Page 2 - Tracey Brooks

Picture a vacation on the seashore and think of some of the most common images associated with beach-side holidays. Most people will think of beach blankets, umbrellas, and swimming — and most often, when we picture those swimmers, we picture them with a snorkel mask! There's a good reason for that: many people go snorkellingevery year, andit’s an excellent, accessible activity that provides a unique way to interact with the environment. In tropical destinations and places with calmer waters that are easier to swim in, snorkellingis a major tourist attraction. As an activity open to practically everyone, it's popular for a reason.

That means it's perfect for children and adults alike. With the right equipment, a little practice, and some pre-existing swimming knowledge, anyone can enjoy snorkellingand experiencethe underwater world in a more personal way than ever. When you can duck your head below the surface and watch the waters beneath you teeming with

When you saddle up on your bike and head out for a daily ride for fitness or pleasure, how much time do you spend thinking about the gears between your feet? Unless there's a problem with them, your answer will likely be "not very much." For most road cyclists, shifting gears is second nature and a part of muscle memory, so it makes sense that it would be something one takes for granted. However, did you know that the convenience of modern derailleurs is a relatively recent invention? Bicycles themselves are not very old, with less than two centuries of history on the books, but reliable gears are an even more recent invention. 

Consider it: the earliest bicycles, the penny farthings with which we're all familiar, had no gears at all, or even a bicycle chain to speak of; instead, it was all about a one-to-one ratio of pedal strokes to wheel rotations. Naturally, this maderiding incredibly difficult — and dangerous. That's why the first modern-looking bikes were called "safety bicycles."

When it comes to family-friendlyfun, flying a kite is simply one of the best and most accessible activities out there. Not only is it easy to get started while also incorporating an element of creativity, but it's simple to learn and easy to continue doing week after week. All one needs is an open space and a steady breeze! For those who choose to take things to a more advanced level, you can quickly find that flying a kite is more than just fun: it can be a huge physical challenge, too. Kites have captured the imagination for millions ofyears — so it should be no surprise they've inspired some people to take them to the extreme.

The Guinness Book of World Records holds several stories about record-setting ventures using kites, from flying tonnes all at once to seeingjust how high a kite can go if you have the right equipment. Sometimes people undertake these efforts for charity, while on other occasions it's simply a personal quest to achieve something awesome. What

For a non-disabledindividual, "exercise" is something too often taken for granted. When you interact with the world in an unimpaired manner, it is easy to lose sight of the true value of some activities. Many of us know that exercise is "good for us" and that we should exercise more, but how many times have you heard someone complain "I don't want to go to the gym today"? For an individual who experiences a disability, exercise can range from being difficult to nearly impossible in some forms. Not only are there many barriers in place for disability-friendly exercise, but able-bodied fitness groups rarely think to turn their attention to fostering a better environment for others.

However, exercise can be quite valuable for a person with disabilities on multiple levels. While there is still much work to be done regardingbreaking down some of the barriers in society to allow for broader opportunities for exercise, there are things you can do on your own, too. One only

When the Summer Olympic Games begin, a lot of attention falls on the track and field athletes, especially the fastest runners — but perhaps the most-watched sport every four years isn't on dry land, but in the water. One only needs to look at the popularity of figures such as Michael Phelps to see that swimmers and the dedication they pour into their athletic ability commands respect and thrills the imagination. The non-disabledathletes competing in toughraces to the finish line against each other and the clock aren't the only ones getting their feet wet during the Games, though. Right after the conclusion of the Olympic Games proper, the Paralympic Games kick off with their ownopening ceremonies.

Besides the athletics events at the Paralympic Games, swimming is the most popular and most-watched sport, with vastnumbers of competitors across all classifications. The buoyancy of the water not only provides a more comfortable place to exercise for many of the

At the competitive level, cycling is perhaps one of the toughest sports out there due to the level of physical conditioning necessary to succeed. That is why races such as the Tour de France receive so much attention and acclaim. For amateur cyclists, the Olympics provide a path to competition that allows them the opportunity to test their skills against tough opponents in the context of international cooperation. However, the able-bodied racers who show up every four years to hit the road and the track aren't the only ones hungry to compete for medals. Shortly after the conclusion of the "main" Olympics, the Paralympics begin in the very same arenas. Cycling is one of the more popular sports at the Paralympic Games, and draws athletes with a wide range of physical abilities, from those with limited sight to athletes who use uniquehand-powered bicycles.

As with many of the sports that take place in the Paralympics, the cycling events are a testament to what the human body is

The World Cup is right around the corner—yes! That’s right, it’s just not the one you might think! While 2018 also saw the latest edition of the FIFA World Cup for association football played out on the world stage in Russia, it will also see the recurrence of some of the sporting world's other major tournaments. One of those will be the Women's Hockey World Cup, slated to take place this year between 21 July and 5 August. It’s no ice hockey tournament, either — it's the raw power and sheer finesse you can only find on display in the world of field hockey. 

Founded in 1974 and operated by the International Hockey Federation, the Women's Hockey World Cup falls in between runnings of the Summer Olympics and, as with other World Cups, takes place every four years. Originally only 12 teams competed for the top spot and the bragging rights of "world champion" in women's field hockey, but 2018 marks a change. The FIH chose to give the competition a big boost, increasing the number of

Every four years, the Summer Olympic Games treat us to the thrills and the stories that define the highest level of amateur athletic competition in the world. From the swimming pool to the field and the racetrack and beyond, many thousands of athletes come together in one place to put themselves to the test and to "go for gold" under the flag of their nation. After the closing ceremonies and the prime-time TV coverage ends, though, that universalspirit of competition doesn't immediately fall dormant for another four years. Instead, it transitions into its second phase: the Paralympic Games. At the Olympics, we only have the opportunity to see able-bodiedindividuals competing — what about all the many skilled athletes around the world who approach the challenge with a different set of abilities?

Just as it is in the Olympics, track and field events are a significantdraw for the Paralympic Games, with running being chief among those attracting competitors of all stripes.

Swimming is an essential skill, and it is one that is best taught early in a child's life. Swimming is not only a fun way for them to burn off energy and splash about in warmer weather; the knowledge of how to handle oneself in the water can be life-saving in certain circumstances. For that reason, many parents choose to enrol their children in swim classes as a quick and easy way to equip them with this vital ability. What if you want to play a largerrole in the way your child learns how to swim, though? When the summer holidays arrive, andthe weather heats up while more people take time away to be with their families, recognise that now is the perfect time to start acclimating your kids to the water.

Thisisn't a process you complete in just one afternoon, though. There are multiple steps and stages to go through, and though some children will take to it faster than others, it does require patience. With that said, a consistent and quality effort should enable you to

Sometimes, it can be challengingto keep track of all the many fitness fads, crazes, and classes that are out there — especially when they all have unique names. From Zumba and Peloton to Pilates and more, there are tonnes of classesvying for your attention. In your daily commute, have you noticed locations which advertise themselves as "barre studios"? Perhaps during a visit to your gym,you saw such a class advertised and wondered: what is that all about? It can get your curiosity up, especially when you start to hear things about how it involves training your body like a ballerina. How could that be a gateway to better physical fitness?

Barre is not a new phenomenon, and its popularity is well-established in many locales around the world. However, as more people continue to turn to fitness classes as an easierway to improve their bodies rather than choosing self-guided fitness, its gaining followers again after several years of steady growth. Focused around