2012年2月6日 星期一

旅遊手記:在夏威夷海岸線上野餐

香港時間凌晨五點,走在暖陽斜照著的岸灘上,腳掌感受著細沙、小石、珊瑚碎片帶來不同勁度的按摩。當地時間是上午十一點。比香港慢十八小時的夏威夷,連生活節奏也跟隨時差一樣,慢。「悠閒的生活步調」不是吸引遊客的宣傳字句,而是和Aloha Spirit(阿囉哈精神)一樣流傳於夏威夷人身上的本質。

Wakeboard 夏威夷雖然享負盛名,但現在仍會有人問我,夏威夷是日本的屬島嗎?夏威夷其實在哪裡?這個鼎鼎大名的度假天堂坐落於太平洋中心,號稱全世界最孤立的地方,是美國第五十個也是最後一個加入的州份。夏威夷主要由八個島嶼組成,歐胡島(O'ahu)是夏威夷州最繁盛的島,面積比香港大三分之一,也是俗稱「檀香山」的首府火奴魯魯(Honolulu)的所在地。

Wakeboard一月的檀香山,日間攝氏廿六度,我正身處阿拉莫納海灘公園(Ala Moana Beach Park)。遊人如鯽的威基基海灘(Waikiki Beach)一直不是我所好,如很多Locals(本地人)一樣,我更愛平靜的Ala Moana Beach。聲浪平靜,海浪也平靜。 有時,你只想慢慢暢泳,波濤還是留給黝黑的衝浪者比較罷。Ala Moana Beach是人工沙灘,五十年代由一家疏浚挖泥公司建造,灘上的沙正是來自其疏通工程。平靜的海面既適合初級泳者如我,也吸引很多人來這裡學習和練習 Stand-up Paddling(站立式滑水)。「站立式滑水」簡言之就是站在滑浪板上划槳滑行,用中國文化來解釋就是山水畫中常見的一葉輕舟,只是背景由江河變成大海、設備由竹筏變成膠板。

Wakeboard Ala Moana Beach也有打破平靜的時候,當地人也愛周末天倫樂。中國人大伙兒去飲茶的同時,夏威夷人則是拉大隊到海灘燒烤野餐。每個家庭會在沙灘或旁邊的綠草地搭起一或兩個帳篷,由食材、飲品、保溫箱、燒烤爐、桌椅以至發電機、音樂播放器都一律自備,家家都是專業的野餐團隊。當然,在夏威夷傳統觀念中,朋友們也可以是家('ohaha)的一分子。親戚朋友間常有potluck聚餐(即每人或每個單位貢獻一款食物的聚餐),海灘亦是potluck的熱門地。

Wakeboard Potluck派對在學校也很普遍,每到期中和期末,我的夏威夷語班都會舉行potluck派對。這總是令人興奮的時刻,因為同學們會帶上夏威夷地道食物。我就曾一次過嚐到了poke(魚生切丁沙律)、haupia(椰奶糕)、manapua(夏威夷叉燒包)和spam musubi(午餐肉飯團)。

Wakeboard Poke是夏威夷語,意為「切成小塊」,讀音近似英文單詞‘pocket’。這些切成小塊的魚生多以吞拿魚(夏威夷語稱之 'ahi)為材料,再加以洋蔥、海鹽、豉油、堅果碎、麻油、海草、辣椒等調拌而成各式poke(約9USD/磅),wasabi(芥茉)和spicy mayo(辣蛋黃醬)是我特別喜歡的兩款醬料。魚生會選用八爪魚、三文魚等製作。無飯不歡的我總愛買poke bowl(約5-8USD/碗),鮮甜肉汁和調味料,配上米飯絕對叫人回味無窮。愛飯的我當然也是spam musubi的愛好者。從日本飯團變身成的musubi無論在學校飯堂或超市便利店都有售,約2USD,美味又飽肚,也算是夏威夷這個樣樣貴的地方難得的便宜食物。夏威夷是全美國食用最多午餐肉的地方,2012年將會舉辦第十屆Spam Jam Festival Wakeboard



