Author: Igor

  • Top 5 tips to start stand up paddle

    Stand up paddle boarding is all the rage these days, and with pretty good reason. Of all the water sports options out there it’s easily the most accessible for beginners, making it the perfect pick up and play option for those looking to get out on the water in an active but relaxing way.

    Even with that pretty gentle learning curve, though, there are still a few things you need to know about getting into the world of SUP. Here are our top five starter tips for wannabe paddlers.

    Choose the right board

    Choosing the right board comes down to a variety of factors: how you’re going to use it, how it’ll fit your body and how you want it to handle when you’re on the water. There are plenty of physical characteristics to consider, from the shape of the board through to volume and capacity and any extras and accessories you might want with it.

    In fact, there are an awful lot more questions that you might think when it comes to picking paddleboards, so we’d recommend finding an in-depth guide to get you started.

    Find the right spot

    One of the great things about SUP is that you can paddle almost anywhere, but finding a quality spot – as in a place or two that can be your favourite locations to go out and paddle, will be key to helping you develop your skills and fall in love with the hobby.

    A good place to start would be to join an SUP club or SUP social, or use this map of UK SUP spots to find some established locations that are great for paddleboarding.

    Make the right moves

    Learning to move around on your SUP correctly will be a key part of your early learnings in the hobby. You’ll want to find out what stance works for you, whether that’s neutral, hybrid or a full surf stance and get to grips with the best balancing techniques to keep you on the board.

    It’s not a bad idea to get a few lessons to start you out with all these fundamentals, and there are plenty of SUP instructors out there ready to help you get up and running. 

    Learn to fall off

    Falling and hitting the water is a natural part of just about any water sport you can think of – and it’s certainly something you’ll need to get used to as a SUP beginner. The key thing to learn in this regard is how to fall off and get back onto your board properly.

    As a general rule, feet first into the water and away from your board is best, while it’s easiest to get back on your board at the centre. If you pick up a few lessons to get you started, your instructor can walk you through the art of falling and recovering safely.

    Stay relaxed

    Perhaps the simplest tip of them all, and maybe one easier said than done for newbies, is to relax! Paddleboarding is made to be a chilled exercise where you can head out on the water and enjoy the views and the motion of the ocean. The sooner you can learn to keep cool on your board, the quicker you’ll get to grips with staying on your board and being able to enjoy the world around you – which is what SUP is all about.

    New to SUP? Don’t be afraid! With a great community of paddleboarders in the UK and loads of ways to get into the sport, you could be up and running before you know it.

  • Fun Hobbies You Can Share With Your Child

    Are you trying to think of something fun that you can do with your child? One of the suggestions that we have for you is that you should take up a hobby that you two can do together. This promotes bonding between you two, bringing you closer than ever before. Just ensure that when you are choosing a hobby, it’s one that you have time for. The reason we say this is that we don’t want you to end up letting your child down because you are busy when the hobby would be taking place. In this article, we’re going to be taking a look at some of the hobbies that you can try, so keep reading to find out more.

    Arts

    Source Link – CC0 Licence

    The first thing that we want to mention is arts. There are so many different ways to create art, and we think that it would be a nice thing to do together. You can draw, paint, sketch, and a range of other things as well. Find the one that is right for you two, and then you can continue to do so for as long as you like. If you are going to be painting, then watercolor brushes are an essential, so ensure that you invest in quality ones for you and your kid. Don’t forget, sometimes hobbies can be a little expensive, so try to find the best ways to get around the price if you are on a budget. Keep in mind that there is always a way to get what you want.

    Music

    Another thing that you can do is take up musical instruments. Or, if you don’t think that instruments are for you two, then your hobby can always be listening to new music together. You can really appreciate the songs and their lyrics, rather than just listening to them as background noise. Music can be a lot of fun, no matter which of these two options you choose, and you never know, it might inspire your child to take this further in their life if they find they love it.

    You should always encourage passion in your kids, even if it comes from hobbies. It’s important that they know they can do anything!

    Sport

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    Finally, if you want to keep fit but also want to do something fun, then taking up a sport could be a fantastic solution. According to Athletic Lift, sports involve a lot of fitness, but they are also super fun if you can get into them. For example, soccer is a great option that doesn’t see too many injuries while playing, as well as netball, tennis and others. Just see what you guys like best, and then go from there. 

    We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see what some of the fun hobbies that you can share with your child are. These can be a lot of fun when they are done properly, so make sure that you are both taking the time to learn. If at any point you find that you are not enjoying it, choose another of the options so that you both do something that you are enjoying together. We wish you the very best of luck.

  • Becoming a Digital Nomad: 3 Precautions To Ponder

    Becoming a digital nomad is, for many people, the breath of fresh air they need. Going from the 9 to 5 to working remotely from any location in the world can be one of the best decisions you will ever make. But it’s important to have some knowledge of the best practices and precautions before you start on your journey. It shouldn’t be something you jump into blindly. What do you need to consider before you take the leap? 

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    Know the Right Locations for Your Needs

    You might think that you could go anywhere you want, but there are countries or cities that are not necessarily suitable for digital nomads. You need to consider costs at this stage because you will have to look at the visa policies but also look at the cost of moving. There are ways around moving as cheaply as possible, such as downsizing your personal belongings, but if you’ve got a lot to transport, you will need to consider how far you can realistically go for your budget. Companies like Bekins Moving Solutions can certainly help in these instances, but you’ve got to get your budget right. When you find the right location, it’s not just about proximity, but also internet connectivity. Some of the most beautiful countries in the world have incredibly poor internet connections, such as Egypt. For this reason alone, you may be better off going to a bigger city that is slightly closer to home rather than a rural area. 

