplemented by more adventurous activities such as canoeing, sailing, snow sports, mountain biking and even a few aerial activities like flying or kite surfing.

What activity clubs do you have at your college or university? Which ones have you joined? Did you join for the appeal of the activity or because of some hunk who was already a member? Thought so :o)

Fall Outdoor Activities

October brings the change of seasons, and with it the weather changes. October and November are great months for wind powered activities. Kite flying, kite surfing, sailing and windsurfing are all ideal. It is also a most entertaining time for any drone enthusiasts. Those spinny rotor gadgets just don’t cope well in wind, so be prepared for youtube vids of some epic drone fails and crashes.

The end of October also sees the start of the marketing season for snow sports. Ski shows and exhibitions pop up at the end of October, offering fantastic bargain ski holidays and discount gear. It is the best opportunity to find out what it is all about and grab yourself a bargain. This winter, the ski industry is making a concerted effort to entice more under 35 year olds to go on a ski holiday or snowboarding holiday. Across the UK, the Go Ski Go Board campaign is offering taster sessions for only £1 at ski slopes across the country. You should get together with some of your friends and make a group outing of it. If you like it, there are lots of ski chalets you can rent as a group, some even have catering included. All you have to worry about is having fun in the snow. If you want to know more, read my guide to choosing a ski holiday that’s right for you and helps you with all the things you should consider.

My ski fund is currently generated by me providing you and your friends with great ideas on outdoor activities which leads to you clicking on useful Amazon affiliate links and other ads. Thank you so much if you do. I really appreciate it, as do my teenage daughters.

The end of October means Halloween, and if you are a thrill seeker you are definitely going to want to go to one of the theme park fright nights. Theme parks all over the world put on special events during the end of October for Halloween where you can scare yourself silly by going on the rides at night in the dark! Awesome. They also put on scare mazes and other attractions that will mess with your head. I went to one last year with some friends and had a brilliant time. It is totally different on the rides at night, and such an adrenalin rush. If you are not of a nervous disposition, I highly recommend it.

I wish you well in your work and education. May you make lots of great new friends, be invited to many memorable parties, and generally have so much fun that you walk around with a huge grin.

More outdoor activities to try

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The most popular dream adventure experiences as voted by the UK

1. Travel the world
2. Ride on the Orient Express
3. Swim with Dolphins
4. Go on Safari
5. Experience freefall or zero gravity
6. Drive a racing car
7. Pilot a jet
8. Walk the Great Wall of China
9. Dive the Great Barrier Reef
10. See the Northern Lights
11. Fly in a hot air balloon
12. Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
13. See the Grand Canyon
14. See the Taj Mahal at sunset
15. Watch the Serengeti migration in East Africa
16. Visit Antarctica
17. Visit the Galapagos Islands
18. Visit Ankor Wat in Cambodia
19. Drive along Route 66
20. Go on a gondola ride down the Grand Canal in Venice



21. Explore the Forbidden City in China
22. See the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt
23. Watch sunrise at Uluru, Australia
24. A Helicopter flight over Niagara Falls
25. Visit Yellowstone Park
26. Marvel at the Moal statues on Easter Island
27. See the terracotta army in China
28. Go jungle trekking and river kayaking in the Amazon Basin
29. Watch the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge
30. Go island hopping in Greece by boat
31. Go camping in Yosemite
32. Travel on the Trans-Siberian railway in Russia
33. Watch the great wildebeest migration on the Masai Mara in Kenya
34. Celebrate Hogmanay in Edinburgh
35. See the art and treasures in the Sistine Chapel and Vatican in Rome
36. Explore the Rocky Mountain in Canada
37. Visit Lake Garda in Italy
38. Visit Rome
39. Go shopping in New York City
40. Go surfing in Hawaii

The post Top 40 Best Dream Adventure Travel Experiences appeared first on Active Outdoors.

I have been blessed with a generally good level of fitness, probably due to walking my dog several times a day, but have always wanted to up my game. The thing is, it takes motivation to actually do it. I found that when I try running by myself I soon falter at the first signs of fatigue, usually within the first 30 metres or so. I get out of breath or my legs ache and before you know it I have slowed to a walk with the intention of running again in just a moment. Honest. Oh well, maybe in a minute or so. Oh who cares about this running lark? It requires effort that I can’t be bothered with. I’ll just have a little rest here. Maybe tomorrow.

If only I knew someone who could keep me company to go running and give me a reason for going for a run.

So it was by good fortune that one of my dog walks took me by chance past a poster in my village for a local running group. Apparently, every week a group of like minded individuals of varying abilities gather by a gate and go running together. Sounded like it warranted some further investigation, so I sent an email to the address on the poster to see if I could join in one week.