2010年11月22日 星期一

挑戰年輕人來學習滑水


全國第1座纜繩滑水設備出現在高雄市蓮池潭南岸,民眾可免費體驗滑水的速度快感。想體驗滑水的樂趣與快感嗎?全國第1座纜繩滑水設備,目前設置在高雄市蓮池潭南岸,中華民國滑水暨寬板滑水協會則在這裡舉辦滑水體驗與教學活動,民眾可以搭橡皮艇體驗滑水的速度感外,不少老外也前來挑戰翻滾、跳躍的高難度動作,大呼過癮!

高雄市去年世運時曾舉辦滑水比賽,雖然只有短短3天,讓很少接觸這項運動的觀眾大開眼界。時隔1年,最近蓮池潭又有人在滑水,一問之下才知道有免費的體驗活動和教學。

中華民國暨寬板滑水協會花了200多萬,在蓮池潭南岸設置了全國第1座的纜繩滑水設備,協會訓練組組長廖雲龍表示,滑水比賽是以動力船來拉選手,但纜繩除了可以讓初學者體驗滑水的感覺外,安全性也比較高,目前新加坡、印尼、泰國等國家都有類似的設備,國內則是第1座。

前世運基金會滑水專案經理林賢郎指出,整個纜繩滑水道總長約100公尺,以馬達拉動滑輪,時速最高可達35公里,目前開放給民眾體驗,如果怕下水或不會滑滑板,還可以選擇搭橡皮艇,一樣可以體驗速度感,「連衣服都不會濕」。

10月中旬開始的體驗活動,已經有1500多人次體驗過,到了周六、日更是大排長龍,反應熱烈。而纜繩滑水也吸引許多挑戰刺激的年輕人來學習滑水,尤其是翻滾、跳躍等高難度動作更是吸引他們,來自加拿大、目前在高雄教英文的Shannon就對這項設備讚不絕口,她說,她在加拿大已經玩了5年多的滑水,這次是第1次在台灣滑水,感到很熟悉,尤其在封閉的水域玩滑水,安全性更高

2010年11月8日 星期一

花式滑水技巧

Wakeboard
當年一個電話廣告,吸引了不少人對花式滑水感興趣,現時花式滑水流行選用單板,易於平衡,愛好者大都會聚集港島南區海灘,如石澳、赤柱和深水灣等,這些沙灘一來交通方面,二來活動範圍較少影響主要航遊。

個人設備包括助浮衣、板、防晒衣、滑水褲和滑水手套。至於其他設備有繩和快艇。當出發前教練指示活動範圍,盡量避免與其他船隻相撞。對於初學者來講學滑水必須經過四個難關包括起水、行直線、出入浪、跳浪…

起水~感覺像坐在地上被別人拉起,在下水前教練安排學員在陸上練習,要點是雙腳盡屈曲,兩腳微分開,雙手伸直抓緊Handle,初學者大部份會心急上水,但船速不夠卻未能上水,一般雙腳盡屈曲為持一至兩秒。 

行直線~首先決定左或右是控制腳控制腳在後,腰挺直,身體正面轉向前方,將至身體重心集中在腳上穩定滑浪板,初學者信心不足引致滑浪板飄左飄右。當遇上大浪時,應將重心放低穩定滑浪板。 
出入浪~雙腳坐低,保持板頭翹起。   

跳浪~其實是運用作用力和反作用力的原理,盡量保持雙腳坐低,手要伸直,當一口氣衝浪到浪頂時,伸直雙腳,借浪的力量彈起。其他滑浪花式基本上均由以上基本技術組合。 

心得 最初覺得好容易發生意外,只要事前做足安全設備,並沒有危險。活動只准許在指定區域,都是偏離泳客區,在下水前必須穿標準助浮衣,在船上最好一人負責駕駛,另一人負責照顧者。下水前應與者學習簡單手語,減低發生意外的機會
  

2010年11月7日 星期日

On your way to some fun wakeboarding!