    Having the Right Tech

    It sounds obvious, but being a digital nomad means that you’ve got to make sure your computer is firing on all cylinders. Without your computer, you are not going to be able to earn money. Additionally, if you are unable to work because of poor internet or a broken computer, you could lose clients. Unfortunately, not every country has a great laptop repair store, so you need to have a backup plan. The best backup plan is to have a spare laptop or a tablet with a keyboard attachment. Also, you should have spare cash should you need to buy another computer. It’s always worth noting the internet cafes in your location, so at the very least, you can go and work while you are figuring out your next plan of attack. 

    Knowing How to Protect Yourself

    There are two things to consider here, protecting yourself from digital attacks, but also protecting yourself when you are in unknown territory. You will need to have adequate anti-virus software, such as Bitdefender, but also make sure that you know how to look after yourself when you are frequenting internet cafes or working in public. It’s important to look after your personal belongings, and find locations where you can work securely, but you should get the benefits of being in another country while you grow your customer base. 

    Being a digital nomad is one of the best ways to experience the world and earn money, however, you’ve got to be aware of the precautions that you need to take.

     

  • Why James Bond Is As Relevant Today As He Was In 1962

    James Bond is a British intelligence agent, who made his movie debut in 1962, played by Sean Connery in Dr No. All these years later, Bond is every bit as popular as he was then. There aren’t many characters that have stood the test of time as successfully as 007, and the franchise is one of the longest-running and most successful ever. But why is Bond still so popular?

    Image via Unsplash

    1. He’s a hero. James Bond is never afraid to be in danger. Bond is a symbol of heroism, for men in particular, and this is very appealing. James Bond also represents freedom and power. He is self-assured, unapologetic, and confident. All of us sometimes feel self-doubt except James Bond. Bond knows who he is and displays no self-doubt at all. We see Bond on the screen being very cool and confident, no matter what happens around him.
    2. He’s classy. Bond is different from other more masculine-coded heroes in that he is classy. Bond is as famous for his chic suits and love of martinis as he is for his fighting skills. 007 is confident, knowledgeable, and sophisticated. When the character was created by Ian Fleming, Bond was written with a uniquely British attitude, which made him stand. Bond is not just a man who can fight; he’s also a man with a perfectly tailored suit.
    3. He’s tech-savvy. One of the reasons we still love to watch Bond movies is gadgets. A lot of heroes use guns and drive fast cars, but Bond is the true master of the gadget. At the time Bond was first written, he was the first pop culture icon to really embrace technology. In a lot of writing at the time, the tech was shown as untrustworthy and dangerous. Instead, Bond uses exploding pens, invisible cars, and jetpacks, and succeeds because of them.
    4. He’s well-cast. Eight different actors have portrayed James Bond on screen, and each has brought their own style to Bond while still keeping the essential parts of the character intact. No matter which Bond film is the best, each actor brings something new to the role, while still being very much Bond.
    5. He’s timeless. 007 has stood the test of time as he has always been written to be both of his time and above it. The essential character of Bond is constant, but each actor and new film adapts him to the time period he finds himself in, shifting to meet the changing tastes of the audience. Bond films have changed a lot over time, from their beginning point of adventure-spy films to being comedies in the ‘70s, and the grittier movies made now. 

    The legacy of Bond is also part of why he is still so beloved. The franchise remains as popular as it is, as the films are both old-fashioned and completely timeless.

    Which Bond is your favourite Bond? Which Bond film is the best one, in your opinion, and why do we still love 007 so much?

  • Support for SMEs During the Pandemic

    The coronavirus pandemic has sent the UK into a deep recession. During lockdown, businesses were forced to close, leading to millions of pounds of lost revenue. For SME’s it’s been particularly challenging, with many struggling to get the help they need.

    Banks have been turning down SME’s for funding, leaving them with no choice but to look for alternatives. So, what alternative support is available for small businesses during the pandemic?


    Image via Unsplash

    The cash advance

    One type of finance that’s been helping small businesses get back on their feet is a cash advance. A cash advance from Nucleus can help tide the business over until they get paid. It is based on future revenue and you can typically borrow a set percentage of your credit card sales.

    There are a lot of different cash advance options out there, so it is vital businesses choose a reliable provider or you may have to get out of it.

    Fintech

    Something else that’s been helping MSE’s during this time is Fintech. Businesses have been forced to adapt to a new way of working, developing more flexible business models.

    While Fintech doesn’t provide financial support, it does bring in new ways of earning. It also helps to develop better customer engagement, increasing sales. Retail businesses have particularly made use of Fintech technology to help them get back on their feet.

    Investments

    Unfortunately, a lot of businesses have been forced to sell during the pandemic. However, many have found that bringing in investors has helped to save them from going under.

    Even in today’s climate, there are still investors looking to grab a bargain. Small businesses have therefore been able to attract investment, helping to keep them afloat while the economy recovers.

    Other options out there

    Although many businesses have been left frustrated by the lack of support available, there are a lot of alternative options. Crowdfunding is a popular choice for businesses looking for attractive interest rates. Capital finance and grants have also been available throughout the pandemic.

    Having these alternative options is a lifeline for many businesses. As banks turn down hundreds of business owners, alternative finance can provide the support needed.

    As you can see, there is a lot of help out there for businesses throughout the Covid-19 crisis. While it is certainly a challenging time, it is also providing opportunities for SME’s, particularly in terms of growth. Being forced to adapt to different ways of working is helping businesses to identify new opportunities.