Archive for July, 2011

National Basketball Association ‘Hard Court’ Dimensions

July 31st, 2011

‘I love this game!’ This has been the famous tagline or motto the National Basketball Association uses to describe or express how players and fans a like respond to the excitement and entertainment the game of basketball provides. As a basketball enthusiast, one has a tendency to collect basketball paraphernalia from the simple basketball collectors’ cards to autographed jerseys of famous professional basketball players. Basketball’s influence or fad has in a way or another dictated fashion statement with regards to sports get up. Big time sports apparel manufacturers get endorsements from famous professional basketball players. That is how the game of basketball spells the formula in success of its market. To love basketball is to know the game.

The ‘Hard Court’

Watching a live NBA game is definitely one of the best experiences a basketball enthusiast could have. Nonetheless, as a fan, to be really ‘in the game’, it pays to know how big a standard National Basketball Association ‘hard court’ or ‘battlefield’. The area of this big rectangular space measures 94 feet in length and 50 feet wide. The basketball rim or ring stands 10 feet. The restraining circle gauges 4 feet in diameter. The Center circle of the court has 12 feet in diameter. The three point arc’s distance from the center of the basket measures between 22 to 23.75 feet. The shaded lane or the ‘key’ lane measures 16 feet while 15 feet is the distance of the free-throw line starting from the backboard.

Basketball is definitely one of the best sports that explain how winning is defined by team effort, moreover, team game. The usual basketball team is composed of five (5) players on each opposing teams and each player has special role throughout the game. The saying, ‘the best offense, is a good defense’ may certainly work well in prevailing a basketball game. There may be ‘off-nights’ or players cannot get to go with their offensive arsenal, but for sure, there is no so-called ‘off-nights’ in a defensive stance. Plays are executed or being called by their respective coaches greatly depends on the capability of the players in the court. Basketball is also a game of averages-meaning, momentum may shift from one team to the other based on how the game is being played with the plays being executed by the coaches and how players react to the plans. In playing basketball, one has to understand that winning also depends on the ‘breaks’ of the game.

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Recreational and Sports Amenities in Kingston Upon Hull

July 30th, 2011

Possibly as a result of the relative geographic isolation of Hull, the city has developed a network of sporting and recreational facilities as good as any other city in the country. One of its rugby league teams even has a national reputation and holds one of the most readily identifiable sports team names in the country – Hull Kingston Rovers. At its various leisure and sports centres Hull city council offers the facilities and amenities for people to learn and develop skills in a comprehensive range of sports and activities from aerobics to yoga.

The professional football team in the Hull is Hull City FC who currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Playing in black and amber striped kit their nick-name is the Tigers and they play at the Kingston Communications Stadium, locally known as the KC, which was opened in 2002. The club was founded in 1904 but their only significant achievements to date have been to win what was the Football League Division III champion’s title, most recently in the 1965-66 season. Despite their lack of trophies Hull City have always been a well supported club and still regularly have home attendances of over 20,000.

A sport almost uniquely associated with the north of England is rugby league and Hull has two of the best clubs that play that sport. Hull Kingston Rovers is probably the better known of the two, having a better historic record of winning trophies. Known to their fans as ‘The Robins’, they have recently been promoted from the English Rugby League Division I to play in the European Super League, the top tier of rugby league competitions. Also playing in the Super League are the Robins greatest rivals and neighbours, Hull FC. Both codes of rugby are played in Hull and Hull RUFC is the senior rugby union team, playing in the National League Division 1 North. Also, Hull Ionians play rugby union in National League Division 3 North.

The city is home to one of the top Ice Hockey clubs in the country, the Hull Stingrays. They play ice hockey in the British National Elite League at the Hull Arena, on Kingston Street to the west of the city centre. Hull is unusual in having two ice hockey teams. The Kingston Cobras Ice Hockey Club, also play at the Hull Arena but are currently in a lower division – The English National Ice Hockey League 1 North. The Olympic size Hull Arena is also open to anyone wishing to learn, practice or develop their ice skating skills and is the Regional Centre of Excellence to the National Ice Skating Association. The top ‘Hockey’ club in Hull is the Hull Hockey Team, who were formed in 2001 from the Hull Welton Hockey Club, to take advantage of the new, city council owned, all-weather playing pitch at the KC Stadium. The senior men’s team plays in the Men’s National North Division and the senior women’s team plays in Division II East of the Northern Women’s Hockey League.