Wakeboard So you want to enter into the exciting world of wakeboarding? You've come to the right place to get started. Follow these wakeboarding tips to get you started.

Having the right foot forward can make a huge difference in being comfortable on your wakeboard so decide which way is the most comfortable for you. While in the water try to keep your board on it's side and when the boat begins to pull simply allow the boat to pull you and the board out of the water. Don't try to pull yourself out, just allow the boat to do the work.

When being pulled up attempt to put 50% of your weight on your front foot. When you are fully out of the water you should have about 60% of your weight forward on the board with both arms on each side of your knee (While holding on the rope, of course). Squat down as much as possible so that you can more successfully swing into the correct upright position when you are close to the board.

Never try to come up at full speed. You may need the boat to go slower at first when trying to come out of the water. I would recommend going slow to start off and increasing the speed as you begin to get better at coming out of the water.

It is best for beginners to use a shorter rope which will help you get out of the water. Try to use a 45' rope when you first get started. Since you are a beginner it is best to start off slow even when you get the hang of getting out of the water, because it is just as difficult to stay up than it is to actually get up. Start slow and tell the driver of the boat to gradually increase the speed as you become more comfortable.

Being a decent wakeboarder takes time, so continue to stay up to date with wakeboarding tips and continue to practice and you'll be on your way to some fun wakeboarding.

2010年11月6日 星期六

呂宋島激玩滑水Wakeboard


滑水 位於呂宋島的南甘馬倫省(Camarines Sur)本是菲律賓最貧窮的四十個省份之一,惟當全亞洲最大型的人工滑水運動中心Camsur Watersports Complex(簡稱CWC)開幕後,竟奇地扭轉了當地經濟,旅遊業的全面推動,不但為當地人製造了可觀財富,刺激的鋼索滑水及齊全的住宿設施,亦為世界各地遊客提供了另類度假選擇,創造了雙贏局面。

人工滑水運動中心
花式滑水 當香港選擇以金融業支撐整個城市經濟發展時,菲律賓南甘馬倫省的省長Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr.更獨具慧眼,兩年多前一擲數以億元興建了一個全亞洲最大型的人工滑水運動中心CWC,希望以旅遊業帶動當地的經濟發展,據說成效很不錯,開業至今已舉行了多場大型國際 滑水比賽,將南甘馬倫省由一個寂寂無名的地方帶上國際舞台。CWC坐落於南甘馬倫省最大城市納加(Naga)旁邊,由馬尼拉乘約四十五分鐘內陸機即可達,交通亦算方便。而整個 水上活動中心佔地約六公頃,以偌大的人工滑水湖為中心,離地超逾十米的環湖 鋼索滑道架於半空,呼呼的滑輪聲伴以底下滑水者的連連叫聲,足以挑起每個入園者的運動細胞,只想即時投入那激盪浪花中玩個痛快

鋼索滑水替代傳統快艇
花式滑水 鋼索滑水其實就是以鋼索拉動替代了傳統的快艇,讓滑水可不受天氣或海上情況影響而全天候進行,刺激度不減,卻更安全,難怪大受滑水者歡迎,亦很適合初學者到來試玩,因有專人從旁教導。這裏的滑水方式共分四種,像我們一行人全無滑水經驗,教練提議我們可由最易平衡的 Kneeboarding入手,跪坐於滑板上,隨鋼索呼嘯滑出水面,由於重心低,果然很易控制,浪花撲面而來,暢快淋漓,這就是滑水的感覺!可惜忘形間轉彎時卻一個失衡,隨即撲入水中,宣告第一次滑水終止,那刺激感卻已上了癮,即時游回起點再接再厲

經驗者可玩Wakeboarding
花式滑水 至於有經驗者則可選玩WakeboardingWater Skiing Wake Skating,各有刺激處,如Wakeboarding可玩的花式最多,沿湖便設有六個不同跳台給高手大顯滑水身手,看各人於半空中又跳又翻,姿態瀟灑漂亮,確叫人羨慕。另外,主湖邊最近又開設了一條滑水道,方便初學者練習。如此大玩一天,收費只須約120港元,只能用「超抵玩」三字形容

