Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Flexibility


Photographer: Sascha Hüttenhain

Flexibility refers to the absolute range of movement in a joint or series of joints that is attainable in a momentary effort with the help of a partner or a piece of equipment. Flexibility in some joints can be increased to a certain degree by stretching.

Stretching is a form of physical exercise in which a specific skeletal muscle (or muscle group) is deliberately elongated to its fullest length (often by abduction from the torso) in order to improve the muscle's felt elasticity and reaffirm comfortable muscle tone. The result is a feeling of increased muscle control, flexibility and range of motion. Stretching is also used therapeutically to alleviate cramps.

Stretching, in its most basic form, is a natural and instinctive activity; it is performed by many animals including humans. It can be accompanied by yawning. Stretching often occurs instinctively after waking from sleep, after long periods of inactivity, or after exiting confined spaces.

Many athletes stretch deliberately before or after exercise in order to increase performance and reduce injury. Whether it is helpful, has no effect, or even has detrimental effects is in dispute. While common, it may not be beneficial for all athletic activities.

Photograher: Bob Greenfield

Monday, September 24, 2007

Monday Morning Wave


Photo: Al Mackinnon

Monday morning! So much hope for the new week. The table is cleared for great projects, relationships to refresh, and surf. My favorite morning.

- John Severson -

Duncan Scott in a Durban delight.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Group Development


The Forming – Storming – Norming – Performing model of team development was first proposed by Bruce Tuckman in 1965, who maintained that these phases are all necessary and inevitable in order for the team to grow, to face up to challenges, to tackle problems, to find solutions, to plan work, and to deliver results. This model has become the basis for subsequent models of team dynamics and frequently used management theory to describe the behavior of existing teams. It has also taken a firm hold in the field of experiential learning and outdoor education where team building and leadership development are key goals.

1. Forming: The group comes together and gets to initially know one other and form as a group.

2. Storming: A chaotic vying for leadership and trialling of group processes

3. Norming: Eventually agreement is reached on how the group operates (norming)

4. Performing: The group practices its craft and becomes effective in meeting its objectives.

Tuckman along with Mary Jenson added a 5th stage 10 years later:

5. Adjourning: The process of "unforming" the group, that is, letting go of the group structure and moving on.

Monday, September 17, 2007

Monday Morning Wave


Photo: Jason Murray

I heard someone once say that a smooth sea never made a skilful mariner, neither do uninterrupted prosperity and success qualify men for usefulness and happiness. Peaks and troughs, ebb and flow.

- Dave Rastovich -

One that got away... No worries, there'll be another coming along soon.

Friday, September 14, 2007

Objects of Desire


Want to watch You Tube on the go? Well if you want something that is glamorous as well as pretty nifty, the new Apple iPod Touch is coming to a UK store near you in the very near future. It has wireless capability and does everything the iPhone can without making calls of course


However, I think I will need to do a lot of saving up before I get one

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

The Image of Leadership


Photographer: Derrick Mayoleth

A leader's a man who commands much respect,
But due to the natures of all,
He's only as good as the image he casts
In the mirror that hangs on the wall.
He usually sees what he wants, and no more,
He's afraid to look deep in his soul.
He doesn't consider himself as at fault,
But wants others to help reach his goal.
When failures arise he blames it on all
Who failed to help or take part,
"They never did what they were told, " he would say,
"they haven't the skill or the art."
What kind of a leader are you going to be
- the kind who thinks he is the best?
Or will you be one of the very few greats
Who attributes success to the rest.
Don't fail to look at the help you received
From parents and friends all your life.
They comforted you, praised you, and gave you the push
To help you through trouble and strife.
Another whose help you should never forget,
Who gave you your life and His love,
The One to whom all of our assets are known
Is the One whom we pray to above.
Be humble in all of your leadership traits.
Thank those who have made you so tall.
Be human to others, consider them too,
Then smile through the glass on the wall.

- John Schoolland -

Monday, September 10, 2007

Monday Morning Wave


Photo: Al Mackinnon

If you want to surf better, think of it like a job ... with really good pay.

- Herb Torrens -

Andrew Marr mountaineering at Dungeons. This wave won him second place in Billabongs XXL 'The Ride Of The Year' 2006/7.

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

Magic Moments

Sometimes its good to get out and do something different. On this occasion it was a trip to Idwal Slabs with my good friend Nick Cunliffe. The route is called Tennis Shoe and is deemed a classic of the crag

It was also quite special to have such an immense place almost completely to ourselves



Monday, September 03, 2007

Monday Morning Wave


Photo: Chris Burkard

Monday, car engines, horns honking, garbage cans and trucks, radios, music, news talk, signs, lights, voices, decisions, more noise. Took a drive to the ocean, went under the water today, and for the first time in a long while, I heard nothing. I feel salty. I feel baptised. I look foward to my options, the ocean calls.

- Billy Yeager -

Sublime sights sometimes reward long hikes through dense rain forest. Canadian island delights.