Rock Climbing Wall

Future of Cruise Ship Innovations

2008 is an exciting year for cruising with the addition of 8 new cruise ships to the booming market.

• April – P&O’s Ventura , MSC Poeisa

• May – Independence of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)

• July – Carnival Splendor, Ms Eurodam (Holland America)

• Nov – Ruby Princess, MSC Fantasia

• Dec – Celebrity Solstice

Each ship is being built on the promise that it will be bigger and better than its current sailing rivals, with a heavy focus on innovations at sea. Already we have ice skating rinks, rock climbing walls, F1 simulators, self leveling pool tables, boxing rings, bowling alleys and 4 deck high water slides. So the big question everyone’s asking is; what could possibly be coming next?

Well, the answer is grass. Real growing green grass.

Celebrity Cruises have proudly announced that their latest fleet addition, the Solstice, will feature a grassed lawn area where guests may “enjoy bocce ball and croquet, practice their putting, picnic with a basket of wine and cheese, or simply feel the grass between their toes, while sailing the oceans of the world”. And, if all the grass isn’t too much excitement, you can go and watch the hot glass show, another industry first.

Clever, or just plain dull?

Is this really the best they can come up with? Or, are they taking a brave step outside of the current innovation trend box? In reality, the ice skating rinks are a little on the small side, the bowling alleys only have 4 lanes, and does anyone really want to go boxing?

It seems the cruise companies are measuring their success on the uniqueness of their ship innovations, but I wonder if that’s what today’s typical cruise passenger is really looking for.

Pre 1960’s cruising was all about the destination, the ship simply providing comfortable accommodation. Then came more emphasis on the actual voyage itself, with the onboard experience becoming as important as the destination. It seems we may now be facing a u-turn, with more and more cruisers wanting to explore new, “undiscovered” places which offer a more intimate cruise experience which the mega liners just can’t offer.

In spite of this, the cruise industry seems to be confidently striving forward with their bigger is better approach with Royal Caribbean’s mind blowing Genesis project on the horizon. Building by far the largest ships at sea, 2009 will see a vessel that has a capacity of over 5000 passengers with a gross tonnage in excess of 220,000 tonnes, compared to the current largest, the Queen Mary 2 at a mere 160,000 tonnes, it’s a pretty outstanding figure.

Surely there must be concerns over the damage a ship that large may cause. For a long time, cruise ship damage seems to have been ignored, when, in reality, they are one of the world’s largest, uncontrolled sources of air pollution, and surprisingly, more damaging than flying. Sewage, oil contamination and coral reef damage are all becoming increasing concerns.

Royal Caribbean have recognized this and have stated that one of the most important priorities for the new ships is energy efficiency and the minimisation of waste to make the ship as environmentally friendly as possible.

What they can’t control is annoying disembarkation queues, port over crowding and inaccessible ports. But, at least there is a boxing ring to let out all those frustrations, if it’s not already been booked up…

So what is coming next? Whilst some of the cruise lines are heading down the more subtle route, others are sailing full steam ahead with their innovative ship features. What do you think of the current cruise ship innovations? Have you ever made use of them whilst onboard? Would an ice rink and bowling alley influence your choice of ship? What do you imagine future innovations may be? And would you fancy a trip on the Genesis class ships?

Developing Callouses

Developing Callouses

by Bidz Dela Cruz

In one of my articles in www.gloves.com.mx entitled, “Gloves for Gym Workout”, I mentioned about developing callous to do away with the use of gloves. Callouses are not replacements for gloves but they are even the better option in working out (rather than wear gloves).

Gloves are not necessary in working out. Our coach back then in the powerlifting team always scold us if he sees us wearing gloves. Wearing gloves in the gym gives you minimum workout output. Gloves are restrictions in working out. They are a hindrance, dragging you from carrying heavier poundage or allowing you to do higher repetitions. When you are serious in working out, you really should develop calloused hands. Callouses will be your protection from the metal plates and bars. Having a thick palm covered with several callouses makes you endure the pain of the direct contact with metals. With gloves on, your grip are limited. The thickness of your gloves gives you an unnatural grip. But when you make a bare contact with your hands on the metal, you can be able to grip the bar more firmer, thus allowing you to carry heavier poundage or allowing you to do higher repetitions.