住宿設施配合
花式滑水 一般滑水者來到,少則玩上一天,多則三數天,故滑水中 心內亦設有各式各樣的住宿設施配合,由最便宜的數十港元一晚(須使用公共廁所及浴室),到數百港元一晚都有,視乎不同房型而定。其中環湖而建的獨立式小木 屋Cabanas及由貨櫃改建而成的Trailer房間,可算最方便就腳,房租亦划算,雙人房每晚約192港元起,惟房間設施只屬一般,且大部分都須「自 助」,如單、毛巾甚至生紙等房內用品,都須向接待處自取或替換,對慣了凡事有人準備妥當的香港滑水遊客來說,確有點不方便

設施最豪華齊全
花式滑水 至於想住得舒適點,則可選擇入住 Mansion Suite 或最豪華的 Villas,尤其後者,更可享用私家泳池,房內設施亦最豪華齊全,部分更設有露天浴池,享受一流,當然房租亦非一般,雙人房每晚約 800 港元起,於當地生活水平來說,已是豪宅之級數。雖然整體上這裏的住宿設施仍有極多不足之處,然而卻有一意外驚喜,就是全滑水中心都鋪設了無上網服務,且速度不錯,對於須兼顧工作的滑水遊客來說可謂方便之極

加入少綠色元素
花式滑水 其實 CWC 的建立,除作推動當地的滑水旅 遊事業外,當局亦加入了不少綠色元素,藉以教育遊人,尤其是學生及年輕一代的環保意識,故中心另一邊便特地建立了一個Ecovillage,村內有湖泊、 溶洞、樹林、吊橋及溫室等,雖都是人工建造,卻也栩栩如生,綠意盎然。尤其是那個人工溶洞,規模雖不大,洞內卻打造了怪石嶙峋,配合穿洞而過的彎曲小河, 竟也營造了一步一景之效,昏暗光下氣氛十足,如此假洞竟謀殺了我們不少相機記憶體,可是大家意料之外。步出溶洞滑水,外牆原是一幅高聳的攀石牆,團體或遊人可租借作練習之用。至於全村還設立了多個戶外燒烤及野餐場地,池塘邊亦可隨意垂釣,只是釣上的魚若取走都須按公斤計,每公斤約 24 港元,不算便宜。 [星島日報副刊]

  香港滑水課程查詢: 香港滑水學校 | The Wakeboard School (HK)
 



海洋公園滑水夏水禮


- 海洋公園夏水禮中的小滑水梯後,半驚半笑說出來的真心話……小朋友的已經那麼刺激,大人玩的呢,唔,全球最長充氣滑水梯, 7月 1日正式登場,那種飛躍感覺,自己去試啦 !記者:謝翠玲海洋公園夏水禮 2010的重頭戲就是這條全球最長、最高的極速摩天滑水梯。只要登上最頂端,便可從 11高的梯頂極速滑過 54長的充氣滑道,體驗前所未有的極速消暑快感

Model Eagle試後大叫「好玩,當被水弄濕後,滑起來更加快速,很刺激!」怪不得為了拍攝效果要她試玩超過 6次也無怨言,我都想試呀! 看着 Model姐姐玩大滑梯玩得不亦樂乎,小朋友們也在騷動,不停嚷着要試玩輕量級的冲天滑水梯。這個適合身高至少 110cm的大小朋友的滑水梯高 7長 28,雖然冲天滑水梯較矮和短,但衝力一樣強勁而且滑行得更急,還沒做好心理準備便要滑完, 看小朋友們試完嚷着「好快好驚」,但轉頭又要排隊再 Encore便知道好不好玩了