If you’re interested in playing, or learning how to play, tennis in Hull it has one of the most active and pro-active tennis schools in the country. The city council also provides limited access to municipal tennis courts. Generally speaking sport development in Hull is very strong, with the city council keen to ensure that facilities are not just available but are also easily accessible. The city has five municipal swimming baths. The Kingston Upon Hull Swimming Club meets at several swimming venues in the city, but uses the Ennerdale Sport and Leisure Centre for home competitions. Kingston upon Hull Athletic Club competes in the Northern Senior League – Division 2EC. They are based at the Costello Athletics stadium in west Hull that was opened in 1985 and has been recently refurbished to include a floodlit running track and throwing area.

Whilst there are two 18 hole municipal golf links in the city the first golf course to open in Hull was the Hull Golf Club at Kirk Ella, which was formed in 1904. Whilst the course is a very pleasant one in an excellent parkland setting, it is a fairly benign course – apart from the 10th hole that has a water hazard protecting its green. Kingston Upon Hull is about 50km (30 miles, across the river Humber, from the English Golf Union Headquarters at Woodhall Spa in Lincolnshire.

Being adjacent to a wide river, the Humber, as well as being close to the North Sea, Hull has a thriving sailing club. There are other sailing clubs nearby including; the Welton Sailing Club, the Humber Yawl Club and the Humber Mouth Yacht Club. Hull’s own marina can accommodate up to 300 yachts visiting the city. The area is also a popular venue for water-skiers, with eight water ski clubs in the region. Closest to Hull is the Yorkshire Water Ski Club which is based at Welton Waters, near Brough, some 8 km (5 miles) to the west of Hull.

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Exploring Southern Utah: Zion National Park

July 29th, 2011

Zion Canyon lies at the heart of this beautiful national park and is arguably the most popular of all of Utah’s natural wonders. The canyon was carved by the powerful waters of the Virgin River and then widened, sculpted, and reshaped by wind, rain, and ice.

The canyon walls rise up to 2,000 ft (600 m) on both sides, and are shaped into jagged peaks and formations in shades of red and white.

The park shuttle is the only way into the canyon from April to November. Shuttles run every few minutes with numerous stops along the way. A number of short walks beginning at the stops follow marked trails to the tough 16-mile (26-km) hike through the canyon. The hike involves wading through the Virgin River.
Zion Canyon

The lower reaches of the Virgin River meander quietly through the banks of cottonwood, oak, and willow trees that grow beneath the gradually sloping walls at the start of the canyon. The river bank is bordered with wild meadows that, in spring, sport a profusion of wild flowers. However, sudden summer rainstorms may cause floods and areas of the park near the river to be closed. Visitors are advised to check conditions first.

River Walk

At the end of Zion Canyon Scenic Drive lies the park’s most popular trail. Involving no climbing, the 1.3-mile- (2-km-) paved River Walk follows the Virgin River to where the canyon walls rise to over 2,000 ft (600 m). The gentle trail offers beautiful views of the river as it winds between the canyon’s red sandstone walls.

Horseback and Mule Tours

Half- and full-day mule- and horseback tours follow several trails in the park. The Sand Bench Trail leads to a high plateau that offers fine vistas.

Hiking

Numerous guided walking and hiking tours of Zion’s geology and history leave daily from the new visitor center. Popular trails are Emerald Pools Trail and Canyon Overlook Trail, which leads to the Great Arch.

Weeping Rock

An easy, self-guided trail leads to the rock and its hanging gardens, which are full of wildflowers in spring. This spot owes its fertility to the spring and seep-water that flows from the rock.

Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway

One of the loveliest routes in the park, the Zion-Mt. Carmel highway leads upward in a set of hairpin switchbacks with splendid views back into the canyon and up to the pastel-colored sandstone of the surrounding peaks.

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Visit Canberra

July 28th, 2011

In 1908, city planners strategically placed Australia’s capital city, Canberra, between two thriving and competitive cities on the country’s southeastern coast.

Through a global contest, Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin of Chicago won the privilege to use their city planning design for this new city. Today, the lake in Canberra is called Lake Burley Griffin. The urban garden organization influenced the reserving of lands for natural areas. Because of the surrounding forests, one of the city’s nicknames is “Bush Capital.” While the Depression, and World War I and II slowed the building of the city, development and growth rapidly increased from the mid 1900s and onward, making the city what it is today, a thriving government and urban area with much to offer both residents and visitors.