Callouses are also very essential in rock climbing. Rock climbers whether they like it or not, develop callouses as time goes by. This is their system of adaptation to be a better climber. Callouses are the rock climbers best friends aside from their belayers and spotters. Callouses protect their hands from cuts due to uneven surfaces of the rocks, they also serves as lock points when gripping a sloper (a type of rock hold where you use your open palm to stick to the rock), they also prevent you from slipping because the roughness of the rock compliments the roughness of your (calloused) skin. These are just but of a few of the many advantages of developing callouses for rock climbing.

In developing callouses, it is necessary to manage them as they inhabit your palm. It doesn’t mean that once you have several callouses already, you are always assured of the advantages mentioned above. Callouses have a life span. It starts from a neat smooth skin, slowly emerging to form thick marks on your palm until it is fully developed (thick and rough enough to irritate a handshake with an non-calloused hand). When the callous reached its peak of thickness, constant exposure to water and continuous climbing will tear it apart from the palm and thus leaving a non-calloused spot, virgin and sensitive again for difficult holds. Sometimes, when the process where the callous is tearing apart from the palm is starting, difficult grips cause it to prematurely tear apart totally, thus giving you cuts and blisters (and a little bleeding). This is where callous management comes in.

Managing your callous is both an art and a skill. Sometimes you have to minimize the thickness of your callous by mans of sandpaper or nail file. There are times during the start of the separation of a developed callous when you have to cut the initial parts separated by a nail cutter so as not to lead to premature separation. Over cutting or over filing a callous might give you unpleasant cuts and blisters as you hold your next rock hand-holds. It is your hand, you are very much aware how you grip the rock, so you should know how much callous to file and cut.

If you are not into powerlifting, weightlifting, gymnastics and sportclimbing (rock climbing, wall-climbing and bouldering), and you have shook someone’s hand with so many callouses, before assuming that he is a construction worker (I am not ostracizing the construction workers here nor saying anything that would belittle them.), ask him his/her sport first, you might just get surprised!

The author is a content provider of gloves

If you want to know more about gloves, rock climbing, fitness, health and the outdoors, visit www.gloves.com.mx

Keyword Tags: gloves, rock climbing, fitness, health, outdoors

Basic Indoor And Toproping Skills

Is rock climbing your favorite hobby? As a beginner, the basic technique you need to learn is toproping. Toproping is one of the most easy, safe and approachable techniques. With an increasing number of gyms offering indoor climbing, it is always recommended to join an appropriate toproping course in any local climbing gym. You can also get a list of few gyms online.
Equipment required for basic indoor toproping: Shoes of a good quality are a must for climbing. Though it is possible to get equipment like climbing harness, carabiner and the belaying device from your local gym, it is always recommended to have your own set. You also need to carry a chalk bag. Don’t choose the most expensive shoes in case you are a beginner. As you are not aware of your foot techniques, you may end up destroying them. Ensure that you buy tight shoes so that your feet don’t slip, but don’t go in for very tight ones, as you need to be comfortable while climbing.
When you are selecting a carabiner ensure that you purchase a good pear-shaped locking carabiner. It should have a screw gate or a locking gate. The belay device is the most important equipment for climbing. You need to select one depending on the kind of climbing you are opting for. However, the auto blocking device proves to be the best option for the beginners. These auto-blocking devices automatically block a fall if the beginner tends to make any belaying mistake.
However it’s not a good practice to rely on this property of blocking device. A better approach is to opt for the trial of the various devices in a safe environment and then select the appropriate one that suits you the best. Don’t change the devices frequently as you need to get a feel of your own equipment.
If you are planning to buy a climbing harness, then you need to understand your climbing style and the future projects you plan to handle. A well padded harness is usually preferred for long climbs, but in case of pure sport climbs, a lighter harness is more comfortable. If you are not sure which one to choose, then first get them one by one on rent. The techniques involved in toproping are equally important along with the equipment used.
Toproping is done with the help of a climbing rope that is already run through a locking carabiner fixed to a rock-hard anchor at the top and in the case of indoor toproping these are built into the climbing wall. Always seek help from an experienced climber when you are climbing outdoors. The top-roping involves two ends of rope hanging down. One end of the rope is used by the climber and the other is used by the belayer. Once the climber reaches the top the belayer blocks the rope and allows the climber to lean on the rope.
. First and foremost learn to handle all your equipment.
. Learn all pros and cons involved in the belaying technique.
. Learn how to descend safely.
. Learn how to walk down a cliff while being lowered.
. To ensure safe landing, check the essentials before you start climbing.