The next week I put on my old pair of trainers and was warmly welcomed by a group of about ten at the starting point. The beginners running group was led by two Athletics England qualified running group leaders. The group consisted of men and women aged between 25 and 80. I was to be starting out in the beginner’s group, running 4.2k. Sounded like quite a long way to me for my first continuous run, but the group leader reassured me that the running pace was matched to the slowest person. Looking around the group I was fairly confident that wouldn’t be me, but the next forty minutes would let me know for sure.

We headed off along the roads around two of the Kent villages, running at a nice and easy pace. Everyone was very sociable and friendly, which was perfect for taking your mind off the fact that you were actually out running. At the first gentle hill the group began to spread out, but no one was left on their own. Everyone in the group watched out for each other and even slowed to walk with those who were struggling. For those who had the stamina to keep going, the group leader would keep running for 100 metres and then they would turn back to join up with those at the back. This was a really good way of keeping the group together whilst allowing people of different abilities to keep to a pace that suited them.

I successfully completed the run with only a couple of points where I slowed down to a walk. I blame those darned hills, and being noble by keeping company with some of the slower runners who I felt needed the support. At least that’s what I told them.

The group leader congratulated me on doing so well on my first session and encouraged me to come again. I walked home feeling quite chuffed with myself. That wasn’t so bad, and the company was good. These social workouts were a real mood booster. Would definitely be back.

Slowly Building up Running Fitness Before Going Too Far

I stuck with the beginners group for about 5 weeks so as not to overdo things. This allowed my body to get used to running that distance at a steady pace. Then I moved on to joining the intermediates running group. Some of those who ran with the beginners also ran in this group, effectively using it as a warm up and giving a total distance that evening of about 15km.

You guessed it; I was now up for running 7-10k. The first coup!e of months was tiring but achievable. The pace was nice and easy with everyone keeping together, and more importantly ensuring I didn’t get left behind. From the start of each run, everyone was very friendly and conversation flowed on a wide variety of topics. The beauty of social running groups is that you can move around the group and join different conversations depending on your mood. And if you don’t feel like talking much, that is fine too.

After a few months, the intermediates group regularly completed 10k running every week. The group run was one of the best ways for 10k run training.  Each week the 10k running plan incorporated a different element that built strength and stamina.  What’s more, it was done without you really realising how much benefit you were gaining.  Before I knew it this 10k run every week was becoming fairly straightforward.  Some weeks you did struggle if you were suffering from a cold or busy week, but the running group always catered to the ability of the entire group on that evening.  The perfect tailored 10k running plan for all abilities.

During the warmer months, we ran alot more off road across the gorgeous Kent countryside. Due to the enthusiasm of the group, they also began organising informal Sunday morning runs. Using WhatsApp, the group cold also spontaneously go for small group runs by putting out a call to see if someone wanted to go for a quick 5k that evening, or perhaps a nice little 10 miler a bit further afield. I was quite content with my weekly session.

Now after regularly running for about a year now, I feel up for seeing how I fare in running a bit faster over 10k. There is a local annual event that was just begging to be entered (along with much encouragement from my fellow runners). So, we shall see how I get on in the Darent Valley 10K in May.

How Group Running Helps Fitness and Wellbeing

The biggest motivating factor in group running is the supportive social aspect. If I hadn’t found out about the local running group I doubt that I would be as fit as I am today. We humans need that reward feedback in order to do things; those biological and chemical signals telling us that what we have just done was good and we should do more of it. If you are starting out in running, you need to get that positive feeback in anyway you can to motivate you to do it again. If the physical effort is a huge barrier for you, then the social aspect, friendship and having a good laugh together really does help to make you want to go out again. After a while, you become used to the physical effort and seek to achieve more. More distance and more speed.

The variety of running routes also helped keep things interesting.

Although the beginners group used the same route so you could sense how you were improving week on week, the intermediates group always ran a different route each week. Occasionally there would be a track session to run at different paces on the flat, or hill sessions to help improve stamina (or completely exhaust you).

How to Find a Running Group Near Me

You can search for local running clubs near you on the Run Together website. It lists all of the running groups and clubs across the UK, when they go running and what routes they take. Most of the sessions are free, but some running courses that offer a 10 week couch to 5k training routine may cost.

Another great way to go running regularly with lots of like minded people of varying abilities is to go to a parkrun. Parkruns are held at locations all over the world. It is a free 5k running session at local parks at 9am on Saturdays. You get timed, and you can compare your results with people worldwide. A great way to start your Saturday outdoors with family or friends.

I can’t recommend group running enough. It made a huge difference to my sense of wellbeing and fitness, and I look forward to my weekly running sessions; followed by the post run session in the local pub.

More about getting into running:

• Getting into running
• Orienteering
• Trail running
• Adventure races and ultra Marathons
• Obstacle course Races and Tough Mudder

The post How a Social Running Group Motivated me to go from Couch to 10K appeared first on Active Outdoors.