Culture

The metropolis is much inspired by its being the capital and government headquarters, and many government workers and public servants make up a major portion of the city’s population. The National Gallery, Library and Museum are located here, as well as the Australian War Museum. Some of the educational institutions include the Australian Defense Force Academy, the Australian National University, the Australian Institute of Sport and the Royal Military College. Canberra has many museums like the National Dinosaur Museum and the Questacon, a center for technology and science. Live plays and music have several venues in the city as well. The first theatre was the Albert Hall, built by 1928. Rugby and football are two of the most popular sports, but many sports teams make their home in the nation’s capital. Golf, other leisure and outdoor sports, and water sports on the lake keep the citizens fit.

Area Attractions

Besides the theatres, museums, and government and historical buildings, Canberra has numerous other area attractions. The National Museum and Aquarium is a great place to take the family. The modern facilities are kept clean and attractive, and the staff is friendly. Many wild animals make their homes here. Hand feeding animals is a favorite feature. The Lake Burley Griffin appears to be far removed from civilization. A landscaped trail encircles the entire perimeter for walking and biking. The water fountain is a beautiful sight. Many city events take place here. Water sports are extremely popular. Watercraft is often afloat and the lake has beaches and swimming areas. Cockington Green Gardens has lovely gardens with a fascinating miniature village set out in flowerbeds with intertwining walking trails. Children enjoy the diminutive, steam train ride. Inside the English cottage or in the nearby garden, visitors can enjoy a cup of tea and some light refreshments from the Parsons Nose Garden Cafe’. A walk-in aviary and the Reptile House are nearby.

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The Hundred Islands National Park

July 27th, 2011

One of the most famous outdoor travel destination in the Philippines, the Hundred Islands National Park offers a unique experience to visitors, local and foreign alike. The place is celebrated not only for its panoramic beauty and pleasant ambience but also for its scientific significance, as determined by the National Committee on Geographical Sciences. Nestled in Alaminos City, right in the province of Pangasinan, this awesome collection of small islands is also the first national park in the country.

Island-hopping in the area allows you to explore lots of hidden caves, coves and coral reefs, which serve as home to a limitless number of sea creatures. Indeed, Hundred Islands is a place of beauty and discovery. In your snorkeling trips, don’t miss the Giant Clams, known to the locals as “Taklobos.” These incredible clams measure at one meter in length and weigh about 225 kilograms. The creatures are only a part of the charm of the islands as the place’s natural beauty is a cradle to a wide variety of rich marine life.

The Hundred Islands is composed of 124 islands peacefully spread over the Lingayen Gulf and covering a total land area of 1,884 hectares. Of these islands, only three are fully developed as travel destinations for tourists. These are Quezon, Governor and Children’s Islands. Among the three, only the Governor’s Island provides a guesthouse that is relatively well-provided for. Visitors can stay overnight in the guesthouse, which is composed of 2 bedrooms, a living room and a dining room. The place is also equipped with generator lighting and other implements ideal for visiting families or large groups.

Quezon Island, the biggest among the island attractions, is named after the late Philippine President Manuel Quezon who proclaimed the entire group of islands as a National Park on Jan. 18, 1940. Here, picnic tables are provided for visitors in the pavilion. Cooking your own food is allowed in the island, although there’s a store located here where anyone can choose to buy some food and drinks. As it is considered to have the most swimming-friendly waters in the area, Quezon Island is usually crowded with visitors so consider yourself warned – you may have to wait for your turn to use any of the picnic tables. Aside from picnicking in the area, visitors can go snorkeling as well as kayaking (at 250 pesos per ride).

Children’s Island is said to be named as such because of its shallow waters. Ideal for travelers on a budget, the place offers nipa huts for overnight accommodations. Since there is no electricity or generator available, visitors will have to make do with kerosene lighting, which only increases the excitement of staying in such far-flung place. For cooking and dining, common areas are provided for these purposes, as well as for toilet and bath.

Now, how to get there? There are no airports in the province and the nearest is in Manila, the country’s capital. So from there, visitors can take a bus ride going to the city of Alaminos, which would take about five hours – plenty of time to prepare one’s self for the wonders of Hundred Islands National Park. From Alaminos, a tricycle ride can take you to Barangay Lucap, which is about 3 kilometers away from the city. It serves as the main accommodation and information center for the area. From there, visitors can hire boats to reach the islands.

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