挑戰完滑水梯,氣還沒喘定,又有不同的水戰場在等着你們了!除了滑水梯區,還有「槍戰水世界」和「決一水戰」的戰場讓大小朋友激戰連場,其中佔地超過一萬平方呎的「槍戰水世界」到處遍佈水彈機關,更有神出鬼沒的水怪等着被消滅,反應慢點也小心被反擊!當然也不可錯過「勁歌熱舞泡泡池」來場清凉泡泡大戰。 戰鬥累了,也可以稍事休息,欣賞每天安排的表演,包括由世界級頂尖跳水高手表演的 80呎跳台一躍而下的「高台飛魚大匯演」,「濕身鼓陣」和由專業舞林高手在水中表演「舞動夏日」,看着也覺陣陣清凉

玩完水戰後,還一定要去全新開幕的「中華鱘館——長江足跡」探望新來港的活化石中華鱘! 剛重新開幕不久的中華鱘館以長江為主題,這個全港最大的淡水魚類展館設有一個容量達 42萬公升的主魚池, 展示 10尾年齡介乎 2 10歲的中華鱘,此外亦有其他來自長江和香港的特有淡水魚種,在透明水底觀光隧道觀賞游來游去的魚兒,令遊人恍如置身長江流域之中,份外投入


2010年11月4日 星期四

Wakeboard for Beginners


How to Wakeboard for Beginners
Searching for tips on how to wakeboard for beginners can be tricky because a lot of tips and articles written on wakeboarding are not intended for first-time wakeboarders.  It is undeniable that wakeboarding is one of the hottest sports these days, and so many outdoor sports fanatics are eager to try it out. Getting started in any sports requires you to know its fundamentals, including the equipment needed and how each is properly used.

Wakeboard Learn the basics
Before plunging into the water with your Wakeboard, first, know the right wakeboard for you. It is not always true that the latest and the most expensive professional board is the best to start with. Learning how towakeboard for beginners requires some research on which board is suitable to your body type and which between twin tip or double ended boards is right for you. Allow yourself to learn from a larger wakeboard with one or more huge rear fins to provide direction to your board. Moving your board in different directions with ease is crucial for beginners. For a small body frame, an ideal board length is between 125 to 135 centimeters, while medium built frame can choose between 135 to 140 centimeters. And for large body frame, a board that measures between 140 to 145 centimeters is perfect Wakeboard.

As a starter, you need to learn with a short rope, which is about 15 meters. This allows you to get closer to the boat. You should never forget to wear your vest not only for safety reason but it also helps you reserve your energy. Just before you take your first try, inform the boat driver not to go faster than 35 to 40 kph because the board has high resistance during the start so better go slowly.

Wakeboard The Proper Stance
Learning how and where you should stand on the board is the next important aspect that you should keep in mind. If you do snowboarding or you skateboard, you won’t have any problem with your stance. If you have not tried any of these sports, you can determine your lead foot by knowing which foot you always move forward. If you want to be certain, while you’re still on land, stand up straight and ask somebody to push you from your back. So, whichever foot moves forward first, then that is your lead foot.

Wakeboard Correct Placement of bindings
You must put your bindings in the right angle. You do this by allowing your rear foot to stand straight across your Wakeboard – this makes a 0 degree, or you may move it a little forward and make a 9 degree angle. Your lead foot must be positioned between 9 to 27 degrees. Just before you start, always check if your bindings and fins are properly fastened.

Wakeboard Begin on Deep Water
Go to the water floating on your back using your safety vest. Make sure that the Wakeboard is vertically upright with the rope and your arms must be placed on the side of your knee. When you are in the right position, you can tell the boat driver to start and slowly pull you. When you feel that the water is providing your board with the right support, slowly stand up until your knees are fairly bent and put your body weight on your lead foot.

Do not rush on learning various tricks and stance. First, you need to develop your overall body coordination and learn to move in a continuous motion. You must always start at the right angle while floating on the water and then allow the rope to pull you up and finally stand up putting your weight on your lead foot.  Learning how to Wakeboard for beginners is not that all easy because every move requires precision and utmost safety Wakeboard.